When Reed jersey said he was just as likely to retire as return for the 2010 season earlier this year, the stomachs of Ravens fans from Pikesville to Cockeysville were turned upside down. Reed had doctors reconstruct his hip and repair his torn labrum in surgical procedures early this offseason. The six-time Pro Bowler was injured last season and only made matters worse by playing through the pain in the Ravens' two playoff games. After Baltimore lost to Indy, Reed told reporters he was "50/50" on whether he'd retire or not.
Reed said recently he hopes he has at least one more season in him, that he's back to 35% of his mobility and that it may take several more months of rehab before he gets back on the field.
But he'll be on the field. At some point.
The Ravens certainly need him. With Super Bowl jerseysaspirations and high-impact new additions across the roster, the defensive backfield seems to be the team's lone position of concern. Corners Lardarius Webb and Fabian Washington are returning from 2009 injuries, while safety Haruki Nakamura is rehabilitating as well. There's a lot of love for third-year safety Tom Zbikowski, but he hasn't proven a reliable starter. The rest of the defensive backfield? It's a never-ending list of average to slightly above-average veterans.
It's a serviceable crew if Reed's on the field leading the troops. If he's not? The defensive backfield could end up being Baltimore's Achilles' heel.
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