LOMBARDI'S WAY: IT'S TIME FOR ED REED TO STEP UP AGAIN

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Lombardi's Way - LOMBARDI'S WAY: IT'S TIME FOR ED REED TO STEP UP AGAIN

Provided the Ravens let him

Posted On: 10/18/06

Written By:

Tony Lombardi

LOMBARDI'S WAY: IT'S TIME FOR ED REED TO STEP UP AGAIN

Playmaker is a term used often to describe players who impact games. They are players who step up when the team needs them most. They are difference makers.

Back in 2004 the Ravens visited the Washington Redskins. The Ravens took a 2-2 record into Landover, Maryland in search of a needed win. They had just come off a tough loss at home to the Chiefs and they loathed the idea of going to 2-3 into their bye week.

At the half the Ravens trailed 10-0. Jamal Lewis couldn’t get it going against the tough rushing defense of the Redskins and managed only 19 yards on 10 carries. Kyle Boller was even worse, mustering only 77 yards through the air going 8 of 15 including 3 interceptions.

With 9:01 left in the third quarter and the Ravens offensive woes continuing, the Redskins faced a third and 6 at their own 37. Mark Brunell dropped back to pass and Ed Reed blitzed from the southpaw’s blind side. Reed sacked Brunell, stripped the ball, picked up the fumble and rambled 22 yards for the score.

10-7.

On their next possession the Redskins faced a third and one from their own 35. Brunell handed to Clinton Portis who was promptly thrown for a 2 yard loss by Ed Reed. On the ensuing play with 6:59 to go in the third, B.J. Sams returned Tom Tupa’s punt 78 yards for the go ahead score.

Within 2:02 seconds of game clock, the Ravens behind Reed's heroics turned a 10-0 deficit into a 14-10 lead.

The Ravens would go on to win 17-10 as Kyle Boller completed only 1 second half pass for 4 yards.

Ed Reed was a difference maker.

He lived up to the description of playmaker.

Fast forward two seasons and the 2006 version of Ed Reed is much different. The Ravens have him camped out in centerfield, to prevent the homerun ball. Perhaps Rex Ryan is concerned about Dawan Landry’s cover skills but is comfortable with the rookie’s ability when supporting the run and covering tight ends. And to his credit, Landry has for the most part done just that and his performance has exceeded expectations.

Yet he’s taken opportunities to make plays away from Ed Reed and playmakers by nature need to be more involved. Imagine the 90’s Chicago Bulls asking Michael Jordan to play point guard and dish. Imagine Tony Dungy asking Peyton Manning to alter the team’s identity to make it a run first offense.

In each case, you are asking the playmaker to assume a role in which he impacts the game in a less meaningful way. Eventually, that’s exactly what happens. It's happening with Ed Reed.

Playmakers need to be involved. They need to be put in situations that will allow them to be difference makers. Ed Reed positioned in a zip code different than the rest of the defense takes him away from the action and it reduces his chances to make plays.

Before long, your playmaker gets a bit twitchy. You see he feeds off the opportunities to make plays. He wants to be in the spotlight. He wants to be the man. He craves it.

On Sunday the Ravens had a chance to get back in the game after the second Mark Clayton TD reception. On one fluke play, the momentum had shifted in favor of the Ravens. One three and out or one big defensive play would put the ball back in the hands of the Ravens offense and maybe they could snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Like a shark in chummy waters, Reed smelled blood and his craving was so great, he abandoned his responsibility. He went for the bait and the Ravens defense got hooked. Samari Rolle’s wingman abandoned him and the entire team paid the price.

Reed would later admit that he was at fault. His gamble cost the Ravens dearly. His desire to impact the game the way he did back in 2004 was so great he put his team at risk.

It’s time to bring Ed Reed into the same zip code. It’s time to allow him to impact games the way he once did. He’s a playmaker. He’s a difference maker.

They are paying him that way!

It’s time to play him that way!