Ed Reed had nine interceptions in 2004. Simon Bruty/SI

Of all the remarkable feats performed by Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed during his three-year career, his most impressive is the silence he's maintained over the last six months. During an offseason when stars all over the league are complaining about their contracts and demanding new deals, the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year hasn't uttered a peep about being underpaid. Why do I bring this up today? Simply put, Reed has more reason to whine about his current financial situation than any other big-name player.

We're talking about a two-time Pro Bowler who has two years left on a contract that pays him $550,000 in base salary this season. That's phenomenal money for the average guy, but for a player who has established himself as the league's top safety, it's laughable. To understand how big a bargain Reed is, consider that 84 safeties made more than his $513,000 total compensation in 2004 -- and 48 of them earned more than $1 million. What's even more astounding is that Reed hasn't pressured the Ravens to get a new deal. When asked if he would be willing to sit out training camp, he said, "It would be a shame if I had to hold out to get a new contract. And I don't plan to."

I give Reed credit for his trust in the Ravens front office. As we've seen lately, most players wouldn't be willing to sit back quietly and let this play out. But Reed has earned a reputation for his maturity, his ability to see the big picture. And as much as he'd like to sign a new deal before this season begins, he understands the situation the Ravens face. Baltimore recently signed two-time Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap to a six-year extension. The Ravens also have to decide on the future of running back Jamal Lewis, who is entering the final year of his contract. That leaves Reed waiting and wondering when he'll get his.

It has to be a tough spot only because Reed already means more to Baltimore than Heap or Lewis. The former Miami Hurricane has led or tied for the league lead in interceptions in each of the last two years. In 2004, he picked off nine passes and returned them for an NFL-record 358 yards. He scored on a fumble return and a league-record 106-yard interception return. He forced fumbles, registered sacks and knocked more than a few wide receivers sideways. And those are merely the plays that you saw Chris Berman hyping on NFL Primetime.

Reed is so good at disguising himself in coverage that even his own teammates have a hard time locating him in the secondary on pass plays. He's so savvy that he can baffle the most experienced quarterbacks. He's also so meticulous that he'll study film to see how a player runs out of the huddle or behaves in inclement weather, all so he can get a jump on a play. "There are guys who play 10 or 12 years who become instinctive by playing in a lot of games," said 49ers head coach Mike Nolan, who served as the Ravens defensive coordinator from 2002-04. "Ed has been in the league three years and he already has that ability."