This Won’t Be Ed Reed’s Final Game

Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed at press conference after the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Patriots 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Reguardless of what happens next Sunday in New Orleans, Ed Reed says he will be playing next season.

This news shouldnt be considered more than a mild surprise. There was some speculation that Reed might retire if the Ravens were to win the Lombardi, but Reed says no to that theory.

Personally I wouldn’t be terribly surprised to see Reed retire anyway. I think he definitely had more football in him. Despite what you might hear, Reed has been performing at a very high level this year and he has had a heavy influence on the playoff victories by the Ravens. Peyton Manning seemed terrified to throw towards Reed except the one time when he caught Reed being forced to play press man one on one with Eric Decker(a clear mismatch for any safety). Tom Brady was hesitant to push the ball deep for most of the game despite having opportunities simply because Reed was in the general area. Andrew Luck was more of the same, he avoided Reeds side of the field and chose to throw outside the numbers to the far side of Reed on most attempts. Despite all that, I think Reed recognizes how rare the opportunity for an all time great player to finish his career as a champion is.