The Lofton Files: Ed Reed and the Ravens’ Defense

09/29/2011

They say that no two sunsets are the same. I guess that’s the beauty of the moment you watch it disappear over the horizon. There are great players in the NFL and then there are unique players in the NFL. Ed Reed is in the latter category. During his ten-year career, his 56 interceptions for 1,438 return yards and 6 touchdowns are staggering. No defensive player has been more of an offensive weapon than Ed Reed. But the beauty of Ed Reed is much like that sunset: one-of-a-kind.

The “Free Safety,” as defined by Football 101, operates under a rigid formula. Play the middle of the field, 12-15 yards deep and that’s cover 1, which is man-to-man with the free safety covering the deep ball. Put the free safety in the same position, but have the corners cover the outside thirds of the zone and that’s cover 3. If the free safety aligns 12-15 yards deep but split between the numbers and the hash marks, the coverage will be Cover 2 or Cover 4. Cover 2 has the safeties playing half the field and deep, Cover 4 gives the free safety one-quarter of the field deep with the strong safety and both corners each manning one-quarter as well.

Now I know for most of you that’s a lot of mumbo jumbo, but focus now. You’re about to learn about “The Ed Reed Factor,” as I first encountered as a position coach breaking down film of the Ravens. Press play. Ed Reed lines up 25 yards deep at the snap aligned on the numbers with the ball in the middle of the field. Looking at the film, you think, “What the heck is he doing?” Most free safeties work from short to deep, but not this one. By alignment, he has already taken away any thought of the QB throwing deep. Is he playing deep third or deep half? Do you want to find out by throwing up for grabs against a guy with 56 career picks?

Fast-forward the tape. Now you see Ed Reed aligned 12 yards deep shaded to the strong-side rather than in the middle. Again, what the?? Now the strong safety blitzes, one corner plays deep 1/3 zone, the other man-to-man. In this zone blitz look, Ed Reed can cover the tight end if he releases or a running back out to the strong side or help double the wide receiver. Just two looks of an ever-changing sunset that has allowed the Ravens’ defense to dominate. Get close enough to Ed Reed on the field and you might see a Mona Lisa-like smile.

 

Dave Sims, James Lofton and Sean Landeta (sidelines) will have all the action from Baltimore on Sunday Night Football, as the Ravens host Rex Ryan’s New York Jets. Coverage begins at 7:30 PM Eastern on Westwood One.

 

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