Ravens RB Justice Hill joins team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing to talk about facing his Bengals brother, why he's playing so well, whether the Ravens' ground game can keep rolling, how he bounced back from an early-career Achilles injury, and more.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome into the Lounge presented by DraftKings. We are thrilled
to sit down with running back Justice Hill, who's getting
ready for a big gamest of Cincinnati Bengals, which features
his brother Dax's Hill, who's in the secondary for the Bengals.
So we'll start there, Justice, have the text messages started
flying between you tubes, track talk, trash talk going.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Yes, he's more of a quiet guy. So I'll call
him game week. He won't answer you, they won't answer.
I'll call him again. Yesterday I finally got him on
the phone, so you know, I started talking to my
stuff a little bit, get a little info from him
or something like that. But he wasn't feeling too much
if I tried to pick up on a couple of things.
So I got a couple of things.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Fuck, okay, does he does he return servers?
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Just one way.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
He's just taking it, receiving it. On the receiving. He's
on the receiving it of that.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Well. I remember last year we tried to get video
of you calling him during game week and he picked up,
but it was about a ten second conversation. He's like,
I'm not giving you.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Anything right back up didn't hear it fromm for the
rest of the week, So we'll see how this one goes.
I mean I was able to get him on the
fol yesterday, but I might not hear from hiuntil games.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Is this how it's always been with YouTube brothers?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
I mean, we never really played against each other until
we got to NFL, and now we played each other
two three songs a year, and so, uh, it's starting
to broil up a little bit. But after after we've done,
it's all funny games.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
That's that's cool. I mean, is it? What is it
like if you're on the field and like you see
him in a hole, you know, and or he tackles you,
or like what what are you at all thinking about?
Like that's my brother trying to come down and tackle me.
Take me through that not so much.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
I mean, when you run the ball, you honestly don't
know who, Like you really don't get a good glimpse
of who's tackling you. And then you get up and
he really don't notice until you get him the film.
And then last year there was a couple of times
I didn't even know because he's quiet, Like if I
was on defense and I was tackling him like he
would know, like.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
No doubt, I'm talking about stuff right there and there.
But yeah, he didn't even realize it until later on.
So yeah, it is awful.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I remember I just went back and looked at this.
Actually there was one play in Cincinnati last year where
he came off the edge kind of screaming on a blitz.
Oh yeah, and you had the chance to pick him
up and pass bro. You passed it up and then
went out for like a little screen like a shovel
to Lamar, So you had your chair exactly, but you
won that one.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
He did.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
He didn't want that smoke, but it was a screen already,
so I wouldn't fuzzy to be going to block exactly.
So it's fun. But we'll see. We has opportunities this week.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
It's awesome. Well look, Justice, it's it's been a big
couple of weeks for you. You got the contract extension
and then you had a great game on Sunday against
the Bills. How do you kind of put into to
words the excitement and all that you've been able to
enjoy these last couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Yeah, I mean, it's definitely been an exciting time, just
because I feel like I put in a lot of
work throughout my career here, and sometimes it goes a
notice where sometimes just wouldn't get an opportunity, And so
I just stayed diligent and continue to work and get
better every single week, every single year. And it's just
really satisfying, even though I'm still extremely motivated to finally
(03:05):
get some some play.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Yeah, do you how do you look at your role
here behind Derek Henry. I mean, obviously he's Dereck Henry,
He's the king, right, but like you have very much
carved out your own niche in this offense, especially as
a pass catcher, especially picking up blitzes and all those
things and running the ball really well, what was it
like when the Ravens signed Derrick Henry. What went through
your head about what your role would be like with
(03:29):
this team?
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Well, I figured my role will kind of be saying
just third downs and whenever they need me, they need
me wherever that is on special teams, running passing. But
when we signed him, I'm like, yeah, man, it's gonna
be fun because he's gonna wear him out and then
not come in there and they's a little tired or
they beat up from trying to tackling them all game.
I can maybe squeeze pod do a little something next year.
So it's been working out pretty well. Man, it's been
(03:52):
a nice little combination.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
That's the understatement of the year. It's been working out
for pretty well. Yeah, two straight games with two and
seventy yards, Okay, the.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Way to go, A long way to go, So you know,
teams go start trying to do some things different, But yeah,
I think we were ready.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
For That's my next question.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Is there a feeling inside the room right now that
like we can't be stopped.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
You know?
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Or do you know, all right, like we put up
big yards the past two games, like they are gonna
come down and try to crash down on this run
game hard and we're gonna have to pivot and hit
them in other ways.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
I think we always had that mindset of when nobody
can really mess with us, and obviously people are going
to try to do different things. But I think we're
just steadily elevating too. We're at the beginning of the season,
we're four weeks in, five weeks in, and we're still
get in a feel for things, and so I think
as we continue to progret and see different looks and
go against different players, different schemes. I think we're just
(04:43):
going to continue to get better. So I don't think
we've really seen much of anything yet.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
How well do you guys compliment each other, Like you
talked about it's nice when you get the ball and
they're kind of beat up of trying to tackle Derek,
you know, for much of the game. But how well
do you feel like your skill set compliments what he
he does? And is that part of the reason that
this offense is having success?
Speaker 4 (05:04):
Yeah, I believe so.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
I mean, the coaches is gonna always put us in
great positions, and I really think we just do a
good job of whatever it is because even the things
I'm doing, Derek could still do, and even the things
that Darren doing I could still run too.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
And so I think we just a compliented.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Each other well, and then we both work hard and
whenever coaches call our numbers, we're gonna go out and perform.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
I think one of the most impressive things about you
is your pass protection really stands out to me, the
way that you commit to it, and at your size,
you know you're not the biggest dude out there on
the field, but you're putting your nose in that guy's chest, right,
And none of them was more evident than Chris Jones
blocking one on one with the game on the line twice. Right,
(05:46):
Can you take us through what's going through your head?
What was going through your head on that play when
you see Chris Jones one on one with you.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
So first it was back to back the same play call,
and it was a play where we had two plays
up and it was just loud at me sphere and
he checked the play but the line didn't get it.
And so the first time it caught me totally off side,
like I thought I was about to get out to
my route and I just paused for a second scan
and I just see him coming from him like well,
(06:13):
I don't think Pat going that way. So I'm like, well,
step up here and try to do something here. But
then the second time, the same as that play call,
in the same as that result, and so I was
a little bit more ready for the second rush. But man,
I was just glad didn't make me into a meme
or something tossed me somewhere. Man, I'm like, okay, Baddy
went around trying to take a long way because it
(06:34):
made my job a little easier.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Hey, he didn't want to he didn't want that smoke.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
He didn't want that.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Is the past locking something that you could take pride in.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
No, definitely, because I mean it's just coming to lead.
That was one of the biggest things. Just be able
to protect the quarterback because if you can't, you really
won't be on the field much. And just be me
and my size too. Like I just wanted to be
able to meet people in the hole, not give him
much enough space, like trying to make advantage me, give
them a harder time to get to the quarterback, just
(07:03):
to because it's so much space to get there. And
then you got the old line right in there too.
So I use those guys, use everybody and try to
maximize what I can do too. And but yeah, man,
I really focus on that. Especially coming out of college.
