The possible absence of  Steelers receiver Mike Wallace when camp opens later this month isn’t the only holdout question in the AFC North. Appearing on a Baltimore radio station Wednesday, Ravens All-Pro safety Ed Reed was noncommittal about his status. He is physically prepared to play an 11th NFL season, but insists he is “still thinking things through.” He is scheduled to report to training camp July 25 — the same day as the Steelers — but alluded to the possibility of a holdout.

“The only way we protect ourselves, the only way a player gets what he wants is by holding out,” Reed said. “So if Ray Rice doesn’t show up, so be it. If Joe Flacco didn’t show up and got a contract, so be it.”

The Pro Bowl safety’s status for training camp came into question when he skipped the three-day mandatory minicamp in June without calling coach John Harbaugh beforehand to provide an explanation.

Reed, who had mentioned retirement during the previous two offseasons, is in the final year of the six-year contract extension he signed in 2006 that made him the highest-paid safety in the NFL. If he plays in 2012, he will earn a base salary of $7.2 million.

It is believed that Reed is frustrated by the lack of another extension, though he has not made any public demands. He sidestepped questions in the interview about his contract status, though he did say he has outplayed his current deal and “exceeded all expectations.”

Being that Green Bay is the only publicly held franchise in any of the four major North American pro sports leagues, the team’s annual fiscal report is always worth taking a look at as a barometer of how things are in the league. No surprise: They’re quite good. The Packers’ fiscal 2012 profit more than doubled to a record $42.7 million as costs fell and retail sales climbed a year after they won the Super Bowl. Going inside some of the numbers: Local revenue rose to a record $130.4 million from $119.3 million. National revenue, including TV and league sharing, climbed to $171.6 million from $163.3 million.

Fans may have heard that former Pitt running back Dion Lewis was arrested at a Hampton Inn in Albany, N.Y., last weekend but not why. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Lewis and his brother, Lamar, couldn’t get into the hotel where they were staying shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday and began banging on the door. They eventually pulled a fire alarm, according to police, Lewis was arrested and charged with a low-grade felony.

The Oakland Raiders and safety Tyvon Branch reportedly agreed to a four-year, $26.6 million contract. The team had put the franchise tag on him earlier this offseason. … Add former Chicago Bears defensive back Shaun Gayle to the list of those who have attached their names to a lawsuit against the NFL over head injuries. … The New York Times reported Friday that the family of the late Junior Seau has donated some of his brain tissue for research as questions remain over whether Seau sustained brain damage during his career. The family donated it to the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. … Wide receiver Mike Williams, the 10th pick in the 2005 draft who has had more downs than ups in his career, was released by the Seattle Seahawks.

Tags: Ravens safety Reed hinting at holdout

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