Ed Reed

For so long, they had been the two faces of one of the league's most dominant defenses, Ray Lewis the punishing tackler and Ed Reed the unrelenting ball hawk. Now, they are both gone and the mass exodus from the Ravens defense continues. About six weeks after Lewis retired following his last game as a Raven, Reed moved closer to signing a two-year deal with the Houston Texans, who aggressively pursued the 34-year-old safety over the last week. Terms of the deal aren't known and there are still a few things that have to be worked out, but it's clear that Reed and the organization that he had played with for the last 11 years have parted ways.

I sat down with Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti today at the league meetings and we discussed a variety of topics. The Q&A will be on our site momentarily. However, since I've been getting the most questions about his thoughts on free agent safety Ed Reed, I figured I'd put up his comments that just related to that topic. They are below: Where are things at with free agent safety Ed Reed and would it be tough to lose Reed and Ray Lewis the same offseason? Bisciotti: " I don't think the same offseason matters much.

Ed Reed sure seems to be serious about exploring his options on the open market. As I write this, the free-agent safety is in Houston, where the Texans have rolled out the red carpet for the likely future Hall-of-Famer. They scooped him up in a private jet and scurried him to Reliant Stadium, where he was greeted by video cameras, microphones and a group of Houston media. Surely, Reed feels wanted right now. And surely, that means something to the 34-year-old, who has always had a sizable chip on his shoulder.

It's not all bad news for the Ravens on the first day of free agency. Despite trading receiver Anquan Boldin on Monday and then losing linebackers Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe on Tuesday, the Ravens still might have a shot at retaining safety Ed Reed and offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie. Free agency is basically a young man's game, and the big names usually sign during the first couple of days when the market opens. So far, the interest has been lukewarm for McKinnie and Reed.

Try to imagine the Ravens defense next season without Ray Lewis. Now try to imagine it without Ed Reed, too. No, I can't do it, either. One thing's for sure: the Ravens are at a delicate point in their long relationship with the moody free safety with NFL free agency starting Tuesday. The man is bound for the Hall of Fame and he's been the ultimate team player and community do-gooder for the Ravens. So they don't want to tick him off with a ridiculously low offer. But with his age (34)

Now that quarterback Joe Flacco is poised to become the highest paid player in the NFL by virtue of a $120.6 million contract, the Ravens aren't expected to use the franchise tag on any of their other unrestricted free agents. Although Monday afternoon marks the league deadline to use the designation, general manager Ozzie Newsome has already stated that Flacco was the Ravens' lone candidate to be named a franchise player. The Flacco contract, which includes a record $62 million payout during the first three years, won't become official until the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player takes and passes a physical and signs his contract Monday.

Veteran free safety Ed Reed has been a constant presence in the NFL for nearly a dozen years, instinctively patrolling the Ravens' secondary and baiting quarterbacks into miscues. Although he's not here at the NFL scouting combine, Reed's name was frequently mentioned by younger safeties that admire him and attempt to emulate his passionate brand of football. "No doubt, I try to mold my game after him," said Texas standout Kenny Vaccaro, who's regarded as the top prospect in a deep safety class.

Ed Reed has been many things: a future Hall of Fame safety, a reclusive, enigmatic football player. This Sunday, he'll take on another, slightly more colorful role -- Oscars correspondent for the NFL Network. Reed will cover the red carpet for a special edition of The Rich Eisen Podcast, which will air at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday on the network. While he might not seem like it to the average football fan, Reed was an obvious choice for Eisen. "He's a real person who happens to be a Hall of Fame talent," Eisen said.

To hear Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti tell it, he learned very early that it probably wasn't wise for him to meddle in most player personnel decisions. As the Ravens prepared to make the 24 th overall selection in the 2002 Draft, it became clear that they would have an opportunity to draft one of the top remaining defensive backs left on the board. Bisciotti wanted Lito Sheppard , a cornerback out of Florida. General manager Ozzie Newsome and his staff, however, had their eyes on another player.

Ravens veteran free safety Ed Reed has never embraced a conventional approach. So the Louisiana native wasn't keen on the idea of retiring after a Super Bowl victory in front of his family and friends. Following the Ravens' 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Reed declared in the locker room emphatically that he has more football left in him. "This is not it," Reed shouted. "This is not it. I'm not done. " Reed, 34, has battled multiple health issues, including a torn shoulder labrum and a nerve impingement.