The Ravens are already planning to open the season without one of their defensive leaders, Terrell Suggs, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon. But they might have to open the season without another of their defensive leaders, Ed Reed -- and unlike Suggs, Reed might be done for good.
Reed said in April that although he plans on playing, those plans could change. And in an interview today, Reed reiterated that it’s possible he won’t play: Reed told Adam Schein of SiriusXM NFL Radio that he’s “not 100 percent committed right now to playing this year.”
The 33-year-old Reed said he’s concerned about his health and his long-term future. He has also said previously this offseason that he doesn’t think the $7.2 million he’s scheduled to make in 2012 is sufficient for a player who has done what he has done on the field for the Ravens, and that he thinks the Ravens -- by not paying him what he believes he’s worth -- are showing him a lack of respect.
“The truth of the matter is, it’s about respect,” Reed said. “It’s about getting respect and it’s a business.”
In the end, it’s hard to picture Reed deciding not to play, leaving the $7.2 million on the table and sitting out when he sure looks like he still has a passion for playing football. But the fact that he’s talking about quitting has to be a concern for the Ravens.