In Ozzie We Trust (2014 Edition) The Ravens Free Agency Thread

[PerpetuallyBored74]

I love the addition of Will Hill. If he can get his life back on track and get integrated into the defense after missing time for his suspension, it will be a huge steal.

 

 

I really like the signing.  Its a PR nightmare with the trouble we've had, but it should make our football team better on the field.  He's a really good young player when he's on the field.  

 

 

Love the pickup. Insanely talented player, but tons of issues if course. It gives you training camp to work with him and see where his life is at without having to commit a roster spot to him.

 

Weren't we saying similar things about Rolando McClain?

Granted, Hill has shown to be a better talent but...well, in Ozzie we trust

[1/28/01]

Who the hell cares about PR move. NFL made the suspension 2 games, not the Ravens.

Yeah, you're not following what I was commenting on, but thanks.

[rmw10]

Weren't we saying similar things about Rolando McClain?

Granted, Hill has shown to be a better talent but...well, in Ozzie we trust

 

I was alright with the McClain signing.  I wasn't happy about it but I understood that it was no risk.  I'm aware they all don't work out though.  Hell, Hill could screw up tomorrow and I'd be calling for his head.  He's just so talented and at a position of weakness.

[rmw10]

By the way, fair enough mods.  I completely understand that decision to remove the link, but you have to admit the comedy was there lol.  I was hoping a warning would let it pass.

[ravefan52]

Interesting pick up. Defiantly a talented player. Could this mean Brooks is struggling more than we thought? To add another body to the S competition seem like we aren't satisfied with depth.

I wouldn't worry about Brooks too much yet. We don't usually like starting rookies, especially a 3rd rounder, and he's barely even been able to practice in pads

[Moderator 3]

By the way, fair enough mods.  I completely understand that decision to remove the link, but you have to admit the comedy was there lol.  I was hoping a warning would let it pass.

If it needs a warning, it's not appropriate. There's only 1 thread where we allow that kind of thing and it's the QBs Talking on Facebook, though we probably shouldn't even allow that. It's just a tradition now, I guess.

[PuRock]

Weren't we saying similar things about Rolando McClain?

Granted, Hill has shown to be a better talent but...well, in Ozzie we trust

 

McClain had issues but he also hadn't been very good while on the football field.  Hill just has the off-field issues but has played very well on the field.  

 

We were hoping we could turn around both McClain's trouble & playing issues.  With Hill, its just his trouble.  

[Alexir]

Yeah, you're not following what I was commenting on, but thanks.

 

Didn't see you quote anyone.

[rmw10]

If it needs a warning, it's not appropriate. There's only 1 thread where we allow that kind of thing and it's the QBs Talking on Facebook, though we probably shouldn't even allow that. It's just a tradition now, I guess.

 

Gotcha.  I knew I had seen warnings around before so I thought it was passable.  Guess not!

[sflegend89]

A lot of other fans just seem bitter because we signed arguably the best defensive FA left on the market so they're using his off field issues as leverage to diminish the signing and act like they wouldn't be excited if their team signed him. I'm not 100% sold on Hill staying out of trouble but it's very low risk, high reward. If he's acting like a knucklehead he'll get cut and that's that.. no big financial investment to worry about. If he's ready to get down to business then this is a steal of a signing. 

 

We've gotten a lot of negative publicity lately but if it evolves in to a "Ravens vs the World" scenario then so be it... you don't have to like us, but you will respect us and I expect the defense to set that tone this year with a top 10 finish. People called the Seahawks team adderrall and cheaters and all that last year but at the end of the day they were the SB champions and that's the bottom line. I still think were another year out from competing for another SB but I expect a strong 2014 campaign that will silence a lot of the haters/doubters.

[ravensnick]

Hill was pro focus footballs #2 rated FS last year behind Devin Mcourty. He's big at 6'1" and 200ish lbs. he had like 70 tackles, 7 PD, 2 INTs, and 2 forced fumbles in 9 games last year. He's a beast but has been suspended 3 times in two yeqrs

[ravensnick]

I can easily see Brooks becoming our slot cb due to prior experience at cb and his speed

[berad]

Unlike the Rolando McClain signing, I'm not that upset by this one. Maybe the awful arrest-filled offseason has jaded me? Maybe Rolando was just a world-class knucklehead.

[gabefergy]

Weren't we saying similar things about Rolando McClain?

Granted, Hill has shown to be a better talent but...well, in Ozzie we trust

I wasn't interested in McClain at all, but in either case there is no downside. If he never gets on the field so be it, but he has a chance to be a very good player if he can turn his life around.

[JO_75]

Rotoworld seems to not be down on this signing like most others are, but as some have said it's just due to his past history. Rotoworld does have a good point, if Hill can stay out of trouble, he can push Stewart for the job and quite possibly form a great safety tandem with Elam.

