The 49ers are rumored to be interested in signing free agent safety Ed Reed, who will turn 35 years old in September.
Last season, Reed missed 15 tackles and allowed 17.3 yards per catch – both 7th-worst in the NFL among safeties, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s going to be a step or two slower next season, too.
The guy is way past his prime. The Niners can do better.
Go back to 1981. Remember what Bill Walsh did that year with his secondary. He didn’t sign a 35-year-old free safety to a one-year contract. He drafted three defensive backs – Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright and Carlton Williamson – and the Niners went on to win the Super Bowl. Second and third-round defensive backs can play as rookies as long as they have good coaching and veterans in the front seven.
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Oh god I hope they do not sign Ed Reed. There are better options than him out there.
Well put Grant. I agree, 49ers can skip on Reed.
I think that they should sign Reed and draft a free safety like Eric Reid and have Ed mentor the other ER
Reed may not be the type of move Walsh made in ’81, but he is the type of move DeBartolo made in ’94.
I hope you don’t mean Deion Sanders. He was IN his prime and killin’ it when we got him in ’94.
Ummm…no. More like Dent, Jackson, and Mann.
And Hacksaw and Big Hands and Millen; all past their best but contributed.
Throw in Jim Burt while you’re at it…
Didn’t Rod Woodson also contribute to the team for one year near the end of his career?
Midwest…True Woodson was a one year renter, but hardly near the end of his career. He still played for the Ravens and Raiders after his stint with the Niners. And won a SB with those Ravens I believe.
Reed is not Rod Woodson.
Well, Woodsen is currently unemployed…
Fred Dean
I didn’t forget Dean, but he was still at the top of his game, not a twilighter.
I have a lot of respect for Ed Reed but two analogies come to mind when I consider him coming to SF:
1/ Moss in SF in 2012; more value in mentoring than on the field performance.
2/ Ronnie Lott on the Jets.
Not a terrible thing. Especially when you have young safeties on the roster.
Young safeties that haven’t started a game.
gotta agree with you Brotha Tuna
In 1980 our secondary was pathetic. We had no choice but to start 3 rookies.
The last thing we want to do is rely on 1 rookie, nevermind 3 this season.
Sign Kenny Phillips and Ed Reed and cut Donte Whitner. Done deal.
Phillips and Reed both play at the FS position, so how would that work?
Bring back DG!!!
i feel the same. i want niners take cyprien on either at 31th or 34th overall pick. he can fill goldson’s spot with low price.
I agree with you 100% Grant. Instead of signing Reed they should try to sign Kenny Phillips and/or draft Phillip Thomas in the third round.
+1
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/93736/percy-harvin-trade-had-49ers-attention-too
I would have been questioning Baalke’s sanity if we had acquired Harvin.
1981??? I was two years old.. Reed is a great option at safety,not every down but c’mon we got a few years we can have him
At 35 this September and mulling retirement every off-season? No thank you.
I’m inclined to agree with you. Reed has had bad publicity regarding his interactions with the Raven’s FO. I find it hard to believe that John would deal Jim a sh** hand anyway…
Reed at age 35 is still better than Whitner at age 28
Reed is a FS while Whitner is a SS so you really can’t compare the two.
other than the side they line up, there isn’t that much difference between the two positions…unless we’re in Grantland’s 1981. Reed has played on both the Strong and Weak/Free side. But like most teams these days, they mirror their Safeties to a certain degree. Pollard played more on the strong side but not exclusively.
I think Reid is a better option than Reed. OK now I’m a Nerd x10.
Yeah that’s all they Have to do, draft a Hall of Fame safety and two starting caliber corners. happens all the time. Lol
Actually the 49ers drafter FOUR defensive backs in 1981 – Lynn Thomas as well (I think that was his name). Anyway, I’d do the same this year if the talent is there, draft a bunch of them. Lots of draft picks, concentrate on DBs and DLs.
Great Trivia on Lynn Thomas! But don’t forget that Lott was like 4th overall and Wright was about 34-35 overall. A little better draft position.
