BALTIMORE, Md. — Scott Garceau's pitch to put Ed Reed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame should be simple.
“My job's easy - to stand up and say Ed Reed and watch him go into Canton,” said Garceau.
The former WMAR-2 Sports Director and current 105.7 The Fan radio host is Baltimore's representative in the 48-member Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee.
On Saturday he'll present Reed's case for election into the Hall.
“I don't think you have to be a football genius to know that was a Hall of Fame career,” said Garceau.
Reed is a finalist for the Hall of fame in his first year of eligibility. The safety played eleven seasons with the Ravens. He was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2004.
“Ed wasn't the fastest guy, wasn't the biggest guy, wasn't the strongest guy. But, his instincts might have been the best I have ever seen and the party started when he got his hands on the ball,” added Garceau.
He had a knack for interceptions, leading the league in that category three times.
He totaled 64 interceptions for his career, returning them for an NFL record 1,590 yards and 7 touchdowns. He owns the two longest interception returns in league history - a 106 yard pick-six against the Browns in 2004 and a 107 yarder against the Eagles in 2008.
“I talked to Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning said Ed Reed is the best guy in the secondary I ever faced,” said Garceau. “Tom Brady had on his wristband 'Where is 20?'”
Reed's Ravens went to the playoffs seven times, won four division titles and a Super Bowl. He was a six-time All-Pro and a nine-time Pro Bowler.
Seems like a slam dunk for selection. Garceau isn't taking any chances when he gets in front of the committee.
“Do I think Ed's going to get elected first year of eligibility? I'd say that's about a 98 percent yes. But I still fear the 2 percent,” he said.
The Hall of Fame selection committee begins its meeting Saturday morning in Atlanta, site of Super Bowl LIII.
All nominees must receive 80 percent approval of the committee for election.
The Class of 2019 will be announced Saturday night and inducted in August.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
