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The greatest free safety of his time: Former Hurricane Ed Reed selected to Hall of Fame - Armando Salguero
“I was a two-star recruit ... now a Hall of Famer,” Reed tweeted. “Beyond thankful.
“It’s not something I set out to do when I played this game,” Reed said later. “I was just a kid playing a game. But now that this is here, it’s awesome.”
There certainly was zero debate about how great Reed was when he was playing.
“He’s the best weak safety I’ve seen since I’ve been in the National Football League in my career,” New England Patriots coach Belichick once said of Reed. “He’s outstanding at pretty much everything.
“The list goes on and on with him. It’s just a question of pretty much anything he’s out there for, he’s good at.”
During a behind-the-scenes look at the Patriots years ago, cameras captured Belichick and Tom Brady going over the Baltimore defense when the subject of Reed came up.
“Every time you break the huddle, that’s who you’re looking at,” Brady told his coach.
Reed finished his amazing 12-year career with 64 interceptions, which is seventh all-time. His nine postseason interceptions is tied for the NFL record and that’s one more than the top six all-time interception leaders combined.
Reed had a prominent role in an entertaining commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. Due to the rarity and value of dominant free safeties in comparison to strong safeties, Ronnie Lott is Reed’s only true competition for best all-time at the position.
2019 NFL offseason: Nine headlines from ... the future! - Jeremy Bergman
Staying in the DMV: Redskins acquire Joe Flacco from Ravens
After losing out on the Foles-stakes, Washington will pursue another former Super Bowl MVP on the Acela corridor. With Alex Smith likely shelved for the 2019 season, the Redskins are desperate for a signal-caller to lead an otherwise solid roster. Pressured to act by reported pursuit of Flacco by Miami and Denver, Bruce Allen and Doug Williams will overpay for the 34-year-old QB before Baltimore releases him, taking on Flacco’s $26.5 million cap hit. The ‘Skins have eyes on the QB prospects working out at the combine, and Washington’s front office will spend its remaining draft capital to try to find the QB of the future. But in the meantime, while Smith’s leg heals and a competitive Redskins outfit waits for a leader, Washington will employ a humdrum son of the mid-Atlantic.
Barring further contract manipulation, Joe Flacco will actually cost $18.5 million against the cap if traded. Washington’s estimated $21 million of salary cap space is the 21st most in the NFL.
The top 101 players from the 2018 NFL season - Pro Football Focus
97. MARLON HUMPHREY, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Top 101 appearances: New entry
The second-year cornerback out of Alabama improved on his stellar rookie season with an overall grade of 80.0 in 2018. His 52.5% catch rate allowed was the seventh-best in the league this season, and his 22.5% forced incompletion rate was third-best.
99. MARSHAL YANDA, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Top 101 appearances: 7
Yanda battled back from his 2017 ankle injury to log the most snaps among guards in the 2018 regular season at 1,162. Including the postseason, he earned the fourth-highest overall grade among guards at 75.2, allowing just 15 total pressures and zero sacks.
Former Raven and newly crowed Super Bowl champion Lawrence Guy checked in at #83 on this list. PFF will unveil their top 75 players of the 2018 season throughout the week.