 

 

 

GM Ozzie Newsome may be getting a steal here. Hill, 24, was one of the better safeties in the league last season, racking up 77 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles as a ten-game starter. However, he was slapped with a six-game suspension for violating the substance-abuse policy. It's his third suspension since entering the league. Hill will be eligible to return in Week 7. He should then push Darian Stewart for the starting free safety job.

 

http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/nfl/290515/ravens-take-flier-on-suspended-s-will-hill

[BmoreBird22]

Interesting pick up. Defiantly a talented player. Could this mean Brooks is struggling more than we thought? To add another body to the S competition seem like we aren't satisfied with depth.

Could mean Brooks will be playing nickel corner this year. He has experience there and the Ravens don't have too much depth

[Bruce_Almty]

Hopefully Will Hill is a late bloomer. He was a nothing safety at Florida, went undrafted, has a "colorful" NFL history but played well for the G-men last year. If he doesn't let his career go up in smoke, he could be a very useful piece on the Ravens backend.

[BmoreBird22]

Rotoworld seems to not be down on this signing like most others are, but as some have said it's just due to his past history. Rotoworld does have a good point, if Hill can stay out of trouble, he can push Stewart for the job and quite possibly form a great safety tandem with Elam.

 

 

http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/nfl/290515/ravens-take-flier-on-suspended-s-will-hill

Oh he'd push Stewart alright... push him off the field

[GrimCoconut]

Oh he'd push Stewart alright... push him off the field

After reading that article rmw posted this morning, I just hope Stewart doesn't try to wake him up at 646 am because if he does he might need help. Lol.

[BmoreBird22]

Will Hill was a player I really wanted when he was cut. This could be a tremendous signing. Hill's talent will never be the question, just the bone headed drug suspensions. If he can stop and get control, he can be amazing. No doubt Brooks could play corner to allow Hill to play

[jazz1988]

After reading that article rmw posted this morning, I just hope Stewart doesn't try to wake him up at 646 am because if he does he might need help. Lol.

 

lol everything about that article was funny. It was real crazy and it blew me away 

[rmw10]

After reading that article rmw posted this morning, I just hope Stewart doesn't try to wake him up at 646 am because if he does he might need help. Lol.

 

Hill seems like an entertaining guy at least lol

[Alexir]

You don't want a team of all choir boys, and you don't want a team of all knuckle heads. We have a good balance.

[ravensnick]

Hopefully Will Hill is a late bloomer. He was a nothing safety at Florida, went undrafted, has a "colorful" NFL history but played well for the G-men last year. If he doesn't let his career go up in smoke, he could be a very useful piece on the Ravens backend.

lol I like the "up smoke" comment, nice touch

[dhstandard]

Tim Tebow

 

Would that cancel out all our off-season arrests?  

[ravensnick]

Would that cancel out all our off-season arrests?  

TBH, I still think Tebow could still be in the league if he auditioned for an h-back type role. And yes, it probably would.

[dhstandard]

If I recall correctly, doesn't Stewart have issues staying healthy? Lol Hill could be off of suspension by the time Stewart might be feeling the effects of the NFL.

 

And by the time Hill gets his next suspension hopefully Brooks will be ready to take over the roll.  Nice set of dominos we got here.

[TDubbs]

Will Hill is a tremendous singing tbh. Nothing but upside, if he messes up again he's out the door. However, if he goes the Chris Carter route and takes getting cut as his wake up call, we have a steal. The talent is definitely there, he can ball. Hopefully his college buddy Elam can help the guy get straightened out. 

 

Additionally, all I found for his substance abuse issues was Adderrall, any else dig up something else? If its just that, I couldn't be any less concerned. 

[ravensnick]

And by the time Hill gets his next suspension hopefully Brooks will be ready to take over the roll.  Nice set of dominos we got here.

TBH, best case scenario would be Hill gets his act together and Brooks can be our slot cb.

[ravensnick]

Will Hill is a tremendous singing tbh. Nothing but upside, if he messes up again he's out the door. However, if he goes the Chris Carter route and takes getting cut as his wake up call, we have a steal. The talent is definitely there, he can ball. Hopefully his college buddy Elam can help the guy get straighter out. 

 

Additionally, all I found for his substance abuse issues was Adderrall, any else dig up something else? If its just that, I couldn't be any less concerned. 

He admits his first suspension was adderall, his second was marijuana, and his third he claims was from second hand marijuana smoke with his friends. he has been arrest at least twice for marijuana and warrented for not paying child support

 

Source: http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/07/will_hill_the_full_troubled_timeline_of_the_ex-giants_safety.html