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 marrow transplant from his brother, Thomas Barnes, and his leukemia is now in remission. He has vowed to return to the NFL and could play as early as 2009. Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman played through 2008 while his daughter Tiana Rene battled cardiomyopathy. And Tampa Bay Bucs kicker Matt Bryant fought through the tragedy of losing his 3-month old son Tryson.

This year’s class also features headline players who overcame adversity to lead their teams on the field. Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme returned from Tommy John Surgery to lead the Panthers back to the playoffs. Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown returned from a torn ACL to help lead the Dolphins to the playoffs. And safety Ryan Clark returned to the Steelers line-up after suffering a near fatal spleen injury. Ryan is an integral part of the best defense in the NFL.

Click here to download the entire list of winners for the 2008 season.

Source: EdBlock.org

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2008 Ed Block Courage Award Recipients

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, returning one 64 yards for a touchdown. He now has 10 picks on the season and in three career playoffs games, he has five interceptions. But it’s what he does with those interceptions that is most impressive. Ed has 11 regular-season touchdowns, five of those on interceptions returns, including an NFL-record 107-yarder this season. He’s also scored on blocked punts, punt returns and fumbles. That being said, I believe he may have already secured himself a spot in Canton.

Source: NFL.com

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Is Ed Reed the Best Safety Ever?

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, Titans; Kris Jenkins, Jets; Shaun Rogers, Browns
OLB: James Harrison, Steelers; Joey Porter, Dolphins; Terrell Suggs, Ravens
MLB: Ray Lewis, Ravens; James Farrior, Steelers
CB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders; Cortland Finnegan, Titans; Darrelle Revis, Jets
S: Ed Reed, Ravens; Troy Polamalu, Steelers; Chris Hope, Titans

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Stephan Gostkowski, Patriots
P: Shane Lechler, Raiders
KR: Leon Washington, Jets
ST: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Ravens

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2009 AFC Pro Bowl Roster

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 a beat thanks largely to Jim’s impressive contributions (currently 4th on the team in tackles with 53). I spoke with Jim after practice today, just a few days before the Ravens’ big showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC North division lead.

• 0:08 – Back at full strength after a brief battle with the flu bug
• 0:25 – Ravens vs. Steelers rivalry, teams have similarities
• 1:06 – Bad blood between the teams is typical, physical game expected
• 1:37 – Week 15 and playing for the AFC North division lead
• 2:05 – Ravens have won seven of their past eight games
• 2:28 – Lack of size and an NFL life spent battling the odds everyday
• 3:02 – Playing the dual role: playing safety, returning kickoffs and punts
• 3:28 – Lessons learned playing with future Hall of Famers Reed and Lewis
• 4:20 – Learning and understanding the Ravens’ complex defense
• 5:14 – Ravens’ defensive game plan gets everyone involved
• 5:47 – Defense wants to get turnovers and score every game

Links: BaltimoreRavens.com, NFL Players, NFL.com

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EMQB Interview: Jim Leonhard

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.

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Ed Reed Interception Return Record

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.

Among a group of talented AFC quarterbacks, four-time All-Star Tom Brady of New England, who leads the NFL in passing yards (4,235), TDs (45) and passer rating (119.7), will be the starting QB in his fourth Pro Bowl. Tom is one of seven Patriots that will start for this year’s AFC squad. Joining him to aid the AFC passing attack will be Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning, who will make his eighth Pro Bowl appearance, and first-time selection Ben Roethlisberger of Pittsburgh, who ranks third in the NFL with 29 TD passes.

San Diego’s duo of running back LaDainian Tomlinson and fullback Lorenzo Neal have been named starters for a second year in a row. Earning his fifth Pro Bowl honor, L.T. ranks second in the NFL with 1,311 rushing yards this season and has passed the 1,200-yard rushing mark for the seventh consecutive year. Lorenzo, in his 15th NFL season, has been selected to his fourth Pro Bowl and third as a Charger. Adding to the AFC’s explosive backfield will be Pittsburgh’s Willie Parker and Joseph Addai of Indy. This is the second consecutive Pro Bowl trip for Fast Willie, who leads the NFL with 1,317 rushing yards. In his second NFL season, Joseph Addai ranks second in the AFC with 11 rushing TDs and will make his first Pro Bowl trip. Once again, Jacksonville’s Fred Taylor has been snubbed despite averaging a gaudy 5.1 ypc. He’ll need to lead the league in rushing to get consideration.

Four receivers are named to each All-Star squad. And it has to be nearly impossible to come up with just four. Chosen for the AFC’s 2008 team are New England’s Randy Moss, the NFL’s receiving yardage (1,343) and TD (19) leader. Randy records his first Pro Bowl appearance since 2004 (because he was lost in the black hole for several years) and sixth overall. Lined up across from Randy will be Reggie Wayne of Indianapolis, who will make his second All-Star game in consecutive seasons. Two first-time selections from clubs in Ohio will round out the AFC All-Star receiving foursome — Cleveland wide receiver Braylon Edwards, whose 13 TD receptions ranks second in the AFC, and the aforementioned T.J. Houshmandzadeh of Cincinnati. I know this is a very elite list of receivers and it’s incredibly hard to pick just four, but I could make a case for Wes Welker (Pats), Chad Johnson (Cincy) or even Brandon Marshall (Denver) in this group.

