EdTheMythicalOne

5 minutes ago, MYTH420 said:

When I first heard this, I was outraged. He's the best SS we have. I know cutting him would save us 3 million in cap space, but he's worth the money. But then I heard about the 10 game suspension. Now it makes sense. The money you save, for a guy who can only play 6 games, plus it frees up the log jam at he position. I understand why they did it. I like Hill and I hope he does well going forward.

I don't wish ill on anyone, but I honestly think Will Hill wrote his ticket out of the NFL. This isn't the first time he's been in trouble. It is the fourth. He was suspended 3 times before he got to Baltimore. In fact, we got him on the heels of a suspension. At least one of those suspensions; the first one in fact, was for Adderral which is considered a PED.

Because this is his 4th offense and a 10 game suspension instead of a 1 year one we can deduce that the substance in question was pot thanks to the clever way the NFLPA has outlined its substance abuse policy. If you are in stage three of the program; which we know Hill was, and your first offense while in stage three is for Marijuana...you get a 10 game suspension instead of a 1 year one.

He probably won't sign on with any team in 2016. He's still young enough and potentially good enough to latch on with another team after he keeps himself clean in 2016, but he's gonna be on a real short leash. Teams might not be willing to risk the prospect of losing him for a year if he slips up again. If that does happen he is surely done in the NFL at least.

5 hours ago, RavensBaltimore said:

I don't think he's any smaller or slower than Charles Woodson late in his career, and he was a great safety. Webb also played well at S last year. When healthy, he's a good tackler, has good instincts, and has good hands. I think he'll be a very good Safety.

Charles Woodson is listed as 6'1'' 200lbs. Webb is 5'10'' if his cleats are on a hard floor and 179lbs. He might add a bit more bulk since he's moving. I could see him playing around 185 or 190.

There was another Woodson who actually used to play for the Ravens who was one of the most dynamic corners in the league and return man in the NFL. He then reached his 30's and when he lost a step he became one of the best free safeties to play the game....and that would be former Steeler, 49er, Raven, and Raider Rod Woodson. All he did was lead the league in interceptions at his new position of safety twice in his mid to late 30's and go on to the Hall of Fame.

I am not saying Webb is Woodson, very few players are. But there is a tradition of corners reaching a certain stage of their career and dropping back to safety. Webb's age isn't the issue, but he was clearly ailing from his knee surgeries and a back issue that's sprung up the last couple of years. If he has lost some quickness or agility it is due to injuries and not his age. He does have ball hawking instincts because at one time I thought he was our best corner and when Jimmy Smith finally came into his own I thought we had an amazing tandem in waiting. He's always been a good, fundamentally sound tackler. He doesn't try to blow up people, he instead does his job and tries to tackle them.

10 hours ago, Crusader said:

My concern is linebackers and offensive line there some big holes.

I hear you.

Losing Osemele was a big blow to our O-line that is already looking suspect on the left side thanks to the health questions surrounding Monroe. The Ravens haven't been linked to anyone on the market other than Vlad Ducasse (guard) coming in for a visit. Either they must know Monroe is relatively healthy and they are alright with the depth we have a guard, or they are planning some draft moves that might see them moving around to get Tunsil who is the consensus can't miss franchise LT. We also need to hope Wagner returns more to his 2014 form than his 2015 form.

My concern about the linebackers is the age. We're old at OLB and the depth just hasn't shown much so far. ILB looked decent while Mosley and Orr were out there, Ravens will be snooping the FA market for a bargain+upside guy I am sure. Smith may be back on a cheaper deal for another year. We have to remember Mosley was coming off of a hand injury. Though he won't make excuses for himself, I have to imagine it is hard to tackle with one hand.

10 hours ago, respecttheRaven said:

I agree.....there doesn't seem to be as many comments either. Not seeing a lot of the regular people!!! Emoticons are boring too!! 

I've got to say that I don't like how I have to essentially log in three times to actually see the reply, quote, and thumbs up and down options. Looks like they tried too hard to get this to look like Twitter and work on tablets and phones, but it looks like a hot mess on my PC.

8 hours ago, dirtybird66 said:

i say THANK YOU,WILL HILL,he came in when we were really stuggling back there and he held his own,it's not everyday that you can bring in a LEGEND in the making,noone want's to leave the RAVEN'S,but other teams will scoop him up and i thank him for his service.

Um.....what? Will Hill, is that you?

We brought Will Hill in on the heels of a drug suspension to give him his second second chance. He straightened up and flew right until he got himself a pay day. The guy was 17th in all of football safeties last year. Not top 10, not top 5. Even then he was a flawed player.

Ain't no other team scooping him up now. He's got to wait 10 weeks before he can even play for a team. One more suspension and he's gone for good. The ship has sailed for a marginal player. If he was elite, then perhaps he gets a third second chance.