It was kind of a you just didn't do it much,
so you didn't have a lot of reps and so
you weren't the best at it. But then guy here,
he's got more reps, and like anything, more reps, you
take more focus, you put on that, you get better.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
You know, you talk about coming out of college, and
your story is pretty remarkable. You come here as a
fourth round pick and you know you have you're now
on your third contract here and you've just continued to
improve consistently. But in the middle of that, you also
tore your achilles and missed the season. And a lot
of times when a player deals with a serious injury
like that, that can that can be a career ender. You
(07:48):
know it has that potential. But you've just gotten better,
Like you're better now than you've ever been. And I
don't think that that's the case for a lot of players,
especially just not the case for a lot of running backs.
But like, you just have gotten better consistently. Why have
you been able to do that?
Speaker 4 (08:02):
I think it's just the mindset that year.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
I think it was a pivot year for me because
I mean, the first couple of years just not being
the best system for me. It kind of just wavering
my confidence a little bit, and then obviously having the
injury and then just at the cusp of maybe not
making a team do all those things. It's just like
a mindset shifted, like many about to find out, and
so every single day I just came to work, came
(08:27):
to work, got my Achilles. Right, I did a lot
extra just to make sure when I came back, I
was faster, better than before. And obviously you have all
those talks about the Achilles and all these different things,
like you never come back the same, But you just
ignore those things. Man, if you just put in your
mind that you go get better, that you go, you
go be the best you like, nothing go to stop
you except yourself. And so I just dedicated myself to
(08:47):
that and then each year to being better, faster and stronger.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Yeah, your second season, I mean it was a very
limited offensive role for you that year, and then when
the Achilles happened. Can you take us into what went
through your mind when that Achilles injury happened? What was
going on? How did it happen? And what were you
thinking at that moment?
Speaker 4 (09:07):
Man?
Speaker 2 (09:07):
It was I mean that summer was a little rough,
just because we had a great running back room. The
first preseason game, I uh, I had a high ankle spring, so.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
I was gonna be out for a couple of weeks.
Everybody else is doing well.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
So like mentally, it's just like taking a toll on
you because you just you're not able to go out
there and then I mean third preseason game was in
locker room and Harps came up to me.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
It was telling me, like I thought to get cut.
Wow that stuff really yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
And so like I'm just like, oh, I guess I'm
gonna figure something somewhere else. And then uh uh unfortunately
JK got hurt and then came out. I was like, Yo,
this is gonna be a year. I was like, all right, whatever,
course of an hour. And so now I'm still dealing
with the high ankle spring. I'm trying to up and
(09:53):
get back just because the season's coming up. And she
blowed Achilles, just trying to rush back from that and
just really wasn't ready.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
To be out there yet.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
But then just the the just the doggie really want
to just be out there, and so yeah, just doing
too much too fast, and uh that happened.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
And so it was it was a.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Blessing disguise was able to be home for my daughter's
birth and be able to be there for the first
like just the whole all season, the off season and
during the season, every single day. So I mean, it
was definitely a blessing disguise. But yeah, that was a
pivot point for me.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Yeah, so I want to go to this conversation in
the locker room with with Harpes, like was that motive?
Was he trying to motivate you or was he more
like practical?
Speaker 4 (10:32):
Like that was reality and that was no motivation. I
was just like, yoah, this is what it is.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
I mean because we was in two different locker rooms,
you know, and down there in Washington, you got the
locker room everybody making the team, and he got a
locker room with the practice squad guys and people not
making the team.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
And I was over there. So I was just like
what it is.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
I mean, I mean, like, God's not gonna put nothing
in your life that you can't handle. So I mean,
obviously it was gonna be unfortunate because his COVID year,
I was like unvaccinated, like all these different so all
these different factors. So it was like definitely like a
moment to just pause and kind of reflect. But everything
works out in the better wowow.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
And so when you got back on the field after
your Achilles, you were basically like, all right, I'm just
about to show you all what's been going down here.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Yeah, because I'm like, man, none of nobody want me here.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Anyway, So I got none to lose, so I was
trying to just go go ball and then I mean
that was unfortunate, but honestly that's just been my monset
ever since I came back. I'm like, shoot, nobody want
me here, so I'm gonna just go ahead and through
everybody wrong.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
And I mean when you just signed your contract extension,
you know, you're like Baltimore's home, so that that mentality
is very much shifted. Like now, like it feels like
the loyalty that you have to the organization and obviously
they're loyalty to you. It's really a very strong partnership.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
No, definitely, I think when you just go through a
journey like that, you go through the ups and the downs,
the lows and highs, you just you just built that relationship.
And so yeah, it was definitely times where I was
like like a little stand office, but definitely came around
because they still gave me the opportunity, you know, no
matter what it was. I mean, I still had the
opportunity to go out there and make plays. And so
(12:11):
definitely blessed for just getting the opportunity and even after
the injury, getting the opportunity again.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
That mentality, Like I remember you came back crazy fast
from the Achilles, Like you got back on the field
and it was in spring practice and everyone's like, wait,
Justice Hills back there. I was expecting to see him
a still trainy. Do you remember me I was saying
it earlier.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
I was like, I swear to god, Justice is faster
now than he was before.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
It was crazy. Yeah, And even just like the first
thay you took the practice field, I'm like, wait, what,
Like it's it's may right now or whatever it was.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
Yeah. In fact, I mean I was working through it
too there at this time because it wasn't a hundred percent.
But like at that time, I was hating like two
three thousand jump ropes to day man, just like really,
even though yeah, I was like going crazy just because
it was hurting still, like because you get to a
plateau point where like you've done all the rehabby get cleared,
but it's not one hundred percent yet, and so I'm like, man,
I gotta do whatever I can. So I just was
trying to get my spring bread, and so this would
(13:03):
jump rope in all day every day, like every day,
especially during that break we got from Mini camp to
training camp, like literally every single day that was waking
up like five in the morning to jump over for
like thirty eight minutes an hour every morning, and then
like it would be so sory as heck. Man, Well,
I was like, man, I'm gonna keep doing it, just
keep going because I got clear from the doctor. I'm like, okay,
already got cleared, so it's not gonna snap.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
It's good. I just got to get it strong. And
so I just started working. Man.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
So you were drafted in twenty nineteen, As I mentioned,
fourth round pick, you're the last guy I hear from
that draft class, and that says something like that's I
don't that's not off to the case for a mid
round pick to be the last guy standing from that group.
And then even like with this running back group, over
the course of your career, you've had some really you
just had some high picks. JK. Dobains was a high
pick and Gus Edwards was a superstructive player, and like
(13:51):
you have been the last man standing at multiple levels.
Is that like surprising to you? Is that hard to believe?
Do you feel like that's always what you've expected? Like,
how do you view that?
Speaker 2 (14:03):
I kind of have both sides to it, because I mean,
you expect that for yourself, but at the same time,
I didn't expect that, Like you didn't expect the conversation.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
In that moment. Different answer.
Speaker 4 (14:15):
For sure, it would have.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
I would have never thought I'd be at this pot
right now. So yeah, man, especially our class man, we
have some good people in that class, good good, good players,
solid players. And yeah, to just be the last one stay.
