Kyle Hamilton was a fast learner as a rookie, but he thinks Malaki Starks is making a quicker transition.
That assessment from an All-Pro safety like Hamilton speaks volumes about Starks and is excellent news for Baltimore's secondary. Starks is expected to start immediately next to Hamilton, who remembers his first training camp well, and how difficult it was to play fast while learning the defense.
Starks seems to be smoothly absorbing everything being thrown at him, and Hamilton is impressed through three days of camp.
"He's super-talented. I honestly think he's miles ahead of where I was at that point," Hamilton said. "Once it all clicks for him, he's going to be one of the best in the league.
"He does amazing stuff without even trying and probably doesn't even know that he's doing it. I think he knows the playbook more than I did, he's confident out there. He's just so willing to learn."
Starks appreciated the compliment from Hamilton but will keep striving to improve. The rookie from Georgia had an interception on Thursday and another solid day on Friday. He's starting to make more plays on the ball, showing his growing comfort in the defense.
"I think [Hamilton is] being generous," Starks said. "He's so smart. You think you know football, until you get around people who know football, and then you realize you don't know that much about football. Being able to learn from him has been huge.
"Just being able to be in that DB room. You look over to your left, you see Kyle. You look over to your right, you see Marlon (Humphrey). You see look over to you left, you see Nate (Wiggins), you see Jaire (Alexander), you see everybody. When they do something, it makes you want to up your level of play."
Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum Weren't Interested in Holding Out
Several prominent NFL players who are entering the final year of their contracts are holding out or "holding in" around the NFL. However, everyone reported to training camp for Baltimore regardless of their contract status, including Hamilton and center Tyler Linderbaum.
Hamilton and Linderbaum are Pro Bowl players. Hamilton is under contract through 2026 but is eligible for an extension and Linderbaum is entering a contract year. Both are focusing on helping the Ravens win while improving as players. They believe training camp is an important part of that process.
"I don't want to speak for anybody else. Everybody has a unique situation," Hamilton said. "But we all care about football, we're all here. Business is business."
Linderbaum echoed Hamilton's sentiment.
"I'll let Neil handle that," Linderbaum said, referring to his agent, Neil Cornrich. "My job is to be as prepared as possible and get this football team ready to go Week 1. I need to work on my craft and I want to get better."
Linderbaum: Daniel Faalele Looks Awesome
The big guy to Linderbaum's right isn't quite as big anymore, but that's a good thing.
Right guard Daniel Faalele is still listed at 6-foot-8, 380 pounds, but he has appeared to lose weight this offseason, looking trimmer and nimbler at Ravens training camp.
"Daniel's looked awesome. One, just coming in really good shape. He's certainly been challenged to do so, and I think he took that challenge on," Linderbaum said. "[He] then just continues to get better and better each and every day. I'm excited for Daniel and the things that he's going to be capable of doing this year."
Faalele had some tough moments early last season, but he grew and improved throughout the year and was named a Pro Bowl alternate. Entering Year 4, Faalele has a chance to build off last year and help take the Ravens' offensive line to another level.
Friday Was a Scorcher With More Hot Weather Predicted
Friday was the hottest day of training camp so far at the Under Armour Performance Center with the afternoon heat index reaching 100 degrees in the Baltimore area. The extended forecast calls for afternoon temperatures to reach the mid-90s every day until Thursday.
Head Coach John Harbaugh doesn't mind the heat.
"That's how you get in shape," Harbaugh said. "That's how you train, and our guys trained in a great way today. They dominated the heat, had a really good practice, so we're in a good place."
The Ravens practice again Saturday, have an off day on Sunday, and will hold their first padded practice Monday.
"That's always exciting, the pads come on Monday," Harbaugh said. "We've got Saturday first, so we'll be thinking about that. But the guys will be excited.
"They've been out there doing a lot of football but they can't really play football. We may go live with the young guys at practice if we have time and feel right about it. Because you want to get them tackling for the first preseason game, so why not start? The blocks will be more realistic, the carries, punching the ball out. It will all be more like real football."