Representing the AFC at tight end will be nine-time all-star Tony Gonzalez (big surprise) of the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego’s Antonio Gates, who will play in his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl and start for the second year in a row.

Pittsburgh’s 10-year veteran guard Alan Faneca will make his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl trip and will be joined at the other starting guard position by first-time All-Star Logan Mankins of New England, who has helped pave the way for the league’s top-ranked offense. San Diego’s Kris Dielman, a former undrafted free agent who has been a mainstay for the Chargers offensive line this year, will make his All-Star debut.

AFC starting center Jeff Saturday will book his trip to Hawaii for his third consecutive Pro Bowl. First-time AFC All-Star Dan Koppen of New England will back him up.

Assigned to keep the pocket clean against a talented group of NFC edge rushers are a group of AFC All-Star tackles — New England’s two-time Pro Bowler Matt Light and first-time Pro Bowl selection Jason Peters of Buffalo. Jonathan Ogden of Baltimore will play in his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl in his 12th NFL season.

Lining up in the middle for the AFC defensive front are starting interior linemen Albert Haynesworth of Tennessee and New England’s Vince Wilfork. Both linemen will make their first appearances in the All-Star game. Accompanying Vince and Albert will be San Diego’s Jamal Williams, who has secured his third consecutive Pro Bowl berth.

Ranked second in the AFC with 11.5 sacks, Kansas City defensive end Jared Allen will make his Pro Bowl debut as a starter and will be joined by Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who will play in his second Pro Bowl in three seasons with the Titans and his first as a starter. Miami’s Jason Taylor will cap off this trio with the sixth Pro Bowl of his career.

Two first-time All-Stars — Mike Vrabel of New England and Pittsburgh’s James Harrison — will start at outside linebacker for the AFC. Mike has tied his career-high with 9.5 sacks and James leads the league’s top-ranked defense with 8.5 sacks. Joining them at outside linebacker is Shawne Merriman of San Diego, who tops NFL linebackers with 11.5 sacks. Shawne will make his third consecutive All-Star game appearance.

Roaming the middle of the AFC defense will be middle linebackers Ray Lewis of Baltimore and DeMeco Ryans of Houston. DeMeco, the 2006 NFL Defensive Rookie of Year, will start in his first Pro Bowl, while Ray-Ray, a 12-year veteran, will record his eighth appearance in Hawaii.

Interceptions are plentiful for the trio of AFC All-Star cornerbacks. Starter Champ Bailey of Denver has earned his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl selection and will be teamed up with two first-time All-Stars. New England’s Asante Samuel will start opposite Champ and Antonio Cromartie of San Diego, who leads the league with 10 INTs, will make his All-Star debut in his second season.

Indianapolis strong safety Bob Sanders earns his second consecutive AFC All-Star berth and Ravens ball-hawking free safety Ed Reed is a four-time Pro Bowl choice in six NFL seasons. Four-time Pro Bowl selection Troy Polamalu of Pittsburgh will join them as a reserve.

The AFC special teams unit is comprised of four players, including two first-time Pro Bowl honorees. Cleveland kick returner Joshua Cribbs is making his first trip to Hawaii. Joshua leads the NFL with a 30.9-yard average and is tied for second in the league with two scores. Tennessee kicker Rob Bironas, who leads the NFL with 31 field goals and set the NFL record for most field goals in a game earlier this season, will make his All-Star debut. San Diego wide receiver Kassim Osgood, who will serve as the AFC’s special teamer, makes his second consecutive trip to Hawaii. Concluding the special teams group will be Oakland’s veteran punter Shane Lechler (third Pro Bowl). Shane leads the NFL with a 49.0 average and has placed 21 of his 63 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

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Patriots, Chargers Lead AFC All-Star Squad, 18 First-Time Selections Named

If you’re a Raven fan, you’re left wondering how you lose perhaps your best player. Of all the stars on that team’s defense last season, I would claim Adalius Thomas and Ed Reed as my most valuable players. Adalius Thomas would have certainly been a priority in my off-season plans. Other important free agent signings included:

• The scrappy Jeff Garcia, signed by the Bucs, will try to pick up where he left off in Philadelphia. The Eagles took their chances that Donovan McNabb will be back at 100% and let Garcia go to Tampa where he will compete for the starting job alongside Chris Simms and maybe Jake Plummer if he doesn’t retire. The Bucs obtained the rights to Plummer from Denver.
• Fred Smoot is on his way back to Washington after two tumultuous seasons in Minnesota. Smoot had off-the-field issues, a variety of injuries on it, and eventually lost his starting spot alongside Antoine Winfield to rookie Cedric Griffin. The Vikes weren’t too upset about letting him go.

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Patriots Sign Adalius Thomas