Reed Says Surgery May Delay Start to His Season

by Bruce Raffel on Jun 28, 2010 7:00 AM EDT in News

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed says the surgery he had on his hip around the 2010 NFL Draft in late-April will require anywhere from 4-6 months of recovery time. Doing the math, that puts the beginning of the season around four months from then and is the bare minimum he says he needs to be ready to play.

Perhaps this information, released last week, is part of the reason the team recently went on a signing spree in their defensive backfield. Over the past week or so, the Ravens have signed veteran defensive backs Ken Hamlin and Walt Harris. In addition, they brought in and signed free agent Travis Fisher plus have a bunch of other undrafted free agents in the fold who will be in Training Camp come late-July to compete for other backup roles on the team.

See the update with additional links at SB Nation.

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I wish Ed had that surgery right after the end of the season. When was his last training camp without a red jersery? (not like he needs training camp though)

by BmoreBlitz on Jun 28, 2010 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

Secondary??

I am a big fan of the Hamlin signing (the more DB’s the better) But where will he fit in? FS? SS? Nickel? Because Zibby and Haruki seem to be on there way to getting big PT and we also have big Landry! What will Hamlins role be??

by Brocksolid on Jun 28, 2010 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

insurance

Unfortunately, injuries are common in this league, and the Ravens are not an exception. Just ask Ed, Fabian, Ladarius, Haruki, etc… I think Hamlin will excel with this defense, more so than he did in Dallas.

Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to prosper. -Benjamin Franklin
Hang on, I gotta pinch me off a Cleveland Steamer -Tenacious D

by shockeRKhan on Jun 28, 2010 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Everybody seems to excel with this defense (except Frank Walker). Cowboys made a mistake getting rid of him.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 28, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

So true.

Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to prosper. -Benjamin Franklin
Hang on, I gotta pinch me off a Cleveland Steamer -Tenacious D

by shockeRKhan on Jun 28, 2010 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions

WHY WAIT....

The"waiting game" thing with Ed Reed is becoming problematic in the NFL.If you knew at seasons end you needed surgery,then why wait? If it bothers you enough when your not playing during the off season common sense tells you if it hurts get it fixed.I am an Ed Reed fan,he is one of the best all time and he doesn’t need that much training camp to be prepared,but this team is the best he has played on since he’s been here,you’d think he would be chumping at the bit to take on the leadership role on the field instead of the sidelines.Maybe its and NBA thing,take the first part of the season off and play the end and playoffs,but shit happens and losing early when you have only 16 games can make the difference in a season,a loss is still a loss,granted the team is stocked,but there’s only one Ed Reed and I would rather,he be ready on the ref’s first whistle….

by thomlord on Jun 29, 2010 12:17 AM EDT reply actions

Yea

I have no idea why he just didn’t have the thing done in January the week after the Ravens were knocked out. It just make sense unless he was really thinking about retiring and didn’t decide until April that he was coming back.

Steelers football is 60 mins.

by tannofsteel84 on Jun 29, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

A lot of people are none to quick to go under the knife. Perhaps he was weighing his options and trying to get a few things straight/do a few things before he had surgery in case it didn’t go so well. Not every surgery is successful, especially to an area that doesn’t get a lot of blood flow, which slows the healing process. Maybe he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to walk the same or play with his kids and needed a few months to weight his options.

It’s easy to be selfish and greedy as fans and get upset that he didn’t do it right away because it hurts our teams chances to win the Lombardi trophy, but I trust he had his reasons… and they probably weren’t to skip out on camp or anything like that.

by ATXRaven on Jun 29, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Sad

I hope Ed gets better as soon as possible. If it was late April that means he might not be ready until October/November. We’ll see if the Ravens’ secondary can hold up without him. I’d be concerned especially after seeing what happened to the Steelers when Troy went down. At least ya’ll have some time to prepare for it.

Steelers football is 60 mins.

by tannofsteel84 on Jun 29, 2010 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

Here is the thing though, as much as we all love Ed Reed and how great he is, I do not think he is the most important player on our defense anymore. He can still be a threat, but I think we saw Ed’s last dominating season in 2008 and now he is in there more as just a decoy. We do not want him hitting people like he used to and just need him to play in coverage.

