Ed Reed Leaving Baltimore: Is Veteran Raven Retiring Like Ray Lewis?

RayRay has already left the building. Is veteran-free safety Ed Reed following suit? The franchise leader in interceptions told NFL Network he is about to sign with the Houston Texans. The contract he is expected to sign is worth $5 million per year for three years.

Ed Reed led the Ravens in tipped passes with 17 and tied the team-leading four interceptions in addition to being part of a team that brought the Vince Lombardi trophy back to Charles Street. Ed Reed is of course not the first in what is turning out to be a mass exodus from the AFC North powerhouse. Linebacker Ray Lewis made a highly-publicized retirement following the "Har-bowl" Superbowl, which pitted Ravens' John Harbaugh against brother Jim in San Francisco. Fellow safety Bernard Pollard was released by the team, and Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger went elsewhere in the AFC.

Up until Ed Reed's announcement, coach John Harbaugh was optimistic the team would retain him for another season, telling the Baltimore Sun he was "very hopeful" that Reed would stick around.

This is not the first time Baltimore has seen major changes in its team structure following a Superbowl win. After Superbowl XXXV in 2001, Quarterback Trent Dilfer was released. Dilfer, who had a rocky start in Baltimore, impressed the nation with his performance against the New York Giants. It came as a surprise to all when the team elected to let Dilfer go in favor of then-veteran Elvis Grbac.

When the new quarterback arrived, he memorably stated that he knew he could "make the team better," which many said was somewhat of an odd statement noting his new team recently won the Superbowl. Grbac lasted one season in Baltimore, often being substituted by Randall Cunningham throughout the season, before he retired and was replaced by Jeff Blake. Fans hope recent events after this year's big game will not spell similar doom for the Ravens.