SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR CHRIS HORTON
Opening statement: "It's good to see everyone. I hope all of you guys are doing well. For us moving into this week, we just come out here every day and just try to grind it out and just try to get better at the things that are going to help us continue to help our team win football games. What questions do you have?"
So, WR LaJohntay Wester, the one punt he fielded was definitely inside the 10-yard line, but he had an extra turn on it. Do you say something or mention that to him? It was a positive play, but it was maybe not the right area where you field the ball. (Jamison Hensley) "Well, I think to that question, I think it's one of those things [where] we talk to our guys about decision making. If there's an opportunity to return the football, and you make the right decision on it, then let's go get those yards. Because that ball could have easily been fair-called or downed at wherever it was going to hit, but it ended up being a 19-yard return. So, it allowed us to get some yards out of that. I think our guys do a great job of making the right decisions, and I thought [LaJohntay Wester] made the right decision in that situation."
Yesterday, we were talking to P Jordan Stout in the locker room, and he was describing or trying to describe the boomerang punt and how he's gotten a hold of it. How would you describe it and his touch with it? (Bo Smolka) "I think it's something that [Jordan Stout] has gotten better at. I think [senior special teams coach] Randy [Brown] spent a lot of time with him working on just finding another tool that he can use and that he can bring to games. It's one of those – it looks like a helicopter propeller spinning up there. It's one of those, 'You don't know where that ball's going to land' and things like that. It's been very effective for us, as you guys can see, and I think it's something that we will continue to use, because it is a weapon, and it's all about field position."
S Keondre Jackson continues to just ascend on special teams and then to make a play like that in the apex of that game at that moment. When you see someone like that come through on this journey to get to this point, how satisfying is it for you for the whole team group? (Pete Gilbert) "It's very satisfying. You talk about a guy that, originally, [Keondre Jackson] didn't make the team. Then, he just came out here every day, and he went to work, and he got better at the things we asked him to get better at. Then, when he's getting his opportunity, he's not only just a role player; he's an impactful player for us. In these last couple of weeks, this guy has made a ton of plays out there, but then it correlates with all the other guys. With all the good things that Keondre is doing, it's [being helped by] guys being in the right spots, which is also allowing Keondre to just go play freely and get to the football. But it's very satisfying. I know the guys – his personality, everything he brings, the energy – it's just changing what we do. I can tell you this: we're excited, and we love having him out there."
We saw DL Aeneas Peebles out there in kick coverage today. Does the new format give him maybe more room to be impactful in that way or is that just his skill set? (Childs Walker) "I think [with] special teams in general, it doesn't matter the body type. I think there's a role for every player on this team if they embrace it. One of the things with 'Fub' [Aeneas Peebles], he's willing to do whatever you ask him to do. So, we had an opportunity to get him out there, let him cover a kick. And if that's something that we decided to do in the game, then we know we can put him out there. I think it doesn't matter the player, it's just all about, 'What's your mindset? Are you willing to go out there and do whatever it takes for the team?' And he's one of those guys."
Do you find yourself, relative to last year when you guys had some struggles, just going into games, are you more confident that you guys on special teams will have the upper hand on the team in a way that maybe last year was a little bit more challenging? (Jonas Shaffer) "I don't really think it was challenging [last year]. I don't think we ever go into a game saying that we're going to have the upper hand. Our motto is, 'Let's go out there, and let's be better than the team that we're going to play that week.' It doesn't necessarily mean that that's going to happen. Nobody's going to lay down for us. We have to go out there, and we have to execute. Just a few weeks ago, you talk about the guys that were playing, they're young guys. So, there is a process. There's growth, and every week I'm just seeing these guys just get better and better and better and better and better. It's starting to show. It's starting to show. So, we approach the games in the weeks the exact same way no matter how the week was, whether we played good or bad. Through praise or disgrace, we are the same people, because we know who we are and what we're capable of, and so that's our approach."
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TODD MONKEN
QB Lamar Jackson was back out there at practice today. How did he look to you? (Jamison Hensley) "[Lamar Jackson] looked great."
