The Buffalo Bills announced Wednesday night that they have added Ed Reed to their coaching staff as an assistant defensive backs coach.
Reed, who is sure to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible, was one of the greatest safeties to play the game. He was a five-time first team All-Pro, and collected 64 interceptions in his 12-year playing career. Reed entered the league in 2002, joining the Baltimore Ravens while Rex Ryan was coaching the defensive line. Ryan left after the 2008 season to coach the New York Jets, but the two were reunited in 2013 when Reed signed there as a free agent.
Reed joins a coaching staff currently undergoing changes on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson is leaving, defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman will reportedly be spending additional time coaching the secondary, and Rob Ryan was added to the staff as an assistant head coach working with the defense. Now, Reed is joining the group.
While he isn't an experienced coach, his understanding of the safety position is undeniable. Ryan's defense is sufficiently complicated that it often requires knowledgeable, veteran players to help communicate the details. In that regard, Reed could be a big asset in 2016.
I'm not sure Ed Reed can teach anybody to do the things he did
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) January 14, 2016
True, you can't teach what he did, but he is the smartest football player I've been around. https://t.co/yt7VSunr4R
— Jim Leonhard (@jimleonhard) January 14, 2016