I mean we still had Pat McCary, but he was undrafted.
But yeah, we talked about all the time, like, man,
it's just us too. Man, we got a hold down
to nineteen class man. But yeah, man, it's been a journey.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Can you can you take me you talk about the
jump rope, which you must be really good at jumping rope.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
To do that, man, Like you probably got the crossover
to everything.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
Man, Yeah, a double ductionary thing.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Can you take me a little bit more inside what
that rehab process was like, because it seemed like that
and how hard you work during that time really did
make you who you are now.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Yeah, it was just a commitment every single day from
the first day it happened coming back from surgery. Was
here with the training staff, with Mike and we eighty
wasn't here at the time, but yeah, man, every single
day and just working and just buying into the process
that they put in in place. And I think that's
really what it comes down to, is just buying into it,
(15:20):
not getting discouraged. You have times where your rehab is
going well, accelerating, and then there's times where it just
feels like you plateaued and the.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
You're getting better. Is it happened as fast? They can
probably not be.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Your progress doesn't happened as fast, and so yeah, man,
it was for the most part, bro, it was like
ninety nine percent positive. Like I never had it came
a bad day. It was always great days. I was
always in there, smiling, having fun with them and just
buying into the process. And I knew I just had
a lot of time because the Achilles it was like
eight to twelve month recovery whatever.
Speaker 4 (15:54):
But I knew I had it early on.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
In the season, so I had the full season befure
all season, so I never worried about like not being
able to come back in time, and so just allowed
me to just working hard.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
Harbs.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
I asked him yesterday about you know what, what is
it about justice that he's been able to improve over
the course of his career so much and so consistently.
And he pointed to that attitude that you mentioned, Just
like dude that comes in here with the right attitude
every single day, smile on his face and just works,
and like that's what happens. This is these are the results.
(16:25):
How is that just your DNA? Is that a conscious decision?
How do you kind of have that attitude?
Speaker 2 (16:35):
I think it just comes down to it's controlling what
you can control and h and for me, I just
want to be the best of whatever I'm doing. And
I know it's not gonna be great all the time.
But if you have a positive mindset about things to
just come in and have good energy, that energy is
gonna flow back to you. And so if I mean
definitely when I especially early on, I used to come
in sometimes just not be in the best places mentally
(16:59):
all those things, and that led on to more like
bad things happening, the injuries and all these different things.
And so since I switched that, it really just mindset
shift and uh just shifted that and all those things
kind of went away and then things got better. And
it's just like Okay, just even if it's a bad day,
just stay stay positive and things are gonna work out.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Interesting.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Are you faster now than before the injury?
Speaker 2 (17:21):
I think so, Like I believe so. Uh yeah, No,
for sure, definitely faster.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
Man. I feel good out there, feeling young.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
I feel better than I did my first couple of
years here, and so just taking care of myself better
and recovering doing great things outside of here to just
make sure I'm good and I'm feeling great, man, feeling
better than I did when I came in.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Yeah, I mean, I think that it's it's been awesome
just to see that development. And you know, when going
back to like this this offense, you provide lots of
different elements of it, but like your ability as a
pass catcher is pretty unique, and like I mean you
mean that you were wide open all that touchdown pass
on Sunday against I know, do so mad not on skates.
(18:05):
There are not many running backs that can run a
route like that, facts I mean, and that's just part
of your game, do you is the is the route
running piece of it like an area that you put
a ton of focus in.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
No, that was the funniest fun part of it all
because I mean I've been doing that to them guys.
Speaker 4 (18:20):
For the last two years of practice. I'm like, man,
he got called he's in the game, man. So I
mean like you're going to get the best players out.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Here, and it just gives you that confidence, like whenever
I get in the game and this opportunity to show itself,
it's gonna be wraps.
Speaker 4 (18:33):
And so I mean he called it playing a huddle.
I was just like, oh yeah, b.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
I was like, it's gonna be thirddy, It's time because
it was a couple of times last year at the
route the same result. He just didn't get to throw, like,
didn't throw it to me, and so yeah, man, it
was a good time.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
What are you thinking? So you put that dude on
skates and then you are wide open and there's nobody
even close to you, and as you look back or
you just say, please throw me the ball, like what
are you thinking?
Speaker 2 (18:57):
I already knew he was, just because we practiced during
the week and he threw it out like the Saturday
practice the day before he threw it to me.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
I'm like, he like it's on his mind.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
So I mean, I see the ball coming, I'm just
thinking about my celebration gonna be I catch you out, like, okay,
let me do with our little Baltimore bird flu did it?
Speaker 4 (19:15):
That's nice my little redition of it.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
I mean, it wasn't exactly what it is, so folks
on my head saying wasn't it? But I'm putting my
little j Hill spin on it.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
It's funny.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
What's the the outlook too with I mean, Keaton's gonna
come back eventually, right, speaking of guys come back from
injuries like.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
You, Keaton's going to be back here.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
With how well this running back room is operating right now,
you know what's the outlook on his return and what
you can.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
Be No, man, I mean he's a supposed to player man,
And I mean our coaches gon do a great job
being creative and putting everybody in great matchups. And I
mean he's gonna just be another element that's gonna provide
closing this to our offense. And it's gonna be a
funded addition. I mean, he's working extremely hard right now
to have the same thing. Great mindset, and they're working
even though you have some good days and bad days,
(20:01):
like it's going in the right trajectory and so I'm
proud to see what he's doing in the rehab room
and on the field.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
I mean, he's working the way back right now.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Obviously he wants to be good before he comes back,
and I want him to be good too, And so yeah,
it's gonna be fun we get all these pieces back.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
So we were just talking about this yesterday, about the
possibility that this is the best Ravens rushing attack ever. Right,
So that twenty nineteen Ravens group, you all set the
single season record for most rushing yards in a season
on pace. Through four games so far, this team is
ahead of that pace. Yeah, so pretty crazy, right, historic pace?
Speaker 3 (20:40):
Right now? I mean, what's the mentality inside that room?
Speaker 1 (20:44):
And I know you're probably not shooting for records in there,
but like, do you all look at yourselves and you
and Derek look at each other and whatnot and Pat
and all of you guys that are a part of
this and say, yeah, you know what, we can be
something special?
Speaker 4 (20:56):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (20:56):
I mean we knew that before the season started. And
just like, yo, if we to utilize us all the
right way, man, I don't think anybody really can stop us.
And even when it comes to the passing game, two.