TE Mark Andrews is on the cusp of breaking the all-time receiving yards record. You've been here for a few years, what most impresses you about him? (Bo Smolka) "Well, I think I answered that last week. [Mark Andrews] loves football. He comes to work every day and competes. I don't know what else to say about him. He is not only very talented, but he's certainly worked his rear end off to get where he is at. There is a lot of hard work that he's put in to get to the level he's at, and it's been a blessing he's been a Raven."
What are you seeing from the Cleveland defense? They are a team that prides themselves on having a good defense. It's been a tough year for them altogether, but the defense is still playing well. (Jerry Coleman) "Oh, they're really good. They have good players and good coaches. They're hard to go against. They challenge everything that you try to do offensively; they try to give you nothing. We just have to do a great job of staying ahead of the chains. When we've done that, we've been fine. But, [they're] tremendous, they do a great job."
We saw some wrinkles and some creativity in the red zone this past game. How much is that required in today's day and age, when scoring down there is really tough. (Ryan Mink) "Oh, it's important. We've done that since we've been here. Sometimes, you get a little bit away from it, and sometimes it doesn't work. That's part of it. You can't be afraid to shoot your bullets and give it the best shot you can. Obviously, a critical part of winning is scoring touchdowns in the red zone."
Obviously, we're unsure of RB Justice Hill's availability for Sunday, but having somebody like RB Keaton Mitchell come in and maybe do more of that, especially what we saw last week, he looked more like the guy we saw before he got hurt. (Pete Gilbert) "We're excited for Keaton [Mitchell]. Hopefully, Justice [Hill] will be able to go, but I think Keaton deserves the opportunity to play more."
With TE Charlie Kolar now having two touchdown catches already this season, is it interesting for you to look at the way that this tight end room now has turned into three pass-catching tight ends, where they necessarily weren't before. Now they are more so all-around tight ends, blocking and such? (Valerie Preactor) "I haven't really looked at it that way, but I get what you're saying. We've always had tremendous faith in Charlie [Kolar]'s ability in the red zone. There's just only so many balls to go around when you have Isaiah [Likely] and Mark [Andrews]. So, I just think Charlie – in the three years I've been here – has just continued to get better and better. And, [he] does the dirty work for us. Really, that's where he's made his mark – on special teams and blocking the 'C' gap."
Last week, QB Lamar Jackson had one of the quicker times to throw – getting the ball out quicker – of his career. Two things on that one, how much of an emphasis does that continue to be? And two, how important is it, especially if RB Justice Hill can't play, because he is so valuable in pass blocking? (Brian Wacker) "It's important. It's important, especially against teams that are aggressive. Minnesota was aggressive; these guys [in Cleveland] are aggressive. You don't want to be standing back there holding the football for very long. That's [in] calling it, and that's also [in] staying out a third-and-extra long; that helps."
The play where TE Mark Andrews lines up under center – the toss sweep to QB Lamar Jackson – do you enjoy coming up with those? Is it a lot of fun? Is that creative part of it something that excites you? (Bo Smolka) "Yes, all of our staff comes up with that; I'm not the only one. There's a collective process with all of us. Like most [coaching] staffs, everybody has a part of the gameplan. Coach [John Harbaugh] is involved in it. We're all involved in coming up with creative ideas, but we're also a big part of making sure that when it gets called, that it works, and that it looks like what you want it to look like. And to me, that's the big thing about it. You can be creative, come up with a lot of ideas, and then when it shows up on film, it doesn't look like what you want it to look like. So, you have to make sure that you get it oiled up leading up to the game, so in those critical moments, you can execute at a high level."
If WR Rashod Bateman can't play, there will obviously be more opportunities for other guys. What have you seen from WR Devontez Walker? Since he got off to a hot start early in year, what have you seen from him in practice? (Ryan Mink) "[Devontez Walker has been] good. 'Tez' [Devontez Walker] was doing really well, and then he got hurt. And sometimes, that opportunity doesn't come again until later, [but] now here it is again. Hopefully, 'Bate' [Rashod Bateman] will be able to go; hopefully, he will be able to practice tomorrow. But, it's one of those situations where; there's only so many guys you can dress, and so you end up also, maybe, getting Keaton [Mitchell] up more. But I'm excited to see 'Tez' play on Sunday."
