Ed Reed can backpedal quickly, both on the field and when he’s asked about his plans for the 2012 season.
Just hours after Reed said he’s not 100 percent committed to playing for the Ravens this year, Reed provided a quote to the Carroll County Times saying he wants to play not just this year but for several years.
“It’s not about retirement, it’s about my focus in the offseason, health, family and football,” Reed said. “This is the time of year where players think through things. My goal is to play football in the years to come.”
Reed has had a series of nagging injuries, so it’s no surprise that during the offseason he’s more focused on resting his body than he is on getting back on the field. He is also apparently hoping for a raise from the $7.2 million base salary he is owed this season, the final year of his six-year, $44.2 million contract.
But if Reed’s goal is to play football in the years to come, it’s safe to say he’ll accomplish that goal. And if he doesn’t get that raise he wants now, he can get it in 10 months.