Russell Street Report Street Talk Ravens’ Terrence Brooks Earns More Playing Time

Will Hill Return Looms

If there’s one thing we’ve come to understand from Ravens head coach John Harbaugh when it comes to his players, the better they play, the more snaps they will see.

Enter Ravens rookie safety Terrence Brooks.

Brooks, who was selected by the Ravens in the third round of the 2014 draft appears to have finally gotten a grasp on the Ravens defensive playbook and is making the most of his opportunities, finally.

Covering Brooks throughout rookie minicamp through the end of training camp, the former Florida State playmaker struggled as most rookies do in their first season adjusting to the speed of the NFL.

Brooks, who saw his snaps increase in week five played in 47 defensive snaps including 36 in coverage against Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Per Pro Football Focus, Brooks graded out +1.1 during those 36 snaps in coverage while recording three tackles.

“Terrence [Brooks] is really coming on. You’re right, he’s really getting around the ball,” Harbaugh stated about the play of Brooks on Monday.

“He’s playing deep, and he’s playing short really well – equally well. [It is] what we envisioned when we drafted him. So, you play well, you earn more time, and he’s doing that.”

The recent play of the Ravens safeties has been heavily scrutinized throughout the first five weeks on the season and with good cause.

Matt Elam still has a hard time in coverage which isn’t his forte yet defensive coordinator Dean Pees still places him in position to fail. Veteran Darian Stewart performed well in pass coverage against the Colts but still struggled defending the run, so inserting Brooks as a breath of fresh air certainly couldn’t hurt.

With many fans welcoming the return of Will Hill from suspension in seven days, the Ravens will at least get another veteran presence into the lineup with some top tier quarterbacks still on the schedule.

“We’re looking forward to getting Will [Hill] back. And then we’ll have to eyeball him and see how he looks. That’s part of the opportunity there for a week to determine how a player looks coming off suspension,” Harbs acknowledged about Hill’s imminent return.

“He has been in every meeting. He’s very sharp – a football guy. He’s very determined to make good, and I’m looking forward to seeing how he takes advantage of this opportunity. He’s a good player, and I think he can help us.”

Hill, the former New York Giant has played in 24 games since entering the league in 2012 while starting in ten of those contests. The 6-1, 205 pound Hill has recorded 115 total tackles (89 solo, 26 assists), two interceptions, three forced fumbles and one touchdown.

Tempering expectations out of the chute for Hill would certainly be advised for anyone wanting instant improvement for the Ravens troubled defensive backfield. It’s likely as Harbaugh alluded to on Monday that Hill will be worked in slowly like fellow safety Brooks.

Play well, earn more time.

Hopefully the time is sooner rather than later.

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