Special Teams Coordinator/Associate Head Coach Jerry Rosburg
What do you think about WR/RS Keenan Reynolds as a punt returner? (Garrett Downing)"He's getting as many reps as we can possibly give him. He's starting from scratch, so it's a long journey, but what we've seen on a daily basis is improvement. We give him different situations and different field position situations and as many live drills as we can – live, by that, I mean real punts rather than JUGS punts. So, starting from where he's starting, I think he's making really good progress, and he demonstrated that today in practice, I thought."
Does it help that you've turned a quarterback once before [in Josh Cribbs] into a pretty good returner? (Jamison Hensley)"Yes, I would hope that would help. They're two completely different guys. There's been a precedent, though, and we've talked to him about it – he's not the only one. And Josh Cribbs is not the only one. There are a number of guys that have come into a situation such as this and made the most of it, because you have to find your way on the field, and the more you can do … We say it all the time: 'The more you can do.' And he's practicing really well on offense from what I've seen, and he's practicing at person-protector on the punt team, he's practicing at returner, he's practicing on kickoff coverage. So, he's got to learn all of that. It's not just the punt returner, because in this league, as you know, with 46 guys dressing for Sunday, if you're just the punt returner, and that's all you can do, you better be really good."
Keenan has worked a lot with Brian Mitchell. When you see Keenan working out here, do you see the Mitchell fingerprint at all? (Joe Platania)"I don't know Brian Mitchell like [head coach] John [Harbaugh] knows Brian Mitchell, of course, but I've watched him from a distance, and I see Brian as a more powerful, bigger man. And Keenan, to me, has a lot of change of direction and really good instincts with the ball in his hand. So, that's what we look to maximize."
What do you want to see K Justin Tucker improve on this offseason? (Ryan Mink)"Justin has really had a really good week here this year. The thing that everybody always points to is the 50-plus field goals, but I think we all understand you're not going to go out there and just practice 50-plus field goals all the time. It's just a product of the swing. The spring, to me, it's about renewals. You start all over again. It's not like, 'OK, we're going to pick up where we left off in January.' That's not going to happen. You're going to start from scratch. We start from scratch with everybody. So, it's no different with Justin. After 'X' number of days off, or months off, we come out here and we start from scratch again. It's not like correcting anything or building off of anything, it's: 'OK, let's go kick field goals. This is how we kick, let's start from scratch and we'll build it from the beginning.' That's really what we're trying to do; we're trying to renew everybody. We're trying to renew their skills, their understanding of the schemes, the teamwork that they have to have, and we start from scratch again, all over. It's a brand new season. So, the sun comes up and then loves us all over again."
Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees
From a coordinator's perspective, what do you try to get out of minicamp? (Gerry Sandusky)"All of the mental assignments [and] make sure we get the majority of our package in. There are always going to be things you game-plan for specific teams, but [you work on] all stuff that's really going to be your staples throughout the year that you're going to call probably all 16 games. There are certain things that always are just always going to be in, and [we] want to make sure everybody knows their assignments, alignments and responsibilities on all of those calls. And then stay healthy. You want to see pursuit. You want to see guys going to the ball. It's hard to really tell what you can do playing the run, because you really don't want to bang in there. Really, the biggest part is just mental, assignments and pursuit to the ball."
Dean, there has been a lot of discussion about the inside linebacker position next to ILB C.J. Mosley. How do you evaluate your options? Do you think you have plenty of guys here to fill that spot? (Jeff Zrebiec)"The word 'plenty,' I don't know if we ever think we have plenty of guys at any position. But the truth of it is I think we have a bunch of guys that are really working hard. What I really like is the fact that we've got some linebackers that are kind of multipurpose – that can play a couple of different spots. Kamalei Correa can play a couple. Albert McClellan can play. C.J. is good in there. We like Zach Orr. I think Arthur Brown having a heck of a camp. Hopefully we're never going to carry much more than that into a game, so between those guys and the rookies that keep coming on, I think we're OK. Would we always like to have more? Sure."
