Ed

Reed

The injury isn’t serious. We wouldn’t put much stock in veteran results or playing time during the first week of the preseason.

“There have been very few people we value that leave this organization. Ed Reed would be right at the top of that list. It would be unimaginable to me that (a contract extension) wouldn’t get done in one form or fashion.”

There was some concern he wasn’t participating earlier in the week because he’s looking for a new contract.

Their summer season ends Thursday. T Jonathan Ogden, LB Adalius Thomas and DE Terrell Suggs are also no-shows. CB Chris McAlister (toe), LB Ray Lewis (hamstring), C Mike Flynn (knee), FB Alan Ricard (calf), WR Clarence Moore (hernia) and WR Mark Clayton (hamstring) are out with injuries.

Reed, entering the final year of his deal, is not thought to be involved in a contract dispute. “Does he want a contract done? Yeah,” coach Brian Billick said. “Do we want to get a contract done? Yeah. I’m comfortable with where we’re at in terms of his participation.”

"(Reed) met with (coach John Harbaugh) and he told John that he’s going to get himself prepared to come back and play in 2012,” GM Ozzie Newsome said Friday. Reed has made a habit of toying with retirement the past few offseasons, but the Ravens had been on the record as “expecting” him to return since their loss in the AFC Championship Game.

Take it with a grain of salt, perhaps as a prod to the Ravens entering the final year of his contract. As owner Steve Bisciotti says, “Ed doesn’t give definitive answers.” Reed also suggested that if it was up to him, he’d be “with a walking cane out there” after 11 seasons. Expect the future Hall of Famer to play this season, then take it year-by-year.

Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard are the team’s starters at the two safety positions, but Reed is now 33-years-old, and both are free agents after the 2012 season. Additionally, the team lost both Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski to free agency, leaving very little depth at the position. Former Alabama standout and top-rated safety prospect Mark Barron isn’t likely to fall to Baltimore at 29th overall, but Notre Dame’s Harrison Smith should be available.

“I got a lot on my mind I’ve been thinking about,” said Reed, who’s due a $7.2 million base salary in the last year of his deal. “The truth of the matter is, it’s about respect. It’s about getting respect and it’s a business.” Reed also asked for a new contract last offseason. “And I know if I’m giving my heart to football, it’s going to take a toll on my later life,” he said. “My family has got to be taken care of. I don’t want to hear that I’m getting old. I don’t want to hear that.”

Reed was probably the Ravens MVP today. He looks headed for another Pro Bowl and is a top ten fantasy safety.