The FA Pursuit and Signing of S Ed Reed

[WMH]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

I'm starting to think Reed is just using us to get a better deal from the Ravens. And I'm okay with that since I think he will cost more and give less than the Texans need.

Reportedly......we offered a 3 yr deal, but the numbers were not to his liking.....
http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#story...reed-20130318/

[nunusguy]

"Any team that's fortunate enough to get him is getting a Hall of Fame player," Texans quarterback Matt Schaub said Monday night at the Ed Block Courage award banquet at Martin's West. "He's one of the best if not the best safety to ever play the game and still in his prime. If you can add that kind of player, the leadership, the intensity he brings to his job, he's going to make the whole team better. It's the nature of the business. We'll see what happens."
http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#story...reed-20130318/
*******************************************
Memo to Texans' Scouting staff, when Schaub eventually retires don't even think about hiring him as a personnel evaluator because he seems to get very confused when it comes to determining what stage a player is at in his career cycle.

[popanot]

Ed Reed was good 2-3 years ago, but he's pretty much washed up at this point (despite his INT #'s last year). I mean, when the player himself is throwing out the word "retirement" over the last the year or two, you might want to consider spending your $$ elsewhere. If they want to sign an aging vet S at some over-priced amount for 1 or 2 years, they should target Woodson over Reed. At least he seems to have a littlle bit (and I mean a little bit) left in the tank.

Actually, I'm surprised Smith and Kubiak are even considering Reed as it doesn't seem to be their modus operandi over the last few years. Perhaps Wade has a bit more influence on Smith/McNair than what we thought??

[barrett]

Originally Posted by popanot

Ed Reed was good 2-3 years ago, but he's pretty much washed up at this point (despite his INT #'s last year). I mean, when the player himself is throwing out the word "retirement" over the last the year or two, you might want to consider spending your $$ elsewhere. If they want to sign an aging vet S at some over-priced amount for 1 or 2 years, they should target Woodson over Reed. At least he seems to have a littlle bit (and I mean a little bit) left in the tank.

Actually, I'm surprised Smith and Kubiak are even considering Reed as it doesn't seem to be their modus operandi over the last few years. Perhaps Wade has a bit more influence on Smith/McNair than what we thought??

I guess you broke down a lot of Ed Reed film this year versus previous years?

Get out of hear with that washed up stuff. The guy played very good football. He was the clear leader of the super bowl winning defense and picked a pass off in the Super Bowl itself. He is probably a better tackler than ever (all his big hits added up to a 1 game suspension). He still has great ball skills. He is still extremely dangerous as a return man (on INTs or the occasional punt). His range is not what it used to be (meaning he does not play the entire field in an umbrella anymore), but he has far more range today than any safety the Texans put on the field last year. At this point in his career there is still not a better safety when it comes to playing facing the ball. He cannot turn and cover in the slot like Quinn, but he is probably superior in every other way.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by barrett

I guess you broke down a lot of Ed Reed film this year versus previous years?

And I'm sure you have too... You've analyzed every game Reed has played over the last few years rather than picking out a great play here and there. As for his "hits", he was suspended for head-to-head contact (Steelers game being the final straw). Not sure how that equates to him still having great tackling skills and Ronnie Lott tenacity. Regardless, you have your opinion and I have mine. To me, this is shades of Barkley/Rockets and Stabler/Oilers and nowhere close to a Drexler/Rockets situation. Shoot, while we're at it, maybe we should look at signing Randy Moss, Terrell Owens or Chad Johnson too. They probably still have more talent and skill than anything the Texans have at WR #2/3/4 (excluding the injured Posey) and at least they'd come cheap - unlike Reed.

EDIT: And just to clarify, no, I'm not serious about Moss, TO or CJ.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by popanot

Perhaps Wade has a bit more influence on Smith/McNair than what we thought??

I just wonder about that because Wade seemed to be a big Barwin supporter and yet the Texans let him walk for chump-change rather than matching the Eagles deal ?
But some players just seem to be ageless, like Tony Gonzalez who's got several years on Reed but just reupped again with the Falcons. However I don't necessarily think Reed falls into that category because I keep thinking of that deep route that Jacoby when still with us beat Reed like a drum back in 2011 ?

[popanot]

I don't have a problem with Reed if he comes at a reasonable price (which he won't). However, it makes no sense to me -considering where this team is, what they've done and how they've operated over the last few years- if they sign him at Ed Reed, HOF-type money. People can say Reed is still great all they want, but IMO, it makes no sense whatsoever to let guys like Quinn or Barwin, or any of the young guys YOU'VE been drafting and grooming, walk for equal-to or less-than money you're about to throw at a guy who's been considering retirement for the last 2 years. I get letting Mario walk at that astronomical price tag, but Quinn and Barwin didn't break the bank when you look at their overall deals. Again, JMHO (barrett).

[HPF Bob]

Last year, I kept reading how messed up Reed's shoulder was and how much it hurt now to lay a lick on someone. Props for his courage to still stick his nose into the pile but a backline tackler with a bad shoulder is not a good thing. His body is telling him he's done but his will and his pride haven't quite received the message. I'd rather not be paying $6-7 mil for him to get the message. No doubt he's a great player and a likely Hall-of-Famer but I don't believe we'd get our money's worth unless the Texans desperately need somebody on defense who can shame them into a whole 'nother level of toughness. And maybe the Texans need that.

