Ravens coach John Harbaugh didn’t count on security Geno Stone to play a defensive snap on Sunday towards the Cincinnati Bengals. But when security Marcus Williams suffered a dislocated wrist early within the recreation, the 2020 seventh-round draft decide was prepared.
Stone performed 35 defensive snaps within the Ravens’ slim 19-17 victory, serving to the secondary restrict Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to only 4 air yards per try and his lowest QBR (30.8) of the season.
Although Williams’ harm is just not season-ending, the ballhawking veteran was positioned on injured reserve, that means Stone and rookie Kyle Hamilton shall be relied upon to fill the void in the meanwhile.
“[Williams] is one of the better players in our league and not having him is a disadvantage,” Hamilton mentioned. “But me, Geno, [practice squad safety] Ar’Darius [Washington] and everybody in the room is gonna do our best to do good for the team.”
It’s arduous to switch Williams, the previous New Orleans Saints star who leads the workforce with three interceptions and 5 passes defended after signing a five-year, $70 million contract within the offseason. Harbaugh isn’t anticipating guys like Stone and Hamilton to play like Williams; as a substitute, he desires them to proceed to stay to their fashion of play.
“Geno is Geno; Kyle is Kyle; Marcus is Marcus,” mentioned Harbaugh. “They have their strengths, and we’ll try to put them in a position to make the most of their strengths if we can.”
Harbaugh mentioned changing Williams shall be a gaggle effort, including: “We move a lot of guys in and out of that safety/nickel spot, so we’ll be moving guys around in there.”
Stone referred to as the safeties an interchangeable group that has delight of their capability to play at totally different spots on the sphere. “That’s what we need,” he mentioned. “When someone goes down, someone can step into that role.”
Stone has waited for a possibility to show himself. After the Ravens chosen him late within the 2020 draft, he was waived in October that season earlier than being positioned on the apply squad two days later. He was signed to the Ravens’ 53-man roster in November, positioned on the reserve/COVID-19 listing in December, waived lower than a month later and claimed by the Houston Texans.
It was a whirlwind of transactions for the rookie, however Stone by no means stopped believing he may play within the league.
He re-signed with the Ravens final March and ended up enjoying 17 video games, making one begin whereas contributing to Baltimore’s particular groups, which ranked No. 1 in total effectivity in Football Outsiders’ DVOA ranking.
“I was always staying humble and never gave up on myself,” he mentioned. “I never [doubted] myself. I always have confidence in my abilities.”
Stone has had restricted alternatives to showcase his expertise however has taken benefit of them. He had two interceptions in final 12 months’s preseason matchup towards the New Orleans Saints, and throughout the regular-season finale towards the Pittsburgh Steelers, Stone intercepted a cross from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Last 12 months towards the Green Bay Packers, Stone began instead of Chuck Clark when the starter was positioned on the workforce’s reserve/COVID-19 listing. Stone mentioned it was a second that makes him really feel able to filling in for Williams.
“Anytime I step onto the field, I feel like I have the ability to go out there and show I can be a starter in this league,” he mentioned.
Stone has impressed the coaches and teammates together with his communication and preparation expertise. Harbaugh mentioned “he always knows the game plan, he always knows the checks, he always practices well, and he’s always prepared. That’s one of his best strengths.”
Linebacker Patrick Queen referred to as Stone a “feisty little guy” who will talk and go after the soccer.
“We call him ‘Chico,’” Queen mentioned. “I just know when Chico’s on the field, I know he’s going to bring the hat. I know he’s going to communicate. I know he’s going to get to the ball every single time that he comes with that hat. So I can’t wait to see him go out there and ball out.”
During workforce conferences, Stone mentioned he sits subsequent to Clark and leans on him for steering for the reason that sixth-year veteran went by means of an identical state of affairs of being a late-round decide and having to show himself. “I try to learn as much as I can from him. He wears the green dot for a reason,” Stone mentioned, referencing the participant who makes the defensive calls on the sphere.
For Hamilton, who is thought for utilizing his versatility and lining up within the slot towards larger receivers, he deferred to the coaches when requested if his function would change due to Williams’ absence, however mentioned he’s “going to be the same me every day.”
Hamilton has 10 tackles and a pressured fumble by means of 5 video games. After enjoying 14 snaps towards the Bengals, his fewest of the season, the previous Notre Dame standout mentioned he understands it’s about circumstance.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say it bothers me. Obviously, I want to be out there,” Hamilton mentioned. “[But] nobody wants somebody sitting on the sidelines, pouting about not being in. If I need to be on [special] teams or come in on certain third down [situations], that’s what I’m going to do.”
Hamilton mentioned the Ravens secondary is “one of the most prepared in the league,” as cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, Clark and Williams set the tone whereas everybody else does their job and exhibits as much as apply on daily basis.
“It’s a very professional group of guys,” Hamilton mentioned. “No matter whose number is called, I think we will all be prepared.”
Baltimore Sun reporter Jonas Shaffer contributed to this story.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com