As far as the quarterback-driven runs this year, especially since QB Lamar Jackson has come back from that injury, it doesn't seem like as many as compared to maybe previous years. Is that a conscious decision, or is that just something because of the way the game is going? (Jamison Hensley) "Most of the time, it's the way the game goes or the gameplan – the way we want to run it, the way we want to attack somebody. Some of that is by design, and some of it is also by what we're expecting to get."
RB Derrick Henry had just 23 rushing yards in that first game against Cleveland. Was it just a game where you tip your cap to them, or were there things that you guys could have done better to free him up? (Jonas Shaffer) "Oh, it's always a combination. They're really good. They got after us pretty good [in that game]. I think we ran 21 times for like 46 yards, which is unacceptable. There's no other way to put it. [It] really [has] nothing to do with Derrick [Henry] per se, other than it's not good enough. Just like if we don't throw the ball well enough, or if we're not good enough in the red zone, it doesn't matter what area of the game; it's unacceptable, and you have to fight to fix it, and we have. And that happens. This is the NFL; you have good teams [and] good defenses, but we've got to do a better job running [the ball]."
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR ZACH ORR
I think the defense had a dozen quarterback hits on Sunday. What do you think was the big reason for you guys to get to Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy so often? (Jamison Hensley) "First and foremost, you have to get credit to the players. I thought that [those were] the best get-offs that we had when in true pass rush situations. I know those guys have been working on that. What we've been able to build with our different looks since the bye week has helped us out, as well. We're able to present different challenges to the offense, and guys were just relentless with their rushes. We were able to throw a lot of different bodies at them, whether it was pressure with DBs or off-ball linebackers or the front four winning. It was good to see, and a lot of guys had really good games. I thought Travis Jones probably had his best game, as far as, probably, in the run and pass game, but definitely as a rusher. We made a big emphasis after the Miami game about – I don't think we had any batted passes in Miami – and we made a big emphasis of that, and the guys did a heck of a job doing that, especially up front. It was a good building block. We could have been a lot better, but it definitely was good to affect the quarterback, and you see what that does for the defense when you're able to actually get pressure and hit him."
With batted passes, is that a mentality thing, of just remembering to get your hands up if you're not going to get there? (Ryan Mink) "Yes, definitely. It's like you push the pocket [and] get your hands up. I can't remember the exact numbers, but we did a study in the offseason where if you do bat enough passes, eventually those things will start leading to interceptions. Eventually, we're banking on those to start leading to some interceptions for us, but you have to be able to get your hands up and bat passes down. There [were] a couple of passes we batted down that really helped us out in coverage. A couple of times, they rubbed us, but I remember 'Big John' [John Jenkins], in the red zone late in the game, he got a batted pass that probably saved the first down or touchdown. So, those things are key. [They are] momentum killers for the offense, as well."
It seems that OLB Mike Green is really turning a corner the last few weeks. What's impressed you about his progression this season? (Sam Cohn) "Just the way [Mike Green] comes out here and works. [Green], Teddye [Buchanan and] Malaki [Starks], those three rookies have probably been playing the most for us. They were thrown into the fire early, and I think the game is starting to slow down, meaning they're starting to adjust to the speed of the NFL. The work that he's put in ... [pass rush coach] Chuck [Smith], [outside linebacker coach] Matt [Robinson and defensive line coach] Dennis [Johnson] have done a great job with him. He comes out here every day and busts his tail off, and you're starting to see his production start to go up, and his ability is really starting to show. We're excited about him. [There is] still a lot that he can get better at, so I think that he's on a good trajectory [with] where he's at right now."
When did you know you could play OLB Dre'Mont Jones that much with him being here for half a week? (Pete Gilbert) "Right when we got [Dre'Mont Jones]. He came from similar systems, obviously, but we're used to it. It's part of the NFL. When you get guys, whether it's through a trade or free agency, or you're bringing the guy up from the practice squad, you have to get him ready. So, I know he spent extra time with the coaches, just getting the playbook down and understanding what he has to do and studying on his own. He's done a great job. Right when we got him, he said, 'Whatever you guys need me to do, I'm going to do it.' That's hats off to his character and what type of man he is, definitely. We needed him, and he played really good for us in his first game for us."
What kind of message does it send to you and the coaching staff when a guy like CB Nate Wiggins comes up to you guys and says, 'I want to cover this guy this week. I want to travel [to cover the elite wideouts].' What is your reaction to that? What kind of message does that send? (Jeff Zrebiec) "It's good. We want elite competitors on our team and on our defense, and you should want to challenge yourself to go against the best every single week, so we love that about Nate [Wiggins]. We love that about a lot of our players, but that just shows that he's an elite competitor, and he wants to compete against the best, and that's what we're looking for. If you're not an elite competitor, it's going to be hard to be a great football player, so we want our guys to take on those challenges and to want that responsibility."
You mentioned the get-offs for the pass rush. Is that literally just that first step crossing the line of scrimmage? (Jonas Shaffer) "Yes, the first step, just getting a visual key off the ball or whatever your visual key is, whatever your third-down tell is and getting off the rock and just making the quarterback feel [pressured]. Getting him off the spot is key, and I thought our guys did a really good job of that, and I think you saw that leads to production for us in the past rush department."
When things weren't going as well, a couple of your guys said that the defense had to stop playing like they were afraid of making mistakes. Do you feel like that switch has flipped? (Childs Walker) "Yes, definitely. When you worry about making a mistake, you're probably going to end up making one, because you're overthinking. We told our guys, 'Look. Go out there. You guys are plenty talented enough. It's our job to put you guys in the right position. Go cut it loose. Effort helps overcome mistakes, so if you make a mistake, but the 10 other guys are running to the football, we could kind of negate some big plays from happening. You can't play scared or passive in the game of football, especially not on defense.' We preach about dictating the tempo, and I think our guys have really taken that message to heart, especially these last couple of weeks. [They've been] just cutting it loose, trusting their training and go get it."
From a 10,000 foot view, what does S Kyle Hamilton allow you to do scheme-wise, and how fun is it to be able to game plan with a guy like that? (Sam Cohn) "[Kyle Hamilton] allows you to do a lot. You guys see it. He's a really talented player. He's a really good player, one of the best in the game regardless of position, and there are a lot of people who are talented who are the best at their position, but they only can play one position. Kyle can play all across the defensive backfield for us, on the edge, at the second level at the linebacker position for us, and [it] allows us to do a lot of different things with him, because we know offenses have to know where No. 14 is at all times. That allows us to do a lot of different things with him, and you just have to give credit to him for being able to accept that and be able to go out there and produce and be productive at all different things that we ask him to do. He definitely is a cornerstone for our defense, and we definitely game-plan around him and his ability and his work ethic. His ability to do a lot of different things allows us to do that."
You didn't see Browns QB Dillion Gabriel the last time you played them. What are your impressions of him? (Bo Smolka) "We saw [Dillion Gabriel] a little bit. He came in the game, late in the game, and drove down the field and threw a touchdown pass against us, so we're familiar with him, but actually just getting ready to study him and getting ready for this game, he has a quick release. I think he does a good job of seeing where he wants to go with the football, and he's young. He's getting better every single game, just like our rookies. You throw these rookies in here. It's tough to go out there and go be productive really early, but you see the game is starting to slow down for him. He's starting to get more confident. He's getting the ball out of his hands, and when he doesn't like what he sees, he has enough athletic ability to make you pay with his legs. We definitely have to make sure we take [away] his first read, make him uncomfortable, and then when he gets ready to take off, we cannot let him escape the pocket and extend drives."
