After the Ravens defense shut down the Patriots offense in the AFC Championship game no one could ever imagine one of the Ravens premier defensive players wearing a Patriots uniform next season, or could they?
Ravens safety, and future hall of famer, Ed Reed is set to become a free agent after this season and the 36-year-old could be a potential fit in New England to close out his storied career.
First off, Reed is one of the players in the league Bill Belichick has the utmost respect for. Belichick always has good things to say about Reed, and could go on and on about what a terrific player he thinks he is.
Second, Belichick has a history of signing players at the very ends of their careers. In the past, names like Rodney Harrison, Fred Taylor, Anthony Pleasant and Junior Seau have reported to Foxboro in their waning football days.
Reed can still play the game despite his age. He had four and three interceptions the past two years respectively, after recording eight in just 10 games back in 2010. Reed is a player opposing quarterbacks still look for prior to every snap.
Finally, the Patriots have a major void at safety. New England’s pass defense needs to be upgraded, and a hard-hitting safety is something the team desperately needs, considering it hasn’t had anyone like that since Harrison retired.
Making a play for Reed would be an interesting personnel decision by the Pats front office and would raise plenty of questions.
Would Devin McCourty return to corner? Is Steve Gregory what the team is looking for from their full-time safety? Is Tavon Wilson ready to make an impact at the position? Does Patrick Chung return?
Before jumping to any conclusions, the Ravens are playing in the Super Bowl this weekend. It is very possible that with a win, Reed could retire and go out on top with a ring.
But, by all reports Reed is planning on playing football next season, and when he does, there is a real possibility he exchanges his Ravens purple for a navy blue Patriots uniform.