4 minutes ago, fusuymada said:

Just to be sure I didn't misspeak I went back to gamerewind and watched both Webb and Hill at safety on the coaches view. I find the move to be curious because Hill was the best rated safety on the team, Webb played more at the end of the season because they were testing his abilities not because he did well because he didn't. They were 5-11 so what did they have to lose by testing people's skills. I think Ozzie and John like Webb and are allowing their personal feelings to overshadow common sense and film analysis. Webb is not a hitter and neither is Weddle, both are small and Hill was the only real thumper we had at safety. Like I said, and has been repeated a number of times by a number of reporters, most thought Hill and Weddle would be the starting safeties because they saw what I saw in Webb, an older, often injured ex-cornerback who is undersized at safety and had lost a step. Hill is younger, missed only suspension time and has fixed his errors, is a harder hitter and bigger in size and as stated was the best rated safety on the team by PFF. This move makes absolutely no sense.

Did you miss the whole "WILL HILL WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR 10 GAMES NEXT SEASON" part? That means he can't play until week 11 and at best he'd be playing 6 games the whole season.

I think you need to watch some more tape of Weddle before you decide if he's a big hitter or not, but even without that Weddle caused as many forced fumbles in 2014 as Will Hill has his entire career. Despite being rated the best safety on the team, he was still rated 17th overall. How many teams are there in the NFL? So if your best guy is 17th and then benched because he's letting up too many plays...I think that tells you where your defense is. Webb is a better tackler than people give him credit for. If he's the one that has to tackle the RB all the time, then something's wrong up front and that ain't his fault.

Will Thrill Hill was a Good Hitter but the Thrill is gone... He was cool

Will "Hippy Lettuce" Hill doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it?

  11 minutes ago, EdTheMythicalOne said:

  31 minutes ago, akacrow said:

Reggie Nelson, please, and thank you.

Been pondering that possibility too, all the guy does is pick off passes all day long. Has to be some reason why teams are shying away from him when guys like Raheem Moore get big deals after completely tanking last year. Yeah, the Raheem Moore that got completely toasted by Jacoby Jones on the Joe Flacco miracle pass in the playoffs.

But with all the safeties we have still on the roster, making a move for Nelson doesn't make sense unless he falls through the cracks and comes on a real cheap deal...in which case...goodbye Kendrick Lewis and Terrence Brooks.

c'mon man it wasnt a miracle pass

70 yards down the field to win the game...yeah, I would say that was a miracle pass alright.

  14 minutes ago, EdTheMythicalOne said:

Will "The Thrill" belonged to another, rather obscure Baltimore player, but not in the world of baseball player named Will Clark. Do not besmirch the name of that man.

I besmirch nothing.......people were calling Hill that here. No big deal.

Because people can't be original. Given his track record it could be Will "The Pill" Hill. My comment before was made a bit in jest, but Will Clark was one heck of a baseball player. Even when he was totally over the hill with Baltimore he was putting up impressive numbers.

@akacrow Reggie Nelson is good in all but it's going to make our defense much older they should just wine up and trade up to get Ramsey.

If they trade up it will be to get Tunsil, the best LT in the draft and perhaps one of the best players in the draft.

If the Ravens make a run at Okung it would have to be a show me deal. They would also have to keep Monroe, trading one oft injured OT for another isn't the best move.

Okung might be able to be had for a song, and can play both sides of the offensive line.

Looks like the only chance he'd get legitimately to play LT is in Pittsburgh or possibly Denver if they move Clady over. Every other team that is interested in him would probably move him to RT. Okung has played in more games the last two seasons than Monroe. 14 in 2014 and 13 in 2015. There already seems to be about 4-5 teams in the mix so the market is probably too hot for the Ravens.

According to the last estimate I saw prior to this cut, this means the Ravens now have about $10 million under the cap. Does this now give them a chance to make a run at Russel Okung for LT? I know the dots haven't been made but it is expected that after coming off of an injury and as he's representing himself that he might come as a relative bargain for a starting LT. I guess it really depends on the health of Monroe, what Okung's offers look like, and if the Ravens can do something with Monroe's contract other than eat it and have huge dead money.

Reggie Nelson, please, and thank you.

Been pondering that possibility too, all the guy does is pick off passes all day long. Has to be some reason why teams are shying away from him when guys like Raheem Moore get big deals after completely tanking last year. Yeah, the Raheem Moore that got completely toasted by Jacoby Jones on the Joe Flacco miracle pass in the playoffs.

But with all the safeties we have still on the roster, making a move for Nelson doesn't make sense unless he falls through the cracks and comes on a real cheap deal...in which case...goodbye Kendrick Lewis and Terrence Brooks.

With the new signings I was like ......letting Will "The Thrill" Hill go??!! Man.......way to pop my balloon. Edit::Whoops, typed this before I saw he was up for disciplinary issue's. Either way.......wow.! 