What do you think of the defensive celebrations? (Sam Cohn) "They're alright. They're not bad. They're not bad, but they need some work, though. I'll say that; they need some work, but I'm just glad that they're celebrating. Football is fun. Let's go have fun out there, and guess what's fun on the football field? When you're making plays and when you're playing good. So I think that the celebrations are good – that means we did something good on defense, and we're just going to keep challenging our guys to get better at them."
What has CB Chidobe Awuzie brought to your defense personality-wise and as a player? (Ryan Mink) "'Chido' [Chidobe Awuzie], he's a great pro. He's been around the game a long time. He brings a lot of energy, wisdom and playmaking ability, so I've been real pleased with him. When we first got him way back in the spring, you could see on film, he was a very smart football player, but when you get in a classroom with him, when you get in these walkthroughs with him, and you get on the practice field with him, he understands route concepts. He understands leverages. What he's done is he's helped teach the young corners understand spacing and route concepts and how they can play certain routes. He's been doing a great job for us this whole year, and I think that this last game was good, because he actually got tested multiple times, and he rose to the occasion. He's brought a lot for us. He's been good in the classroom. Obviously, [he's] been really good on the field, and I'm glad that we have him."
There's been a lot of buzz there with Browns backup QB Shedeur Sanders and when he is going to play. Do you spend any time during the week looking at his tape and preparing for him, too? (Jeff Zrebiec) "Yes, definitely. We always look at that. Our scouts do a great job of preparing us [for] who could possibly be coming into the game, and we always do that with backup quarterbacks, because you want to know what you could potentially be facing. So, we've definitely done some work on [Shedeur Sanders both] last game and getting ready for this game."
TE MARK ANDREWS
On reflecting on some of his great moments playing in Cleveland and what make him enjoy playing the Browns: "Obviously, I've been fortunate to have great teammates and be in a great division and be a part of a great organization. I'm just trying to feed off that and help make plays, and that's been a part of it."
On being close to holding the franchise records for receiving yards, catches and touchdowns: "I just continue to do my job. I'm not looking really too much into that, but I'm just focusing on this game, executing at the highest level and continuing to grow from week to week. We're excited about the challenge this week."
On his success in the red zone over his career and as of late: "It's just [about] finding a way to get open. Having Lamar [Jackson] back there, playing football and being a big-body target."
On what makes their matchups with the Browns difficult: "That's the type of division that we have. It's always going to be a close fight, and they have talented players and a good team, and for us on offense, we have to be ready to go. They have an extremely havoc-causing defense. So, for us, to be on our p's and q's and doing our job to the highest of abilities is going to be key."
On the chemistry that has been built with QB Lamar Jackson over the years: "There's a lot of love between Lamar [Jackson] and I, and there's this unwritten, unspoken type of connection that, from the second that we got here – and not really knowing each other [beforehand] – that's always been there. But being able to play and grow and become men in the same last eight years together has been nothing short of special. I'm proud of him and everything that he's done, because he's truly a special person."
On the comfort level in having QB Lamar Jackson back out at practice: "Lamar [Jackson] is going to be ready, and he's going to be excited for this game."
On if he feels any panic or concern when QB Lamar Jackson isn't practicing: "No, I'm confident in all my guys. We've got a stacked team here, and everybody did a great job of filling in yesterday. But there's no panic."
On if he joked around with QB Lamar Jackson on the toss play they ran vs. Minnesota when Jackson had to one-hand the toss: "A little bit, yes. I more joked around with [Lamar Jackson] on the other play where he kind of hurdled, but he didn't get very high. He should have scored that one." (laughter)
On his use during the "Tush Push" plays and if he embraces that role: "I think those are key moments in a game. Being able to have a big impact on a game is getting those fourth downs, third-and-1s, whatever it may be. So, I take pride in that; I think we all do as a team. That's a team effort of driving the pile and getting the first down."
