HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "OK, it's good to see everybody. I appreciate you guys being here. It was good to meet Tatiana here today. She's been honored this October as the Ravens Latino Youth Honors nominee by the NFL. [The program] recognizes an athlete for their academic and athletic excellence in the Latino and Hispanic community. It's pretty awesome. She was chosen to represent the AFC North as one of the eight finalists winning a trip to the Super Bowl and an academic scholarship, so [this is a] pretty awesome accomplishment. Congratulations, [this is] fantastic. It's an honor. She is right there. It's great to have you here. Great job. Great job. We're proud of you. Alright, what questions do you have?"
We didn't see QB Lamar Jackson more out there, is this something similar to last week with him where he didn't practice the one day and will be back later in the week? (Jamison Hensley) "Yes, [it's the] same type of situation."
You said the other day that CB Keyon Martin stayed overnight in Cleveland. Do you have any more information about that*? (Bo Smolka)* "Yes, it didn't turn out to be a serious thing. There was some concern about putting him on the plane. They wanted to do some tests, and it didn't turn out to be a thing that was a problem that way, so, [Keyon Martin] flew back the next morning."
Just to go back to QB Lamar Jackson, do you expect him to be back at practice this week? (Brian Wacker) "I really don't have any information on that, as far as any more information – public information – that I want to share on any of those guys [that didn't practice]. It is Week 12, guys play [football]. It's the physical nature of the sport. Some guys don't practice on Wednesday. We'll try to get everybody available for Sunday that we can, and we'll see as the week goes on, who becomes available."
How much does the fact that you're playing two games in five days coming up also affect it? (Jerry Coleman) "It's the same. It's always the same. All the questions are just ... It is what it is. It's football. It's challenging. And I do appreciate the questions, but [there is] really nothing I can tell you. Some guys can practice; some guys can't. Some guys we would rather hold out and get them ready to go. I get it, but it's the nature of the deal. I know that it's Lamar [Jackson] – it's our quarterback – and I understand how important it is. It wasn't in his best interest to practice today. And we'll see where we're at tomorrow."
RB Justice Hill was back at practice today, like CB Marlon Humphrey. Was he kind of on that same trajectory to come back within that week after getting injured? (Valerie Preactor) "Was [Justice Hill]? I don't know if it's the same trajectory exactly. He was on his own trajectory. He had a toe injury. He looked good today in practice, I can tell you that. Marlon did, too."
We heard CB Marlon Humphrey share a little more about the "Hurricane" play. He said it was you who actually came up with that play. (Brian Wacker) "Marlon [Humphrey] said that, huh?"
CB Marlon Humphrey said it was you. Was that the case, and how did it come to be? (Brian Wacker) "The truth is ... Really, the way it works is – everybody is involved. So, there are a lot of good plays, and there is a lot of conversation. It probably was born off the Rams game, but we've been talking about it before. When people overexaggerate defending the quarterback sneak, and you'd hope that plays like that, or the Lamar [Jackson] play [in Minnesota] – the toss play – would be plays that would loosen people up a little bit in the quarterback sneaks. So, we'll see how that affects that part of it, too, moving forward. So, it's just part of the give and take. But everybody's involved in it – all the coaches did a good job, and the players did a good job. So, we're kind of moving on to the next one."
Why did you name the play "Hurricane?" (Jonas Shaffer) "We have other plays that are in that same kind of a deal, that have weather names, so, it just kind of fit in the package. It was a package name."
Is there a "Tornado" or "Monsoon" out there? (Jerry Coleman) "Yes, those are both in the hopper. Tornado and monsoon are both in the hopper." (laughter) "They are, oh yes."
I know you talked about the offensive line performance on Monday, but do you have a process by which you kind separate or grade on a curve, when you go up against a great pass rusher like Browns DE Myles Garrett? (Kyle Goon) "Yes, I think you do. You understand the challenge of the play. Every play is graded; every play is evaluated. And just, even more than that, it's just a conversation that we have because it's a collaboration between coaches and players, players and players, coaches and coaches, and you're trying to do the best you can. We had a lot of really good plays executed out there. Myles Garrett got blocked a good number of times. You look at each play for what it is, and you try to apply what you learn going forward to the next game and keep rolling. That's what you do."
We've seen a lot of improvement in the defensive secondary. What have you seen with the chemistry between S Alohi Gilman and S Kyle Hamilton that has made improvements in that area? (David Andrade) "It's been great. Those guys have done a great job. I love the collaboration between those two guys [Alohi Gilman and Kyle Hamilton] – and Malaki [Starks], I would put him right in the same category. [Honestly], the whole defense – I think the whole defense is definitely gelling together in terms of communication, in terms of working together, the timing of the disguises, the way the blitzes are working, the patterns, and the way they're being run – I just think there's a lot of good cohesion going on right now. We have to keep building on that. We're going to get tested again this week in different kinds of ways, so we just have to keep growing. And the other thing is, every game is different. Every play is different. You really take a lot of things going forward, but there's really not as many threads that really keep running through the whole season. It's really, every game is its own deal. And so, you play the game as best you can, and you try to win the game. [Then] you put that game away, and you go to the next game, try to play the game as best you can and try to win that game. That's really how it works. They kind of stand on their own."
How pleased have you been with OLB Dre'Mont Jones and just how quickly he's been able to make an impact? (Sam Cohn) "I am really pleased [with Dre'Mont Jones]. I'm not surprised, because we've heard so many good things about him, but [he's been] even better than advertised – the kind of guy he is, how smart he is [and] even his physical talent, all those different kind of things. To see him go back to Cleveland – and his kids were there. To get a chance to play in a game like that, a [Ravens-Browns] game he kind grew up watching – he's from Saint Ignatius over there [in Cleveland] – so [it was a] very, very cool moment."
Not that you don't prepare for every quarterback that you're going to face on a roster, but when there is a sudden change, like with the Jets, and then you have the short game with Cincinnati and the unknowns with Bengals QB Joe Burrow; is that an added layer of just extra work behind the scenes, get up to speed on that? (Morgan Adsit) "Yes, you have to try to just determine ... I guess it's like grading on the curve. You just have to kind of determine –you have to scale it out and [decide], how much do we want to impact our game-planning or how much does it need to. Last week, it didn't impact us at all. This week, we know it's going to be Tyrod [Taylor], so that helps us. But we also know that Justin Fields could very well come in [during] the game and play certain plays or packages or whatever. So, we have to be ready for that, too. Next week is just kind of up in the air. It's a Thursday night game. Yes, we're preparing for it already behind the scenes, and we don't know which quarterback we're going to get. The good news is, we know them both [Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco]; we've played against them a lot, but now our people are looking at how they fit into the offense basically that they're running. But we won't look at that until Monday."
I know you mentioned on Monday that you appreciate New York Jets QB Tyrod Taylor's longevity of his career. You know him and have played against him. You played with him. How far back do you kind of take the knowledge of him versus just looking at what he's done most recently and how has he grown over his career? (Bo Smolka) "I guess you go back as far as you can remember. I can't remember a lot, but I remember enough, I guess. And really, you just take it for what you need to do to play your best defensive football against their offense in this game. So, it's mainly what [Tyrod Taylor] has done this year. But we also track, of course, on all players, we track tape back. We do go back [on] tape. So, he's a heck of a quarterback. He's played well for them this year already. He's done a really nice job. We respect him greatly, and we know it's a big challenge to defend a Tyrod Taylor-led offense."
