HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "Alright, it's good to see everybody. I appreciate you being here. It seems like we just were together, it hasn't been long. But, there has been a lot of work between last night at yesterday's game and today's walk-through. [We're] getting to work on Miami. They played an excellent game against the Falcons in Atlanta. [They play a] very physical brand of football – on both sides of the ball – and came up with a big victory [yesterday]. [We are] studying that game and the other games, too, from before. And so, we know it's going to be a big challenge down there. We've been down there before, we've been down there on Thursday night before, and we know how it is. We'll have to do everything we can do to get ready and be ready on a short turnaround. That's what we're working on. As far as the [Bears] game, [after] watching the tape, I felt like it was very similar to what we saw and talked about after the game. I thought the play callers, in all three phases, did a great job. I am really proud of those guys. The gameplans were excellent, and then the execution was really good, and the physicality was excellent. At the end of the day that – and the fact that we protected the football and got a turnover; that's a big change from our previous [games]. That's probably the No. 1 thing that happened. I thought our defense really rose up in the red zone a couple of times in a big way – three times in a big way. So, those are the big factors. But with that, that's behind us now, and we're on to Miami. We have a lot of work to do in a short period of time. So, what questions do you have?"
QB Tyler Huntley was talking a little bit about the conversation you guys had over the summer. He talked about how much it meant to him and everything. What do you remember about that conversation? And he also said, you said, "Relationships are forever." What was the context behind that? (Jamison Hensley) "It was just ... He called. He texted, 'Can we talk?' I called him back, and it was just great to talk to him. He was working out, and I think ... This whole thing – this whole NFL thing; it's probably like a lot of things – but man, you're kind of the epicenter of a lot of attention and a lot of really challenging things. Everybody has worked so hard to achieve so much. Guys like Tyler Huntley go through so much throughout their whole career – all the way [back] since they were a kid – to play in the National Football League; our coaches are the same. And because of that, you're in these battles and fights together, and you do – you walk together, and the relationships are built, and they do last forever. You always have those moments that live on. And so, when someone calls you or texts, you talk about – you're right back in that moment. You know how it is with your friends, too; you're right back in that moment, and you haven't forgotten. It's like you're there, like was a year ago or five years ago or 10 years ago, or for some of my old friends, 40 years ago. I think I laugh more with those guys than anybody nowadays, but I think that's it. And then for it to work out the way it did, it was definitely a God thing and a thing that – to see it come full circle yesterday was very meaningful."
Do you have a better sense of QB Lamar Jackson's status after today? I know today was just a walk-through. (Jeff Zrebiec) "Yes, I feel very confident. I feel very confident about it and would expect [Lamar Jackson] to be out there on Thursday night."
Going back, just for clarity, can you try and clarify everything from the other day; where it came out Saturday that QB Lamar Jackson wasn't going to play? Was that something that caught you by surprise? And why not just hold back that information until 90 minutes before kickoff? (Jerry Coleman) "Well, we talked about that last night [after the game] a little bit, but no, when it became apparent that [Lamar Jackson] wasn't ... When I knew he wasn't going to play for sure, we just declared him out. That's what we did. We were hopeful that maybe there was a chance. I probably would say it was probably an outside chance, but I still had my fingers crossed. And then it came down from that side [that he wasn't going to play], and when I say that side, I mean the player and the medical side, that's how it works. And so, he was out."
Have you been in touch with the league? And do you anticipate any punishment from the league regarding this change? (Bo Smolka) "No, I haven't, but I don't talk to the league about that. I think we put a statement out about that and how it works, and that's really, that's all I know."
So, you don't anticipate that they'll reach out to you or? (Brian Wacker) "I have no idea."
There was an NFL.com report that QB Lamar Jackson played scout team reps on Friday, is that correct? (Kyle Goon) "Yes. I think I said that last night in the press conference."
Is there a function of that, that kind of helps QB Lamar Jackson's ramp up process? Was that the thought in giving him that role? (Kyle Goon) "I think that was part of the thought. Sure, it was. There are obviously two tracks there. If [Lamar Jackson] turns out that he can play, he got those reps in, full speed reps, and if not, it's part of the ramp up for Thursday night."