I think we can still win games without Reed. If it were that bad that he is missing games, I think we would be seeing alot more outraged comments from people here, but we know that Zbi and Hamlin can get it done.

With the Steelers, Troy is by far your most important player on that defense and without him, your defense is pretty suspect. You guys never really prepared yourselves like the Ravens have at the back up position, because your back up Safeties are trash. Ours could and have started in this league and have made some big time plays.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 29, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

My Early Guess

Is Hamlin will start at FS if Ed can’t start the season. I’m probably in the minority but I think that would be the right move. I don’t think Ruki will be healthy enough to start week one, and I am more comfortable with Hamlin then Zibi at this point. I like Zib alright, although more at SS then FS. While he did fill in admirably last year for Reed and had a few picks, he also was burned a few times as well. His lack of hip flexibility worries me. On the other hand, I have not seen enough of Hamlin recently to give him a fair critique.

This would be a great poll question, who would you want to start in Reed’s place, Hamlin, Zibi, or Ruki?

by DT711 on Jun 29, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

At this point, I want Hamlin to start as well. Zbi is just starting to come into his own and is definitely showing us that he can be a very good Safety in this league, but I trust Hamlin because he has already done all that stuff before. And usually when a player like that comes to this defense, they step their game up a great deal.

I will be happy with whoever wins the spot in training camp. I like Zbi because he seems to be learning everything necessary to be a great safety and also our secondary fared pretty well with him last year against some pass happy teams.

Should be a great battle to watch for sure, and which ever player wins it is fine by me.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 29, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Good breakdown here.

Baltimore’s defense didn’t allow a single touchdown to the Detroit Lions or Chicago Bears at home in Weeks 14 and 15. During those wins it held Daunte Culpepper to 135 passing yards and two interceptions and Jay Cutler to 98 yards passing and four interceptions.

Granted, the Bears and Lions won a combined nine games last year. But while the competition should be considered, any NFL team is capable of putting up big numbers.

The tougher test came in losses to the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. But the secondary still statistically performed well.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 263 yards, which seems like a lot unless considering that Rodgers averaged 277 yards per game. Rodgers threw three touchdowns but also tossed two interceptions. It was only one of two games on the season in which he was picked off multiple times.

The Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger threw for 259 yards in Week 16, but completed just 16 of 33 passes. The Ravens secondary notched one interception and surrendered one touchdown. Roethlisberger’s 75.2 quarterback rating was his third-lowest on the season, 0.1 percentage point better than his second-worst showing.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 29, 2010 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Sweet

Well can you explain what happens to your secondary whenever you guys play the colts. They look sorry to me in those games but apparently you’re saying its not like that most games. The Steelers have beat the Ravens in the Air so to me its ya’lls weakest link. without Ed its even weaker. I admit we didn’t prepare for the loss of troy, I still don’t think we have an adequate back up behind him but hopefully our CBs are better, we’ll see.

Steelers football is 60 mins.

by tannofsteel84 on Jun 29, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I will agree that our secondary is out weakest link, but just because that is true does not mean that they are one of the worst in the league.

Trust all of us when we say this, but we do indeed have someone who can fill in for Reed at the moment. And the last few games we have played the Colts, our secondary has done a great job. Held them to 17 and 20 points, that is a great accomplishment against Peyton and our offense lost us those games.

"However, the true greatness of the Ravens’ line lies in their malevolence, led by right end Haloti Ngata. Simply put, Ngata can’t be blocked by mere mortals. He is not a product of the human species. He is really a creation of a building contractor, made of cinderblocks and some type of flesh-like covering. Throw in Kelly Gregg at nose tackle and behemoth rookie Terrence Cody and you have something truly frightening."

by Mr MaLoR on Jun 29, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah

Never mean to try to insinuate that they are among the worst of the league. Its just that the run defense is so good that its not smart to try to win the game that way. There has only been a couple of times where that D has gotten ‘ran’ over. So the best way is to do it by passing and that is what has worked so far.

Steelers football is 60 mins.

by tannofsteel84 on Jun 30, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree

That I will be cool with whoever the coaches choose to start, if in fact Reed can’t go week one.

by DT711 on Jun 29, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Fearing the Worse

This might be it for Reed.

