HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening statement: "It's good to see everybody. I appreciate you guys being here again, and we're right back at it. [It's a] short week, obviously. We're playing in two days. So, we had a good practice today, and we're excited about the challenge and also Thanksgiving. So, we are ready for both. What questions do you have?"
When going and defending a guy like Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase, what's kind of at the top of the priority list when it comes to trying to contain him? (Jamison Hensley) "Well, tackling, probably, is the number one thing with Ja'Marr Chase and No. 30 [Chase Brown]. Those two guys, No. 1 and No. 30, [let's] start there – [the Bengals] have a lot of guys. You have to be aware of everybody. They have a lot of guys that can make plays, but those two guys, you have to get them on the ground. So, being in a position, eyes in the right spot, playing leverage on different things like screens and things like that are going to be very important."
You mentioned there's a chance for S Kyle Hamilton. We saw him go out there at Practice. How did he look? (Bo Smolka) "Kyle Hamilton looked good today. Yes, he had a good practice. I think he'll be a full participant I would assume, based on what I saw."
This is a similar question, WR Rashod Bateman returned as well. Is he still on track do you think, to play on Thursday? (Carita Parks) "Rashod [Bateman] was a full participant, as well. Yes, so he looks good."
Similar question on QB Joe Burrow. Obviously, he's had some big games in his full career. Now with his first game back, I'm sure you have high expectations. What is the challenge, or what do you have to do to slow him down? (Brian Wacker) "Well, we've played [Joe Burrow] enough to understand how he plays and how he fits into the offense, how he fits in with the receivers they have and things like that. You kind of look at what they've been doing the last few weeks, and they're going to continue down the path [with] their offense, but they do a really good job. They have a really well-organized offense. They know what they're doing. The principles are built into it, and those are the things you have to contend with. Now with Joe executing them, and he's the foremost guy – the system was built for Joe Burrow. So, that's what we're looking at trying to defend."
OLB Mike Green is someone who it seems like he's showing up more and more every week. What are you seeing in his development and how valuable is he in becoming his part of your pass rush? (Luke Jones) "Yes, I agree. Mike Green is amping it up. He's making some plays. He had a couple of crazy good reactions [with those] screen passes and different things that were just natural football player moves. He's been pressuring the quarterback. I think the pass rush is starting to really heat up, but [he's] one of the more advanced young all-around players, probably, that we've had in a while. So, he looks good."
Do you feel like that pass rush group in general, since you got OLB Dre'Mont Jones, are those guys kind of all helping each other? Are they playing off of each other well? Does that group just sort of fit together? (Childs Walker) "Well, I think [the pass rushers] do fit together well. They are playing off each other well. I think they kind of complement each other, I guess, in a way. They're all good players, but they're all still in the same kind of style. David Ojabo is the same way. They're strong; they're physical; they're heavy-handed players. They're also quick, they're explosive players, and they play really hard, and that's something that we require. So, I think they fit each other really well, and they fit us really well."
I know you mentioned that Thanksgiving is one of your favorite holidays. What about this team this year are you thankful for? (A.J. Gersh) "That's a great question. I'm thankful for, I guess, with this team is who they've proven to be. Adversity – you used to hear the thing, 'Adversity builds character.' I think it kind of shows character. The more success you have sometimes, it shows who you really are, and the more challenges you have, sometimes it shows who you really are. And through these challenges, to see these guys respond the way they did together every day was really great. Now that we're on the brink of having success, they haven't changed one bit. They're the same. So, I'm kind of proud of that, and I'm grateful for that – just who they are character-wise."
Speaking of challenges, what have you seen from QB Lamar Jackson these past few weeks when maybe he's his healthiest? You guys still won the games, obviously, but he probably wasn't playing his best in those games. What have you seen him kind of getting through those in the last few weeks? (Brian Wacker) "Well, I feel like Lamar [Jackson] is playing winning football in games that you have to find a way to do what's required to win the game. That's different in every game, and he's been doing that, whether, sometimes you take some things for granted; you protect the football, or you operate the right way, or you get us down the field. We've had some key drives at the end of the game in the second half and in the fourth quarter that have been game-winners for us and the offense. So, it's like, well you may be referring to quote unquote gaudy stats and things like that, but how about the fourth-quarter stats? I think Lamar has a 144 quarterback rating in the fourth quarter when the game needs to be won, and that's when these games have needed to be won in the last three, four or five weeks. So, that's probably the most important stat, and so that's what I see."
