Tag: Kyle Hamilton

Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton finished 9th in voting for the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton finished 9th in voting for the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

The Ravens finished the 2024 season with one of the NFL’s top defensive units, and it showed in the Defensive Player of the Year award voting.

All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton finished ninth in voting for the award.

Hamilton has the second-highest Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of any safety in the league, trailing only Lions safety Kerby Joseph and his league-leading nine interceptions. Hamilton is the NFL’s only defensive back to post at least 100 tackles, an interception, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Ravens DB Kyle Hamilton did some cameraman work at Pro Bowl

For a cameraman, Kyle Hamilton is a pretty good professional football player.

For a cameraman, Kyle Hamilton is a pretty good professional football player. Hamilton, or “K-Ham,” as his teammate Kyle Van Noy calls him, had a fun and productive Pro Bowl, which was well-deserved after he completed another stellar season.

Only one safety had a higher grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) than Hamilton in 2024- Kerby Joseph of the Detroit Lions. Hamilton’s career is only starting to take off, with the best of it probably still yet to come, but he’s also pretty good at working the camera.

In this video, posted on the Ravens’ official website (they don’t allow embedding, sorry!), Hamilton mans the camera and records his position group mate, Marlon Humphrey. Then, he takes the microphone to interview Van Noy, Joey Bosa, Marshall Manning, Patrick Queen, and more.

Although it’s very short, we were able to find a video clip of Hamilton videotaping his Pro Bowl teammates that is embeddable:

Yes, the intra-divisional rivalry and leaving the Ravens to join the Steelers were indeed the first questions Humphrey asked Queen.

Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum could reset their markets this offseason

Two of the Ravens’ young cornerstones, center Tyler Linderbaum and safety Kyle Hamilton are about to outgrow their rookie contracts.

As we’re now officially in the offseason portion of the annual news cycle, upcoming contract extensions move closer to the top of our minds. With that being said, two of the Baltimore Ravens’ young cornerstones, center Tyler Linderbaum, and strong safety (although he often plays multiple positions) Kyle Hamilton, take center stage.

The duo is considered two of the top players under 25 in the National Football League. They both made the Pro Bowl this season and are about to “outgrow” their rookie contracts.

As you can see below, in the tweet from Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, the front office will work on new deals for both.

Both players were in the same 2022 draft class, selected in the first round out of Midwestern schools. Hamilton was selected 14th overall out of Notre Dame, while Linderbaum was selected 25th out of Iowa. Hamilton signed a four-year deal worth just north of $16 million, but his next contract will be much more massive.

There is a widespread belief that Hamilton’s next deal could set the market for NFL safeties. If that is true, Hamilton’s annual salary of about $4 million would have to be more than quintuple!

Tampa Bay’s Antoine Winfield is currently the NFL’s highest-paid safety, with a salary of $21M plus.

As for Linderbaum, he (like Hamilton) would become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. Eric DeCosta will ensure that never happens, as he’ll likely lock in both players this spring.

Linderbaum currently makes about $3.3m per season.

Creed Humphrey, of the Kansas City Chiefs, is the NFL’s highest-paid center, with a salary of about $18 million per.

Notre Dame football releases its trailer for the College Football Playoff Championship game

The Irish social media team drops heat one last time in the 2024-25 season

The 2024-25 college football season is almost at its end, as Notre Dame will take on Ohio State in the College Football Playoff Championship game on Monday night.

Every day before an Irish contest, the Notre Dame social media team has released a hype video, with the theme all season being old school hip-hop. They once again used an iconic song, this time by “I Luv It” by Jeezy,” with a special guest introducing the video, former Irish star safety and Georgia native [autotag]Kyle Hamilton[/autotag].

The current Baltimore Ravens star narrates the video that is edited perfectly. The cut-up of running back Jeremiyah Love right around the :30-second mark is top notch and worth the watch for just that clip.

Notre Dame has one more game to complete the journey, as the caption reads “one play, one life.” Let’s go Irish!

Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Josh Allen will want to avoid Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy in AFC Divisional

Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy led the team in total sacks with 12.5 in 2024.

Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy led the team in total sacks with 12.5 in 2024. Soft-spoken, Van Noy has thrived as a game-wrecking force for defensive coordinator Zach Orr, who will be looking to contain Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen this Sunday.

With teammate Nnamdi Madubuike on the inside and Odafe Oweh on the opposite, Orr uses a swarm attack to contain opposing quarterbacks and keep them inside the numbers. The Bills’ O-line protected Josh Allen exceptionally in the AFC wildcard game, but he still was sacked twice—a key point to remember versus the novice Broncos opponent.

Linebacker Roquan Smith mentioned in an interview on NFL Network earlier this week that the Ravens wanted to make a goal of stopping the run and forcing the Bills to be one-dimensional on offense.

Expect Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady to use quick pass plays, screens, and misdirection to nullify the defensive line’s intensity. If not, Van Noy and company may weary the Bills offensive line as the game progresses.

Ravens’ Roquan Smith ain’t buying what Bills HB James Cook is selling

Buffalo Bills HB James Cook and Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith are scheduled for a meet and greet in the AFC Divisional Round.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith means business when his chin strap and helmet are on. Allowing just 80.1 rush yards per game this season, Smith and the Ravens ranked No. 1 versus the run all year.

