A Look Back at John Idzik’s Inaugural New York Jets’ Season: Ed Reed

Nov 24, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Jets safety

(22) looks at the scoreboard during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M

Good morning, happy Tuesday. Let us continue to look back at the first season of general manager John Idzik. Specifically, we are looking at John’s moves from the first year in his tenure of the New York Jets. We have gotten into the signings as of late, talking about David Nelson, and we talked about Ben Obomanu and Antwan Barnes.

Now, we go back and look at a signing that goes back into the past of Rex Ryan, and his glory days in Baltimore.  This player certainly had a lot of glory days in Baltimore.

ED REED: Besides the offense, what the Jets needed was secondary help. What is smarter than bringing in a guy that already knows your system? Not only does Ed Reed know the system, he has spent many years prospering in that system. Over 11 years in Baltimore, Reed posted 61 interceptions. So the Jets knew they were bringing in a guy that could help.

How much could help? He is 35 years old, definitely past his prime. There had to have been a reason he couldn’t stay With the Texans. How good is this guy anymore? Coming off of injury, he hadn’t played much.

And when he came over, he was starting, and playing most of the snaps. That went very badly. Putting Antonio Allen on the bench and Reed starting every play is a bad idea, and 99 times out of 100, that time of move is criticized, especially in New York. Ed had trouble tackling, and trouble with deep passes towards him. It seemed like a huge mistake.

Then, they set up a more even split of snaps between Reed and Allen, and Reed prospered, marking an interception in three of the final four games.

His effect on others is worth its weight as well. He is studious in the class room, and team members have noted it. Dee Milliner seemed to be quite effected by Reed’s arrival, sitting next to him at all meetings, and absorbing everything.

Ed Reed can help the other players with positioning on the field, and the influence on Dee was there as well. It is really no surprise that anyone played well after his influences, and Dee was no different. It is no coincidence that Milliners’ play improved with Reed’s arrival. Helping others learn to “Play Like a Jet”, all the time getting a little bit of time to do his own thing. It’s great. I give the move a solid B-.