I am not sure he comes back form this -I hope he does, but I am not convinced.

I remember when Ogden hobbled through his last season -not really worth it. I could see where Reed misses the first half of the season and then is only at, say, 70% (whatever that means) for the rest…

And if this is the type of injury that if continually aggravated may lead to chronic pain/issues, even after being “fixed” with surgery, Reed may decide it is not worth it. Barry Sanders retired essentially still effective, but he is probably living a normal life with few physical issues… Reed may want the same for the rest of his…

by vlad755 on Jun 30, 2010 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

I hope not because he may be one of the best ravens or even the best raven to ever play.

by Raven_all_day on Jun 30, 2010 8:16 PM EDT reply actions

No raven

is better than Ray Lewis, hands down. He is the best Raven ever, its not even up for discussion. Ed Reed can be argued for 2nd place. But Lewis has the #1 spot locked up, period.

Steelers football is 60 mins.

by tannofsteel84 on Jul 1, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I am not so sure i would 100% give JO #2. While i appreciate JO consistent domination, Ed Reed is a gamechanger, Blocking Punts,returning punts, returning interceptions, returning fumbles. Reed is like speeding. You wanna speed but u dont want that ticket. You wanna throw it to Moss but Reed is going to take it. I just dont know…..Im down either way. But i fucks wit Reed.

by Raven_all_day on Jul 1, 2010 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

JO

best player at his position for most of his first 12 years. Some argued he was the best Raven over Ray just 1 year ago. Reed is great, but JO was better. Reed 6 Pro bowls and 6 All pro teams; JO 11 Pro- bowls and 8 All pro teams. Is it likely that Reed will surpass JO if he plays 3 more years? I believe so. But he will have to continue his high level of play for 3 full seasons more, and maybe win something before I will agree that he has passed JO.

by Rayisyourdaddy on Jul 1, 2010 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Who is JO?

lol not familiar, very curious

Steelers football is 60 mins.

by tannofsteel84 on Jul 2, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Jonathon Ogden, the great Left Tackle of the last 15 years.

by Mr MaLoR on Jul 2, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

greatest*

by Mr MaLoR on Jul 2, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Absolutely

And I might even argue that Ray-Ray and JO are tied. Ray never looked “bored” while playing. Ray has always performed at a high level, but JO not only performed at a high level, but made it look easy.

I think Ray gets a consensus #1 from most people because of being outspoken and loquacious, but in terms of a pure football player, I might have to give it to JO.

Given what you know now, would you start your football team with JO or Ray? I think I would start with JO first.

by vlad755 on Jul 2, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

JO

is unquestionably the 2nd best Raven ever. Ed Reed is unquestionably 3rd. 4th is already hard, as CMac, Jamal, and Boulware are probably the leading candidates.

by Rayisyourdaddy on Jul 1, 2010 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

Your logic is unquestionable.

1. Ray.gonna.get.ya.
2. J.to.big.for.da.O.
3. Reed.my.jersery.cause.i.got.ya.
4. Jamal.you.want.some.ye.yo
5. Heap.a.one.woman.mormon.
6. Cmac.a.bottle.of.vodka.
7. Boulware.need.a.knee.and.a.vote.
8. Ngata.get.my.breakfast.
9. Flacco.one.brow.
10. Woods.on.some.ladies.
11. Sizzle.gonna.bleach.ya.
12. Goosed.on.gannon.
13. Rice.I ain’t.Jerry.but.I.good.
13. Scott.da.loquacious.one.

I’m sure I left a few out.

by BmoreBlitz on Jul 1, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

interesting names

"Cam, we're not going to have any issues because we're going to be winning."
--Joe Flacco

"Just win baby. Yeah, I stole that."
--Jon Gruden

by jackmca on Jul 1, 2010 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea, I got bored with work.

by BmoreBlitz on Jul 2, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I Think

You have Heap a little too high and Flacco a little too low. And I think I would put Jermaine Lewis in the top 12, maybe bumping Goose down to #13. I believe Woodson is a little too high as he only spent four years with the Ravens. And if you are going to include Woodson, you gotta include Sharpe -he is easily a top fifteen Raven. And where is Stover?

by vlad755 on Jul 2, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions