For the latest edition of Inside Answers, where we've taken questions from fans and brought them to defensive tackle Justin Bannan .
[Ed. note: Questions may have been edited for clarity.]
Ed Jenkins, Baltimore:Justin, how is the team feeling when you know you're playing the third straight team that is coming off a bye? Good job filling in for Haloti last week.
Bannan:"It's fine by me regardless of who we play. I want to get this taste out of my mouth. When you're coming off a loss, you want to come back quick and play a game so you can get a win. What better way to do that than Monday night?
"At the end of the day, though, it doesn't matter what anyone else does. It's about what we do. We have to make our corrections and work how we always work. It's things like executing and paying attention to detail. I can't control what the other team is doing. What I can control is what I do."
Cole Natterman, Reisterstown, Md.:What factors made you want to sign with the Ravens from Buffalo?
Bannan:I think one of them is just the way they play defense. The fact that they said I played like a Raven and was one of the factors. I was initially brought in to be a starter, and then we drafted Haloti [Ngata], but it was a big selling point for me. At the time I didn't really know Rex Ryan. I knew of him, and just spending time with him and the rest of the defensive staff just made me realize this is where I needed to be."
Dustin Lerma, San Antonio:Hey Justin, I was just curious about which position you like playing more, DE or NT. You're very skilled and quick at both. Also, there is a Cool Kids mixtape out where the producer of most of the songs says 'Don GANNON.' Every time you make a play, I say 'BANNAN BANNAN' in a similar style. You should check it out!
Bannan:"I guess it doesn't really matter to me. I've gotten to the point where I feel like I can play nose tackle, defensive tackle and end, and be successful at all those. I pride myself in being versatile, being able to play all the positions. I think that's an important skill set to have in today's game, being on the D-line. It doesn't matter either way to me just as long as I'm out there on the field making plays."
Robert Osborne, Port Orange, Fla.:I play defensive tackle for the Port Orange Hawks. Can you give me any tips?
Bannan:"The biggest tip I can give you is feet, hands and hips. If you have those three components, you'll be just fine."
Emily Humphries, Baltimore:Do you think that defensive tackle is one of the deepest positions on the roster?
Bannan:"Yeah, it's kind of a fight for playing time with all of us. We're all qualified. We can all play the game. We can all start in a lot of places. We got a good rotation going and that's kind of how we do it. It's great playing with all these guys, but we are definitely very deep at that position."
Timothy McKelvin, York, Pa.:Justin, since you are in the last year of your contract, do you think about that at all during the season?
Bannan:"I try not to. It's not going to be too relevant if I don't have a strong season. I try to go out every day and control what I can control, take it one day at a time. If you catch yourself worrying about your contract and what other people are doing, or what's going on around you, it's enough to drive you insane. The best thing to do is to not even think about it and control what you can control. That's how you work every day."
