Something to Ponder…Ed Reed a Jet…

Take it easy, folks. This is a hypothetical situation here.

Let me just start off by saying that Ed Reed is by far, my favorite NFL (non-Jets) player. That’s why it’s easy for me to dream of Ed Reed playing Free Safety for the Jets.

Again, the odds are slim. But what if the Ravens wanted to see what draft picks they could get in return in a trade, for their disgruntled Free Safety? Reed is set to make $7.2 Million this year and feels that there’s a lack of respect from the Ravens Front Office. That is, if he doesn’t get a new deal. He’s entering his final season of his 6 Year, $44 Million contract.

Would the Ravens dare to trade him?

Reed sounds like he’s leaning towards becoming a no-show come time for training camp.

He tweeted yesterday:

Back home with my son, he’s riding his bike an I’m doing yard work! Tell the bosses I’m comfortable!”

Ed Reed is a father now, and knows how valuable time can be. It’s only natural to want to spend time with your kids. Especially if you’re Reed, and you feel disrespected by your “bosses”, aka the Ravens Front Office.

Let’s just say the Ravens decided that they could move forward with their current depth on Defense. Clearly, that’d mean that a Defensive Back stood out during their practices without #20.

Reed is taking up $7.2 Million in cap room, and the Ravens Front Office might want to get some value for him while they can. I say that, because when the 2012 season is over, Ed Reed will become a free agent. If you’re the Ravens, looking for takers on Reed, the Jets are a difficult team to ignore as a potential trade-partner. Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome knows Rex very well, and he’d understand why the Jets would be interested. So what would a trade look like?

Let’s ask Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh…actually, don’t.

Harbaugh seems like he has no idea what’s going on. This was what he said back in May, when asked about Ed Reed, and whether or not he would report to camp:

Ed, he’s a mature guy. He’s a superstar. He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s a leader and Ed will be here. We’re counting on Ed being here.”

He was wrong…Ed skipped out.

Harbaugh also hurt the Ravens camp, regarding contract negotiations. Harbaugh likely heard an earful from GM Ozzie Newsome and the Front Office, after telling the media how amazing Ed Reed is. Rex Ryan learned that lesson with Darrelle Revis when he held out in 2010.

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If I were to guess, I would say it would cost the Jets two of next year’s Draft Picks to get the future Hall of Famer.

Ideally, I could see a deal looking like:

• Ravens Get —-> Jets 2013  3rd and 4^th Round Draft Picks.
• Jets Get —-> Free Safety Ed Reed

Heck, if I were the Jets I’d throw Baltimore a 2nd Rounder instead. Opinions might vary, but there’s one thing you have to remember…Ed Reed is one of, if not, the best Safety in NFL History.

Ed Reed is very consistent, and is the epitome of a ball-hawk. Always was and always will be. The Jets could use a Free Safety to play the center of the field, considering how many Strong Safeties are on the team.

The Jets will be good without Reed, though. They will be using a three Safety rotation…with LaRon Landry, Yeremiah Bell, and Eric Smith. The Jets also have Josh Bush and Antonio Allen to sub in. But there’s no STAND OUT, ball-hawking safety that can help take on Rob Gronkowski and other big Tight Ends. The TE position was often the one to hurt the Jets Defense inside the numbers. I believe Josh Bush can develop into, and eventually become the starting Free Safety that the Jets need moving forward. In the meantime, who better to groom Josh Bush than Ed Reed? Trading two draft picks has its risk. It could set the team back a bit in the future, but we’re getting one of the most consistent Defensive players in the game. It could make the Jets a historic Defense, with Revis/Cromartie locking down the field outside the numbers.

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Draft picks are often boom or bust, so it’s no guarantee that they’ll be a good pick. It’s a process, in which, you have to let things play out. Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum could look like a hero if the draft picks don’t pan out for Baltimore, like one their most recent picks…Sergio Kindle.

He was drafted 43^rd Overall in 2010. Pro Football Talk believes that he is facing a “make-or-break season”.

Tannenbaum could also look like a goat for trading these picks, but it’s up in the air. Ed Reed’s play, however, is not up in the air. Unless he’s intercepting a pass, of course… Haha. But you always know what you’re getting when you have Ed Reed on your side. That’s part of why he feels disrespected. “For what I offer on the football field, for what I give on the football field and for what they know they’re going to get…It’s something that you take to heart because at the end of the day, I know I’m giving everything and they know I’m giving everything on that football field.”

NYJetsCap.com, notes that the Jets have over $6 Million left in cap room this season.

They’re in a bit of trouble for next year, though. But who knows what Tannenbaum might do to change that? He’s unpredictable. A good example is when he traded for this guy, Brett Favre (pictured right). Can you just imagine Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum on Ed Reed’s doorstep, talking about a restructured deal, after a blockbuster trade was made? Wow, there would be a “Hard Knock” on that door.

Reed said that he wouldn’t do a “hometown discount”.

But would he do a “Rex Ryan Discount”? We all know how much Ed Reed loves Rex Ryan. If you don’t, just let Reed tell you for himself. He loves him,

Like a dad, like a brother, man…We (Ravens players) wanted Rex as the head coach in Baltimore. We did not want him to leave,” He said. “We knew he was a great coach. There was a reason we had a great defense in Baltimore.”

Reed went off last year, explaining how much he enjoyed Rex Ryan as his Coach:

 “I would play anywhere with Rex…in a dark alley, in the street, high school, or the sandlot because he truly loves this game. I love Rex and always will. He taught me so much. A lot of guys in Baltimore will say the same thing.”

If he would play for Rex, “in a dark alley, in the street, high school, or the sandlot”, would he play for Rex in Metlife Stadium? For a little bit less money, and a whole lot of respect? It’s an interesting thought…

What would you give up in a trade for Ed Reed?

As a Jets fan, how would you feel if my proposed trade were to come to life?

Would you be ecstatic or furious?

I’ll leave you with some highlights, to help you decide!