Ed Reed, Ravens safety and soon-to-be free agent, has talked to at least one agency about representation. But, four days before free agency officially begins, it's unknown whether Reed has hired an agent.

"I am pretty much my own agent," Reed told the NFL Network on Monday.

If Reed doesn't have an agent by this weekend, the rest of the unrestricted free agents will get a head start on him. Beginning at midnight Saturday, the NFL will allow the representatives of unrestricted free agents to talk to teams. This is the first time that the league has allowed such talks before the official start of free agency.

During the negotiation period, an unrestricted free agent can't visit a team (other than his current club) at its permanent facility or any other location. No direct contact is permitted between the player and any employee of a team (other than his current club). Players and teams can't even discuss or make travel arrangements for a visit.

In a release, the league states: "If a player is self-represented, clubs are prohibited from discussions with the player during the negotiating period."

This three-day period applies to unrestricted free agents only. Players who received the franchise tag, restricted free agents and exclusive-rights free agents aren't allowed to have contact with other teams until Tuesday.

While agents and teams are allowed to talk this weekend, a contract can't be executed with a new team until 4 p.m. Tuesday. Perhaps by that time, Reed will have someone representing him.