Latest news with #EdReed
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons rookie safety is gaining the reputation as \
Falcons rookie safety Xavier Watts has been so good that some in the NFL world are referring to him as the next Ed Reed The NFL preseason is all about discussing what could be and what might be. The late summer football talking season provides an excellent opportunity to size up the individual members of the next incoming rookie class and consider their ceilings. Everyone is 0-0 right now, so the outlook and mood are often as uplifting as a mid-August day at the beach. We're all looking at this past spring's draft to try and find "the next XYZ." If you're a safety, and someone calls you "the next Ed Reed," it is simply the highest compliment possible. Ed Reed isn't just a Baltimore Ravens legend among legends. He's arguably the greatest safety in NFL history, as he was a five-time first-team All-Pro and a nine-time Pro Bowler. The Pro Football Hall of Fame and Ravens Ring of Honor member is also recognized on the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2000s, as well as the league's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. So this is a high mountain to ascend for any NFL safety, let alone a rookie. Xavier Watts, a third-round pick (96th overall) out of Notre Dame by the Atlanta Falcons, has drawn that comparison. That comp came from Augustine Ume-Ezeoke, founder of AUE Performance and one of the trainers who helped Watts prepare for the NFL. In an interview with Ume-Ezeoke was asked if there was a definitive moment in which he realized that Watts was ready for the NFL, both mentally and physically. "You saw it in how he trained — in the weight room, during speed work," Ume-Ezeoke responded. "He's a communicator, a leader on the back end. Reminds me of Ed Reed in that sense. He also added that Watts' football IQ really impressed him. While yes, you have to consider the source here, as there is naturally a bit of bias, Watts truly has tremendous potential. A consensus All-American last season, the Minneapolis native helped lead Notre Dame to a College Football Playoff national championship appearance. The previous season, he won the Bronko Nagurski award, which recognizes the best overall defensive player in college football. As a third-round pick who is ready to provide instant impact, the Falcons secondary has significant work to do. Atlanta was dead last in the NFL in completion percentage allowed (69.9%) and fourth from the bottom in opponent passer rating (100.2). Of course, an Ed Reed comp can only be validated after a full NFL career of total dominance. For now, maybe the comp should be a current Ravens safety- Kyle Hamilton? After all, Watts succeeded Hamilton in South Bend. In 2021, Watts filled in for Hamilton at strong safety when the future NFL All-Pro went down with a knee injury. Throughout 11 games, Watts had 15 total tackles (11 solo) during his redshirt freshman season. Hamilton was selected in the first round, 14th overall, by the Ravens the following spring. Watts learned a lot from Hamilton during their time as Fighting Irish teammates. And that certainly bodes well for Watts as Hamilton is so extremely elite that he'll soon reset the market for NFL safeties. However, now is not the time to try to be the next Kyle Hamilton. In 2025, the first goal for Watts should be to be the x-factor that the Falcons need to improve their pass defense this season.
Time Business News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Time Business News
Xavier Watts Draws High Praise from AUE Founder: "Reminds Me of Ed Reed"
Notre Dame Football YouTube Channel RG spoke to Augustine Ume-Ezeoke, AUE's founder, about his extensive working experience with former Notre Dame star Xavier Watts during an exclusive conversation. Giving a rare insight into the intense preparation that has shaped the young safety's journey to the NFL. Ume-Ezeoke's comparison is both bold and informative. 'Reminds me of Ed Reed,' he said without hesitation. Football players aren't likely to drop that name lightly. Ed Reed is a standout for elite play at the position due to his Hall of Fame status, Super Bowl championship, and arguably being the most instinctive safety the NFL has ever seen. Despite working closely with Watts for months, Ume-Ezeoke sees beyond just physical talent. He sees the intangible qualities that distinguish good from great. 'His IQ. High football intelligence. You saw it in how he trained—in the weight room, during speed work,' Ume-Ezeoke told RG . 'He's a communicator, a leader on the back end. Reminds me of Ed Reed in that sense.' Draft-Day Steal and Mental Fortitude While it came as a mild surprise that Watts was still on board late into the third round, ultimately landing with the Atlanta Falcons at 96th overall. The chip on his shoulder may only increase with his draft-day value. According to Ume-Ezeoke, Watts' capacity to handle and embrace that kind of adversity was not an accident. 'We talked a lot about staying level-headed—handling criticism, setbacks, and the pressure of the draft process,' he explained. 'I'd intentionally put him in uncomfortable training situations: fatigued reps, unexpected changes, even verbal pressure. He embraced it all.' The goal was uncomplicated: develop Watts into an NFL defensive back who can not only survive but thrive under the pressure of quarterbacking the secondary. Training for the NFL's Mental Gauntlet AUE was launched by Ume-Ezeoke, a former standout offensive lineman, to create an environment where athletes are not only trained, but also battle-tested. For Watts, that meant entering what Ume-Ezeoke calls 'the lab'—where excellence is refined through chaos and control. In addition to training that focused on recovering from fatigue and being aware of the field, there was a constant emphasis on adaptability. Ume-Ezeoke mentioned that Watts' development went beyond the field, focusing on traits that NFL teams seek: emotional stability, leadership, and real-time problem-solving. 'That resilience is one of his biggest assets going into the league,' he said. 'You can't fake that. He had to earn it every day.' The Ed Reed Comparison: More Than Just Style Ume-Ezeoke expanded on the Ed Reed comparison by pointing beyond the highlight reel plays and sideline-to-sideline range. Watts' skill in rapidly processing information, communicating pre-snap adjustments, and anticipating the offense's intentions before the ball was even snapped caught his attention the most. 'He sees the game like a veteran, even at 23,' Ume-Ezeoke said. 