NFL Rumors: Baltimore Ravens Must Pony Up and Pay Ed Reed

Ed Reed isn't exactly ecstatic about his current contract situation and the level of respect he's getting from the Baltimore Ravens. 

The iconic, ball-hawking safety is set to make $7.2 million in 2012, but his contract is up at the end of the season. 

At 33 years old, Reed is certainly past the prime of his career, but he's still one of, if not the most prolific safety in the NFL. 

In a recent interview on 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore, Reed had the following to say about playing for the Ravens next season (via ProFootballTalk.com):

"

I plan on playing. Everybody in the world knows plans can change. I got some unfinished business. I got a lot on my mind I’ve been thinking about. The truth of the matter is, it’s about respect. It’s about getting respect and it’s a business.

For what I offer on the football field, for what I give on the football field and for what they know they’re going to get, it’s much more than these young guys out here today and what they’re getting.

"

Reed's coming off the first fully-healthy season he's had since 2008. He played in all 16 games and totaled 52 tackles with eight passes defended and three interceptions. 

Don't forget the late-game interception he reeled in against the Houston Texans that clinched a spot in the AFC Championship game.

His individual presence on the field has nearly as big of an impact as the plays he has consistently made throughout his career. 

Teams throw away from him and receivers become leery of going up for that deep ball down the sideline when they know Reed is charging their way. 

Troy Polamalu, who'll turn 31 on April 19th and has dealt with his fair share of nagging injuries, makes more than $9 million annually from the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

The 32-year-old Adrian Wilson of the Arizona Cardinals makes $7.3 million per season. 

The same PFT article quoted Reed saying he's "not trying to break the bank," just that he sees the money he's currently being paid as insufficient based on what he's done on the field for Baltimore. 

I'm with him. 

The Ravens should offer Reed a two or three-year extension and allow him to retire in Baltimore. Somewhere in the area of eight to nine million a year seems reasonable. 

They desperately need Reed as the last line of defense to make another legitimate run at the Super Bowl. 

Follow @ChrisTrapasso