Could Pitbull have caused a delay in Ed Reed's inauguration in Houston?
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The Houston Chronicle's John McClain told NFL Network's "NFL AM" on Friday morning that the Texans and Reed cut short their highly publicized meeting Thursday so they could "get out of Dodge" before a crowd of 75,217 fans of the pop star cascaded upon Reliant Stadium, pinning in Reed and Texans brass.
The second-largest crowd in Houston Rodeo history might have postponed Reed signing, but McClain said he expects the veteran safety to sign with the Texans on Friday.
Reed had high praise for the Texans' organization when he arrived Thursday. The Texans sent general manager Rick Smith on the team's private jet to pick up Reed, an unprecedented move for the organization.
"I don't think they would have done that if they didn't think they had a good chance to keep him, they don't want to send him home on Southwest," quipped McClain, the 33-year NFL reporting vet.
Reed spent the evening dining with some friends, coaches and Texan players Andre Johnson and Chris Meyers, who he played with at the University of Miami, according to McClain.
Jokes about Pitbull aside, as we've seen this offseason, the NFL's first three-day negotiating window prior to free agency has led to many players signing during their first visit, which would look good for the Texans' ability to corral Reed.
However, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday morning that a source told him there was a "50-50 at best" chance that Reed signs in Houston, with a return to the Baltimore Ravens still a possibility. The San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts are long shots to land Reed.
The Reed sweepstakes looks to be hitting its high note.
UPDATE: A team source told NFL Network's Rich Hollenberg that Reed left the Texans' facility without a deal in place.
Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.