'That's rare. That's what Ed had. Not just speed or hits, but instincts. Xavier's got that.' Poised for a Breakout in Atlanta Watts is now officially a member of the Atlanta Falcons and will be tasked with developing quickly in a secondary position. In the NFC South, there are several emerging receivers and creative offenses. Watts enters the league prepared for battle thanks to the mental and physical preparation he put in during his time at AUE. He isn't just another newcomer. He's a player who has already faced internal battles and emerged with sharpened instincts, clarity of mind, and an approach designed for long-term success. The Verdict: Built for the League The legacy of Xavier Watts is still in its infancy for Augustine Ume-Ezeoke, but the foundation is unmistakable. Watts has put discipline, intelligence, and toughness into every aspect of his preparation, allowing him to make an immediate impact. 'He's ready. He's the type of guy who'll thrive when the lights are brightest,' Ume-Ezeoke concluded. 'Not just because of his talent, but because he's already been tested.' The Falcons may have walked away with one of the steals of the 2025 NFL Draft. If Watts' trajectory continues, the echoes of Ed Reed's greatness might one day live on in Atlanta. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens dominate AFC North all-star roster with heavy presence (as they should)
Ravens players dominate an AFC North all-star conversation. Sometimes, we hear words or statements so often that they lose their impact and appeal. They no longer pack the same punch. Every franchise has its greatest of all time (G.O.A.T.), and every era of every sport has its own G.O.A.T. However, if we're being honest, none of these individuals is truly the greatest. When discussing the Baltimore Ravens, though, mentioning Ray Lewis or Ed Reed changes the conversation entirely—those players are the true G.O.A.T.s. It's been a long time since that era ended. Can you believe it? We've now watched a dozen seasons of Ravens football without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Hope springs eternal that this new flock will finally seal the deal and deliver a third Vince Lombardi Trophy. Hopefully, you'll forgive us, but here's where we mention another of those phrases you've probably grown sick of hearing. A recent AFC North all-star team theory enjoys a heavy Ravens takeover 'They're the best team on paper. ' How many times have you heard that? That's probably another of those phrases that we can retire, right? Sure, we all get the nature of its meaning, but we also realize that football isn't played on paper. Strangely, any mention of this loaded Ravens roster never gets old. Hmmm... Imagine that. Who would have thought? Postseason accolades and preseason expectations won't win anything for an NFL franchise. 11 Ravens were voted onto the Pro Bowl roster. Unfortunately, however, Baltimore was bounced during the Divisional Round of the most recent NFL playoffs. They had just hosted the AFC Championship Game the previous year. Playoff disappointment has lessened anyone's confidence in this roster. It's so good that ten of its members took over an AFC North all-star team. Bleacher Report's Matt Holder tried his hand at creating an all-star team for every division. Nearly a dozen Ravens popped up on his AFC North squad. Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Ronnie Stanley, Tyler Linderbaum, and Roger Rosengarten represented on the offensive side of the ball. They are joined by Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Pat Freiermuth, Joel Bitonio, and Wyatt Teller. On defense, Nnamdi Madubuike, Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, and Kyle Hamilton made the cut. They are joined by Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Patrick Queen, Denzel Ward, Jalen Ramsey, and Grant Delpit. Ten of those guys we've cheered for. 12 may have heard a few jeers over the years, but here's one thing we all can agree on. Suit this team up, and there isn't another NFL team that stands a chance. We're thinking a 17-0 regular-season, a first-round bye, and three blowout wins during the postseason en route to a Vince Lombardi Trophy.
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens icons of the past and present join elite draft company
One of the more unique lists of all-time draft greats is a celebration of Ravens excellence. There's nothing like the NFL Draft now. We've all seen MLB's version. We've seen the show the NBA put on at the end of June. The latter two selection meetings feel like cocktail parties, while pro football's feels like Mardi Gras without all of the... Well, you know... The draft is enormous now, so much so that we talk about what the Baltimore Ravens might be thinking all year. This isn't just April's event anymore. We've seen discussions about Baltimore's potential needs as recently as a month ago. We've read about potential steals in the most recent Ravens class. We have read early 2026 mock drafts, but we may have never seen a take resembling the one that was offered recently by ESPN. Ravens greats of the past and present land on one of the more unique lists of NFL draftees If there has ever been a list crafted like the following, it's hard to remember if we've read it. That being said, here's an apology if the idea was borrowed from another platform. ESPN's Ben Solak recently cooked up "The best NFL draft pick ever at every slot from No. 1 to 262". Five drafted Ravens of the past were named. Fans will be happy to know Ed Reed (24), Ray Lewis (26), Orlando Brown (83), Brandon Williams (94), and Tyrod Taylor (180) were included. If you noticed, Reed was selected over fellow 24th-overall draftee Aaron Rodgers. Lewis is an obvious addition to the list at 26. It's still hard to believe that Baltimore struck gold with both him and Jonathan Ogden in the same class (1996), but the fourth slot, Ogden's draft position, was won by Walter Payton. It's hard to argue with that, if we're being honest. Another former member of the Ravens mentioned is Anquan Boldin. The organization didn't draft him, but he eventually landed in Baltimore after being part of a trade that shipped the Ravens' third- and fourth-round picks to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for him and a fifth-round selection. He's the man named in the 54th slot. One current member of the franchise is also on the list, Derrick Henry (45). Congratulations to everyone who gets a mention.
Fox News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team that competes in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Baltimore is one of two teams in the NFL to be undefeated in multiple Super Bowl appearances. The Ravens won Super Bowl titles in 2000 and 2012. The team's name was inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's poem 'The Raven.' Various defensive NFL stars have played for Baltimore like Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Ed Reed. The Ravens offense is spearheaded by Heisman Trophy winners Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
