Kyle Hamilton Says Ravens Have What It Takes to Flip Script: 'It'll Be a Great Story'
The Ravens entered the season regarded as one of the AFC's three heavyweights along with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. Six weeks into the season, they find themselves at the bottom of the conference hierarchy with teams such as the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns.
No one could have imagined the Ravens being 1-5 heading into this week's bye, but All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton believes they can flip the script.
"Obviously, we're not in the position we want to be in as a team, but if there's any people that can do it, I think it's us," Hamilton told Fox News. "I think that's the mindset everybody in this building has right now. Obviously, players, coaches, fans, anybody who supports us is disappointed at the results we've had to this point in the season, but there's still 11 games left. So, it's up to us to right the ship, steer it in the right direction, because the season's not over."
Hamilton said the bye week has come at the perfect time.
"I think it's good for us to just reset, refocus, and hit the ground running when we get back," Hamilton said. "We have to come out on the [other] side of the bye and do what we're saying. It's all talk until we go out there and actually win games. Looking forward to the opportunity to get back out there. It'll be a great story."
Hamilton pointed to the expected return of Lamar Jackson when the Ravens host the Chicago Bears in Week 8 as the biggest reason for optimism.
"He's the guy who puts butts in seats in the stadiums, sells tickets, and wins games for us," Hamilton said. "Obviously, we contribute to that as well, defensively and supporting the guys on the offense, but at the end of the day, No. 8 is what makes this thing go. … Our chances of winning are super good with him playing."
Pundits Say Upgrading Both Lines Should be Ravens' Priority This Season and Offseason
One of the biggest issues for the Ravens this season is their performance in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Regarding the offensive line, Head Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that personnel changes during the bye week are "absolutely" under consideration. The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec said he gets the sense that changes will be made.
"I know Harbaugh said he was considering O-line changes before Week 6, and nothing changed," Zrebiec wrote. "But it wasn't hard to detect the frustration in his comments after Sunday's game about that goal-line sequence, and again during his comments Monday.
"Heading into Week 6, I would have probably told you that I thought [right guard Daniel] Faalele was playing better than [left guard] Andrew Vorhees. However, Vorhees was much better against the Los Angeles Rams. I'd be moderately surprised if Ben Cleveland and/or Corey Bullock weren't given a shot to start after the bye."
Zrebiec doesn't believe third-round guard Emery Jones Jr., who underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason, is close to making his debut.
"Harbaugh said Monday that because of his shoulder, Jones was just cleared to do pass-block reps in recent days. That, plus the fact that he wasn't able to participate in any minicamps, organized team activities or training camp, suggests that it will still be some time before he's game day ready, even if he's added to the roster when his practice window closes next week," Zrebiec wrote.
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra identified the defensive line as Baltimore's biggest need before the Nov. 4 trade deadline.
"Kudos to the Ravens for holding an explosive Rams offense to 17 points. Given the state of things in Baltimore, that's an accomplishment," Patra wrote. "However, the defense remains in a bad way; the trade for Alohi Gilman did help the back end, but the front seven still can't generate pressure."
Zrebiec expects bolstering both lines to be a priority this offseason.
"I'd be surprised when this season is over if General Manager Eric DeCosta doesn't acknowledge that he didn't add enough in the trenches. And I'd absolutely expect that to be a focus this offseason and primarily in the draft," Zrebiec wrote.
Ravens Select Miami Edge Rusher at No. 2 Overall in ESPN Writer's Mock Draft
Speaking of the draft, ESPN’s Jordan Reid has the Ravens picking at No. 2 overall in his mock draft and selecting Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
"Baltimore desperately needs someone who can generate pressure up front, and Bain has a strong argument toward being the best defensive lineman in the country," Reid wrote. "He's a versatile 6-foot-3, 275-pound defender who can play multiple alignments, and his 24 pressures at edge is eighth in the FBS. His hand power and knockback strength would immediately boost a Ravens defense that needs playmakers."
The last time the Ravens drafted an edge rusher in the first round was 2021 when they selected Odafe Oweh at No. 31 overall.
As noted in Tuesday’s Late for Work, the highest pick the Ravens have ever had is No. 4 (in 1996 and 1997). The Ravens, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks are the only teams to never have the No. 1 overall pick.
