OTL: Veteran Defenders Setting Precedent Early On

As we are now a week into training camp, the foundation of the 2025 Baltimore Ravens is taking shape. The roster is loaded with playmakers, but that isn’t news to anyone. This team has been on the precipice of taking that final step for years now.

Marlon Humphrey, the longest tenured Raven on the defensive side of the ball, has seen all the ups and downs that this team has endured. By all accounts, he looks like he is willing to do anything in his power to ensure the Ravens take that final step.

The Return of the Breakfast Club

Humphrey has brought back a tradition started by Eric Weddle when Humphrey was in the early stages of his career: The Breakfast Club Lift. The rules are quite simple: be in the weight room at 6:00 AM, an hour before players need to report, for an early morning lift. If you show up even a minute late, you will be promptly escorted out, where you can only return at 7:00 with the rest of the team. While that may seem like an overly strict rule, there is a method to the madness.

“Accountability is going to be the key this season.” Humphrey stated in his media availability last week. “We’re trying to create an environment where everything matters. 6:01 AM, does it really matter? No. But does it? Yes… everything matters.”

Taking Inspiration from Historic Defensive Greatness

Aside from some early season struggles in recent years, the Ravens defense has been consistently among the league’s best. Humphrey, however, is not satisfied with good. He knows this defense can be great. Humphrey doesn’t have to look far to get an idea of what a great defense can look like. The Ravens have fielded feared defenses throughout the years, and that seems to be the standard for this unit.

“When I first got here, I felt like teams feared what we did,” said Humphrey. “I don’t think the Bengals fear our defense. I don’t think the Steelers fear our defense…we are trying to get that back.”

The Ravens seem to be taking inspiration from the dominant run of the great 2000 Ravens Defense as well.

pic.twitter.com/bq5CPv8SB4

— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) July 27, 2025

The absurd turnover stats from the 2000 defense being put on display gives us a further look at what type of defense this group believes they can be. Although those are lofty expectations, this further cements the idea that this defense has greatness on their minds. They are talented from top to bottom, and have shown all early signs that they are ready to put in the work.

Leadership on the Field

Through a week of practice, it is apparent Humphrey has plans to keep evolving as a leader on the field as well. We’ve all seen Roquan’s pregame speeches, and are well acclimated to the type of leadership he brings, but Humphrey isn’t afraid to let his voice be heard when necessary. Throughout camp, it’s been Humphrey breaking the defensive huddle for every offense vs. defense drill, getting down on a knee in the middle of the huddle and delivering a message for his unit before they line up against Lamar Jackson and company.

Although that may seem like a minute detail, it is great to see that he is practicing what he has been preaching.

Leadership Spreads

That focus on internal leadership doesn’t stop with Humphrey. All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton has been equally vocal about his intent to evolve not just as a player, but as a leader. With the team investing a first-round pick in fellow safety Malaki Starks, Hamilton has taken it upon himself to be a mentor and tone setter.

“We have so much talent in this secondary, but talent without guidance doesn’t win in January,” Hamilton said. “I want to be someone Malaki can look to not just for the playbook, but for how to carry yourself as a Raven.”

Starks has impressed early, but it’s clear that the presence of leaders like Humphrey and Hamilton is shaping more than his on-field development, it’s accelerating his mental and cultural adjustment to the NFL.

This Ravens defense is brimming with potential. But potential doesn’t win games, and this group knows that. The leaders of this group know that it is their responsibility to uphold the standard that was set well before they got here. The Ravens aren’t just preparing for the season; they’re reclaiming an identity. With Humphrey, Hamilton, and Roquan Smith leading the charge, that familiar, feared Baltimore defense may be on its way back.

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/07/30/out-to-lunch/otl-veteran-defenders-setting-precedent-early-on/