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Reed leads Ravens' dominating D
Not if you're an opposing quarterback.
Just ask Chad Pennington. The Ravens earned a trip to Nashville for Saturday's second-round playoff game by making one of the NFL's most savvy quarterbacks look like a rookie.
And we're not talking Joe Flacco.
Baltimore's dominating defense forced Pennington into four interceptions, a stunning total considering he threw just seven during the entire regular season. Reed led the way with two of them, including one he returned 64 yards for a second-quarter touchdown. You can also add two passes defensed, one tackle and the threat that any pass thrown in Reed's direction could result in a turnover.
"I've been in this league a long time," said Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce, a 12-year NFL veteran. "I've never seen anything like that."
Clearly, Pryce didn't know Reed during his childhood in the New Orleans area.
An over-the-shoulder catch on his first interception reminded Reed of when he was "8 or 9 years old" playing wide receiver in a street pick-up game. Reed plowed into a mailbox while making a touchdown catch, resulting in stitches and a small scar that remains over his left eyebrow.
Reed's return Sunday was much more graceful, not to mention significant, giving Baltimore a 10-3 lead it never relinquished.
On third-and-8 from Miami's 19-yard line, Pennington threw deep toward wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. These kinds of heaves, even if intercepted, often serve as the equivalent of a punt. That's never the case if the player who holds the record for the two longest returns in NFL history gets the football in his hands.
Showing Willie Mays-like form that he credits to a high school baseball career, Reed cradled Pennington's pass on the run at the Ravens 36. Reed angled cross-field toward the Ravens sideline, then reversed course in a zigzag that ended behind a cavalcade of blockers in the corner of Miami's end zone.
Reed already has returns of 107 and 106 yards on his resume. But with the ground he covered in the South Florida humidity, Reed said it felt like he was running a 200-meter dash.
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"I didn't recover until the third quarter," a smiling Reed said.
That's when Reed came through with another interception to help secure the victory. Pennington's attempt to hit running back Patrick Cobbs at the Ravens 8 was foiled when Reed jumped the route.
"He totally leaves his spot and shows up in a place you would never imagine him being," Pennington said of Reed. "That's why he's special."
Chalk it up to instincts and film study.
"One thing (Reed) doesn't get enough credit for is how smart he is," Ravens strong safety Jim Leonhard said. "He prepares like nobody else I've been around. You put that with the athletic ability he has and you've got a special player."
On a team having a special season.
Miami made an amazing transformation from 1-15 in 2007 to AFC East champion, but Baltimore's comeback is equally impressive. The Ravens weren't expected to improve much upon last season's 5-11 record with a novice quarterback (Flacco) playing under a first-year head coach (John Harbaugh). Instead, the offense has played well enough to complement a defense playing at the championship-caliber level of the 2000 Ravens that won Super Bowl XXXV.
Reed has led the way for his unit, overcoming nagging injuries to end the regular season with an NFL-high nine interceptions. His seven-year career total now stands at 43, the highest figure among active players.
Even when he isn't generating turnovers, Reed is a force.
"He totally changes a game plan," Leonhard said. "An offense has to prepare when he's on the field."
While the balloting for NFL Defensive Player of the Year is closed, Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan made a post-game pitch for Reed.
"We'll see how that voting goes," Ryan said, "But I know the kid from Dallas is watching our guy."
That "kid" — Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware — is considered the frontrunner after a 20-sack season. But as Ryan referenced, Ware is home for the playoffs while the Ravens are still alive.
That's what matters most to a player who already won the MVP honor in 2004.
"There's only one trophy I want to put my hands on," Reed said. "I'm sure whoever wins it will say the same thing. Yeah, [defensive MVP] is special. But it's nothing unless you touch the Lombardi Trophy."
On Sunday, Reed moved the Ravens one giant step closer to getting there.
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