The receivers can do some great things too, and obviously
with the heavy run game, it's gonna open up for
those guys too as well. You just gotta be patient,
And I mean, we just have a great team man,
(21:16):
great players all around, great coaches, and we're just getting
it better every single day. We come in and we meet,
we go to practice, we walk through, and everybody's in
the right mind space, and so great things are just
gonna happen from that.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
Along those lines, I think Ryan alluded to this earlier,
but there really is kind of a picture poison element
to this offense. Like, you guys have put up so
many yards on the ground these last two weeks. It's
hard to expect you to put up two hundred and
seventy plus yards every week on the ground, but you
know you did it the last two weeks. Do you
think that defenses will not just be like, all right,
we're gonna commit all these resources to stopping the run
(21:50):
and then you can adjust off of that and make
big players in the passing game, Like, how do you
look at it as an offense in terms of how
defenses now are going to play you? Given all the
success that you've had on the ground.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
I mean, we're just going to stick to our identity.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
I stick to to the things that we do well,
and whatever the defense gives us, we will take. I mean,
if they don't want to crowd the box, I mean
I still want to see them stop it, you know,
stop the run, right, and then if they do that,
you just have opportunities play action and things.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
Down the field.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
So I mean you could try to stop it, but
I don't know. I mean, we have so many players,
so many weapons, so many different so many different schemes
that Monk would draw up.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
Yeah, I mean we'll see.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
You got to stop it first, stopped doing that.
Speaker 4 (22:31):
I mean, if it's not broke, man, want to fix it.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
So just keep it roll plus and they come crashing
down hill, you run that, play action, then you put
another defender on skates right, and then you run basket.
Speaker 4 (22:39):
Linebacker and so man, man, it's right.
Speaker 3 (22:44):
Last question for.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
Me, Justice is what do your parents do in Cincinnati
on Sunday with both their boys playing in the same game.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
How do they treat it?
Speaker 4 (22:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (22:52):
Man, I mean obviously he's a just a blessing to
have both yours, your son's playing the league and then
being in the same division. Just being able to go
to multiple games because we played twice guaranteed the year.
And so, man, they extremely excited, extremely best and happy
for us, and they.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
Root for both of us. I mean they have to.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
I don't think it's much of a choice, but yeah,
I mean they supported us, wanted us to do well.
They never say what they want to win or anything
like that. I don't think they got any favorite.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
You ask them. I asked him. I'm like, y know,
we know we go.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
I'm just more of the trash talkers you talking about stuff.
But yeah, man, they're just happy for us.
Speaker 3 (23:29):
That's awesome. I hope you're doing a lot of trash
talk during the game and then after the game all
Sunday cool, awesome, appreciate it man. All right now, well,
thank you to Justice for stopping by the seat Geek
Studio here on the Lage Podcast. We also want to
mention our partners at Draft Kings Sportsbook. They are an
official sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draft Kings Sportsbook.
The Crown is yours. So I thought Justice was awesome, man.
(23:52):
He just has been an awesome player. He was an
awesome interview, and it's been really cool to see the
way that he's grown and developed. And as I said
to him, there's not a lot of guys that like
are at their best at the running back position six
years into their career, right, and he just like seems
to still be getting better. And I think that's, as
(24:13):
we talked about with him, like a real testament to
all the work that he's put in.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
It's also not too common for like two weeks after
a player signs an extension where you're like, all right,
this guy's already a bargain. Is he going to renegotiate now?
Two weeks later as the extension Even John Harmaal kind
of joked about he's like, guy, we got him under
contract before this happened. I mean, like he is. He's
been one of the Ravens' top weapons on offense. I mean, seriously,
(24:37):
when you're looking at the top like three weapons so
far this year, Justice Hill probably makes that list.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Yeah, you know, and so yeah, really been invaluable.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
I mean it's been like every time he gets the ball,
making guys miss, just breaking the angles, you know, just
making defenders look bad with how quick he is.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
And he's just a good player. M hmm. And one
of the things that makes him so valuable is that,
yes he's more of the third down back, who's more
of the receiving back, but he can run between the
tackles if you ask him to. He can pass block.
So when he comes on the field, it's not a
telegraph of like okay here, this is a this is
a clear play to him.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Or this is a clearly throwing the ball.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Like it doesn't mean that, And so he can do
it all. And that route running ability and hands that
he possesses that he has that is a rare ability
and a rare skill for his position. So the Ravens
can use that to their advantage. And like we talk
with him at the end, I just think it's going
to be really interesting with this receiving or with this
offense as a whole, how they adjust what changes, especially
(25:41):
as these defenses maybe they put more resources, they get bigger,
they try to dedicate more stopping the run. I'm with him,
make him stop at first.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
That's kind of the funny thing is like you know,
in years we've seen we've gone down this road before,
right where the Ravens pile up a bunch of rushing
yards during the regular season, and then they've gotten to
the postseason and the other team has put the claim
on the running game and it's like can you beat
him through the air? And the Ravens have fallen short
like we've seen this before, right, but so so part
of me thinks like, all right, yes, you have to
(26:10):
be able to do that, right, Like eventually they're going
to stop this and you have to be able to
hit them in the in the air, right through the air.
But then another part of me is like, has the
Ravens rushing attack just gotten so good that it just
can't be stopped?
Speaker 3 (26:25):
That's the question? Yeah, right now?
Speaker 1 (26:27):
Right, is it so good that it can't be stopped
because they've never had a back like Derrick Henry just
as Hill is playing the best football of his career.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
Okay, key and.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Mitchell once he's back, is going to add another home
run threat to this backfield. So, like, you know, I
think the big question was the offensive line, but it's
it's coming together, it's getting better, and it's only going
to continue to get better. You have Patrick Recard, He's
this unique weapon, Like can.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
It be stopped? Well not the last two weeks right exactly.
That that's the question.
Speaker 1 (26:54):
I mean, eventually you're going to see more and more
and more resources come.
Speaker 3 (26:58):
And we'll see Yeah, I don't know. I mean I
like the way he laid it out. Make him stop
it first, like, let's just let's just let's just confirm,
just make sure that you can stop it.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
And then and then it's can you stop it consistently? Right? Like?
Can you do it for four quarters? When Derek Henry
is leaning on you in four quarters and Justice is
gashing you with his speed? That's the other question. Yea,
maybe you can do it for the first two, can
you do.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
It for four? Yeah? I think I think that the
Ravens have this. This offense has so many different routes
that they can go, and I think I do think
there's gonna be times maybe you fall behind early whatever exactly,
like script games dictate things into that and you need
to be able to lean on the passing game, or
you need to lean more on the play action game,
(27:41):
whatever it is. You need to spread them out more
and so like there's different and you need to be
you need to have that in your arsenal. And I
think that the Ravens do have that in their arsenal.
But I I'm with you and with with Justice basically
like make him stop it first. And I think that
that'll be part of the story of this team and
(28:02):
this offense, especially here for the next several weeks as
we see a huge game against Cincinnati. It's gonna be
fun for him.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
Yeah, definitely a fun one and a team that has
not really stacked up well against the run yet this season.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
Yeah, so another game you know where you're like.
Speaker 1 (28:16):
All right, let's let's let's see it could be a
similar game script that hopefully it is for the Ravens.
But uh, I'm sure that Justice Hill and Derek Henry
are gonna have some some opportunities.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
Yeah. So we're going to continue to talk about that
game coming up against the Bengals on Sunday in Cincinnati.
We are gonna have a podcast where we really dive
into the topics of the week and break down that
upcoming game against the Bengals. That top podcast is gonna
come out for you on Friday morning, so you can
listen to that. Make sure you hit that subscribe button
whether you're watching on YouTube or listening to the podcast.
(28:47):
Thank you so much for watching and listening and we
will be back with you on Friday.