Let's go back to what you were saying about, obviously, Week 11, it's physical, and guys get banged up in the course of the season. I think the last couple of years you've had a late bye week. This year, it was earlier. Is that something when guys are dealing with these things, you've got to manage it, whether it's these practices, snap counts, whatever the case may be, you've got to keep those things in mind for January? (Brian Wacker) "Yes, definitely. It's an individual-type thing. You try to keep practicing at a high level, especially in terms of sense of urgency and intensity of attention to detail. But different guys are in different places. Marlon [Humphrey] was out there today. It was a little different from Marlon than maybe some other guys, just with his hand and everything, so, it's individualized."
Anybody update on OLB Tavius Robinson's recovery? (Sam Cohn) "Yes, Tavius Robinson is doing well. I'd say he is right on schedule, and he's getting close. He's getting close. Same thing for Ar'Darius [Washington]. They're both getting close."
I know it's just a limited use, but ILB Trenton Simpson, when you line him up outside, he's gotten pressure and has had some good results there. Is it possible that outside rusher is, potentially, a long-term home for him in this organization? (Kyle Goon) "Well, the nice thing is the versatility would say 'yes,' because we've already shown you can put [Trenton Simpson] out there, and he can do a good job with it. So, to your point, yes, he looks good out there. The fact that he can line up [at] really pretty much any linebacker position and be put on the edge – that's a big plus."
We haven't asked you about G/T Emery Jones Jr. in a while. What kind of progress has he made over the last couple of weeks since he's gotten cleared with all of the pass blocking? (Jeff Zrebiec) "Emery Jones Jr. has made very good progress, very quick progress. It's only been about three to four weeks. One of the weeks was a no pads [practice]. It was a Thursday night week. I think his first week was the Miami game; so I would say he's made excellent progress, and he's getting pretty close to being ready to play."
TE MARK ANDREWS
On achieving the milestone of becoming the Ravens' record holder for receiving yards: "Yes, I think right now, for me, it's [about] continuing to focus on this team, and [for] everybody in here to just continue to buy in. I'm obviously very humbled and excited about that accomplishment – there's a lot that went into that – but it's week by week, and we're taking it one game at a time, and I'm excited about that."
On how excited he is to play at home after three games on the road: "It's going to be great. We know [Ravens fans] are going to show up and show out. I know this whole team is excited to go out and play at M&T Bank Stadium and see the fans and put on a show."
On wanting to show something more for the home fans: "We take pride in our fan base, our stadium and just playing on that field, so we're ready to go. We've got a great challenge ahead of us, and we're just focusing on the day to day, getting better and [staying] focused on the game."
On what he can say about the team's resilience after a 1-5 start: "We're just being resilient and staying together. We're not getting too high or too down, and I think it's a credit to everybody in here. It's easy to point fingers and all that sort of thing, but there's none of that here, and that's the type of team and organization that we have. It's just a bunch of focused individuals."
On how much he's watched his TD run against the Browns: "A lot. I was telling 'Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh], I was like, 'I think I'm kind of tired of seeing it, man.' I'm ready to move on and make the next play. But it was obviously an awesome play, and everybody did their job, and it was incredible. So, it was really, really cool. But again, I'm excited about this week against the Jets."
On if he felt like he was running at 20 miles per hour: "Oh, yes. I was moving a little bit. I had a little more juice in the tank, but I'm saving that for later."
On if that's the most response he's gotten from a play in his career: "Possibly. Yes, possibly. I'm trying to think of other plays right now."
On Buccaneers QB and former college teammate Baker Mayfield saying he doesn't hear from him during the season and on feedback he gets from other players around the league: "I actually reached out to [Baker Mayfield] this week, and there wasn't really much of a response."
What about the rest of the league? "No."
On the struggles the offense has encountered in the red zone: "I think for us, it's just about being able to execute. That's really what it's all about. [It's about] us making the right plays at the right time, and I think that we've been getting better at finding ways to get in the red zone, and we're going to continue to do that. We have so many talented players and coaches on this team that [if] we continue to do our job, make the right reads, make the right choices – whatever it may be – we're going to find the red zone."
