Updated: Will Hill Reinstated & Activated

[rmw10]

With it looking like the NFL could come to an agreement on a new drug policy, what does this mean for Will Hill?  If the agreement passes, it seems that most guys currently serving suspensions will get their number reduced to half of what they originally received.  So, where does this leave Will Hill?  You'd assume that he'd have a reduction to 3 or 4 games, but is that a good thing?

 

My question here isn't whether his number will be reduced, as that looks incredibly likely.  The question here is what to do with him.  Is there a spot for him on this team right now?  It seems he'd be better off waiting until week 7 and hoping an injury happens at some point.

 

We already have 6 safeties on the roster.  Matt Elam is obviously going nowhere.  Darian Stewart is doing pretty well out there, although he's not your typical single high safety.  Anthony Levine, Brynden Trawick, and Jeromy Miles are all key ST contributors.  Terrence Brooks is a 3rd rounder on a learning curve and right now, is probably an emergency CB.

 

So where does Hill fit in?  Will he be a victim of depth if his suspension gets reduced?  There's no question that the guy is very talented, but he was used very little in the preseason.  Has he shown enough to knock a true contributor off the roster at this point?

[The Raven]

Idk. He was sparingly used in the preseason, but he's arguably the only "true" free safety on the team. I love what Stewart's done for us so far, but I think Hill can actually be a single high safety, and having that sort of weapon would do wonders for our defense. I still want Stewart on the field for our three safety sets.

 

No clue who gets cut. The easy answer would be one of the other safeties but I can't say which one. I'd rather cut Trawick out of those three you listed.

[Moderator 3]

Which ones still have PS eligibility? We might be able to get him through waivers and stash for later.

[rmw10]

Which ones still have PS eligibility? We might be able to get him through waivers and stash for later.

 

Trawick is the only reasonable option that has PS eligibility.  I'm just not sure that we'd actually drop him.  He is very good on ST, along with his S counterparts in Miles and Levine.  As weird as it is to carry 6 safeties, it's obviously for a reason as those guys are consistently doing very well on the unit.

[ludy51]

Im more worried about jpsh gordan coming back

[Gordo52]

If we have to, I would part ways with Miles before Trawick and Levine. That's just me. Very interesting question though.

[1/28/01]

Im more worried about jpsh gordan coming back

Already been penciled in that his suspension will drop to 8 games. Got the ESPN text.

[rmw10]

If we have to, I would part ways with Miles before Trawick and Levine. That's just me. Very interesting question though.

 

That's what I was thinking originally, but we used him as our 3rd S last night… a lot.

[NaveSenrag]

Hill was far and away the best safety on the Giants roster. He's easily top 5 in the league if we can keep him out of trouble.

[acranfor]

Very interesting point for sure. Would be great if his suspension is reduced to 3-4 games. However, like the OP stated, do we have space for Hill? Obviously we have all read about his success with the Giants, albeit in limited action. Like I have stated in previous posts about this subject, I truly believe a natural free safety with the ability to play single high will not only benefit our corners, but will benefit Elam immensely.

 

Currently, in my opinion, the only potential true FS we have on our team is Brooks. We can only speculate what the staff will do with Hill once back, but I think he would be an important piece to our defense. I think the most probable situation being that one of Miles, Trawick or Levine will be cut. I cannot really guess based on snap count as these three each had 25 against the Bengals.

[BSHU_Miami]

Stewart would be a good backup for Elam even hill gets back.

[budman]

Im more worried about jpsh gordan coming back

No need to worry about Josh Gordon returning this season. Even if they vote today on the Drug rule, the only suspensions that get reduced are players that failed test in 2014. Gordon failed his in 2013. That's what I am reading everywhere anyway.

[GrimCoconut]

I'd cut a WR before any defensive back.

[Crabcakes&Football]

If we have to, I would part ways with Miles before Trawick and Levine. That's just me. Very interesting question though.

 

He'd be the guy I'd keep above the other 2. He's no slouch on ST either, had that blocked punt and also noticed him on Defense.

