Ravens' Hall Moving Inside

With the Baltimore Ravens having lost both their starting inside linebackers from 2012, back-up defensive tackle Bryan Hall sees an opportunity to, perhaps, grab some playing time at the position. Hall, who has been with the Ravens since he joined the practice squad in 2011, was undersized for a defensive lineman and has now dropped 23 pounds in three weeks to attempt to move to inside linebacker.

Hall has been known to the Ravens staff as a work-out warrior and spends most off season at the teams work out facility in Owings Mills. The coaching staff has a very high opinion of him and if he is able to make the transition will battle Jameel McClain, Josh Bynes, Albert McClellan and Nigel Carr for reps on defense. Plus the Ravens are expected to bring in more competition in the 2013 NFL Draft and most likely some un-drafted free agents as well.

Head coach John Harbaugh came to hall a few weeks ago and told him the coaching staff would like to get a good look at him at linebacker and Hall is taking the opportunity to heart.

"I was like, ‘Oh man, it’s whatever Coach. I’m a football player first. I’m down for it,’" Hall told BaltimoreRavens.com.

"[Harbaugh] told me that he felt like I was too good of a player to be on the bench. He was just trying to give me an opportunity to get on the field and play more," Hall said. "It’s the NFL, you’ve always got to progress."

"Growing up, that was my dream, to play linebacker in the NFL," Hall said.

"It’s cool with me because I’m always down for a challenge. I think they know that. With the opportunity ahead to possibly play and contribute more than I did last year, it’s huge."

Hall has played some linebacker in the past and sees this as his best opportunity to make the team and possibly push for playing time on defense. With the additions of Chris Canty and Marcus Spears to the defensive line this off season, he is probably right.