OWINGS MILLS — Bryan Hall has haunted the Baltimore Ravens’ training complex for the entire offseason, hoisting weights and hitting blocking sleds.
He has eschewed vacation time for a good reason: The former Arkansas State defensive tackle is seeking a regular job.
One year after making the practice squad as an undrafted rookie, Hall is hoping his hard work pays dividends with a spot on the active roster.
"If I’m going to try to make the team, I need to be up there as much as possible," Hall said. "Show my face and let them know how serious I am about making the team."
Stocky and quick at 6-foot, 295-pounds, Hall did enough last season to convince the Ravens to keep him around for their scout team.
Hall flashed some potential during offseason organized team activities and a full-team minicamp, regularly rotating in with the first two defensive units.
Although nothing is promised to Hall considering the presence of defensive linemen Haloti Ngata, Arthur Jones, Terrence Cody, Pernell McPhee, Ryan McBean, Ma’ake Kemoeatu, DeAngelo Tyson, Nicolas Jean-Baptiste and Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, he’s confident in his prospects.
"I’ve had a really good offseason," Hall said. "I’m just getting ready for camp. This is where you make the team right now. I’m ready."
Hall has a positive, practically jovial attitude, especially in the locker room when he and Cody are constantly clowning around.
Hall joked Monday while volunteering for Pro Bowl free safety Ed Reed’s youth football camp about how tight the vest was that he borrowed from the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, saying he might hold out the following day if he doesn’t get a free camp T-shirt.
Unlike a year ago where he was signed shortly before the start of training camp following the NFL lockout, Hall has the benefit of having worked out under the supervision of the Ravens’ coaching staff.
"Just coming in and learning the whole defense and schemes last year was tough for me coming into a lockout," Hall said. "They had faith in me and kept me on the practice squad. Now, it’s time for me to show what I learned over the last year.
At Arkansas State, Hall was a three-year starter who was named first-team All-Sun Belt Conference as a senior.
For his career, he recorded 125 tackles, 27 1/2 for losses, 17 sacks and one interception.
Hall has bulked up since last year, primarily in the upper body.
"Explosiveness and quickness," Hall said when asked what separates him from the pack on the defensive line. "I feel like I’m a real playmaker."
NOTES: Reed worked out at team headquarters Thursday one day after announcing at his annual golf tournament that he intends to play this season.
He’s expected to report for training camp when veterans report next week.
The team announced that Reed ran sprints and performed agility drills.
After an offseason of acrimony where Reed skipped a mandatory minicamp and suggested he might retire or hold out, it looks like the eight-time Pro Bowl selection has made up his mind to play for the defending AFC North champions as he heads into the final year of his contract. …
The Ravens’ single-game ticket sale for their home-game schedule goes on sale today at 10 a.m.
The Ravens regularly sell out that allotment within 15 minutes.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, the Ravens’ official website and at 410-527-SEAT.
"Once again, well over 99 percent of our permanent seat license owners have renewed their tickets, and they are excited for the 2012 NFL season," Ravens vice president of ticket sales and operations Baker Koppelman said. "The investment our fans continue to make in us is amazing, and their enthusiasm is remarkable. We greatly appreciate that as an organization."