Will "The Thrill" belonged to another, rather obscure Baltimore player, but not in the world of baseball player named Will Clark. Do not besmirch the name of that man.

  21 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

That's strange... this would be his 4th failed test, if I'm not mistaken. Wouldn't it warrant a season-long ban?

Bio, I know he had three failed tests in three yrs. with the Giants, so this one would make #4, perhaps there are some special circumstances operating here that we aren't aware of or perhaps something dealing with the time parameters of the offense.

I know everybody is wondering so I actually looked up the NFL Substance Abuse Policy and I found out something rather interesting. We know this is Hill's 4th offense but lookie what I found.

Firs of all, Hill's first offense was for Adderral which is a substance of abuse but could also qualify as a PED as a stimulant. That's not the interesting part, what follows is:

"Stage Three

Stage Three, like the other two stages, involves complying with a treatment plan and submitting to unannounced drug tests. The consequences for violations during Stage Three are much more severe: The player faces a year-long ban from the NFL. If the first violation in Stage Three is for marijuana, the player receives a 10-game suspension instead of a year-long ban."

So we can assume this is Hill's first violation in stage three for smoking weed. There is also a precedent for 10 game suspensions for alcohol related infractions, but since we don't have any information about a DWI or DUI....I think we can safely assume it was pot....which is where Hill's career has just gone to. A shame.

Here we go, just as some thought here, Jeff Zriebec is putting it out there in this tweet: https://twitter.com/jeffzrebiecsun/status/710208049248649216

Apparently Hill is facing some discipline from the league. This would be his 4th strike and it would be a LONG suspension if it happens to be substance abuse again.

  20 minutes ago, EdTheMythicalOne said:

Was there some "smoke" over the Hill? I am a bit surprised that Hill was the cut here, but in a lot of ways it makes sense. He had the biggest contract the Ravens could cut, Hill is more of an old school hitter, and the Ravens clearly want to get faster and create more turnovers. The Ravens in the past have let sledgehammers go that seemed to turn in pretty good performances; Landry, Pollard, Ihedigbo, and now Hill. There is still a crowd at safety from my count behind Webb and Weddle you still have: Matt Elam, Terrence Brooks, Kendrick Lewis, and Anthony Levine. They aren't keeping 6 safeties on the roster, maybe 5 at most. Levine is versatile and can play corner and special teams. Brooks has been banged up every year he's been here. Elam I think gets one last crack before the Ravens give up on him....bye bye Kendrick?

So was this just odd man out, or is there there a little more behind it given Hill's checkered past. I was hoping he got sorted out so I hope that's not the case. He will not be out of work for very long as long as he's clean.

Hill was fast and he does get interceptions. I don't get this move at all

There are a lot of things Will Hill is, but fast isn't exactly one of them. In two years with the Ravens Will Hill has exactly two interceptions and actually forced no fumbles. I would say I am a little surprised by the move, but I understand it. Hill was one dimensional. Team wants to get more athletic and get more turnovers. They want better coverage and the combo of Weddle and Webb does that in their opinion. Sure there is a Webb's health...but I have to think the team has a pretty good idea where that stands or they would not have made this move.

Judging from what is left I think Lewis is the next cut. They'll give 1st round pick Elam one last shot in his last year of his contract, Brooks is also young and cheap, although injury prone, and Levine is versatile enough to play corner and is in on special teams.

I was sooo happy after this week of both signings of Weddle and Wallace but WHY cut Hill ????? Webb is literally one of the worst players in the league ! I hope there is more to the plan that we don't know about . Rameys ?

I guess you don't remember when Webb was playing lights out defense at corner before Jimmy Smith had "arrived?" Webb is not terrible, he is a man coming off a lot of injuries and a move to safety might be just the thing.

We have to remember that Will Hill is one mistake away from being out of the NFL for a year.

I don't understand how you give someone an extension then cut him eight months later. I know it frees up 3 mil but seems to me he was one of our best safeties. I guess they have more faith in Elam and Brooks then I have.

Take a look at our safeties last year. This is like saying I got the best of the rotten tomatoes. It is still a rotten tomato. Hill was a bit of a liability in coverage and while he did make the big play from time to time, he was just as common for him to miss a play. Solid player but not great.

If Webb is healthy I think he can be a great safety and I just have to hope I am not wrong on Weddle who I think perhaps is entering his lose a step stage. Even the greatest players in the game with all of their knowledge, preparation, and game planning can't make up for that lost step. I've got to believe this.

am i the only one that's pumped already for the season!

If we're looking at this outside of Purple Sunglasses this is our off season:

Ravens sign OLD TE to patch up beat up squad.
Ravens sign retread speed burner who's lost a step and has questionable hands.
Ravens sign dynamic playmaker safety, but is it a year too late?

