What surprises Kyle Van Noy the most isn't that Bill Belichick landed in college football at North Carolina. It's that he wasn't immediately scooped up by the NFL.
Van Noy played for Belichick for five seasons with the New England Patriots and has two Super Bowl rings to show for it. He still speaks about his former coach with reverence.
Belichick was passed up in last year's hiring cycle, and with three head coach openings currently open this year (Chicago, New Orleans, New York Jets), Van Noy suspects Belichick wasn't getting much buzz from the NFL again.
"I feel like they should be begging at his door from what he's been able to do over his career," Van Noy said. "But it looks like not, and it looks like he got everything he wanted at North Carolina. He's going to bring a crew down there, and I'm excited to see it and go check him out at Chapel Hill.
"It's kind of crazy that the NFL looks like it doesn't want him in. I'm a big Belichick fan, not just him as a person, but him as a coach. He knows football. He's going to teach and develop kids."
Van Noy said college kids are about to get a rude awakening.
"Kids that want to be treated like grown-ups, like they always say and claim they want, he's going to treat you that way," Van Noy said with a chuckle.
"Knowing that, they're going to get taught the right way. They're going to get taught the fundamentals of football. … I'm excited for him to pass the knowledge on to college players. They'll be coming very, very prepared into the NFL."
Belichick won six Super Bowls with the Patriots. With 333 career wins, he is 14 shy of all-time leader Don Shula. Asked if he thinks Belichick will have the same kind of success in college football, Van Noy said he wouldn't be surprised.
"Obviously, college is a different beast, but I'm never going to count him out," Van Noy said. "Just his work ethic, and he loves football. He loves football, and it shows by going back to college. It's not about being in the NFL chasing his record, going for Don Shula. It's about the love of the game."
Ravens rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker played his final college season at North Carolina after transferring from Kent State. He anticipates even more college players will be entering the portal to be coached by Belichick.
"What excites me the most is the type of guys he could possibly bring in," he said. "Somebody like me coming out of high school or even through the portal, seeing that name I'd be wanting to go there and play for somebody that can get me to the league. I think he can bring in some big names and get that program turned around."
Zach Orr Sees Similarities Between Malik Nabers and Ja'Marr Chase
Containing Giants rookie receiver Malik Nabers will be a top priority for the Ravens' defense. Nabers leads all rookie wide receivers in catches (80) and is third among all rookies in receiving yards (819).
Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr said Nabers reminds him of a Ravens' nemesis – Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase.
"He's an explosive player," Orr said of Nabers. "He's not there yet, but he kind of reminds me just from his college tape of Ja'Marr Chase. He's explosive, he can make contested catches, he gets the ball in his hands, he's a good RAC (run after catch) guy. He's a good player. They feature him, they trust him a lot. We definitely have to know where he's at and take care of him and not let him wreck the game."
The Ravens have played much better defensively the past three games since Chase burned them for 11 catches, 264 yards and three touchdowns on Nov. 7. However, watching Nabers on film this week has gotten the Ravens' attention, and he could be the first Giants receiver to surpass 1,000 yards since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018.
"He's a talented receiver," cornerback Brandon Stephens said. "That's what shows on film. We're all looking forward to the matchup."
Roquan Smith Returns With a Playoff Mindset
All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith used the bye to reenergize his mind and body. With the Ravens chasing a division title, Smith said he's approaching the final four games like the postseason has already begun.
"Treat it like the playoffs – each and every game, each and every play. Treat it like it's your last, because it very well could be," Smith said. "So, just having that type of mindset and [playing] with no governor, no ceiling on yourself – each and every guy – and the sky is the limit."
Smith rarely comes off the field when the Ravens are on defense, but said he feels rejuvenated after the bye.
"Getting back here on Monday, it was just like 'Wow,'" Smith said. "I felt like a brand-new person, in a sense. The game is definitely stressful, but we're excited about this run we're about to make, and it starts this week with New York."
