OWINGS MILLS — Ed Reed fulfilled his stated commitment to attend training camp, officially reporting for work following an unpredictable offseason where he skipped a mandatory minicamp, contemplated retirement and hinted at a potential holdout.
The Baltimore Ravens’ All-Pro free safety showed up at the Ravens’ training complex midway through the morning Wednesday, making no comments to reporters as he entered team headquarters.
The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year recently assured coach John Harbaugh that he would be at camp, and has been working out on the practice fields and weight room even before he was required to be back.
Reed, who spent the majority of his offseason spending time with his young son and family, has even exercised at the facility late at night.
"For me, it was never a question if Ed was going to be at camp or not," middle linebacker Ray Lewis said. "Whether he speaks about whatever, that’s from his heart. But him taking care of the business side of it, he has always done that."
Teammates like cornerback Cary Williams have reiterated that they were privy to the eight-time Pro Bowl selection’s plans all along and were never concerned by Reed’s cryptic comments in interviews and via his Twitter account.
Reed, 33, is entering the final year of a $40 million contract and is due a $7.2 million base salary.
The former first-round draft pick from the University of Miami is heading into his 11th NFL season after recording 52 tackles, three interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble last year.
For his career, Reed has intercepted 57 passes, deflected 94 passes and forced 11 fumbles.
"There are a couple of guys on this team that when you see their face, you know it’s going to be all right," Lewis said. "And he is one of those guys. Ed is maturing into a man and understanding that there are other things outside of the game that are way more important, but, at the same time, it’s a business. Every time it is a business, Ed understands that: ‘When it is time for me to show up, I am here.’"