On how important it is to be mindful of Browns DE Myles Garrett and on chipping him: "It's extremely important. I think all 11 guys are going to be keying on that, and [Myles Garrett] is not the only player on that defense that is extremely good. So, obviously he's one-of-one, probably [one of], if not, the best athlete of all time on defense, if not the best defensive end of all time. So, we need to be ready for him, but it's really a big challenge for us all around."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On what jumps out to him when he looks at the Cleveland Browns' defensive front: "[The Cleveland Browns] are a disruptive front. They're a really, really good defense. They play well. They do a lot of different stunts and do the stunts well. They got Myles Garrett. I think they're just a solid group, overall. They were the same way last year."
On how important it is to stay consistent with attempting the run game: "We saw [during the] last game, they got the best of us. They were the better group the last time we played them. So, just looking at that film, seeing how we could be better, focus on it, practice executing it throughout practice and then let it translate to the game. But we know it's going to be tough. Their defense is solid from top to bottom."
On what the keys have been to improve the run game: "Like I told you all, it's executing. It takes all 11 of us to be able to make that happen [with] the offensive line doing a great job, tight ends and receivers blocking [and the] fullback creating space and for us to have opportunities in the run game. And like I said, it takes all of us, and we know that every defense is going to be different and give us different looks. [We need to] just focus on what we need to do to be able to have success."
On if he saw social media posts about him hitting his high school rushing total: "Oh, Lord. I saw that."
On what his thoughts were on people's social media reactions to him meeting his high school rushing total: "I didn't like how people [were like], 'It took 10 years for you to get it,' but now it is what it is. That's just a cool moment to be able to have. I did like one of the graphics I saw of me now putting my arm around me in high school. So, that was cool. But yes, it is, but it is over with now, so I'm happy."
On if having QB Lamar Jackson back out at practice gave the team confidence: "No, I know [that] if he [Lamar Jackson] can go, he's going to go, and that's how he is. Sometimes you might need a rest day to get your body back under you and come out the next [day] to be ready for Sunday. But if he is good to go, he's going to go. We don't question that."
On what he can say about his Thanksgiving charity event: "Yes, it's just giving out 200 turkeys back home in Yulee, Florida, at our local Walmart. It's the same place [where] I hold my Christmas giveaway for the kids and their families. [We'll have] 200 turkeys – first come, first served. So, if you're not there, I hope you [already have] one. But my family will be handing them out for me, I think on the 22nd [of November], I believe. But yes, I just want to be able to give back [to the community] and be a blessing to others during the holidays."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On how it felt to be back out at practice: "It felt good. It's always good to be outside with my guys."
On how his knee is feeling: "Yes, it's getting better."
On if he was able to identify when he hurt his knee during the game in Minnesota: "No, not really. I wasn't able to."
On if he felt pain right after the injury happened: "Yes, after it happened, I did. But, [when you're] playing football, things like that happen."
On what he thinks makes Cleveland such a difficult place to play in: "It is a divisional opponent. We see them twice a year. Sometimes [you] win some, and sometimes you lose some, but it's part of football, I guess."
On how satisfied he is with the offense's performance since he returned from missing the three games with an injury: "If anything, we need more points. Our defense is playing great [and our] specials teams is playing great. [But on offense], I feel like we have great moments, but just being consistent, that's what we're chasing right now."
On if it's nice to have a game where the defense forced multiple turnovers and held the Vikings to 19 points: "I believe everybody just plays their part each and every game. I always say this – I'm not the one blocking, I'm not the one catching the ball, and I'm not the only one running the ball either. Everybody always plays a part, no matter what."
On his reaction to the play in Minnesota when TE Mark Andrews took the snap and tossed it to him the very first time it was brought up to him in practice: "Well, I was cool with it. We did something similar like that in the past. I think we did something like that against Cleveland before. I think that was with the 'G-Ro' [former offensive coordinator Greg Roman] offense, though. Yes, we did something similar, so I really didn't have a thought [about] it – I'm just playing football."
On if he thinks there is something specific causing the offense to struggle in the red zone: "I can't call it. I can't call it. I believe we're driving the ball down the field a good amount, [but] sometimes, but we have to punch in that ticket. In the Dolphins game, we did; we got in the red zone, [and] we scored like three [or] four times, whichever one it was. But it was a good game. It was in Minnesota; [they have a] great crowd and a great defense. It was just an NFL game."
