The Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans last month, but after the free agent signing period began on Tuesday, the team looks very different as they have lost a number of players, including Paul Kruger and Anquan Boldin, and they could be losing one more in Ed Reed.
According to Aaron Wilson at the Baltimore Sun, league sources said that Reed is set to visit with the Houston Texans this week. The 34-year-old safety is a free agent after playing out the final year of his six-year, $44.5 million contract last season. The Ravens have expressed interest in signing Reed, but may not be able to afford it.
If the team loses Reed, he will join Boldin as well as Paul Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe, Bernard Pollard and Ray Lewis as players no longer on the Ravens roster. Reed had four interceptions last season and has been a stalwart in the secondary for Baltimore since being drafted.
The news of the visit was also reported by John McClain on Twitter, writing: "The Texans' first visit will be with S Ed Reed. He'll be at their facility on Thursday. They need a vet to replace Glover Quin."
The Texans are trying to bring back Quin, but he has met with the Detroit Lions and could sign with the team. ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported that the two sides reached an agreement, but later took back the report, saying that league sources told him a deal is not done yet. Detroit has been active in free agency so far, signing running back Reggie Bush as well as cornerback Chris Houston.
The Texans have a number of important players they need to sign in free agency, including Connor Barwin, Brice McCain and Ryan Harris. Tight end James Casey already left to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles and Barwin could also be leaving for a team that will pay him a higher contract. The Texans are hoping to being in Reed, who could give veteran leadership to the secondary.
Reed is now one of the top safeties on the market along with Charles Woodson and the Texans would love to add him to their secondary, as they feel that they are only a few players away from making a Super Bowl run. The team lost to the Patriots in the playoffs after being in position to have a number one seed all season, but they faltered at the end of the year and ended up third.
Reed is a hot commodity on the market and both the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts are also reportedly interested. Bill Belichick has always admired Reed, while head coach Chuck Pagano would love to add someone with Reed's experience to the secondary of a young team.