Welcome into the Lounge presented by DraftKings. We are thrilled
to sit down with running back Justice Hill, who's getting
ready for a big gamest of Cincinnati Bengals, which features
his brother Dax's Hill, who's in the secondary for the Bengals.
So we'll start there, Justice, have the text messages started
flying between you tubes, track talk, trash talk going.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Yes, he's more of a quiet guy. So I'll call
him game week. He won't answer you, they won't answer.
I'll call him again. Yesterday I finally got him on
the phone, so you know, I started talking to my
stuff a little bit, get a little info from him
or something like that. But he wasn't feeling too much
if I tried to pick up on a couple of things.
So I got a couple of things.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Fuck, okay, does he does he return servers?
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Just one way.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
He's just taking it, receiving it. On the receiving. He's
on the receiving it of that.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Well. I remember last year we tried to get video
of you calling him during game week and he picked up,
but it was about a ten second conversation. He's like,
I'm not giving you.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Anything right back up didn't hear it fromm for the
rest of the week, So we'll see how this one goes.
I mean I was able to get him on the
fol yesterday, but I might not hear from hiuntil games.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Is this how it's always been with YouTube brothers?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
I mean, we never really played against each other until
we got to NFL, and now we played each other
two three songs a year, and so, uh, it's starting
to broil up a little bit. But after after we've done,
it's all funny games.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
That's that's cool. I mean, is it? What is it
like if you're on the field and like you see
him in a hole, you know, and or he tackles you,
or like what what are you at all thinking about?
Like that's my brother trying to come down and tackle me.
Take me through that not so much.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
I mean, when you run the ball, you honestly don't
know who, Like you really don't get a good glimpse
of who's tackling you. And then you get up and
he really don't notice until you get him the film.
And then last year there was a couple of times
I didn't even know because he's quiet, Like if I
was on defense and I was tackling him like he
would know, like.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
No doubt, I'm talking about stuff right there and there.
But yeah, he didn't even realize it until later on.
So yeah, it is awful.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I remember I just went back and looked at this.
Actually there was one play in Cincinnati last year where
he came off the edge kind of screaming on a blitz.
Oh yeah, and you had the chance to pick him
up and pass bro. You passed it up and then
went out for like a little screen like a shovel
to Lamar, So you had your chair exactly, but you
won that one.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
He did.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
He didn't want that smoke, but it was a screen already,
so I wouldn't fuzzy to be going to block exactly.
So it's fun. But we'll see. We has opportunities this week.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
It's awesome. Well look, Justice, it's it's been a big
couple of weeks for you. You got the contract extension
and then you had a great game on Sunday against
the Bills. How do you kind of put into to
words the excitement and all that you've been able to
enjoy these last couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Yeah, I mean, it's definitely been an exciting time, just
because I feel like I put in a lot of
work throughout my career here, and sometimes it goes a
notice where sometimes just wouldn't get an opportunity, And so
I just stayed diligent and continue to work and get
better every single week, every single year. And it's just
really satisfying, even though I'm still extremely motivated to finally
(03:05):
get some some play.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Yeah, do you how do you look at your role
here behind Derek Henry. I mean, obviously he's Dereck Henry,
He's the king, right, but like you have very much
carved out your own niche in this offense, especially as
a pass catcher, especially picking up blitzes and all those
things and running the ball really well, what was it
like when the Ravens signed Derrick Henry. What went through
your head about what your role would be like with
(03:29):
this team?
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Well, I figured my role will kind of be saying
just third downs and whenever they need me, they need
me wherever that is on special teams, running passing. But
when we signed him, I'm like, yeah, man, it's gonna
be fun because he's gonna wear him out and then
not come in there and they's a little tired or
they beat up from trying to tackling them all game.
I can maybe squeeze pod do a little something next year.
So it's been working out pretty well. Man, it's been
(03:52):
a nice little combination.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
That's the understatement of the year. It's been working out
for pretty well. Yeah, two straight games with two and
seventy yards, Okay, the.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
Way to go, A long way to go, So you know,
teams go start trying to do some things different, But yeah,
I think we were ready.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
For That's my next question.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Is there a feeling inside the room right now that
like we can't be stopped.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
You know?
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Or do you know, all right, like we put up
big yards the past two games, like they are gonna
come down and try to crash down on this run
game hard and we're gonna have to pivot and hit
them in other ways.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
I think we always had that mindset of when nobody
can really mess with us, and obviously people are going
to try to do different things. But I think we're
just steadily elevating too. We're at the beginning of the season,
we're four weeks in, five weeks in, and we're still
get in a feel for things, and so I think
as we continue to progret and see different looks and
go against different players, different schemes. I think we're just
(04:43):
going to continue to get better. So I don't think
we've really seen much of anything yet.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
How well do you guys compliment each other, Like you
talked about it's nice when you get the ball and
they're kind of beat up of trying to tackle Derek,
you know, for much of the game. But how well
do you feel like your skill set compliments what he
he does? And is that part of the reason that
this offense is having success?
Speaker 4 (05:04):
Yeah, I believe so.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
I mean, the coaches is gonna always put us in
great positions, and I really think we just do a
good job of whatever it is because even the things
I'm doing, Derek could still do, and even the things
that Darren doing I could still run too.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
And so I think we just a compliented.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Each other well, and then we both work hard and
whenever coaches call our numbers, we're gonna go out and perform.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
I think one of the most impressive things about you
is your pass protection really stands out to me, the
way that you commit to it, and at your size,
you know you're not the biggest dude out there on
the field, but you're putting your nose in that guy's chest, right,
And none of them was more evident than Chris Jones
blocking one on one with the game on the line twice. Right,
(05:46):
Can you take us through what's going through your head?
What was going through your head on that play when
you see Chris Jones one on one with you.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
So first it was back to back the same play call,
and it was a play where we had two plays
up and it was just loud at me sphere and
he checked the play but the line didn't get it.
And so the first time it caught me totally off side,
like I thought I was about to get out to
my route and I just paused for a second scan
and I just see him coming from him like well,
(06:13):
I don't think Pat going that way. So I'm like, well,
step up here and try to do something here. But
then the second time, the same as that play call,
in the same as that result, and so I was
a little bit more ready for the second rush. But man,
I was just glad didn't make me into a meme
or something tossed me somewhere. Man, I'm like, okay, Baddy
went around trying to take a long way because it
(06:34):
made my job a little easier.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Hey, he didn't want to he didn't want that smoke.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
He didn't want that.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
Is the past locking something that you could take pride in.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
No, definitely, because I mean it's just coming to lead.
That was one of the biggest things. Just be able
to protect the quarterback because if you can't, you really
won't be on the field much. And just be me
and my size too. Like I just wanted to be
able to meet people in the hole, not give him
much enough space, like trying to make advantage me, give
them a harder time to get to the quarterback, just
(07:03):
to because it's so much space to get there. And
then you got the old line right in there too.
So I use those guys, use everybody and try to
maximize what I can do too. And but yeah, man,
I really focus on that. Especially coming out of college.