PS Remember Bobby Farrell? ST Deluxe.
No doubt – Walsh called Lott the best athelete on the team when he reported to camp. He was very highly valued coming out of USC as was Wright coming out of Missouri. Williamson another tremendous player. I don’t follow college football, so I don’t know who will be available to the 49ers, though I doubt you will get players like in the 1981 draft. BUT .. the 49ers did draft BACK from a very low pick in the 86 draft and wound up with two starting CBs in their rookie year (as well as Haley, Fagin, John Taylor, Roberts, etc). One would think with the number of picks we have this time, Baalke could get 4 or 5 real good wins. Should be interesting.
It would be a great move… What overpaid bloggers don’t realize is that it’s about consistently winning… Something this blog lacks all perspective of.
Explain why it would be a great move if you would.
This article is flawed. Ed reed will not stop the niners from drafting future secondary players. In fact I expect the niners to draft safety and cb in the upcoming draft. Reed allows a smoother transition as young players develop. Getting pointers from a future hall of gamer won’t hurt either.
Explain why? 4-5m a year for a WR that was an integral part of a 120m contract that ended with a ring… That’s why. Debate all you want about the ravens, without Boldin they have no ring. He is the unsung MVP, and you would be an idiot to not want his intensity and determination for the ball on this squad for a more than reasonable price.
Uh…you do realize that the article is about Ed Reed? Boldin was already covered and most of us thought acquiring him was a solid move.
I always ssid for all we think we know, when it comes to our coach and gm, we dont know squat. I believe there are a few more low risk high reward moves cummin.. Starting tomorrow.. #Lets Get It
Do you remember 1981, Grant? Were you alive yet? I remember when newspapers didn’t give opinion columns to guys who barely shaved. Let Trent Baalke decide who he’ll sign. He seems to be doing just fine without the second guessing.
Great response Chris. I was thinking the exact same thing when I read this. Cohn is really reaching on this one. I think he ‘s been getting bad information from his daddy. No way he came up with this on his own. Bill Walsh was famous for getting the most out of veteren players that were let go by other teams.
Bill Walsh’s philosophy was it was better to let a guy go one year too soon rather than one year too late.
Bill Parcels has always said that it was Jimmy Johnson that taught him the rule that you cut a player a year early rather than a year late.
I can’t believe they let this idiot back onto the front page of the webzone
I second that!
Every single commenter is tripping right now including Grant. The 49ers are in position to challenge for the Lombardi Trophy now and there isn’t a better fit out there than ED Reed at the moment. This move would be more about the present and the future than most of you are realizing. At the moment they get a player with experience who can step in on a 1 year deal just like Boldin to provide veteran leadership and still be counted on to contribute heavily NOW. This allows the Niners to draft young talent and let them develop for a year while these boys make a run at another ring. In turn, the Niners will be saving money to throw at Crabtree and other areas of need in the very near future because the safties/DB/DL/TE they draft will be under the rookie contract for a few years. If the draft well and hit with one of the rookies they will slide into position the following season and be under the same type of contract that Kap is in and it can not be negotiated until off of the rookie deal. Why would you want to lock in average to slightly above average players like Louis Delmas or Kenny Phillips. Ed Reed is the perfect move RIGHT NOW. Sign him, draft well, and have cap room when you are going to have to sign Crab, Kap, K. Hunter, and some guys on the defensive side of the ball.
“Every single commenter is tripping right now including Grant”
Ya know, when you hear yourself saying “it’s not ME, everybody else in the World is crazy!” it’s time to take the little blue pills they’re offering you. Nah, just kidding Marc.
Leaders don’t follow suit bud! We are confident standing on our own. I hope Baalke is popping a ton of blue pills rather than thinking like most on this board lol.
Would rather trade up for Kenny Vacarro/Matt Elam or Draft Eric Reid.
