The Ravens have a lengthy history of making great decisions on draft day(s). That’s what makes the rare errors even more glaring.
In 2010, they stopped the slide of linebacker Sergio Kindle, a move that at the time was regarded as a potential steal. Two years later, Kindle has made minimal contributions. He now faces what could be a critical season with the franchise.
And he knows it.
“Make or break year?” Kindle said Wednesday, via Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times. “Perhaps, always. I feel like that every year. Just because I haven’t proved anything yet.”
He hasn’t proved anything yet in part because he missed all of his rookie season after falling down stairs and fracturing his skull. (Getting a DUI that year didn’t help, either.) As a result of the injury, he has permanent hearing loss in his right ear, which makes hand signals necessary to help him pick up the defensive calls.
“The hearing hasn’t changed but I’m more acclimated to everything now,” Kindle said. “We’re working on something to help deal with that on the field, but it’s in the makings right now.
“I’ve been recovered for a year now but I’m great now. I was good all of last year, but I had to take precaution coming in. This year, I got my guns blazing. It’s no holds barred. Whatever they put on the bar I’m lifting it.”
Kindle, the 43rd overall pick in 2010, appeared in only two regular-season games last season. This year, the Ravens would benefit significantly from Kindle making a contribution, given the Achilles tendon injury suffered by Terrell Suggs. If Kindle isn’t able to do that, it may be time for the Ravens to move on.