[News] Ravens Releasing Safety Will Hill

[BR News]

Baltimore had an influx at safety and the move reportedly opens up about $3 million in salary-cap space.

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[JetLife94]

Wow! He was my by far favorite safety we had. And he got the axe before Kendrick Lewis wow! One of the bright spots in the secondary....

[The Greek]

does not surprise me. elam will step up and maybe they draft darian thompson out of boise st. in the 3rd if he is still available

Edited March 16, 2016 by The Greek

[Space11jams]

i would've been happy to keep hill and rid the org of lewis

[sami]

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.

[cushrinada1986]

So I assume then Lewis may be next depending on how much cap space the Ravens still need and if Elam or Brooks cannot show they can out perform Lewis.

[cushrinada1986]

With the help at TE, S, and WR now, I can see LT, Pass Rush, and DB being the main goals in rounds 1-4 in this years draft.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

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.

[PalmettoStateRaven]

I know its a business and money talks first in the front office, but I still don't like it. He was a true safety, young and a big hitter. Webb is injury prone and has lost a step which is why they moved him to safety in the first place. I hope Will lands somewhere he will do well.

[evass#ravensnation]

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 ?

[stixfix69]

Money cut.....And doing it now tells me Oz isn't done with FA moves.....I liked Hills game, and at 26 i felt there was a ton of upside, but we just had to much money tied up at safety after signing Weddle, and we are pretty much handcuffed with Webb's contract......JMO......

[Tobenna_MBA]

Money cut.....And doing it now tells me Oz isn't done with FA moves.....I liked Hills game, and at 26 i felt there was a ton of upside, but we just had to much money tied up at safety after signing Weddle, and we are pretty much handcuffed with Webb's contract......JMO......

Man Webbs contract could've been renegotiated and he would've been the Nickel corner. Honestly this weddle move just went from a great signing to a nightmare, the trade off was our best secondary player who mind you covered tight ends, who area a huge match up problem, and was a proven play maker, for eric weddle who at his age may give us 2 or 3 years vs Will hill who could've been the long term answer at Strong Safety. I Just think we made our secondary older and more fragile with the releasing of Hill. It Should have Been Weddle and Hill Back there smh

[salamander]

A bit surprised that Hill was the one cut. Guess the higher money to Hill was a deciding factor. Thought Hill was decent so perhaps there's a chance to bring him back? Seems like he got better and matured a lot here as a Raven so I wish Hill well wherever he ends up.

[Crabcakes&Football]

We released the wrong guy IMO. Hill is 26, has stayed out of trouble since coming here, is a true safety with safety experience and is durable. Webb has potential to be good at safety but that's not a sure thing, plus he's already had 2 torn acls.

Edit: Just found out he was suspended 10 games. smh some guys never learn. This move is a no brainer then.

Edited March 16, 2016 by Crabcakes&Football

[HuginnJaMuninn]

For the first time I passionately disagree with this move. Saving 3 mill is not worth letting such a good safety go. He was a hard hitter who is also a ballhawk and just 26!? How on earth does the FO think Webb is better than Hill? Before we got weddle I would say Hill was the best safety on our roster. Cut Lewis or anybody but hill. Very disappointing.

[Corvus]

I'm objective enough to understand the logic behind this but I simply don't like it. Despite a few lapses in coverage (which it seems ALL of our secondary players have at some point), Hill has been one of the only defenders consistently making "splash plays" the last two seasons. I'm pretty sure I remember the FO and staff making that a point of emphasis in their recent talks so even though it saves more money on the cap than cutting other players, it amazes me that the wasted signing of Kendrick Lewis wasn't the first to go here even though it would only save about a million on the cap. We also seem to play a lot of three safety sets as of late as well so it makes me question it more. I hope Hill goes out and balls with whoever signs him, even if it's a division rival. Now, time for us to move on.

[HuginnJaMuninn]

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

[MadStorkSociety]

I agree with so many others - would rather cut kendrick and keep hill.

[HuginnJaMuninn]

FO will regret this when Webb gets injured.... AGAIN

[Tobenna_MBA]

Im all but certain he will end up in a Steelers Uniform. They were in the market for a Great back end player and we just released our biggest play maker in the secondary from last year and replaced him at 9 mill a year with a 32 year old FS, (not saying Weddle isnt a good player but if the goal was to increase turnovers and get more athletic, I dont understand how will hill, beyond the 3M Hit was the odd man out. Yet we kept webb at 3.5 and hes been declining in his old age. The steelers will now sit back and sign WIll Hill for a fraction on what we got for weddle, and have him for years to come and thats gonna eat at me. Hill had several game changing plays for us, but just never seemed to win over the coaching staff. He also matched up well with opposing tight ends like gronk, graham and so forth. I dont like this one bit

[bostonraven]

Thank you, Will Hill for being a valuable member of the Ravens. We wish you the very best of luck and thank you for your services to this team.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

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.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

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.

[JimmyBlack]

The numbers don't lie.  We need money to sign our draft picks.

 

[surfdude]

No strong safety now. Just a bunch of 5'10 200 lb guys. 2 steps forward 1 step back.

[Nick04263]

I am sure if Lewis would have saved more than 900K against the cap if cut, he would have been the one cut.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

  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.

[RavensFanThick&Thin]

I was trying to understand the logic when I saw the app alert. I liked Hill as the most consistent DB we had but what it sounds like after reading the article is they are so desperate to have "playmakers" that they are willing to part ways with the consistent players who don't have ball playing instincts. Someone upstairs must have finally got tired of missing the Ed Reed free roaming/rangy safety days.

IMO it is a risk/reward situation. They are willing to risk proven players for new "playmakers." Weddle (new to the system) is a great vet but if we're honest, they're is a risk he truly is on the decline after 31. Webb (new to the position outside of college and a some snaps last year) has the best hands but can he stay on the field and produce at safety? It's both exciting and worrisome...

[hen826957]

Ozzie needs to explain this. I don't understand the move. He must be going after Ramsey in the draft that's the only thing that makes sense. Will Hill was doing great for us why cut him? Cut Webb, Elam, or Kendrick Lewis. What a mistake? :-(

[omar586]

wow, this is SHOCKING! of all people u could cut, u cut the one that seems consistent, left lame or ELam and lewis on the roster, they could've tried to trade him or something. but shocking never the less, productive player, i bet the steelers will sign him now.