On missing players at practice today and on finding ways to dial things back during practice late in the season: "You always have to know yourself as a player and how you feel. It's all about peaking on Sundays, and we know that, and so that's what our goal is, to peak on Sundays."
C TYLER LINDERBAUM
On his thoughts on the Ravens' pass protection: "I think, always, there's going to be improvement that you can come out of a game with. Last game, [the Browns have a] really good defensive front [and a] really good defense. At times, teams are going to get theirs, and you just have to try to limit as much as possible. As a unit, you're striving to limit as much sacks as you can, but it's a part of the game. There's a lot that goes into sacks, but it is not a determining factor in the outcome of a game."
On how the run game improved in the second meeting against the Browns this season: "There's always work and improvement that we can build off of. The goal is to continue to try to limit the 0, 1- [and] 2-yard gains and try to get to second-and-6, second-and-5, to be in better positions. It seemed like they thrive off of second-and-longs and third-and-longs. So being effective in the run game each and every week is important to allow you to be in a better position on the second and third down."
On what is the key to success in the red zone: "I think the No. 1 thing to be successful in the red zone, you have to be able to run the football effectively, which I don't think we have been able to. So, that starts with us – the O-line – and blocking better and putting guys in a better position to score. I think we have the talent, we certainly the talent to do so. That's an area of improvement. We love [Tyler] Loop, but we need to get touchdowns down in there. I'd rather see him kick an extra point than a field goal. So, we're going to continue to work on it, continue to get better at it, and like I said, we've got the guys in the room on the offensive unit to get the job done. We've just got to stay at it and keep working at it."
On if red zone success is dependent on the run game: "Yes, it certainly helps. So, [we've] just got to find ways to get the ball in the end zone. If you can't run it in, we've got to be able to pass it in. We've got to be able to protect, and if a team's trying to stop the run, then you've got to be able to throw the ball in."
On if the upcoming game against the New York Jets being at home is a focal point: "I think we always want to win in front of the home crowd. I don't know, historically, what our record is for home games, but I feel like since I've been here, we've been pretty effective at home. But certainly this year – new year, new team – let's get some wins in front of our fans."
On how the team has addressed preparing for the New York Jets as a possible trap game: "Yes, [the Jets are] an NFL team with good players. I think out of all their games, they've been one-score games – at least 90 percent of them. So, it's a good team, [with] a lot of good players on their team, and we have to be fully prepared that we're facing a good team."
OLB KYLE VAN NOY
On how much playing Jets QB Tyrod Taylor instead of QB Justin Fields changes things: "We have to be ready for everything. Tyrod [Taylor], obviously, was named the starter, but they can always have a package for [Justin] Fields, so we're going to be ready for everything. Tyrod, he's done a good job everywhere he's gone. It seems like he's always had something go against him, somehow, some way in his career, but he still finds a way. [I] respect him and all that he's put into this game. He's a seasoned vet, and he's going to be ready to come out and show what he can do. [They have a] talented team [and a] talented O-line. They have a lot of high draft picks on that O-line and a former Raven in there [in John] Simpson. [The team] has done a good job running the ball with Breece Hall. They're a collective group that works really, really hard to try to do everything right, and their run game's very explosive, and they believe Tyrod gives them the best chance through the air. We're excited to have that opportunity and get back to playing a home game in front of our fans. We have a chip on our shoulder with that. We haven't performed well enough for our fans and ourselves in our own house, so we want to go out there and do what we can to get a 'dub.'"
On the pass rush ramping up recently: "We've always done a good job. I feel like we've been double-teamed, chipped and max [protected] a lot. That's what teams have done since I've been here. A lot of teams try to chip and slide the whole line. You go back and look at the Browns [game]. You can go look at the Chicago [game] this year [and] even the Rams. The Rams hadn't shown it in a long time, and they even used it. So, a lot of teams are doing that, and we're doing a good job of still staying active. Guys are coming alive. Travis Jones is really playing good ball. 'Dre' [Dre'Mont Jones], he's come alive since he's been traded. Last week, I got a little bit more active, had a little bit more one-on-ones, so it's been fun just putting it all together. We're just playing more complementary football. I feel like earlier in the season, the rush had times where they were doing good, and then the back end [wasn't there], or the back end was doing good, and the rush wasn't there. We weren't marrying it together, and I feel like the last couple of weeks, we've really put it together and played as a unit. That's what you have to do [for] stopping the pass as well as stopping the run. You have to really marry up everything and be all on the same page."