It was kind of a you just didn't do it much,
so you didn't have a lot of reps and so
you weren't the best at it. But then guy here,
he's got more reps, and like anything, more reps, you
take more focus, you put on that, you get better.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
You know, you talk about coming out of college, and
your story is pretty remarkable. You come here as a
fourth round pick and you know you have you're now
on your third contract here and you've just continued to
improve consistently. But in the middle of that, you also
tore your achilles and missed the season. And a lot
of times when a player deals with a serious injury
like that, that can that can be a career ender. You
(07:48):
know it has that potential. But you've just gotten better,
Like you're better now than you've ever been. And I
don't think that that's the case for a lot of players,
especially just not the case for a lot of running backs.
But like, you just have gotten better consistently. Why have
you been able to do that?
Speaker 4 (08:02):
I think it's just the mindset that year.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
I think it was a pivot year for me because
I mean, the first couple of years just not being
the best system for me. It kind of just wavering
my confidence a little bit, and then obviously having the
injury and then just at the cusp of maybe not
making a team do all those things. It's just like
a mindset shifted, like many about to find out, and
so every single day I just came to work, came
(08:27):
to work, got my Achilles. Right, I did a lot
extra just to make sure when I came back, I
was faster, better than before. And obviously you have all
those talks about the Achilles and all these different things,
like you never come back the same, But you just
ignore those things. Man, if you just put in your
mind that you go get better, that you go, you
go be the best you like, nothing go to stop
you except yourself. And so I just dedicated myself to
(08:47):
that and then each year to being better, faster and stronger.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Yeah, your second season, I mean it was a very
limited offensive role for you that year, and then when
the Achilles happened. Can you take us into what went
through your mind when that Achilles injury happened? What was
going on? How did it happen? And what were you
thinking at that moment?
Speaker 4 (09:07):
Man?
Speaker 2 (09:07):
It was I mean that summer was a little rough,
just because we had a great running back room. The
first preseason game, I uh, I had a high ankle spring, so.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
I was gonna be out for a couple of weeks.
Everybody else is doing well.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
So like mentally, it's just like taking a toll on
you because you just you're not able to go out
there and then I mean third preseason game was in
locker room and Harps came up to me.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
It was telling me, like I thought to get cut.
Wow that stuff really yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
And so like I'm just like, oh, I guess I'm
gonna figure something somewhere else. And then uh uh unfortunately
JK got hurt and then came out. I was like, Yo,
this is gonna be a year. I was like, all right, whatever,
course of an hour. And so now I'm still dealing
with the high ankle spring. I'm trying to up and
(09:53):
get back just because the season's coming up. And she
blowed Achilles, just trying to rush back from that and
just really wasn't ready.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
To be out there yet.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
But then just the the just the doggie really want
to just be out there, and so yeah, just doing
too much too fast, and uh that happened.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
And so it was it was a.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Blessing disguise was able to be home for my daughter's
birth and be able to be there for the first
like just the whole all season, the off season and
during the season, every single day. So I mean, it
was definitely a blessing disguise. But yeah, that was a
pivot point for me.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Yeah, so I want to go to this conversation in
the locker room with with Harpes, like was that motive?
Was he trying to motivate you or was he more
like practical?
Speaker 4 (10:32):
Like that was reality and that was no motivation. I
was just like, yoah, this is what it is.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
I mean because we was in two different locker rooms,
you know, and down there in Washington, you got the
locker room everybody making the team, and he got a
locker room with the practice squad guys and people not
making the team.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
And I was over there. So I was just like
what it is.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
I mean, I mean, like, God's not gonna put nothing
in your life that you can't handle. So I mean,
obviously it was gonna be unfortunate because his COVID year,
I was like unvaccinated, like all these different so all
these different factors. So it was like definitely like a
moment to just pause and kind of reflect. But everything
works out in the better wowow.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
And so when you got back on the field after
your Achilles, you were basically like, all right, I'm just
about to show you all what's been going down here.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Yeah, because I'm like, man, none of nobody want me here.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Anyway, So I got none to lose, so I was
trying to just go go ball and then I mean
that was unfortunate, but honestly that's just been my monset
ever since I came back. I'm like, shoot, nobody want
me here, so I'm gonna just go ahead and through
everybody wrong.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
And I mean when you just signed your contract extension,
you know, you're like Baltimore's home, so that that mentality
is very much shifted. Like now, like it feels like
the loyalty that you have to the organization and obviously
they're loyalty to you. It's really a very strong partnership.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
No, definitely, I think when you just go through a
journey like that, you go through the ups and the downs,
the lows and highs, you just you just built that relationship.
And so yeah, it was definitely times where I was
like like a little stand office, but definitely came around
because they still gave me the opportunity, you know, no
matter what it was. I mean, I still had the
opportunity to go out there and make plays. And so
(12:11):
definitely blessed for just getting the opportunity and even after
the injury, getting the opportunity again.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
That mentality, Like I remember you came back crazy fast
from the Achilles, Like you got back on the field
and it was in spring practice and everyone's like, wait,
Justice Hills back there. I was expecting to see him
a still trainy. Do you remember me I was saying
it earlier.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
I was like, I swear to god, Justice is faster
now than he was before.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
It was crazy. Yeah, And even just like the first
thay you took the practice field, I'm like, wait, what,
Like it's it's may right now or whatever it was.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
Yeah. In fact, I mean I was working through it
too there at this time because it wasn't a hundred percent.
But like at that time, I was hating like two
three thousand jump ropes to day man, just like really,
even though yeah, I was like going crazy just because
it was hurting still, like because you get to a
plateau point where like you've done all the rehabby get cleared,
but it's not one hundred percent yet, and so I'm like, man,
I gotta do whatever I can. So I just was
trying to get my spring bread, and so this would
(13:03):
jump rope in all day every day, like every day,
especially during that break we got from Mini camp to
training camp, like literally every single day that was waking
up like five in the morning to jump over for
like thirty eight minutes an hour every morning, and then
like it would be so sory as heck. Man, Well,
I was like, man, I'm gonna keep doing it, just
keep going because I got clear from the doctor. I'm like, okay,
already got cleared, so it's not gonna snap.
Speaker 4 (13:24):
It's good. I just got to get it strong. And
so I just started working. Man.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
So you were drafted in twenty nineteen, As I mentioned,
fourth round pick, you're the last guy I hear from
that draft class, and that says something like that's I
don't that's not off to the case for a mid
round pick to be the last guy standing from that group.
And then even like with this running back group, over
the course of your career, you've had some really you
just had some high picks. JK. Dobains was a high
pick and Gus Edwards was a superstructive player, and like
(13:51):
you have been the last man standing at multiple levels.
Is that like surprising to you? Is that hard to believe?
Do you feel like that's always what you've expected? Like,
how do you view that?
Speaker 2 (14:03):
I kind of have both sides to it, because I mean,
you expect that for yourself, but at the same time,
I didn't expect that, Like you didn't expect the conversation.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
In that moment. Different answer.
Speaker 4 (14:15):
For sure, it would have.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
I would have never thought I'd be at this pot
right now. So yeah, man, especially our class man, we
have some good people in that class, good good, good players,
solid players. And yeah, to just be the last one stay.
I mean we still had Pat McCary, but he was undrafted.
