Super Bowl-Winning Safety: Kyle Hamilton Has One More Step To Reach Superstardom

When the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2012, Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard were a fantastic safety duo with different skill-sets.

Reed was the rangy ballhawking free safety, and Pollard was the enforcer in the box.

But Reed always reminded Pollard to expand his game, and that advice is now being passed on from Pollard to Baltimore’s current All-Pro enforcer, Kyle Hamilton.

“I was more comfortable playing down by the line of scrimmage, but Ed would say, ‘No, you’ve got to break out of that,’” Pollard said. “‘We’re all interchangeable, and if I go down, you’ve got to be able to fill in for me so the backup can come fill in for you.’ 

“(Hamilton) is a phenomenal player, and I don’t want to take any of that away from him. The guy has shown he can play ball. But I just want to see him a little more comfortable (in space).”

Hamilton had a breakout season in 2023, registering 81 tackles, four interceptions, three sacks and 10 tackles for loss on his way to first-team All-Pro honors.

Kyle Hamilton's snap counts by position from last season is still stunning (via @PFF):

Wide CB: 5
OLB: 58
Strong safety: 89
ILB: 147
Free safety: 301
Slot CB: 465

What will it look like in 2024?

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) July 18, 2024

Pollard saw a player that was lethal at the line of scrimmage.

“You see his power, you see the mismatch with receivers trying to block him, being able to beat pulling linemen to make plays in the backfield,” Pollard said.

But Pollard believes more versatility throughout the three levels of the defense would put Hamilton on the same level as Derwin James.

“Derwin James can play press, he can play at the line of scrimmage, he can play in the middle of the field, he can line up in man – when we’re talking about (Hamilton) like that, that’s when we’re going to see him take off,” Pollard said.

‘Perfect’ Situation For Eddie Jackson

The Ravens also have a third safety with impressive credentials, as veteran Eddie Jackson signed a one-year deal this offseason.

Jackson, 30, may not be the same player at his peak, but Pollard said he could be reinvigorated by his surroundings.

“I think the situation for Jackson is perfect,” Pollard said. “I think being in Baltimore will be good for him, because this team will compete. This team will be in the playoffs. This team expects to go to the Super Bowl. So I think you’ll see a new player when you talk about Eddie.”

Pollard envisions packages with Hamilton, Williams and Jackson on the field together for the Ravens’ defense.

“Kyle Hamilton is obviously going to be on the field all the freakin’ time because he’s capable of so much, but Eddie Jackson is a playmaker,” Pollard said. “They can go with a big nickel package. I think there will be a lot of competition within that safety unit.”

And the more they can interchange, the more latitude defensive coordinator Zach Orr will have in disguising his coverages.

“I want to see (Hamilton) be able to play in the middle of the field, if they are stuck in a rock-and-roll situation and he does have to play it,” Pollard said. “I want him to be comfortable everywhere.”