NFL

Ed Reed starts for the Jets in Buffalo

ORCHARD PARK – Well, that didn’t take long. Just three days after signing with the Jets, safety Ed Reed will be in the starting lineup for Gang Green Sunday against the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Reed came to terms with the Jets on Thursday, just one day after being cut by Houston. Defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman had said the team had a defined role for Reed that could changed based upon how the game went; apparently that role includes being in the starting lineup at free safety next to Dawan Landry.

The nine-time Pro Bowler had hastened his exit by chastising the Texans as outplayed and outcoached in a 27-24 loss to Arizona. But despite Reed’s offseason hip surgery and advanced age – he’s 35 – head coach Rex Ryan was all too happy to scoop up the future Hall of Famer to help a leaky pass defense.

“I don’t think I’d be here if they didn’t think that. I know what I know. I know how I feel and I know what I’ve put in my offseason workouts,’’ Reed had said Thursday, after his first Jets practice. Sunday, he started next to Landry, whom he helped mentor when the latter was a Ravens rookie. “I’m ready to go. You’ll see. You guys can be the judge of it.’’

As good as the Jets defense has been overall, they came into Sunday ranked just 26th against the pass, with just five picks – only two by their safeties. But Reed – who starred in Baltimore when Ryan was the Ravens’ defensive coordinator – is one of the best ballhawks in NFL history with 16 interceptions.