CB Nate Wiggins said that he felt like he's really matured over the last year and that he's playing at the top of his game. How fun has it been for you to watch just his confidence growth from Year One to Year Two and seeing how he has taken on big assignments? (Sam Cohn) "It's been great. I'll tell you, [Nate Wiggins] is a joy to coach. He's just as into it – everything you say to him, he's all ears. He wants to do the right thing. I joke with the DBs because they get more texts from me – more video texts from me – than anybody, and he gets as many as anybody. He always is right back with his thoughts on it, and it's just fun, because it does show up in the way he plays. And he'll be the first to tell you, there are plenty of things in that game he can do better, and he wants to chase perfection. But he's a student of the game. He's a student of the game. He works really hard at it. And to see it pay off for a big play like that in a critical moment, that's what guys dream about. That's what coaches dream about. So, it was a great moment."
How does QB Lamar Jackson look? With the hamstring injury, obviously, it can affect a guy's mobility. How has he looked even in the walk-through? (Jamison Hensley) "[Lamar Jackson] looked good in the walk-through. He looked like, it was a great walk-through for him. He looked excellent. He did. He looked great."
One thing that stood out going into the game was that you only had three outside linebackers, at least listed. How do you think that management went? And it seemed like S Kyle Hamilton was playing a little more on the edge than usual. I know he's done it occasionally, but how do you think that all worked? (Luke Jones) "Well, I don't know if that's really related. Kyle [Hamilton] would've been on the edge no matter how many outside linebackers we had. That's kind of where we've gone since we brought in 'Lo' [Alohi Gilman]. The three outside linebackers, I thought, did a great job, and they carried a heavy load. They played excellent. We also had 'Trent' [Trenton Simpson] on the edge. You may have noticed that, too; we had a package where 'Trent' became an outside linebacker as well, [and he was] doing some things that he excels at. So, he was the fourth piece there. To your point, they did really well."
Is it possible that OLB Carl Lawson gets elevated this week? (Kyle Goon) "It is possible. It's possible, yes. We'll be talking about that, probably, today and tomorrow."
You've had consecutive games now with takeaways. What do you think is clicking defensively now that you are able to make those impact plays? (Josh Tolentino) "Well, so much of that is just putting pressure on the offense, putting pressure on the quarterback and putting pressure on the ball carriers and receivers. You create enough tension to put them on their heels and just put them in tough spots, and the ball comes your way. But we need more of that. We certainly, even what we've had, we want more. So, that's the difference. That's what wins you games, and that's something ... To create those disruptive plays on defense is really a big goal."
We're coming up on that halfway point in the year. Is that kind of a good enough timeframe for you to evaluate this rookie class? And I guess, are there kind of benchmarks that you look for them to hit as they kind of get their feet underneath them? (Jonas Shaffer) "You don't really think of it that way. It's not really a scale, in terms of grading the class versus other classes or benchmarks. You're just trying to get each individual player as far down the road as you can, to contribute whatever they can in that game. I think of a guy like Keondre [Jackson], who is going out there and playing the way he's playing on special teams. He's just dominating. He's flying around, [and] he's making plays, and so you work with him, and you work with somebody like Malaki [Starks] who is doing it at safety. And you just try to work [through] the development process, because you want them to bring as much to the table as they possibly can right now. That's the goal."
Did you get out of that game yesterday on the short week? Did you get out of there OK, physically? Were there any new injury concerns particularly T Ronnie Stanley? (Jeff Zrebiec) "With Ronnie [Stanley], yes, Ronnie's OK. [There was] nothing along those lines that should be a problem for Thursday. I say that because it's still only less than 24 hours [from the game], but we should be OK."
What are preparations like for you for this week because it's so condensed? How much are you able to get in? What are you able to get in? (Jerry Coleman) "Well, we have a program. It is just a different type of a schedule. You try to get everything in preparation-wise; there's just not as much physical type of movement. It's much more of a mental-type deal, and then they have to get their bodies right – rest, recovery, sleep – all those things are really important."
I think Miami kind of leaned into some six-offensive linemen looks on Sunday. Obviously, you guys play with a lot of nickel. Is that something that is even more challenging just because of the kind of size and advantage? (Jonas Shaffer) "Well, I'm sure they'll do it. They put No. 64 [Daniel Brunskill], the center – he's out there blocking and does a real nice job; [he's a] really athletic guy. We noticed that. They did lean into that, and it helped their run game quite a bit. So, yes, we've seen it before. It's something we'll definitely have to contend with, especially if we're in a lighter group."
How much of a statement did RB Keaton Mitchell make just with the readiness and particularly with the faith you showed him late in the game? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I thought [Keaton Mitchell] made a big statement. I just really did. It's great to see. He's been working hard, and he got his chance. He proved to be ready for it, and the time was right. We just have to keep building on that going forward."
