Nobody, and I mean nobody, loves Ed Reed more than Bill Belichick. Not Ozzie Newsome, who drafted him. Not Brian Billick, who first coached him. Not John Harbaugh, who celebrated a Super Bowl victory with him. Not Ravens fans. Nobody.
Back in 2009, Belichick had already decided Reed, seven years into his NFL career, was the best free safety he’d ever witnessed. In Week 4 of 2009, he let Reed know it.
“You stay out of our air today,” Belichick said. “You’re the best free safety that’s ever played this game that I’ve seen.