But yeah, we talked about all the time, like, man,
it's just us too. Man, we got a hold down
to nineteen class man. But yeah, man, it's been a journey.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
Can you can you take me you talk about the
jump rope, which you must be really good at jumping rope.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
To do that, man, Like you probably got the crossover
to everything.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
Man, Yeah, a double ductionary thing.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
Can you take me a little bit more inside what
that rehab process was like, because it seemed like that
and how hard you work during that time really did
make you who you are now.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Yeah, it was just a commitment every single day from
the first day it happened coming back from surgery. Was
here with the training staff, with Mike and we eighty
wasn't here at the time, but yeah, man, every single
day and just working and just buying into the process
that they put in in place. And I think that's
really what it comes down to, is just buying into it,
(15:20):
not getting discouraged. You have times where your rehab is
going well, accelerating, and then there's times where it just
feels like you plateaued and the.
Speaker 4 (15:31):
You're getting better. Is it happened as fast? They can
probably not be.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Your progress doesn't happened as fast, and so yeah, man,
it was for the most part, bro, it was like
ninety nine percent positive. Like I never had it came
a bad day. It was always great days. I was
always in there, smiling, having fun with them and just
buying into the process. And I knew I just had
a lot of time because the Achilles it was like
eight to twelve month recovery whatever.
Speaker 4 (15:54):
But I knew I had it early on.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
In the season, so I had the full season befure
all season, so I never worried about like not being
able to come back in time, and so just allowed
me to just working hard.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
Harbs.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
I asked him yesterday about you know what, what is
it about justice that he's been able to improve over
the course of his career so much and so consistently.
And he pointed to that attitude that you mentioned, Just
like dude that comes in here with the right attitude
every single day, smile on his face and just works,
and like that's what happens. This is these are the results.
(16:25):
How is that just your DNA? Is that a conscious decision?
How do you kind of have that attitude?
Speaker 2 (16:35):
I think it just comes down to it's controlling what
you can control and h and for me, I just
want to be the best of whatever I'm doing. And
I know it's not gonna be great all the time.
But if you have a positive mindset about things to
just come in and have good energy, that energy is
gonna flow back to you. And so if I mean
definitely when I especially early on, I used to come
in sometimes just not be in the best places mentally
(16:59):
all those things, and that led on to more like
bad things happening, the injuries and all these different things.
And so since I switched that, it really just mindset
shift and uh just shifted that and all those things
kind of went away and then things got better. And
it's just like Okay, just even if it's a bad day,
just stay stay positive and things are gonna work out.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
Interesting.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
Are you faster now than before the injury?
Speaker 2 (17:21):
I think so, Like I believe so. Uh yeah, No,
for sure, definitely faster.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
Man. I feel good out there, feeling young.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
I feel better than I did my first couple of
years here, and so just taking care of myself better
and recovering doing great things outside of here to just
make sure I'm good and I'm feeling great, man, feeling
better than I did when I came in.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Yeah, I mean, I think that it's it's been awesome
just to see that development. And you know, when going
back to like this this offense, you provide lots of
different elements of it, but like your ability as a
pass catcher is pretty unique, and like I mean you
mean that you were wide open all that touchdown pass
on Sunday against I know, do so mad not on skates.
(18:05):
There are not many running backs that can run a
route like that, facts I mean, and that's just part
of your game, do you is the is the route
running piece of it like an area that you put
a ton of focus in.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
No, that was the funniest fun part of it all
because I mean I've been doing that to them guys.
Speaker 4 (18:20):
For the last two years of practice. I'm like, man,
he got called he's in the game, man. So I
mean like you're going to get the best players out.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
Here, and it just gives you that confidence, like whenever
I get in the game and this opportunity to show itself,
it's gonna be wraps.
Speaker 4 (18:33):
And so I mean he called it playing a huddle.
I was just like, oh yeah, b.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
I was like, it's gonna be thirddy, It's time because
it was a couple of times last year at the
route the same result. He just didn't get to throw, like,
didn't throw it to me, and so yeah, man, it
was a good time.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
What are you thinking? So you put that dude on
skates and then you are wide open and there's nobody
even close to you, and as you look back or
you just say, please throw me the ball, like what
are you thinking?
Speaker 2 (18:57):
I already knew he was, just because we practiced during
the week and he threw it out like the Saturday
practice the day before he threw it to me.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
I'm like, he like it's on his mind.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
So I mean, I see the ball coming, I'm just
thinking about my celebration gonna be I catch you out, like, okay,
let me do with our little Baltimore bird flu did it?
Speaker 4 (19:15):
That's nice my little redition of it.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
I mean, it wasn't exactly what it is, so folks
on my head saying wasn't it? But I'm putting my
little j Hill spin on it.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
It's funny.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
What's the the outlook too with I mean, Keaton's gonna
come back eventually, right, speaking of guys come back from
injuries like.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
You, Keaton's going to be back here.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
With how well this running back room is operating right now,
you know what's the outlook on his return and what
you can.
Speaker 2 (19:40):
Be No, man, I mean he's a supposed to player man,
And I mean our coaches gon do a great job
being creative and putting everybody in great matchups. And I
mean he's gonna just be another element that's gonna provide
closing this to our offense. And it's gonna be a
funded addition. I mean, he's working extremely hard right now
to have the same thing. Great mindset, and they're working
even though you have some good days and bad days,
(20:01):
like it's going in the right trajectory and so I'm
proud to see what he's doing in the rehab room
and on the field.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
I mean, he's working the way back right now.
Speaker 2 (20:11):
Obviously he wants to be good before he comes back,
and I want him to be good too, And so yeah,
it's gonna be fun we get all these pieces back.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
So we were just talking about this yesterday, about the
possibility that this is the best Ravens rushing attack ever. Right,
So that twenty nineteen Ravens group, you all set the
single season record for most rushing yards in a season
on pace. Through four games so far, this team is
ahead of that pace. Yeah, so pretty crazy, right, historic pace?
Speaker 3 (20:40):
Right now? I mean, what's the mentality inside that room?
Speaker 1 (20:44):
And I know you're probably not shooting for records in there,
but like, do you all look at yourselves and you
and Derek look at each other and whatnot and Pat
and all of you guys that are a part of
this and say, yeah, you know what, we can be
something special?
Speaker 4 (20:56):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (20:56):
I mean we knew that before the season started. And
just like, yo, if we to utilize us all the
right way, man, I don't think anybody really can stop us.
And even when it comes to the passing game, two.
The receivers can do some great things too, and obviously
with the heavy run game, it's gonna open up for
those guys too as well. You just gotta be patient,
And I mean, we just have a great team man,
(21:16):
great players all around, great coaches, and we're just getting
it better every single day. We come in and we meet,
we go to practice, we walk through, and everybody's in
the right mind space, and so great things are just
gonna happen from that.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
Along those lines, I think Ryan alluded to this earlier,
but there really is kind of a picture poison element
to this offense. Like, you guys have put up so
many yards on the ground these last two weeks. It's
hard to expect you to put up two hundred and
seventy plus yards every week on the ground, but you
know you did it the last two weeks. Do you
think that defenses will not just be like, all right,
we're gonna commit all these resources to stopping the run
(21:50):
and then you can adjust off of that and make
big players in the passing game, Like, how do you
look at it as an offense in terms of how
defenses now are going to play you? Given all the
success that you've had on the ground.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
I mean, we're just going to stick to our identity.
