Ravens defensive backs remained on the practice field Wednesday as their teammates trudged to the locker room.
Why the after-school work? They were practicing catching the ball because dropped interceptions — including one by safety Kyle Hamilton that could have clinched the game — cost them dearly in Sunday’s 29-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Veteran safety Eddie Jackson also dropped two picks Sunday, including one in the end zone. The Ravens lead the league in dropped interceptions with eight, according to Pro Football Focus, and that’s part of the reason their pass defense ranks last.
“We’re trying to turn over every stone to get better, and that’s certainly one of them,” coach John Harbaugh said. “They’re out there catching passes right now, as we speak. That’s something that we need to get better at. If you catch all eight of those, the whole statistical story [for the defense] is moot. If you catch six of them, it’s moot. If you catch four, it’s mostly mitigated. That’s how fine a line it is in the National Football League.”
“It’s just a repetition thing,” Hamilton said. “I can’t blame the coaches for wanting us to get out there on the JUGS [machine] and catch extra passes. I feel like it’s something we should do whether we’re dropping picks or we’re not dropping picks. Just make a habit of it.”
The Pro Bowl safety acknowledged he was smarting after Browns quarterback Jameis Winston’s pass wiggled out of his grip, one play before Winston threw a game-winning touchdown strike.
“I was pissed about it after the game,” Hamilton said. “I was probably the most mad out of anybody.”
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