Bryan Hall walked out of the Under Armour Performance Center with a spinach smoothie in each hand.
Usually able to eat whatever he wants as an undersized defensive tackle, Hall's life is different now.
The Ravens reserve lineman, who signed his one-year exclusive rights free agent tender Friday morning, is making a switch to inside linebacker this offseason. He's lost 23 pounds over the past three weeks.
Head Coach John Harbaugh texted Hall a few weeks ago to tell him they would like to get a look at him at linebacker, and asked for Hall's thoughts.
"I was like, 'Oh man, it's whatever Coach. I'm a football player first. I'm down for it,'" Hall told BaltimoreRavens.com.
For Hall, it's likely a better avenue toward making the 53-man roster. With the additions of Chris Canty and Marcus Spears on the defensive line, it was a very crowded position. But with the losses of Ray Lewis, Brendon Ayanbadejo and Dannell Ellerbe, inside linebacker is somewhat thin.
As it stands now, Hall would compete with Jameel McClain and a collection of undrafted players like himself in Albert McClellan, Josh Bynes, Nigel Carr and D.J. Bryant.
Hall is a player Harbaugh and the Ravens like. He was on the practice squad in 2011 and active roster last year, playing in five games mostly on special teams. He logged three tackles last season.
Hall hardly leaves the area in the offseason, and is [add] always around the practice facility for voluntary workouts. He's well-liked by his coaches and teammates for his outgoing personality.
"[Harbaugh] told me that he felt like I was too good of a player to be on the bench. He was just trying to give me an opportunity to get on the field and play more," Hall said. "It's the NFL, you've always got to progress."
Hall does have some experience at inside linebacker. He played it at Tilghman High School (Ky.), but was switched to defensive tackle at Arkansas State. Hall didn't really know why, but he immediately packed on the weight, turning himself into an undersized, yet quick inside presence.
Hall's happy to go back to his first love of linebacker.
"Growing up, that was my dream, to play linebacker in the NFL," Hall said. "It's cool with me because I'm always down for a challenge. I think they know that. With the opportunity ahead to possibly play and contribute more than I did last year, it's huge."
