Terrence Brooks aiming for starting safety job

Now that free safety Terrence Brooks is officially a Raven after signing his rookie contract, he's moving on to the next task of locking up the starting free safety job.

As the fastest of the free safeties on the roster at a 4.42 40-yard dash, Brooks seems to fit the mold of what the Ravens want out of their starter in a "rangy" player that can make an impact all over the field. Aside from the physical part, which Brooks clearly has on lock down, the Ravens need him to learn the playbook of one of the more complicated defenses in the league since the team employs multiple formations and constant shifting to throw off offenses.

Knowing the playbook inside and out as well as being a film buff will allow Brooks to react instinctively to what he sees on the field instead of having to watch other players around him or be directed. You saw that happen with Matt Elam at the beginning of last year but as the season wore on, he picked up more of the playbook and let his instincts take over.

"Oh, definitely," said Brooks "I feel like it's just a matter of me getting the playbook down. As soon as I get down and comfortable with it, I can play fast. So, it will be good."

The third round pick in the 2014 NFL draft thinks that he is already on the fast track

Practice is going really good. It's just a learning curve, getting around that. For the most part, it's going good.

If Brooks can grab the free safety job, it easily gives the Ravens the ability to move Matt Elam up to the strong safety position where he will excel as a hitter and run stuffing player while keeping the backend safe, furthering the maturation of the secondary.