Starks learning the right way

[tsylvester]

Malaki Starks' education at OTAs has included staying after practice, watching extra film, and sideline discussions with teammates and coaches.

Starks is going the extra mile because the first-round safety from Georgia is willing to pay the price to be everything the Ravens expect and more.

"The more you learn, the faster you can play," Starks said following Monday's practice. "You can be free, and I think I just want to keep expanding my knowledge and keep diving into the system."

Starks made a similar transition at Georgia, where he started as a true freshman and helped the Bulldogs win the national championship in 2022. Helping the Ravens win a Super Bowl in his rookie season would be quite an encore for Starks, but that's his goal, and he's embracing that challenge.

His versatility is a major reason the Ravens wanted him. They envision Starks joining safety Kyle Hamilton and cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins in an elite secondary that can morph into different looks at any time.

"I like being anywhere, if I'm being honest," Starks said. "We talk about a positionless defense. I've been playing a lot of free safety, but I've also been the other safety, and I got some reps at dime, as well, so just being able to move around."

To take full advantage of his skillset, Starks must master the defense to avoid making coverage mistakes in a secondary with so many moving parts. At 5 a.m. before Monday's practice, Starks said he received a text message from Senior Defensive Assistant/Secondary Coach Chuck Pagano, who sent film from last week's practice.

"I woke up, and I was like, 'OK, cool. That makes sense,'" Starks said. "That's how I want to be coached. I received that very well, so just being able to have somebody like that in my corner, it's a blessing."

Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr has been impressed by Starks' willingness to engage in conversation and communicate on the field.

"I've already seen the impact that 'K-Ham' has had on Malaki with his communication, his knowledge, and just his football savvy," Orr said. "I have a great vision for those guys. I think they're going to help us out and play great football for us."

After early-season struggles in 2024, Baltimore's pass defense took a major leap when Ar'Darius Washington became a starter and Hamilton stayed primarily at free safety. Unfortunately, Washington suffered a torn Achilles last month that is expected to keep him out and play great football for us."

 

https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/malaki-starks-otas-learn-faster-marlon-humphrey-kyle-hamilton-zach-orr-chuck-pagano

[oldno82]

Man, I sure hope this kid stays healthy because I am really looking forward to seeing him play.

[tsylvester]

He has the speed to play anywhere on defense, the smarts & instinct to take advantange

[oldno82]

He and Kyle back there will be something to see.