Rex Ryan often talked up Ed Reed during the seven years he coached Reed in Baltimore, and he’s not stopping now that he’ll coach against Reed tonight.
“A first ballot Hall of Famer, in my opinion. The best safety that’s ever played,” Ryan said this week.
Ryan has a penchant for overstating things when he’s talking about his favorite players, but he may be right here. Bill Belichick has called Reed the best free safety ever, Reed is definitely a Hall of Famer, and he’s also the most electrifying defensive player ever with the ball in his hands.
Is he the best safety ever? He’s certainly in the conversation. Fifteen years ago, when the NFL selected its 75th anniversary team, the safeties were Larry Wilson, Ken Houston and Ronnie Lott. Ten years from now, when the NFL selects its 100th anniversary team, Reed should be on it.