Grant you’re clueless as to how the secondary is played. The MODERN NFL is LIGHT YEARS more complex than in 1981. It’s rare that you would start a rookie Safety and only with serious veteran support in the defensive backfield. These guys are the quarterbacks of the defense. They make the calls, adjustments, line everybody up, anticipate the offense etc… Heck according to Ed Reed in an interview the position has changed over the past decade since he came into the league. He said it’s a far more communicator role than before.
Don’t get fooled into thinking Cohn knows anything about football. That’s the only way you can read his articles. I find it to be great comic relief! I get a really good laugh out of what he writes. There’s no way he’s serious. It’s all a big hoax!
A couple years ago Ed Reed was the best safety in the NFL, but I don’t think he has much left in the tank at this point. I wouldn’t be opposed to signing him, but I think there are younger/better options. I really want to bring back Goldson.
And since we’re talking about safeties, Whitner needs to go, and we need to draft Matt Elam. He is going to be a star in this league, just watch.
What do you guys think the chances are that we re-sign Goldson? Let’s be honest, he’s the best safety we have had since McDonald and Hanks (unless you count one good season from Lance Schulters). It felt really good to finally have a competent safety again. We all have horrible memories of bums like Pierson Prioleau and Mike Rumph back there, and right now we are incredibly thin without Goldson.
I’m well aware that Baalke will sign and draft a couple guys, but losing Goldson will hurt and Whitner MUST be replaced.
I dont think we have the monies to sign him. We are going to lose several of our free agents.
He’s gone. This year is a very good draft for safties. Goldson is good but he also has benefited from the talent around him, especially the front seven. His exciting hits tend to mask his issues in coverage. I would like to have him back, but I understand and agree with the Niners thought process. Willis, Bowman and the Smith’s would be studs no matter where they played, I don’t believe the same can be said about Goldson. He is not a great player, but you don’t always have to be to get paid like one in free agency. Trust in Baalke.
Goldson is gone because he want $8 million a year and his coverage skills are suspect.
+1
The issue is not how much Ed Reed’s game has declined. The issue is, will he be better than Whitner or Goldson…especially if paired with a young rookie like Matt Elam? The object is to improve, not simply say not good enough.
Grant Cohn thinks I shouldn’t sign Ed Reed?
Phew. I’m glad I read this article before I did anything stupid.
Because if I do sign him that wouldn’t surely mean I cannot draft any secondary help.
Thank you Grant for your amazing insight once again.
I actually agree with Grant for once….
grab ed. he will ball hawk plugged in to our d.
What a sick and uncalled for comment.
Webzone- Shut Up and go away !
OK I’ll spare everybody the rant but I find that comment to be offensive.
I think they should get Reid. The safety out of lsu.
Signing Ed Reed for one year and drafting a guy like Cyprien at the top of the second round would make sense. You could then release Whitner, insert Cyprien with Reed taking command of the secondary. Draft the Honey Badger round three to challenge Rogers.
Grant, you’re doing a good job. I understand you stir the pot with bold opinions. So what? The smartest guys in pro football are wrong X amount of the time anyway. Peter King was totally against replacing Alex with Kap for example. No one knows exactly what’s gonna happen in sports. You just have to be smart MOST of the time. Bill Walsh preferred Gio Carmazzi over Tom Brady, but he was pot on about so many other players. So keep taking you best shots. You are already a sharp observer and you’ll get better and know more as every season goes by.
“spot on” ; taking “your” best shots
will proofread in future
mike
The smartest guys in pro football are wrong X amount of the time anyway. Peter King was totally against replacing Alex with Kap for example.
Are you suggesting that Peter King is one of the “smartest guys in pro football”?
Claude,
If that’s the case, he should be a general manager instead of writing about Starbucks on Monday mornings.
Rookie DBs get picked on, that’s the NFL We are Super Bowl bound again, and you can’t have a glaring weakness like that out there. If you’re hoping some rookie steps in and replaces what Goldson brought, you’re dreaming. I personally would rather have a Goldson/Reed pair at safety. Having those two guys patrolling the secondary, oh my!
