[h=1]Houston Texans cutting safety Ed Reed[/h]By Aaron Wilson The Baltimore Sun2:29 p.m. EST, November 12, 2013
The Houston Texans are releasing former Ravens free safety Ed Reed today, a league source confirmed.
Reed was informed of his pending release by Texans management earlier today. The 35-year-old is currently pondering his options, including whether he'll continue to play or retire, according to a source.
The transaction involving the nine-time Pro Bowl selection was first reported by the Houston Chronicle and is expected to be officially filed with the NFL later this afternoon.
Shortly after the news broke, Reed tweeted: "Thanks to the Texans! And the City of Htown!"
His release comes two days after Reed played just a dozen snaps during a 27-24 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and then criticized the coaching staff, saying the team had been "outplayed and outcoached."
As a vested veteran being cut after the NFL trade deadline, Reed is subject to the NFL waiver system.
The Ravens aren't expected to put in a waiver claim on the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, according to two league sources.
The Ravens appear to be an unlikely destination considering Reed's age, decline in play and an encouraging game by safeties James Ihedigbo and Matt Elam during a 20-17 overtime win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Ihedigbo intercepted two passes and Elam was more active in breaking on the football.
Reed is expected to eventually retire as a member of the Ravens, perhaps signing a one-day ceremonial contract at some point.
The New England Patriots have often been linked to Reed as have his two former defensive coaches: the Indianapolis Colts' Chuck Pagano -- who coached him in Baltimore and recruited him to the University of Miami out of high school in Louisana -- and the New York Jets' Rex Ryan, his former defensive coordinator in Baltimore.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Reed have expressed mutual admiration many times, but Belichick might not want Reed in a complementary role.
Reed left the Ravens in March to sign a three-year, $15 million contract with Houston. That followed an elaborate courtship that included Texans owner Bob McNair bringing him to town on his private jet.
But Reed had been demoted from the starting lineup and replaced by Shiloh Keo.
The Ravens opted not to retain Reed this offseason, and he underwent hip surgery after signing with the Texans.
Reed has recorded just 16 tackles, no interceptions, no forced fumbles and was frequently beaten for big plays this season, one year removed from intercepting four passes for the Ravens. He also intercepted a pass during the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII victory over the San Francisco 49ers, a game played in New Orleans near his hometown of St. Rose, La.
Reed's deal included a $2 million signing bonus and a total of $5 million guaranteed.
Any team that opted to sign Reed would owe him $411,000 in remaining base salary this year in addition to a $62,500 per game roster bonus for the remainder of the season.
He's due a $4 million base salary in 2014 and a $5 million base salary in 2015, both nonguaranteed. Reed took a $2 million advance from the Texans on his 2014 salary this year.
For those reasons and Reed's decline in play, if a team wants him, it's more likely they would work out a veteran minimum contract for this year with incentive clauses based on playing time and production.
awilson@baltsun.com
twitter.com/RavensInsider
Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/...d-reed-20131112,0,4441162.story#ixzz2kSmSwoFo
The Houston Texans are releasing former Ravens free safety Ed Reed today, a league source confirmed.
Reed was informed of his pending release by Texans management earlier today. The 35-year-old is currently pondering his options, including whether he'll continue to play or retire, according to a source.
The transaction involving the nine-time Pro Bowl selection was first reported by the Houston Chronicle and is expected to be officially filed with the NFL later this afternoon.
Shortly after the news broke, Reed tweeted: "Thanks to the Texans! And the City of Htown!"
His release comes two days after Reed played just a dozen snaps during a 27-24 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and then criticized the coaching staff, saying the team had been "outplayed and outcoached."
As a vested veteran being cut after the NFL trade deadline, Reed is subject to the NFL waiver system.
The Ravens aren't expected to put in a waiver claim on the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, according to two league sources.
The Ravens appear to be an unlikely destination considering Reed's age, decline in play and an encouraging game by safeties James Ihedigbo and Matt Elam during a 20-17 overtime win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Ihedigbo intercepted two passes and Elam was more active in breaking on the football.
Reed is expected to eventually retire as a member of the Ravens, perhaps signing a one-day ceremonial contract at some point.
The New England Patriots have often been linked to Reed as have his two former defensive coaches: the Indianapolis Colts' Chuck Pagano -- who coached him in Baltimore and recruited him to the University of Miami out of high school in Louisana -- and the New York Jets' Rex Ryan, his former defensive coordinator in Baltimore.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Reed have expressed mutual admiration many times, but Belichick might not want Reed in a complementary role.
Reed left the Ravens in March to sign a three-year, $15 million contract with Houston. That followed an elaborate courtship that included Texans owner Bob McNair bringing him to town on his private jet.
But Reed had been demoted from the starting lineup and replaced by Shiloh Keo.
The Ravens opted not to retain Reed this offseason, and he underwent hip surgery after signing with the Texans.
Reed has recorded just 16 tackles, no interceptions, no forced fumbles and was frequently beaten for big plays this season, one year removed from intercepting four passes for the Ravens. He also intercepted a pass during the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII victory over the San Francisco 49ers, a game played in New Orleans near his hometown of St. Rose, La.
Reed's deal included a $2 million signing bonus and a total of $5 million guaranteed.
Any team that opted to sign Reed would owe him $411,000 in remaining base salary this year in addition to a $62,500 per game roster bonus for the remainder of the season.
He's due a $4 million base salary in 2014 and a $5 million base salary in 2015, both nonguaranteed. Reed took a $2 million advance from the Texans on his 2014 salary this year.
For those reasons and Reed's decline in play, if a team wants him, it's more likely they would work out a veteran minimum contract for this year with incentive clauses based on playing time and production.
awilson@baltsun.com
twitter.com/RavensInsider
Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/...d-reed-20131112,0,4441162.story#ixzz2kSmSwoFo
