National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed was a dominant force on the Ravens defense throughout the entire 2008 season. He put together a remarkable season by any standard. What’s even more incredible is that he did it while suffering from a nerve impingement in his neck. Overcoming this adversity earned Ed the admiration of his teammates, and their vote for the Ed Block Courage Award.
Ed is just one of many incredible stories of courage in this year’s class. Minnesota Vikings defensive end Kenechi Udeze was diagnosed with leukemia after the 2007 season. Kenechi received a bone …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
I would have to consult with a number of knowledgeable football historians before making this claim, but Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed has to be considered one of the best safeties to ever play professional football. He’s certainly one of the biggest defensive playmakers the game has ever seen. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh seems to agree with me:
“No one is surprised at the way Ed Reed plays. He may be the best player in the game.”
In a rather lopsided 27-9 AFC Wild Card win over the Miami Dolphins this afternoon, Ed had two interceptions, …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Here is the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Starters are listed in bold.
OFFENSE
QB: Peyton Manning, Colts; Brett Favre, Jets; Jay Cutler, Broncos
RB: Thomas Jones, Jets; Chris Johnson, Titans; Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
FB: Le’Ron McClain, Ravens
WR: Andre Johnson, Texans; Brandon Marshall, Broncos; Reggie Wayne, Colts; Wes Welker, Patriots
TE: Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs; Antonio Gates, Chargers
T: Joe Thomas, Browns; Jason Peters, Bills; Michael Roos, Titans
G: Alan Faneca, Jets; Kris Dielman, Chargers; Brian Waters, Chiefs
C: Kevin Mawae, Titans; Nick Mangold, Jets
DEFENSE
DE: Mario Williams, Texans; Dwight Freeney, Colts; Robert Mathis, Colts
DT: Albert Haynesworth, …read more

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National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Baltimore Ravens safety Jim Leonhard is a perfect fit in the team’s complicated defensive scheme. And his natural athletic ability and competitive nature more than make up for his lack of prototypical physical dimensions. Originally signed by the Buffalo Bills as a rookie free agent in 2005, Jim joined the Ravens this year and he now finds himself not only starting at strong safety opposite perennial All-Pro and future Hall-of-Famer Ed Reed, but also returning kickoffs and punts. For a defense that has been hit hard by several season-ending injuries, the Ravens haven’t missed …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed broke his own NFL record with a 108-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 36-7 drubbing of the Philadelphia Eagles this afternoon. Ed’s previous record was a 106-yard return back in 2004 against the Browns. The pick came off Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb. Ed had a pretty good game. He also intercepted Donovan McNabb and returned that one 43 yards. That gives him 1,063 interception return yards in his career, just 420 yards short of Rod Woodson’s NFL record.

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers lead the AFC’s 2008 Pro Bowl squad with a conference-high eight players each. New England’s eight All-Stars equals a franchise high set by the 1985 Pats. The AFC roster includes 18 first-time All-Stars, including Cincinnati WR T.J. Houshmanzadeh, who leads the NFL with 101 receptions.

The rich are adding to their wealth. The New England Patriots (remember they were in the AFC Championship game) signed one of the most sought-after free agents on the market this off-season by stealing Pro Bowl All-World LB Adalius Thomas from the Baltimore Ravens. What better place for an athlete who can handle practically any defensive position than with the creative Bill Belichick? This is as perfect a fit as there will be in free agency this year. Thomas is coming off his best season (106 tackles, 11 sacks) and is ideally built for the Pats defensive scheme. He lined …read more