I would rather take a flier on Brent Grimes (CB, Falcons), but Ed Reed’ would be a good fit for a least one year.
At 35 his best years are behind him, but Reed can still provide maturity and all-pro experience to our defensive backfield.
And even at 35, Reed is still better then most players 5 years younger then him.
Obviously, the only risk here is cap space. I wouldn’t be mad at the team for signing Ed Reed but not at the expense of not being able to afford a younger player (draft pick) who would be developed to eventually take over.
Good post AES.
reminder: yes, we drafted Lott, Wright, and Williamson, but our free safety on that spectacular team was a veteran – Dwight Hicks.
i’m curious to see how Baalke/Harbaugh navigate thru the FA period and the draft, but I’d feel better if we have a veteran at FS. Whether that’s a 35 yr old Reed, or Woodson, or someone else is above my pay grade. A Super Bowl season (touch wood) is a tough place for on-the-job training for a rookie FS.
Great article Grant. I really wish that some of the other repliers would stick to the article rather than take pot shots at a guy’s age, which by the way, has nothing to do with the article. I don’t know Reed, but I know 35, and the “twitch” muscles, which determine the speed of the all-important “1st step”, just aren’t there at 35 and older. Your second paragraph says it all. I hope they don’t sign him.
Who are you, Mr. No Name?
George
Did you click next to his icon? Takes you back to the PD. Editor chiming in?
To everyone:
More players get injured in the fourth quarter of games than any other, this is due to players getting tired, sloppy etc…
This is actually a simple solution, that could protect owners profits and make the players and the players union happy. Increase the roster sizes to 75 players, increase the gameday rosters to 60. More rotation less fatigue issues, get rid of practice squads and increase the salary cap by 50 million to account for the 22 player increase in roster size, and increase the draft to 10 rounds for one year inorder to have a balance of power and competitiveness at obtaining new players to fill the rosters. This can and should be done, every fan would love this and by doing this the league year can be adjusted to have two preseason games and 18 regular season games, but to transition to 18 regular season games the owners need to agree to a accross the board 10 percent increase in current contract salary. So a player making ten million this year would automatically make 11 million under the new schedule. This would not require a new CBA, this would only require an amendment to the current one, and would allow teams more flexibility in dealing with possible injuries such as concussions without severely limiting a team while players are evaluated on the sidelines.
Reed earned $7.2 million last year, so unless there is a very weak market for him, I wonder about the likelihood of this happening. Baalke might do his sit-on-hands Jedi mind trick and wait the market out.
The early days of free agency do weird things to the minds of sports journalists.
Another thought: I think their willingness to spend $6 million on Boldin made sense to them because it made our #2 WR position truly dangerous and served as a kind of insurance policy if Walker leaves. But I cannot see Reed unless he’s willing to play for much less. If he were a stud pass rusher, yes, since that would help the secondary as well. Just my thoughts. We’ll see what happens.
George:
I agree completely. If there is a big demand for Reed the Niners will not be involved. But if the market is soft and they can get Reed for under $3M they might take the risk.
The hype around free agency and the draft is some thing to behold.
No reed, no goldson, no whitner, no cox. Draft a new secondary and sign pacman jones. Let them grow side by side. Concentrate on the pass rush which will help a young secondary. I’d look at the SEC for secondary help since they’re the closest to the NFL in playing talent.
With the way the salary cap structure for rookies is set up, 6-7 players rookies might be cheaper than one free agent.
We can’t rent Ed Reed for 2 years and then draft a safety with one of our top 3 picks? Who says we can’t draft a db if we sign Reed…
The same sentiment was said about Reggie White, imagine if the 49ers (who were finalist) signed Reggie White instead of GB. 49ers would have easily won 1-2 Super Bowls.
Ed Reed provides leadership and on-field management to our Secondary. The Ravens barely had a pass rush and was able to stifle the numebr one passing team and overall offense in the Championship game. Don’t just put out one silly stat. Proof is in the pudding.