On if the secondary and the front line of the defense weren't playing together earlier in the season: "It's just [about] playing complementary football. We weren't [playing] complementary football as a team. I think it was dominant on one side of the ball, and I would say, recently, we've been able to put two and two together. And I know everyone wants a blowout victory – I think everyone does – but when you have a game like that, [against] the Browns on the road – even though we're past that game, [and] we're moving on to the Jets – it's just [about] complementary football at the end of the game, where we're getting stops, and then the offense gets the ball and is punching it in. If we can do that at a high level, we'll be happy going forward. If we continue to do the little things that we've been doing over the last couple of weeks, we can continue to have success. It's that 1-0 mentality of just doing whatever you can to win this week, and I think we're going to continue to try to right the ship [like] we've been doing, but we're definitely not satisfied [with] where we're at."
On if S Alohi Gilman's and OLB Dre'Mont Jones' personalities have affected the defensive room: "Yes, I think [Alohi Gilman and Dre'Mont Jones] fit in great. [They have] two different personalities, but at the same time, as confusing as that is, 'Lo' has brought an awesome demeanor to the room, to our whole team. He was elected a captain last week – that just speaks to who he is as a person and a player. He's done a tremendous job for us, and he's been able to settle down the back end, which is what they needed, and he's helped settle down the whole defense. Kyle [Hamilton] has been playing closer to the line; Malaki [Starks] has been able to play more of the back end safety role, and so it's been a really, really good mix. 'Lo' can do it all. Then 'Dre,' he's been amazing. [He has] just that pissed off attitude you like in a D-lineman. I don't like nice D-linemen. I like D-linemen that have some crap to him, like you just said, and I think he does a good job of having a high standard for himself. [He] wants to play really good football, and we love that. [He's] very versatile, too."
On how unique S Kyle Hamilton is from all players he's seen over the course of his career: "[Kyle Hamilton] is one of one. I put him in a separate category. I enjoy talking about Kyle, because he's not only a good player; he is a really good human, too. [He] just really does everything you want on a football field and off. I think I said it when I first got here; he was the most mature second-year player I've ever been around, and now he's turning into a veteran himself. He just continues to do a good job of being a leader and then just making plays. It doesn't matter [if] you put that guy at nose tackle, corner, edge rush [or] safety. He's going to get the job done, and we all wish we could have 11 Kyle Hamiltons, and we just want to try to be Kyle in that regard and make plays like him and continue to make [offenses] fear. When you're out there – I know people can't hear the communication of teams and O-linemen and quarterbacks – they're pointing at him. They're scheming it up to stay away and go away from him, and he still is making hay and doing damage. It's awesome to play with a player like that. I've played with amazing players, and I put him at the top of the list with the other one. If I had an All-Defense team with past teammates, he's my starting strong safety, that's for sure."
On how difficult it is for S Kyle Hamilton to play and execute at all the different defensive positions: "Well, I get to brag about myself, too, because I've done it, too." (laughter) "[Kyle Hamilton] is at a different level. He's All-Pro, All-World. He should be in the conversation of DPOY [Defensive Player of the Year, because of] the amount of jobs he takes care of and [does]. He does it at a high level, and he communicates. He knows what everyone else is doing. Every once in a while, you have to remind him, but that's just something me and him have, and I'm just grateful to have a player like that [who] trusts me, and I trust him, and then [there is] trust within the whole defense. It's fun to play with a player like that."