Now, Ben Watson is a steady if unspectacular player. I think we needed him with Pitta being done, Gillmore banged up and questionable, Maxx Williams also got beat up last year, and Boyle....yeesh.

Wallace I think is a solid pick up, but I think we overpaid him. I don't really know if the ROI is there. I'm a little worried about this move.

Initially I thought Weddle would be a mistake. I just hope last season's drop off really was due to injury and he's got a few more good seasons in him.

Was there some "smoke" over the Hill? I am a bit surprised that Hill was the cut here, but in a lot of ways it makes sense. He had the biggest contract the Ravens could cut, Hill is more of an old school hitter, and the Ravens clearly want to get faster and create more turnovers. The Ravens in the past have let sledgehammers go that seemed to turn in pretty good performances; Landry, Pollard, Ihedigbo, and now Hill. There is still a crowd at safety from my count behind Webb and Weddle you still have: Matt Elam, Terrence Brooks, Kendrick Lewis, and Anthony Levine. They aren't keeping 6 safeties on the roster, maybe 5 at most. Levine is versatile and can play corner and special teams. Brooks has been banged up every year he's been here. Elam I think gets one last crack before the Ravens give up on him....bye bye Kendrick?

So was this just odd man out, or is there there a little more behind it given Hill's checkered past. I was hoping he got sorted out so I hope that's not the case. He will not be out of work for very long as long as he's clean.

5 minutes ago, ibleedpurpleandblack said:

With a surgically repaired knee, using a #6 spot on him doesn't make sense to me. Think our biggest need is a LT to protect Flacco

You were posting this at the same time I made mine and we make the same point. I'd also agree that IF there is a player we deem as a sure-fire franchise LT at our pick we take him. If Monroe is healthy our new pick can start out at LG just like Ogden did in his first season. If Wagner looks shaky again he could play RT for a season.

I know the measurables may look very impressive with Jack, but something bothers me about taking him so high. This is a #6 overall pick. Everyone around Baltimore is saying this is a "make or break" draft for Ozzie since we've got a top 10 pick. Do you really want to spend that high of a pick on a guy coming off a surgically repaired knee? Especially a guy who has more of a finesse to his game and mobility is his trademark? I don't really care how fast he moves in a straight line, I'd like to see how he moves laterally and in the agility drills. I am sure somebody must have some tape of him prior to knee surgery and they can compare it to how he moves now. If somebody takes him higher, let them. If he's still on the board at our pick...I'd pass on him. We need a sure thing and I don't think you can take a guy that high in the draft with a surgically repaired knee.

  5 hours ago, stixfix69 said:

If we resign Upshaw, and A.Brown is around, i would swap them out, move Upshaw Inside who is strong against the run, and Move A.Brown outside because he was known for his speed and quickness...I would at least experiment with that in camp....With D.Smith gone, we are very thin at ILBer...JMO.....

 

This draft is so deep in Linebackers. I don't remember a draft with so many inside backers Running 4.6 and less. I wouldn't be surprised if 4 go in the first round alone.  And look at all the solid MLB out there as FA and no one is touching them because teams know this draft is deep.

 

It certainly would intrigue me to try upshaw inside. 

Moving Upshaw to inside would be a completely horrible idea. The problem we have over the middle right now is that we can't cover routes over the middle. Upshaw isn't the answer to that problem. Jarrett Johnson played the same role as Upshaw, but at least Jarrett got to the QB rather often. Upshaw doesn't. We've got other players waiting in the wings to play his spot and I won't cry over losing Upshaw.

Seriously? One year blip? Baloney. This has been building since Ray retired. The once proud defense has been left to go to pot, thanks largely to inept drafting over the last 5 or 6 years. Elam sucks. No pass rush. No linebackers who can cover. Defensive backfield? What backfield? Weddle is one, but Jimmy, where has he gone, Smith was more bad than good. I like the additions made so far, but if Ozzie doesn't start drafting better immediately, the Ravens decline will continue.

Jimmy Smith in case you were not aware suffered a Lis Franc fracture in 2014 and played through the injury all of 2015 and it was clear he wasn't 100%. In case you don't know what that injury is, it is one of the bones in the top of your foot where it meets the front of the ankle. In case you didn't know, feet are pretty important to defensive backs. Also, in case you didn't know, Lis Franc injuries have ended the careers of many players.

I think Ozzie has been drafting pretty well. People want to knock him on his failures but seem to forget his hits. Kelechi Osemele, Rick Wagner, Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams, Kyle Jusczyzck, C.J. Mosley, Brandon Williams. He also supplements well in FA with the understated moves picking up solid players like Lawrence Guy and Shareece Wright. There will be more moves like that coming soon I am sure.

I agree that we need a couple of homeruns in the top two picks we have in this draft. Let's see what happens before we burn effigies of Ozzie.