With OLB Terrell Suggs and OLB Elvis Dumervil not here, it's good for the young guys, in terms of reps and experience. But also, would it be better if guys like that were there to show them? (Don Markus)"Well, they are here. They're here in the classroom. Today in the classroom, Suggs was talking to these guys about certain things that they see on film and stuff, so they are here. Him and Elvis are contributing a lot even though they're not on the field. To be honest with you, it's just OK that they're not out there on the field. They know what's going on. They know their assignments. They know this stuff, and they'll have it down cold. It's great for those young guys now to get the experience. I've been doing this a long time, and to be honest with you, in spring ball, you don't want to – even if the veterans are out there you don't want to give them a lot of reps. Even when Ray [Lewis] was here and was here for minicamp, he didn't get very many reps. We gave them all to the backup MIKE, because that's who needs to really kind of learn it. But they are here and they are contributing."
How about your drafted rookie corners and having a chance to see them against the vets and get a sense of where they are? With CB Maurice Canady and CB Tavon Young, does anything stand out to you about the way they've performed thus far? (Pete Gilbert) "I think Canady has been outstanding in this camp. I'm really, really, really pleased with him. Tavon has been more – we put him more inside as a nickel, even though he is an outside corner. But really, his forte, I think, is in there as a nickel. I think he's done really well. Both of them have caught on really well [and] made very few mistakes. Maurice, I think, has been one of the top production guys, really, in the whole camp of all the defensive backs. [I am] very, very pleased with those guys. And Sam Brown even, a kid that we brought back, is working hard. I feel like there's been a lot said about the secondary. I think you're going to be very surprised."
How are you liking your new safety tandem with S Eric Weddle and DB Lardarius Webb now playing there full time? (Luke Jones) "The truth is I like about five of them. I really think that Eric has added a lot to us. I think that's a great spot for 'Webbie' [Lardarius Webb] right now, and I think he feels more and more comfortable every day. I think Matt Elam has had a great camp, Terrence Brooks is working really hard, and Kendrick Lewis is a staple back there. That guy never makes a mistake; he's in the right spot all the time. I just think the biggest thing we have to get out of them – and I've seen it in camp so far – is production. We just didn't have a lot of interceptions and things last year. I have to help that, too, with some of the calls and some of the schemes that we come up with. I have felt good about the secondary coming out of this camp."
Dean, this offseason when you guys made moves, there has been a lot of speculation about changes with the defense specifically, 4-3, 3-4. Can you talk about that from your perspective? Is that a legitimate speculation? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I read something about that once. *(laughter) *We're everything. When haven't we been 3-4 and 4-3 and multiple other things? We have always been that. We were that when Rex [Ryan] was the coordinator here, and Chuck [Pagano] and Greg [Mattison]. We're a little bit of everything. Basically what we are is we look like a 3-4 personnel that plays a lot of 4-3 defense. But it's not necessarily a standard 4-3 that everybody thinks of, there's under and over. There are all different ways to play 4-3 defense, and we're multiple. We're not changing to a 4-3 defense. We aren't changing to anything. We're playing what we play, and we're trying to tweak it, and we studied some things in the offseason that we think will make us better – both in the front and both in the coverage, and that's what we'll do just like you do every year. There is no wholesale change here."
What has secondary coach Leslie Frazier brought to the secondary? You talk about the expectations and how that group has looked, and he's clearly a very experienced coach. (Luke Jones) "Just what you said, he's very, very experienced. We can talk things out. We're going to do what we do. We have a very complex coverage scheme; we do a lot of things. The thing about Leslie is it also brings just a sense of calmness. He's a very, very professional man, and his demeanor in the classroom, I think, is perfect for these guys along with [defensive backs coach] Chris Hewitt. We have two secondary coaches. Chris Hewitt is doing a great job, too, but Leslie is bringing a lot. Not only experience [and] the calmness thing, but the other thing that he kind of brings is it's always different when there's a guy … The very first day we were in here, I showed a little clip of him with the '86 Bears. He was dancing to that song that they had, but the point was he also lends a lot of credibility that, here's a guy that's played in the league and played on one of the best defenses ever. That goes a long way, too."
*In terms of OLB Elvis Dumervil, in this stage of his career, would it be better for him to be more of a pass-rush specialist? *(Don Markus) "We just have to use him however we have to use him. I think he's good with that, and we'll figure out what's the best thing for him. I can't really tell you that right now. We'll figure that out as the season goes on and gets started. We'll try to use him in the best way that we possibly can for him and for us."
Offensive Coordinator Marc Trestman
Opening statement: "I can open by just giving you a couple of thoughts to start with: The things that have stuck out most in my mind over the last two or three months through the OTAs and out through the minicamp is the level of competition we have in our room. You look around the room, and the guys know it. There is a sense of urgency, because there really is no way of knowing right now who is going to be on the final roster of offensive players. We certainly know some of them, but there are a lot of names there that could be on that list – you know, that roster when it comes to the 53. It's exciting to see the competition and the friendly competition and the teamsmanship that is going on. I think secondly, just being out here, is our lack of consistency, and part of the reason is there is an ebb and flow to everything we do in practice. Our defense is doing some great things, and they are making it tough on us. We haven't seen the level of consistency that we are looking for day-in and day-out, but we are seeing flashes of that, and that's exciting as well. We're working with some players without Steve [Smith Sr.], without Breshad [Perriman]. Other guys are getting opportunities. We have a great selection of running backs and tight ends and some young linemen who are really making an impact on our offense, and that's exciting. Lastly, is the level of work that our coaches have put in. Our offensive coaches and our staff have put in [work] to put together an offensive package that we think will take advantage of the players that we have."
How much do you limit it with what you can do without having QB Joe Flacco here? (Gerry Sandusky)"We're not limiting anything. We're putting it in as if Joe was here. The guys have taken to it; they've embraced it. We've got two young guys in got Jerrod [Johnson] and Josh [Johnson] who have gotten a lot of reps because of the numbers that are out here. Of course, Ryan [Mallet] has a lot of reps. He was only with us 10 or 12 days before he played his first game [in 2015], and now he's been here through the whole offseason. It's enabled us ... We've put in everything; we haven't limited everything."
When you're reviewing what happened last year, I know there are always tweaks. Is there something especially that you need to do better? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I think No. 1 is we have to take care of the football better. We've certainly got to do that. That starts with everything that we do as coaches. It starts there, and we've got to be better – the pure fundamentals and techniques. We've got to put our guys in a position that they can make contested throws and use the deep ball to our advantage with some of the speed that we've collected. We've got to do that. We've got to execute the plays that we run. I don't think there is some major overhaul that needs to be done in that regard."
A lot has been made about the run and pass ratio. Is it something that you would like to close the gap on? (Jeff Zrebiec) "We're always looking at ourselves as a team that should be able to run the ball first. That's just the way we want to play it, and everything starts with the physicality of our run game, and the physicality of our runner. That's how we coach offense here, and everything starts there."
Do you feel it's night and day for you in terms of your comfort level and getting an entire offseason? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I think so. It's a little unnatural when you [first] come in, and there is a preexisting offense in place. It was a very good offense, as we all know. But I spent three months on it, trying to make sure that I simulated the things that were necessary for me to do my job. Certainly this year ... Coming into it a day after the season is over, you feel you are in a lot better position, because you aren't using those 90 days out of 120 to learn another offense. It's the offense you know now and the things that you've utilized and blended together to put together what our coaches have put together. That's the Raven offense."
