Big return could make Reed a legend

[ChiTownBull]

By DOUG LESMERISES / The News Journal

02/06/2005JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- When J.R. Reed wakes up this morning, he will be dressed for the Super Bowl.

"I always got my jersey on," the Eagles rookie kick returner said. "I always got my jersey on."

Tattooed across the 22-year-old's back are the four letters of his last name, in script even larger than on his Eagles uniform. Reed took that permanent step before his senior season at the University of South Florida for highly personal reasons.

Reed's father hasn't been part of his life since he was 5 years old. But instead of resentment, Reed is filled with resolve to represent his family.

His mother, Dottie, brother, Paul, and sisters, Andrea and Sunny, attended most of his games this season, and Reed kept them plied with jerseys and souvenirs. Reed recently got engaged and envisions the day when little Reeds are running around the house. For that reason, Reed never wants to forget not only who he is, but also the family to which he belongs.

"I have pride in my name," he said. "I'll always represent it."

After today, Eagles fans might remember his name forever.

Just seven kickoffs have been returned for a touchdown in 38 Super Bowls, and five of the seven returners saw their team go on to lose the game. But Green Bay's Desmond Howard won the MVP award in Super Bowl XXXI for his return work.

There is a chance the Eagles could use running back Brian Westbrook to return punts today, something they have done twice this season. Reed will definitely be back on kickoffs, and has shown the ability to make his own bursts. His longest return was a 66-yarder against Carolina on Oct. 17.

Eagles security chief Butch Buchanico, who became something of a mentor to Reed this season, got so excited on that play he accidentally collided with an official on the sideline and drew a 15-year penalty.

Buchanico certainly will be out of the way today, but Reed could still break through. As a college senior, he led the nation by averaging 31.7 yards per return. His straight-ahead style led the Eagles to draft him in the fourth round. He is one of five rookies on the roster. Four are expected to play on special teams today: Matt Ware, Dexter Wynn, Mike Labinjo and Reed.

"He just roars through a hole," Eagles special teams assistant Ted Daisher said. "J.R. plays fearlessly. He's a reckless player, and we really liked that."

That attitude came from family, specifically Reed's brother Paul, who is six years older.

"I used to play football with him and his friends and they'd set me up on purpose to get hurt," Reed said. "My brother would throw me the ball knowing that his friends, who were twice my size, were going to kill me. But I didn't care. I was just glad to play with my brother."

Paul also invented a game in which he lay on the floor and forced J.R. to run circles around him. Paul would knock J.R.'s legs out from under him and drop him to the ground. It seems to have prepared Reed for the NFL.

"He's shown a lot of toughness on their cover units," Patriots special teams coach Bard Seely said. "As a returner, he's a guy with really good speed, and when he sees a hole, he hits it."

http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/sports/2005/02/06bigreturncouldm.html