John Harbaugh wants Ed Reed back with Ravens

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh wants free safety Ed Reed to be back with the team next season, according to the Baltimore Sun. Harbaugh said that Reed wants to return and that the Ravens are going to "work like crazy to work it out because Ed's a Baltimore Raven."

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Reed has been contemplating retirement for the past few seasons, amid down years and injury, but he remains an effective safety. After the Super Bowl, Reed said that he's not done playing, and that he'll reassess things and go from there but added that "If I'm able to do it, I'll be doing it."

He certainly seems able to do it. Despite being 34 years old with a long injury history that includes a nerve impingement in his neck, a torn shoulder labrum and a surgically repaired hip, Reed played in Super Bowl XLVII and made a big play in the second quarter when he picked off a Colin Kaepernick pass intended for Randy Moss.

Reed may not be able to make all the big plays as much as he used to, and he may not be able to cover as much ground as he could five or even ten years ago, but he's still an effective player. The Ravens don't necessarily have a replacement for Reed ready on the roster, either.

What will be most interesting is Reed's contract number. He just wrapped up a six-year, $44.4 million contract this season and he definitely only have one payday left in his career. Will the Ravens be able to pay him what he wants, or will he go elsewhere, eschewing a hometown discount?