With QB Joe Flacco not being here and it being his second year with you, does it hurt not having him out here? Or does having that extra year with you or because of having that extra year with you, it does not hurt as much? (Jamison Hensley) "I don't look at it that way. Part of the game is that at times, players you coach get hurt. You try to have an ongoing relationship and do the best you can throughout the days. Joe has done a magnificent job of getting himself ready to play physically. He's staying on top of things mentally; I don't think the mental part is an issue. He's just got to do No. 1, and that is continue to get himself ready physically. It sounds like it is going well."
How comfortable are you with T Ronnie Stanley at left tackle, especially with the news today [regarding Eugene Monroe]?* (Luke Jones)* "It's a process. Ronnie has come in here and picked things up. He has shown that he certainly has the football intelligence to learn quickly. He doesn't make very many mistakes; he is extremely coachable. His athleticism is showing on the field. It's just the day-to-day process of getting better and growing and getting accustomed to the chaos of the National Football League, which is faster and different at times – seeing the different things that he has seen defensively from a defense that is bringing everything in OTAs and now in minicamp."
I know you have time to figure this out, but how could you use four or five pass-catching tight ends? You just have a lot of guys at that position.* (Ryan Mink)*
"We'll just see how it unfolds. We've got a lot of time left. We're going to be excited to have as many out there as we can get out there, and we are going to utilize them to our advantage when we have them – of those guys we have available. It's a great competition going on, and we'll see how things work out as we work through training camp. We still have a long way to go, and we still have to see how it is all going to unfold with those guys and with our personnel. We have a really solid corps of tight ends; there is no doubt about it."
How impressed are you with the depth at all the skill positions – you've added a lot of wide receivers and running backs.* (Garrett Downing)*
"That goes to my first comment; the competition here is fierce. You can honestly stand in front of the [running back and wide receiver] group and say: 'Everybody here deserves to be in the National Football League.' Unfortunately, not everyone is going to be a Raven. But there is a competition for the guys who want to be in one, and everybody is in the competition. That is exciting. That has brought up the sense of urgency in everything we are doing, both in the classroom and on the field."
OLB Elvis Dumervil
On why he's not on the field:"Last season was brutal. You have a model that you go by. You don't feel sorry for yourself. You play every game that you can possibly play. It's a difference between being hurt and being injured. There was a lot of stuff I was dealing with. I was hurting, but that doesn't make me want to not play anymore. With that being said, it was something I saw in the offseason that I had to get done. I thought it was being hurt, but it was an injury. I was able to proceed to get that fixed so I could put myself in a position like I am now – feeling great going into this offseason to get better. At this point, I feel good. I'm ready to start getting after it. As far as getting healthier and getting my body back in football shape, once that happens [at] some point in training camp, I'll be ready to go for the season."
On if he had multiple things taken care of, injury-wise: "It's just football. You're hurting all over. In fact, if anyone could give me some type of ankles or knees, it would be great. I could use your knees, you know? We could swap, right?" (laughter)
On what body parts he specifically had worked on: "Somewhere in my foot area where it was kind of lingering. Instead of coming in this season and have it linger more, I was able to go in and get it fixed, which I'm very excited about. I feel much better than I felt last year. Everything is looking great, and I'm headed in the right direction."
On if he's looking forward to getting back to his role after being forced to play so many snaps last season due to injuries: "Absolutely. It starts with getting healthy, and I was able to do that. I think [general manager/executive vice president] Ozzie [Newsome] did a great job of bringing in additional help. We have 'K.C.' [Kamalei Correa], we have Za'Darius [Smith], we have Terrell [Suggs] coming back. Our secondary became more tight with Eric [Weddle] back there. We're excited. We feel good about our plan. We feel good about the players we have. It is just a matter of getting everybody healthy and finishing strong in the offseason so when the real bullets start coming, we are all ready."
On how tough last season was: "The way I see I see it in my eyes is there is nothing that we go through that nobody else goes through in this league. Are there some things we wish we could take back? Sure. That's why we have an opportunity this upcoming season to kind of redeem ourselves. That's the challenge. I think each person and each coach – we have the ability to come out and be better than what we were last year, because picking top [draft] picks is not cute. Hopefully, we can get back to postseason ball and put ourselves in that situation."
