{"id":35456,"date":"2025-03-24T02:27:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T02:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=35456"},"modified":"2025-03-24T02:27:27","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T02:27:27","slug":"breaking-ravens-dc-shares-potential-plans-to-strengthen-secondary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=35456","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING: Ravens DC Shares Potential Plans To Strengthen Secondary"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Baltimore Ravens want to reinforce a pair of key positions in their defensive backfield to free up their most versatile playmakers.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Sep<\/picture><\/figure>\n
Sep 25, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) celebrates after intercepting a pass thrown by New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (not seen) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images \/ Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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At the\u00a0Baltimore Ravens\u00a0end-of-season press conference, general manager Eric DeCosta publicly expressed the team\u2019s desire to add another safety during the offseason. In addition to improving their depth at the position, they want to get back to being more diverse and unpredictable when it comes to dialing up coverages and pressure packages.<\/p>\n

A horrendous start to the 2024 season, during which poor communication and inconsistent play from once-renowned veterans resulted in their pass defense ranking dead-last in the league, led to changes being made to the starting lineup that reversed their fortunes.<\/p>\n

They benched former high-priced veteran free agent signing Marcus Williams,\u00a0who was officially released last week, and cut ties with former two-time Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson during the season.<\/p>\n

The safety combination of two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Hamilton and Ar\u2019Darius Washington not only stabilized their coverage unit but made it the league\u2019s best down the stretch. Unfortunately, it also made them a little more static and not able to deploy their most versatile players to the fullest extent of their incredibly dynamic abilities.<\/p>\n

In a recent appearance on\u00a0The Lounge Podcast, defensive coordinator Zach Orr echoed similar sentiments to DeCosta when talking about how adding another complementary talent at safety would benefit the defense as a whole.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think us trying to find another safety to complement Kyle, complement AD, that\u2019s just what we like to do,\u201d Orr said. \u201cWe like to play a lot with a lot of (defensive backs) and speed on the field, especially in pass situations. We like to have a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having more versatile players in the backend would allow Hamilton in particular to be able to play the hybrid nickel role that made him a star whenever they see fit.<\/p>\n

When it comes to the type of third safety role they\u2019re looking for, they want to be able to free up Hamilton because he is capable of making plays from every part of the field.<\/p>\n

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