[Rav'n Maniac]

If I remember correctly during TC, Pees was commenting very highly of Hill. Something along the lines of he wished he could start him today. If he's that good, we have to find a place for him. If he's better than what we have, then we should be starting him. We know it's not going to be Stewart, Elam or Brooks leaving. So it will most likely be one of the other safeties or like Grim said, maybe one of the WR's.

[jazz1988]

That's what I was thinking originally, but we used him as our 3rd S last night… a lot.

 

 

Hmmm seems like Harbaugh awarded him for his great play against The Bengels. I think it was Miles whom blocked that kick  against The Bengels kicking unit which eventually cause the ball to bounce into Anthony Levine hands.

[jazz1988]

No need to worry about Josh Gordon returning this season. Even if they vote today on the Drug rule, the only suspensions that get reduced are players that failed test in 2014. Gordon failed his in 2013. That's what I am reading everywhere anyway.

 

Seems like Gordon will be playing this year but  will be suspended for 10 games atleast that's what rotoworld.com is saying.

[bMore Heathen]

I'd cut a WR before any defensive back.

Yeah, but would we really carry 7 Ss? I don't think that makes a lot of sense. I would probably part with Levine. He has versatility, but I doubt he would ever make it on the field with our starting unit at S or CB. His production on STs can be replaced. Let Brooks get Levine's reps, maybe accelerate his development.

Speaking of which, whatever happened to resigning Cox after week 1?

[Purple Punishment]

Already been penciled in that his suspension will drop to 8 games. Got the ESPN text.

So existing suspensions would be considered retroactive and people with suspensions will have them lessened? That's all just terrible if you ask me. They've been punished, they should have to live with the verdict. That's not following correct protocols.

If marijuana becomes legal, anyone that's ever had a possession charge or caught smoking it should have their record immediately expunged and reparations for their lives being ruined. Society is backwards and the our country is becoming too soft hearted and offended

[codizzle]

Yeah, but would we really carry 7 Ss? I don't think that makes a lot of sense. I would probably part with Levine. He has versatility, but I doubt he would ever make it on the field with our starting unit at S or CB. His production on STs can be replaced. Let Brooks get Levine's reps, maybe accelerate his development.

Speaking of which, whatever happened to resigning Cox after week 1?

Prolly not carry 7 safeties but if they keep playing nickel CB then we'd need the depth there..

We'll run out of cb's soon

[5aiah]

Society is backwards and the our country is becoming too soft hearted and offended

This can't be said enough times. 

[RobFuseRaven]

That would be amazing if he came back early.

[bMore Heathen]

Prolly not carry 7 safeties but if they keep playing nickel CB then we'd need the depth there..

We'll run out of cb's soon

Oh, I completely understand depth, but against the steelers Elam was playing nickel with Miles coming in at safety. You can see how the top of the depth chart is laid out. We don't know how the bottom half of the depth chart is, but I would imagine in terms of defense, Brooks would be a head of Levine. Maybe not on STs, but I would be willing to sacrifice a little in terms if depth to get a player like Hill a spot. Remember, if we cut a S, we're still adding one, in this case a better one, then Levine.

Either way were talking about a player (7th WR or 7th S) that most likely isn't going to be active on gameday if we decide to keep Hill.

[rmw10]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet  4m

Under-the-radar name likely to receive a reduced suspension: #Ravens S Will Hill. They love his talent, may factor in soon.

[52520Andrew]

Maybe we use one of the guys as a trade piece?

[codizzle]

Maybe we use one of the guys as a trade piece?

Ehh wouldn't really see any interest outside of brooks/Elam and a stretch Stewart

[CalvinSmoke]

I don't care how good those guys are in special teams. When it comes to potentially fielding the best FS we've had not named Ed Reed, you make room

[TDubbs]

I don't care how good those guys are in special teams. When it comes to potentially fielding the best FS we've had not named Ed Reed, you make room

 

Yep. When we're talking about a 24 year old FS who has that kind of potential, you get him in the lineup asap and see how it goes. 

[beatdareaper]

I am hearing his ban will be cut to two games.

[rmw10]

I am hearing his ban will be cut to two games.

From where?