Anytime a team signs a big-name free agent, players get excited. When that player is Ed Reed, who is considered one of the best defensive backs of all time, excitement could be an understatement with the Texans.
Following the news that the veteran safety had officially signed a three-year deal, star defensive end J.J. Watt went to Twitter to welcome the former Raven:
"Haha this is going to be fun. Welcome to the squad @TwentyER."
Linebacker Brian Cushing added his own regards shortly after:
"Everybody make sure to welcome the best safety in the game @Twenty ER to the #Texans #bullsonparade."
In an interview with NFL.com other current Texans defensive players expressed enthusiasm about the signing.
"I was very ecstatic," cornerback Jonathan Joseph told NFL.com, "I shot him a text letting him know I was glad to have him onboard and things like that, just kind of hit off a relationship or whatever. I watched him over the years from my time in Cincinnati, and to be honest, I haven't seen a guy like him at the position, just the way he impacts the game and the way he studies the game and knows the game."
Of course there will be two players now donning "Reed" on the back of their jerseys in Houston, but linebacker Brooks Reed doesn't seem to mind.
"I've seen so many highlights on him," Reed told NFL.com, "He's just a playmaker, and there's not too many safeties like him out there. He's always around the ball and he's just got great ability."
After falling victim on several occasions to a Ravens' defense lead by Reed (the Texans are 1-6 all time against Baltimore), anyone can understand why the Texans are glad to have the nine-time Pro Bowl safety on their side.