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is ultra-talented, and his swift cuts and churning legs make him a massive factor of concern for the Ravens’ defense. Smith, however, will be ready to meet and greet Cook, preferably in the backfield before she starts.

Last weekend, the Bills dictated the pace, tallying 26 first downs and winning the time of possession against the Denver Broncos with a total hold time of just over 41 minutes. Cook contributed to the endeavors by producing 120 yards on 23 carries, and his backup running back, Tyus Johnson, also had 44 rush yards.

Denver had 79 rushing yards last weekend, likely due to the Broncos’ inability to sustain offensive drives.  Sean Payton’s team converted just two of their nine third-down attempts, allowing the Bills to silk the clock and impose their offensive will. 

With Smith piloting the agenda on the Ravens’ defense, one would have to be drunk off a gallon of Jim Bean to believe the Bills will come anywhere near 200 rushing yards in the AFC Divisional Round. However, Cook will be asked to make his impact in the ground game to make things more manageable for quarterback Josh Allen in passing situations.

Nnamdi Madubuike is coming for Josh Allen; Ravens rank No. 2 in sacks

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen better watch for Baltimore Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike to avoid being overly sacked in the AFC Divisional Round.

Newsflash: The Baltimore Ravens know how to get home to the quarterback. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike tallied 6.5 sacks this season. While outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy led the Ravens with 12.5 of the team’s 54 on the season, the amount of attention Madubuike demands on the inside is a catalyst.

Madubuike would not be denied in the AFC Wild Card game. He pushed vehemently through the Steelers’ run-blocking and conjured two sacks. Teammate defensive tackle Michael Pierce was also in on the action, getting his first career post-season sack. Madubuike totaled 14 tackles for loss in 2024, so the Buffalo Bills might want to think twice if they expect to run the ball down the Ravens’ throats like they did against the Denver Broncos.

Despite Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s success in the AFC Wild Card win, the Broncos still were able to sack Allen twice in the loss. Allen and the Bills dictated the pace with 26 first downs, but they will be up against a much more experienced, hungry, and potent opponent with Madubuike and the Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round.

As ESPN’s Jeff Saturday said this week, this match-up will depend on who operates more efficiently in the trenches. Madubuike and his comrades are most definitely scheduled for a major collision with the Bills’ offensive line.

Will Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton play QB spy vs. Bills’ Josh Allen?

Baltimore Ravens S Kyle Hamilton is fast, physical, and tough just like Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen. Will DC Zach Orr use him as a QB spy?

Perhaps Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton could be used to neutralize the mobility threat of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in the AFC Divisional Round this upcoming weekend.

Allen rushed for 46 yards in the 31-7 AFC Wild Card matchup against the Denver Broncos, yardage the Ravens defense cannot allow if they want to escape Highmark Stadium this Sunday night.

Remember, Hamilton was used more frequently as an underneath defender when the Ravens matched up with the Bills earlier this season. Will defensive coordinator Zach Orr consider this this upcoming weekend?

Hamilton possesses uncanny intangibles: intuitiveness, hindsight, and elite discipline. At six-foot-four-inches and 224 pounds, Hamilton has the size needed to tackle Allen single-handedly in the open field. Hamilton tallied 77 solo tackles this season, ranking No. 19 in the NFL category.

Linebacker Malik Harrison is not agile enough to deal with Allen or Bills running backs James Cook and Tyus Johnson out of the backfield. If linebacker Roquan Smith is busy watching for leak-out underneath options, no one will be readily available to stop Allen if Hamilton isn’t deployed.

Linebacker Chris Board has played well late in the season but may have his hands full covering tight ends Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid. Nevertheless, Hamilton may need to be used as a disruptive robber or quarterback spy to help minimize Allen’s playmaking abilities.

Roquan Smith & Ravens’ Zach Orr can build off the defensive encore

Baltimore Ravens DC Zach Orr continues to thrive with LB Roquan Smith orchestrating plays that has the team defense fully optimized.

Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr and linebacker Roquan Smith have fully amalgamated after 18 weeks of NFL football. The Ravens led the entire NFL in opponent rush yards allowed per game this season, and their dominance over the Pittsburgh Steelers offense in the AFC Wild Card round was yet another indication of performance.

Orr and Smith just aren’t allowing anybody to pummel the Ravens up front when it comes to defending the run. Orr likes to stuff opponents on first and second downs, force them into passing situations, and then unleash his pass rush that has rendered 54 sacks this season. The 54 sacks helped the team rank No. 2 in the NFL in sacks this season.

Last night, the Steelers had 29 rushing yards through 11 carries. With the Ravens’ offense firing on all cylinders, Orr can continue the onslaught, forcing opponents into one-dimensional play-calling and frustration.

In hindsight, Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson did finish the game, having completed 20 of his 29 pass attempts, including two impressive touchdown passes. However, Orr is doing his best to accommodate the flaws in the defense’s back end by ensuring he coaches his team to give up minimal yards and points.

Top photos from Ravens 28-14 win over the Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

Top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

The Ravens are peaking at the right time and look like the most complete team in the AFC after a 28-14 win over the rival Steelers on Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium.

Baltimore will now wait for Sunday afternoon’s conclusion of the Buffalo Bills’ matchup against the Denver Broncos. If the Bills win, the Ravens will travel to Buffalo, while a Broncos win will see John Harbaugh’s team host the Houston Texans next week.

Here are the top photos from the win.

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