OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Turning a blind eye toward perception less than 24 hours after the announcement of the Ray Rice suspension, the Ravens signed former New York Giants safety Will Hill to their 90-man roster on Friday.
The 24-year-old will serve a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy to begin the 2014 season. Hill was also suspended for violating the same policy in 2012 for reported marijuana use and was suspended for a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy for alleged Adderall use last year.
The Giants waived Hill in early June after the news of his latest suspension, which he blamed on second-hand marijuana smoke. He would not be eligible to play for the Ravens until Week 7, but Hill can take part in training camp and preseason games.
“[He’s] a good football player,” coach John Harbaugh said. “I had a chance to get to know him; I like where his head is at this time, right now, and we’ll see how he does.”
An undrafted free agent out of the University of Florida in 2011, Hill started 10 games for the Giants last season and was the third-highest ranked safety in the NFL in Pro Football Focus’ grading system. He collected 77 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two pass breakups in 12 games overall. Hill also appeared in 12 games in 2012, collecting 38 tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup.
Hill’s signing could signal the Ravens’ concern at the free safety position with veteran newcomer Darian Stewart currently competing with 2014 third-round pick Terrence Brooks and veteran special-teams standout Jeromy Miles for the starting job. The troubled safety’s talent is apparent, but three suspensions in such a brief period of time and other off-field issues going back to his college days signal a clear lack of maturity and dedication.
After placing injured cornerback Aaron Ross on injured reserve Thursday, the Ravens had an open spot on their 90-man preseason roster.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
8
Paid Advertisement
Podcast Audio Vault
88Paid Advertisement
Share the Post:
8Paid Advertisement
Right Now in Baltimore
Taking the first snaps with new head coach Jesse Minter
What do we ever really learn from a first press conference with a new NFL head coach? Luke Jones got the seventh question at the Jesse Minter debut and at least we learned about defensive play calling and the tone of the new leader of The Castle in Owings Mills as the rookie head coach stepped before the media to set the agenda for the 2026 Baltimore Ravens alongside Eric DeCosta and Sashi Brown.
Going deep once again with the wisdom of Joe Flacco
Once again, we gave him a chance to announce his NFL retirement here but our Super Bowl XLVII MVP continues a 19th offseason of mental and physical preparation to get another job in the league doing what he's always done. Joe Flacco returns for another offseason NFL chat with Nestor and looking back but still forward to throwing more touchdowns and winning games. Here's why...
The inner workings of an entrepreneurial education at Coppin
The modern path to making money and having a career is certainly different in the present "hustle" world of being a business instead of finding a job. Dr. Tamirra Lucas heads up the Center for Strategic Entrepreneurs at Coppin State University and gives Nestor an education in the strategy to a modern entrepreneurial education and degree at Coppin State. Learning about learning...
888Paid Advertisement
