The Ravens have been in existence for 15 seasons and in those 15 years we have witnessed some really good football and potential hall of famers.  From Ray Lewis being arguably the best middle linebacker in NFL history to Jonathan Ogden putting together a hall of fame career at left tackle.  And, of course, who could forget the great 2000 season when the Ravens won their only Super Bowl.  So obviously there has been numerous moments and players that have brought smiles to our faces.

One of the best players that has worn Ravens purple is # 20 Ed Reed.  Ever since his first season in 2002 Reed has consistently been amongst the best in the NFL when it comes to playing defense. His ability to always be around the ball and make plays is amazing.  Early in his career Reed wasn't just an up and coming play making safety, he was also a tremendous special teams player.  Not only in the return game, but blocking punts as well.  I can remember a game in Arizona where Reed blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, the man is a great athlete.

In the last 10 years not many names come to mind that completely change the game, Ed Reed is one of them.  Take the last game for example, if Reed doesn't have those two interceptions that Bengals game might have had a different outcome.  In fact Reed has had 11 multi interception games, the Ravens have won all of those 11 games. This 2010 season to me solidifies the greatness of Ed Reed.  He missed the first 6 games with the multitude of injuries he has had, and yet in the 10 games he played he still led the league in interceptions with 8.  Think about that for a minute - he only played 10 games and had 8 picks.  Reed's best season is 9 and he did that twice in seasons that he played all 16 games.

Now there are other arguments for other players, if you ask a lot of people who the best safety is.  Ronnie Lott's name is mentioned a lot along with Rod Woodson and an argument can be made for Troy Polamalu.  Out of all of those players none, in my opinion, are as big a playmaker as Ed Reed. Woodson would be a close second.  Sometimes Reed does things that make us scratch our heads or even cuss at him, please Reed stop trying to lateral.  However the good far outweighs the bad and we should all be privileged to have witnessed his brilliant career up to this point.  My only wish is that before he retires from the game he plays so well is that he is able to showcase those talents on Super Bowl Sunday and that at the end of that day he is hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Andy Snakovsky - 105.7 The Fan Staff Writer