On how much injuries affected him last year: "No excuses. I didn't feel like myself, and that's why I was able to go ahead and get the procedure done. I feel a lot better. I'm excited, and I feel healthy again, which I don't take for granted. You cherish those moments where you feel good."
On when he had the procedure: "Right after the season."
On if he feels like he's been a presence this week, especially with the younger guys, even though he can't be on the field right now, and if that's a role he embraces:"I just like learning. I love football. I like to watch other guys. I think everybody brings some unique skill to the game. That's what makes football so unique. And I feel like even at Year 11, I can learn from everybody, and the more you can help people, the sharper your skill set [becomes]. So, I like to watch film, I like to study, so when I'm out there it's like I haven't been out. I can at least get those mental reps, and answer questions and be the guy that can try to help lead some of these younger guys."
On his take so far on rookies OLB Kamalei Correa and OLB Matthew Judon:"Oh, great. I think both have great talent. But if it's talent without the work ethic and the consistency, it's just talent. But, those guys are very hungry, they ask a lot of questions, they're always taking notes, so I'm excited for their future. Anything I can do to try to help them learn anything, it'll be great, because as long as those guys come in and help us, it's going to be big for us. The rotation is important; I think we need to have as many fresh guys on defense as we can possibly have and keep guys throughout the season healthy. It's important to have that rotation."
On taking 100 more snaps last year than the previous year, and if ideally he'd like to take less this year:"I plan not to do that again. *(laughter) *I mean, I'll do whatever I have to do, but ideally, I would love to have the rotation to keep guys rotating and keeping us fresh and keep guys doing what they do best. The end goal for me is to try to get to the postseason and win, so whatever duty I have to do to do that, I'm here to do that."
On if he feels as good physically as he did during his big season in 2014:"I feel great now. I feel good. I've still got a ways to go, but I feel like I'm headed in the right direction. My body is definitely recovering, so I'm excited. I'm excited for this season coming up. This should be a great one."
On if he's kept in touch with OLB Terrell Suggs over the offseason, and how motivated he expects both of them to be after last season:"Me and Suggs … You've got two alphas, man, and we love doing what we do. So, a lot of times, what's understood doesn't really need to be talked about a lot. But I can tell you one thing with him: He's a great teammate, he's a great player and he's a very confident guy. So, he's going to do what he needs to do to make sure we can get what we need to get done. The last time we played, we were the [NFL's] No. 1 [sacks] tandem, and so that's something we'll try to defend once we both get back healthy."
On if OLB Za'Darius Smith seems ready to step into the role that was filled by former Ravens OLB Courtney Upshaw:"Za'Darius, it was nice the way he came in last year. I think toward the end he started to pick up, and from what I've seen, he's picked it right up and he's taken it right into this offseason. He looks good; he looks sharper. The thing with Za'Darius was it was more of the pre-snap, and I think he is understanding the game, knowing when it's pass or run. Any player, when they know it's pass, is a good pass rusher – if you're a good pass rusher. So, I think once he understands the difference of not guessing, I think his talent is really going to showcase. But he's been doing a tremendous job out here on the practice field."
WR Steve Smith Sr.
On how he feels physically: "I feel good. I feel great. I've just been rehabbing and trying to get back. I put on some cleats today and did a little bit inside. [It's] still coming along."
On if it is tough not being on the field for minicamp: "After watching them practice all of the plays? No, I'm good. (laughter) *I have no sympathy for them." *(laughter)
On if it is fair to say he returned this season because he did not want to retire on Injured Reserve: "Honestly, because one, I'm under contract. I have an opportunity to finish out a contract in which I signed three years ago. How I feel and what I was feeling is a process. I don't think it's fair to say … A lot of people thought [they] knew, but ultimately it was up to me and my family. I tried to make the best decision I thought was good. It always helps to go back somewhere where you're wanted or you have an opportunity to continue. I had that. It was very simple."
