Rookie Tyler Loop appears to be closing in on the kicking job in Baltimore. The Ravens released John Hoyland on Saturday, which head coach John Harbaugh said was due to needs elsewhere on the roster rather than anything about Hoyland's performance.

Or maybe this is exactly what the Ravens wanted, in a way. This is just training camp, after all, and the team is evaluating its new kicker while replacing a longtime franchise cornerstone. Tyler Loop had a 56-yard field goal to tie it.

"One thing we talk about is just staying loose and just enjoying it," Loop said. "Really, this is such a short time for us. The more that we can control what we can control, and o

Baltimore Ravens officials showed faith in rookie sixth-round kicker Tyler Loop by not bringing a veteran in to compete for the job that was previously held for 13 years by Justin Tucker. They doubled down on that show of faith Saturday when they released John Hoyland,

Jamison Hensley explains why Ravens sixth-round pick Tyler Loop is off to a hot start in training camp. (edited)

After the Baltimore Ravens released undrafted rookie kicker John Hoyland, Tyler Loop wasted no time proving the job is in good hands.

That's been known for three months now, with the Ravens having released Justin Tucker in May as the NFL investigates him for allegations of sexual misconduct. Tucker was Baltimore's kicker since 2012.