On what it's like facing a defense that features Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett: "You just try to get as many hands and objects on [Myles Garrett] as possible. The guy is leading the league in sacks right now, I believe, so [we need to] get as many guys to block him as possible, if anything."
On what he thinks of the decrease in designed rushes for him and if he likes making plays with his arm more: "I'm going to do whatever it takes to win. I don't really pay attention to the number of rushes [I have]. We have Derrick Henry, Keaton Mitchell, Justice [Hill] and Rasheen Ali; we have all these guys to run the ball – and sometimes Zay [Flowers] – so, I don't really worry about it, as long as we're winning."
On if he expects defenses to blitz him more when they know he is dealing with an injury: "That's cool with me. I'm cool with it. We're going to see." (laughter)
RB KEATON MITCHELL
On how confident he is heading into this week's game against the Cleveland Browns: "I'm very confident, and I can't wait."
On how he has handled the amount of his playing time this season: "It's been pretty hard, but I'm just happy, and I'm thankful that God gave me another chance to play this sport after my injury. I'm just blessed to have another opportunity each and every game. Hopefully, I can make something shake this week."
On what the greatest challenge is from the Cleveland Browns' defensive front: "It's going to be a good challenge for us. [It's a] rivalry game. They've got great players on the other side of the ball. So, [we] just have to come in every day and prepare and go out there and let it show."
On what he took away from the Week 2 matchup against the Cleveland Browns: "I didn't play that game. I will just watch film and just do what I do."
On what is the biggest thing that he has learned from RB Derrick Henry: "Just the way that [Derrick Henry] carries himself off the field and on the field and the way he takes care of his body."
S MALAKI STARKS
On how the game is slowing down for him: "I'm just not out there thinking [as much]. The call comes in, I'm communicating, and I don't have to think as much about where I'm supposed to be and how I'm supposed to be there. I can just be there and fly around and get to the ball."
On if that has helped him the last two games where he has recorded INTs: "Yes, I think I'm just really trusting the guys, like I've said before, that's around me and trusting myself and the preparation that I'm doing throughout the week. And when I see something, I just believe in it and go get it, and I think that's been the key."
On how satisfying it is to record INTs in back-to-back games: "It's been a relief, for sure. But it's all on God's timing, so I've just been staying the course."
On him showing appreciation for the veteran DBs in the room: "Yes, I just told [Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton] that I appreciate them. They're really good vets; they're really good guys to learn from, and they're really good guys that have in a room, not just from a football standpoint, but from a life standpoint, as well. So just to have those guys and the way they lead and the way they go about their business, I'm grateful to have them in the room."
On how the success of the defense has snowballed over the last couple of weeks: "Yes, I think whenever you have success, it's always a positive thing. But I think it's just our mindset and how we want to attack it each week, and I think every week is a [chance to] start over. What you did last week, you can't carry it over into this week. So, it's really just starting over from square one and seeing how we can grow better and be better as a defense."
On the chemistry with S Alohi Gilman: "Alohi [Gilman] is awesome, man. He's been in the league for a long time, and he's another guy in the room that I told him I appreciate just [because of] the way that he carries himself, the way that he comes in day in and day out [going] about his business. He's a great guy to have in the locker room and for me to learn from, and our connection is growing. I love him. He's awesome."
On the edge that S Alohi Gilman has added to the defense: "Yes, without a doubt. I think the way he plays and just who he is, it's who you want a Raven to be, so it is awesome just to learn from him."
On how S Kyle Hamilton plays and putting himself in a quarterback's shoes facing Hamilton: "Yes, I'd have to ask for more help." (laughter) "Kyle [Hamilton] is just different, man. The things that he can do – it's just different."
On the best gift he got for his birthday today: "I got to talk to my fiancée. My mom texted me. I got a cookie cake, and that's it, really. I'm just spending time with the guys. I'm very blessed to be here, and I take it very seriously, so I'm happy."
