It's an accepted fact of the football card hobby that defensive players simply don't draw as much interest from collectors as their offensive counterparts. That might be different, though, if more defenders were as dynamic as Baltimore safety Ed Reed.
Plucked from the University of Miami with the 24th overall pick of the 2002 NFL Draft, Reed adjusted quickly to the NFL, starting every game his rookie season and recording 85 tackles and five interceptions. He was named to his first Pro Bowl the next season, something that would become a regular occurrence from then on.
Along with strong play against the run and the pass, Reed has exhibited a special nose for the end zone. He owns the NFL record for longest interception return (108 yards) and has scored on interceptions, fumble recoveries, punt returns and blocked punts.
Even at age 30, Reed showed no signs of slowing down. In 2008, he was the only unanimous All-Pro selection in the NFL after he picked off nine passes, returning two for scores. He even found the end zone in the playoffs, going 64 yards with an INT against the Miami Dolphins.
If collectors are ever going to warm to defensive players, Reed is the kind of athlete that will win some converts. He didn't have cards in every 2002 football set, but his 32 rookie cards include autographed cards in popular sets like SP Authentic and Playoff Contenders.
2002 Ed Reed Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 195 - #'d to 1500
- Bowman # 138
- Bowman Chrome # 230 - autographed
- Bowman's Best # 133 - autographed
- Donruss # 298
- Donruss Classics # 188 - #'d to 1000
- Donruss Elite # 197 - #'d to 400
- Finest # 109
- Fleer Box Score # 169
- Fleer Platinum # 286
- Gridiron Kings # 148
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 107
- NFL Showdown First and Goal # 72
- Pacific Heads Up # 179 - #'d to 1090
- Pacific Heads Update # 19
- Playoff Contenders # 129 - autographed, #'d to 550
- Playoff Honors # 182 - #'d to 1000
- Playoff Piece of the Game # 99 - #'d to 500
- Score # 324
- SP Authentic # 195 - autographed, #'d to 1150
- SP Legendary Cuts # 169 - #'d to 1100
- SPx # 99 - #'d to 1500
- Stadium Club # 194
- Sweet Spot # 115 - #'d to 1050
- Titanium Post Season # 6 - #'d to 699
- Topps # 353
- Topps Chrome # 208
- UD Graded # 113 - #'d to 700
- UD Graded # 143 - #'d to 700
- Upper Deck # 310B
- Upper Deck Honor Roll # 99 - #'d to 1375
- Upper Deck XXL # 558