Baltimore Ravens Marlon Humphrey calls out NFL on Instagram

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CB Marlon Humphrey celebrates with the defense

When it comes to winning a championship, team chemistry can be just as important as talent. Well, the Baltimore Ravens defense has each other’s backs on and off the field.

On Thursday, November 2nd, New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams was announced as AFC Defensive Player of the Month. While Jets fans celebrated this, not everyone thought it was the right choice.

In particular, the Ravens’ star cornerback Marlon Humphrey expressed his displeasure with the choice. Humphrey posted on his Instagram storywhich is no longer available, a picture of Williams’ announcement with the words “I don’t hate it, but someone had four interceptions in October…”

The player Humphrey is referring to is Ravens safety Geno Stone. Stone is having a fantastic year as a replacement for the injured Marcus Williams. Stone was widely praised by both his teammates and his coaches for the role he played in this defense.

The Jets and Ravens are both top defenses, so this could be a matter of pride for the entire Ravens defense. This could also be because Humphrey is a good and supportive teammate who has Stone’s back.

Each of these players has a strong case for being the right choice. It could be an interesting discussion point if these two teams meet in the playoffs.

Ravens Safety Stone in rare company

As good as Williams was, there is a strong argument (hate or not) that Stone should have been named AFC Defensive Player of the Month.

Humphrey is absolutely right that Stone should have been considered for the award (he probably was). He capped off his month of October with another big game for the Ravens.

The safety caught his fifth pass of the season during the Ravens’ Week 8 game against the Arizona Cardinals. Stone took over the NFL lead in interceptions with the pick.

Stone found himself in the company of the Ravens kings with this interception. Accordingly NFL stats, “He tied with Ed Reed for the most INTs by a Raven through the first 8 games of the season.”

This is a name you want to be associated with not only as a raven, but also as security. Stone is a former seventh-round pick who is mentioned in the same sentences as one of the best players of all time.

Due to injuries to the Ravens safety corps, he was forced into the starting spot. In the five October games Stone placed: 10 combined tackles, four interceptions and four pass deflections.

Professional football focus Stone rates the season at 85.9. To put that in perspective, it’s better than fellow safeties Kyle Hamilton and Williams (Marcus).

Stone has been a crucial component for the Ravens and can be cited as a reason why the Ravens are 6-2 and atop the AFC North.

Stone picked a good time for his breakout year since this is a contract year. If he keeps this up he will earn a huge payday and he will deserve it.

Jets linebacker Williams is having a breakout year

When you think of a star Jets defenseman with the last name Williams, you probably think of Quinnen Williams. However, his older brother Quincy is having a breakthrough in the Jets’ defense.

The former Jacksonville Jaguar was claimed off waivers in September 2021. To general manager Joe Douglas, he was a diamond in the rough.

The Jets rewarded Williams with one 3 years $18 million contract last offseason. If you ask Jets fans, he’s worth every penny.

This year he was on a different level. He has already done it in seven games this season 71 combined tackles, two sacks and 6 pass deflections.

PFF has rated Williams at 88.6 this season, good enough for 5th among all linebackers.

He has also developed a feel for important defensive plays. In the Jets Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos, he was dismissed and forced to fumble to end the game.

In the month of October, according to ESPN NFL Nation reporter Rich Cimini, Williams had “45 tackles, 6 TFLs [tackles for loss]2 sacks and 1 forced fumble.”

The biggest value for the Jets, however, was the three wins they got to get back into the playoffs.