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 lanky, ball-chasing free safety and Pollard was the enforcer in the penalty box.

But Reed always reminded Pollard to improve his game, and that’s advice Pollard now passes on to Baltimore’s current All-Pro enforcer Kyle Hamilton.

“I felt more comfortable playing further down the line of scrimmage, but Ed always said, ‘No, you have to get out there,'” Pollard said. “We’re all replaceable, and if I’m down, you have to be able to step in for me so the replacement can step in for you.”

“(Hamilton) is a phenomenal player and I don’t want to take that away from him. The guy has shown he can play. But I want him to feel a little more comfortable (in the room).”

Hamilton had a stellar season in 2023, recording 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 are still breathtaking (via @PFF):

Wide CB: 5
OL: 58
Strong security: 89
ILB: 147
Free Security: 301
Slot CB: 465

What will it look like in 2024?

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) July 18, 2024

Pollard saw a player who was deadly at the line of scrimmage.

“You see his power, you see the mismatch with the receivers trying to block him, and how he’s able to overcome the retreating linemen and make plays in the backfield,” Pollard said.

However, Pollard believes that more versatility at all three levels of defense would put Hamilton on the same level as Derwin James.

“Derwin James can play in the press, he can play at the line of scrimmage, he can play in the midfield, he can play in man coverage – when we talk about (Hamilton) like that, we’ll see how he takes 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 in the offseason.

Jackson, 30, may not be the same player he was when he was at his peak, but Pollard said his environment can give him new strength.

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

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

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

And the more they can communicate, the more leeway defensive coordinator Zach Orr has in disguising his coverage.

“I want (Hamilton) to be able to play center field when they’re in a rock-and-roll situation and he has to play there,” Pollard said. “I want him to be comfortable anywhere.”