On if the rehab process challenges his desire to continue playing: "I think in any stage of rehab in this kind of injury, you always are going, 'Man, do I really want to do this? Because what happens if…' I know when you're younger, you just blow through all caution and not concern yourself, but when you're older you start to think about the percentages and what's the percentage of me being able to be this or that. I'm fine with it, and it is tough some days. Some days it's sore. Some days something may happen where it may swell up or something, so it's not an easy task. Do I get up and say, 'Do I want to really do this?' because of the injury? I get up and say, 'Do I want to do this?' in general at some points, because it's not an easy job. It is tough. Some days are easier than others, especially if you're winning. When you have a disappointing season like we did, you don't get up feeling good about a loss. If you're a competitor, you don't feel good about that. You always question things when things aren't going the way you had hoped."
On why he made the decision to return given all of the challenges he has and will face to do so: "One thousand receptions. That's why, to be honest. Why not? You have to have something to strive for. I may catch that – I think it's 36 [receptions remaining] – I may catch that in my uniform, get in my car and go home. (laughter) Straight from there, drive all the way from M&T Bank [Stadium] straight to Charlotte, one shot. (laughter) You want to challenge yourself. It's the ultimate challenge. I think the last challenge that I really have is to be 37 years old, have an opportunity to play in the black and blue division [AFC North] – very tough, very physical – and I get an opportunity to experience it for hopefully more than 17 weeks."
On if he ever thinks about being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:"You think about it. You think about the Hall of Fame. You think about the Super Bowl. Now with the way news is going, you think about the Pro Bowl in Orlando. You think about a lot of things. Ultimately, it's out of my hands, but I just want to go out and have fun doing it."
On if he has a timetable for his full return: "I'm day-to-day. I say that not trying to be standoffish or anything, but this is seven months [since his injury]. Where I started and where I am, I can't overthink it. I just have to, as one of the guys that [is there] when I'm doing rehab, he says: 'Embrace the grind.' At first, I really didn't think about it, but when you start to look at it, where I started from a knee scooter, to crutches, to a boot, to shoes [then] to putting on a pair of cleats today, I have to enjoy that part and not get too far ahead of myself."
On if he would be comfortable missing the preseason to start the regular season at 100 percent: "I've been very comfortable throughout my career not playing in the preseason, so I don't have a problem with that. Obviously, [with] who we're playing, I don't even want to … Just four games that don't count and [with] the liability of injury at the senior citizen age that I am, (laughter) I think probably staying out would be good."
On how much pride he has playing at a high level at his age: "I snicker and laugh, because it's always something someone has to say about why. You look at that – you try not to but you have those guys that [are in] the Top 100 [NFL Players List]. You have guys on there, and they're talking about being the best, and they've been playing for about 15 minutes in the league. (laughter) I just kind of laugh at it. If your highlight is making the Top 100 on NFL Network one time for a year of success, and I was making plays when you were in kindergarten, then I don't want your career. You can keep it. You be on TV."
On what he says to those who wonder if he can still perform at the same level: "We'll find out. The words that people say and the questions … I understand that you have to do it. That's the one thing that I love about sports, is there are people who can play sports and there are people who can write about sports. If you write a good article, you are a person that can write about sports, [but] you're not a person that can do sports. There's nothing wrong with that. Everyone has a role. I'm fortunate enough that I can play. I'm happy to do that, and I enjoy doing it, and I try very hard to respect the people that write about sports."
On if Year Two with offensive coordinator Marc Trestman's scheme will be easier than Year One: "It's the same plays. It's still a slant, so yeah. It's not difficult. You're still going to have your mental errors and creativity of the other defenses that try to cause problems for us. Every week and every year is a different habit to break; it's always been that way."
