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          NFL Nation

          Signing of Will Hill questionable move

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterJul 25, 2014, 03:15 PM
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens signed Will Hill, a free safety who has been suspended three times by the NFL and is currently banned for the first six games of the 2014 season.

          Yes, these are the same Ravens who were notified a day ago that the league suspended star running back Ray Rice for two games. This is the same team that has watched five of its players get arrested this offseason. And it's the same team that recently failed to turn around the career of linebacker Rolando McClain.

          So, why are the Ravens rolling the dice with Hill? He's a safe bet financially because it's a no-risk, one-year deal. He's also very talented, starting 10 games for the New York Giants last season.

          The problem is he's a troubled player, and the last team that needs another negative headline is the Ravens. That is, of course, if the Ravens care about public opinion. And, based on the signing of Hill (as well as the timing), you have to wonder about that.

          It's another scratch-your-head moment because coach John Harbaugh has gone to great lengths to change the perception of his team. He doesn't want the Ravens to get labeled "Raiders of the East" again.

          The Ravens can clearly use another experienced free safety. As the Ravens enter the second day of training camp, Darian Stewart is penciled in as the starter, although he seems better suited to play strong safety.

          With Hill, it's not like the Ravens will get immediate help. He can practice in training camp and participate in all of the preseason games. He just can't play in the regular season until the middle of October.

          So, if the Ravens really wanted another safety, couldn't the Ravens have gotten someone who hasn't been suspended every year he has been in the league?