[popanot]

From that article nunusguy references above...

The Ravens' tight salary-cap situation could preclude them from making Reed a major negotiating priority. Plus, the 34-year's old age, durability concerns and decline in range could work against a reunion with the Ravens.

That's from a Ravens beat writer and quite possibly from an internal Ravens source with the team who Reed's had a HOF career with. And even though the Ravens are in a "tight salary-cap situation" as it applies to Reed, they're in the market for Dumerville.

http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#secti.../?related=true

And are considering Huff.

http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#secti.../?related=true

The Ravens would like to have Reed back, but not for $6 million annually and definitely not for the $7.2 million he made in the final year of his expired six-year, $44.5 million contract.

As for the Texans, a league source with knowledge of the situation characterized the Texans' initial three-year offer as low enough that a fast deal was unrealistic.

Sounds like the right thing to do to me.

[Keith]

It's really not all that clear to me that the Ravens, much less any team other than the Texans, are seriously bidding for Ed Reed's services. Makes me wonder if the Texans' "low-ball" offer is really that low. Reed needs to sign the best offer on the table, and I am sure it is Houston's.

So Reed is holding the Texans hostage at this point. I'd give him an ultimatum to sign by tonight or it's time to move on. And I am one who actually thinks signing him, at least for 2013, would be a good move. A leader on the defense (something arguably lacking when DeMeco left), Reed has recent Super Bowl experience and the instant respect of his peers. Not that Cushing or Watt (or JJo) don't already earn respect from others, but Reed could walk onto the field and be the defensive team captain.

[popanot]

A 1-yr or 2-yr deal (but only with an out-clause in YR2) would be fine, IMO. I've always been a huge Reed fan and definitely think he can provide some of that missing leadership. I just don't want the Texans to overpay and/or give him a contract that keeps us in cap purgatory. If you're going to let young homegrown players walk, at least let there be a future cap benefit from it.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by Keith

It's really not all that clear to me that the Ravens, much less any team other than the Texans, are seriously bidding for Ed Reed's services. Makes me wonder if the Texans' "low-ball" offer is really that low. Reed needs to sign the best offer on the table, and I am sure it is Houston's.

So Reed is holding the Texans hostage at this point. I'd give him an ultimatum to sign by tonight or it's time to move on. And I am one who actually thinks signing him, at least for 2013, would be a good move. A leader on the defense (something arguably lacking when DeMeco left), Reed has recent Super Bowl experience and the instant respect of his peers. Not that Cushing or Watt (or JJo) don't already earn respect from others, but Reed could walk onto the field and be the defensive team captain.

Agree with this. One of Rick Smith's savviest moves as a GM was making a run at Nnamdi but then cutting his losses and going after Joseph when he couldn't get a deal done with Nnamdi in reasonably short order. Needs to go back to that playbook.

[WMH]

From the chronic on Reed:

"The Texans have made an offer that, according to two people familiar with the negotiations, is closer to $4 million a year than $5 million. Reed has been hoping to get a multiyear contract that averages $6 million to $7 million."

http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans...ose-on-a-deal/

[Keith]

A 3-yr $12 million contract will not put the Texans cap into a death spiral, especially if Reed is at least playing through 2014.

This deal keeps sounding better all the time. Rick Smith is getting better at his job. Now if he can just remember who to listen to and who to ignore of his college scouts...

[WMH]

Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) tweeted:
Future Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed has agreed to terms with the Texans, ending his Ravens career.

No terms yet, other than its a 2 year deal.

Updated:
Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) tweeted:
Hearing Ed Reed got as much as $7 million total guaranteed on his two-year deal, per a league source.

[popanot]

$7MM guaranteed isn't too bad. Hope he can stay healthy and give us 80-90% of the HOF Reed.

[Nconroe]

Ok, sounds like a good deal for ed and for Texans.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by popanot

$7MM guaranteed isn't too bad. Hope he can stay healthy and give us 80-90% of the HOF Reed.

85% of HOF Reed plus his attitude and leadership will be a huge win.

I cannot wait to see how the team plays the draft, especially the first couple of picks. They could do anything - DL, DE, ILB, OLB, WR, OL. They could even go TE. I would be surprised to shocked to see them draft a QB, RB, CB or S early.

[Keith]

Mod note... split this from the general FA thread since Ed Reed discussion was dominating.

Congrats to Rick Smith and the Texans for waiting this one out, assuming it is official tomorrow. Such a pleasant change from the first decade or so of front office management from this franchise.

John McClain‏@McClain_on_NFL30m
Ed Reed deal not finalized with Texans. Rick Smith and David Dunn still negotiating. Could be done Thursday.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by Keith

Mod note... split this from the general FA thread since Ed Reed discussion was dominating.

Well, there hasn't been a whole lot else to talk about.....

I am happy we got him, despite his age. As chuck stated, I'd take an 85% Ed Reed for 2 years over Quin for 2 years, and hope we hit on his eventual replacement in this years draft.

I will be even happier if the initial numbers hold up, and his guarrantee is "only" around $7MMish. I've seen later reports of 3 years max of $16MM, but that could be agent fluff to help close/save face. We shall see today I would imagine.