Speaker 2 (22:02):
I stick to to the things that we do well,
and whatever the defense gives us, we will take. I mean,
if they don't want to crowd the box, I mean
I still want to see them stop it, you know,
stop the run, right, and then if they do that,
you just have opportunities play action and things.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
Down the field.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
So I mean you could try to stop it, but
I don't know. I mean, we have so many players,
so many weapons, so many different so many different schemes
that Monk would draw up.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
Yeah, I mean we'll see.
Speaker 3 (22:29):
You got to stop it first, stopped doing that.
Speaker 4 (22:31):
I mean, if it's not broke, man, want to fix it.
Speaker 1 (22:33):
So just keep it roll plus and they come crashing
down hill, you run that, play action, then you put
another defender on skates right, and then you run basket.
Speaker 4 (22:39):
Linebacker and so man, man, it's right.
Speaker 3 (22:44):
Last question for.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
Me, Justice is what do your parents do in Cincinnati
on Sunday with both their boys playing in the same game.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
How do they treat it?
Speaker 4 (22:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (22:52):
Man, I mean obviously he's a just a blessing to
have both yours, your son's playing the league and then
being in the same division. Just being able to go
to multiple games because we played twice guaranteed the year.
And so, man, they extremely excited, extremely best and happy
for us, and they.
Speaker 4 (23:08):
Root for both of us. I mean they have to.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
I don't think it's much of a choice, but yeah,
I mean they supported us, wanted us to do well.
They never say what they want to win or anything
like that. I don't think they got any favorite.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
You ask them. I asked him. I'm like, y know,
we know we go.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
I'm just more of the trash talkers you talking about stuff.
But yeah, man, they're just happy for us.
Speaker 3 (23:29):
That's awesome. I hope you're doing a lot of trash
talk during the game and then after the game all
Sunday cool, awesome, appreciate it man. All right now, well,
thank you to Justice for stopping by the seat Geek
Studio here on the Lage Podcast. We also want to
mention our partners at Draft Kings Sportsbook. They are an
official sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draft Kings Sportsbook.
The Crown is yours. So I thought Justice was awesome, man.
(23:52):
He just has been an awesome player. He was an
awesome interview, and it's been really cool to see the
way that he's grown and developed. And as I said
to him, there's not a lot of guys that like
are at their best at the running back position six
years into their career, right, and he just like seems
to still be getting better. And I think that's, as
(24:13):
we talked about with him, like a real testament to
all the work that he's put in.
Speaker 1 (24:16):
It's also not too common for like two weeks after
a player signs an extension where you're like, all right,
this guy's already a bargain. Is he going to renegotiate now?
Two weeks later as the extension Even John Harmaal kind
of joked about he's like, guy, we got him under
contract before this happened. I mean, like he is. He's
been one of the Ravens' top weapons on offense. I mean, seriously,
(24:37):
when you're looking at the top like three weapons so
far this year, Justice Hill probably makes that list.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Yeah, you know, and so yeah, really been invaluable.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
I mean it's been like every time he gets the ball,
making guys miss, just breaking the angles, you know, just
making defenders look bad with how quick he is.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
And he's just a good player. M hmm. And one
of the things that makes him so valuable is that,
yes he's more of the third down back, who's more
of the receiving back, but he can run between the
tackles if you ask him to. He can pass block.
So when he comes on the field, it's not a
telegraph of like okay here, this is a this is
a clear play to him.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Or this is a clearly throwing the ball.
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Like it doesn't mean that, And so he can do
it all. And that route running ability and hands that
he possesses that he has that is a rare ability
and a rare skill for his position. So the Ravens
can use that to their advantage. And like we talk
with him at the end, I just think it's going
to be really interesting with this receiving or with this
offense as a whole, how they adjust what changes, especially
(25:41):
as these defenses maybe they put more resources, they get bigger,
they try to dedicate more stopping the run. I'm with him,
make him stop at first.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
That's kind of the funny thing is like you know,
in years we've seen we've gone down this road before,
right where the Ravens pile up a bunch of rushing
yards during the regular season, and then they've gotten to
the postseason and the other team has put the claim
on the running game and it's like can you beat
him through the air? And the Ravens have fallen short
like we've seen this before, right, but so so part
of me thinks like, all right, yes, you have to
(26:10):
be able to do that, right, Like eventually they're going
to stop this and you have to be able to
hit them in the in the air, right through the air.
But then another part of me is like, has the
Ravens rushing attack just gotten so good that it just
can't be stopped?
Speaker 3 (26:25):
That's the question? Yeah, right now?
Speaker 1 (26:27):
Right, is it so good that it can't be stopped
because they've never had a back like Derrick Henry just
as Hill is playing the best football of his career.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
Okay, key and.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Mitchell once he's back, is going to add another home
run threat to this backfield. So, like, you know, I
think the big question was the offensive line, but it's
it's coming together, it's getting better, and it's only going
to continue to get better. You have Patrick Recard, He's
this unique weapon, Like can.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
It be stopped? Well not the last two weeks right exactly.
That that's the question.
Speaker 1 (26:54):
I mean, eventually you're going to see more and more
and more resources come.
Speaker 3 (26:58):
And we'll see Yeah, I don't know. I mean I
like the way he laid it out. Make him stop
it first, like, let's just let's just let's just confirm,
just make sure that you can stop it.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
And then and then it's can you stop it consistently? Right? Like?
Can you do it for four quarters? When Derek Henry
is leaning on you in four quarters and Justice is
gashing you with his speed? That's the other question. Yea,
maybe you can do it for the first two, can
you do.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
It for four? Yeah? I think I think that the
Ravens have this. This offense has so many different routes
that they can go, and I think I do think
there's gonna be times maybe you fall behind early whatever exactly,
like script games dictate things into that and you need
to be able to lean on the passing game, or
you need to lean more on the play action game,
(27:41):
whatever it is. You need to spread them out more
and so like there's different and you need to be
you need to have that in your arsenal. And I
think that the Ravens do have that in their arsenal.
But I I'm with you and with with Justice basically
like make him stop it first. And I think that
that'll be part of the story of this team and
(28:02):
this offense, especially here for the next several weeks as
we see a huge game against Cincinnati. It's gonna be
fun for him.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
Yeah, definitely a fun one and a team that has
not really stacked up well against the run yet this season.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
Yeah, so another game you know where you're like.
Speaker 1 (28:16):
All right, let's let's let's see it could be a
similar game script that hopefully it is for the Ravens.
But uh, I'm sure that Justice Hill and Derek Henry
are gonna have some some opportunities.
Speaker 3 (28:26):
Yeah. So we're going to continue to talk about that
game coming up against the Bengals on Sunday in Cincinnati.
We are gonna have a podcast where we really dive
into the topics of the week and break down that
upcoming game against the Bengals. That top podcast is gonna
come out for you on Friday morning, so you can
listen to that. Make sure you hit that subscribe button
whether you're watching on YouTube or listening to the podcast.
(28:47):
Thank you so much for watching and listening and we
will be back with you on Friday.
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