So, you were asked earlier about Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase. He's coming back off the suspension. I'm sure he is going to be spitting mad ready to play, but they're not going to have WR Tee Higgins. So, does he merit double coverage? (Jerry Coleman) "Ja'Marr Chase certainly does merit double coverage. He's one of the premier receivers in the league for sure. It's hard to get to that, because you've got some weapons out there, and as soon as you start pulling the coverage too far away from other guys and [then] other guys start making plays on you. So, we'll have to balance all that out with what we do. But yes, he's one of the top guys in the league for sure."
I can't recall QB Lamar Jackson having battled a toe injury before. I guess just how important is a day like today just to kind of figure out if it is limited in any way, just to kind of understand how you can be comfortable out on the field and also just with the walk-through that you guys have tomorrow? (Jonas Shaffer) "I think it's always part of it just to kind see how guys – any player, any player – how they're moving, how they're responding and stuff like that. [Lamar Jackson] looked very good today. He'll answer it for you up here [at the podium]. Then with any player, you kind of see how they're feeling all through the week, and even on gameday, you kind of try to get a sense of that. But he looked good today."
OLB MIKE GREEN
On if there's a change in their approach with Bengals QB Joe Burrow returning from injury: "I think, of course, it changes simply because we know what type of player [Joe Burrow] is. They're going to come here, [and] they're going to have a lot of energy since he's coming back, but I think we might be a little bit more excited than they are, honestly. Like I said, we know what type of team and the capability that they have, and it's going to be exciting, and we're excited and ready for the challenge."
On if they're looking to exploit QB Joe Burrow's potential limitations in mobility: "Like I said, we know the capability that [Joe Burrow] plays with, and we know that he can rush, and we know that he's a great passer, as well. And I think we just continue to take care of whatever they throw at us, honestly. And if they come out here, and he's scrambling a lot, we know we have to be a little bit extra sound on that. And if he's going to be a great passer come Thursday, then we know that we're going to have to put pressure on him and cover well."
On how weird it is to play on a Thursday on Thanksgiving: "It is going to be exciting, of course. I don't think it's too weird since we have had a Thursday game already, so this week is kind of similar to the last Thursday game we had. With that being said, [with] it being Thanksgiving, it's going to be exciting. I know a lot of families are going to be back, everybody is going to have people in town, so I think it may seem a little weird, but I think it is going to be fine."
On if he has a lot of family coming into town for the game: "Yes, I actually do. My mom, of course. My uncle, cousins and whoever. So, I've got a good amount of people coming."
On what he's learned from OLB Dre'Mont Jones since he joined the team a few weeks ago: "Yes, I think [Dre'Mont Jones] just has such a deep bag of being versatile. He's a speed rusher. He's a power rusher. He can beat you with inside moves. He's stout in the run game, and I think when you have such a talented player like that, they open up opportunities for other players. And if you only have one good pass rusher, you have to have some kind of counter to that, as well. So, if we have two good pass rushers, it opens up a lot of doors and opportunities for each other. Just having him on the other side brings a lot of great capability to our defensive line."
On where he feels he has grown since he got here in April: "It's crazy. It seemed like it was yesterday, but I think when I first got here it was more so just being more comfortable in my position. I think I kind of mentioned this a while ago, but I had a lot that was put on my plate. There wasn't anything that I couldn't handle, but it did bring challenges to my table, of course. So, I think just being able to overcome the little beginner stage is what helped me out a lot, and I think around this time, I'm comfortable with being out there. I trust myself, and I trust the guys that are on the [other] side of me. So, I think that was probably the biggest change between now and the beginning of the season."
On if there are other pass rushers around the league that he's studied: "I don't think there's any particular pass rushers that I study, but I do watch the different moves that guys do and stuff like that, only because everybody is different. You can have similar playing styles, but ultimately each player is very different. And when you go out there against an offensive tackle, they can give you something totally different than what the offensive tackle gave [another] pass rusher. So, I think the true art of pass rushing is having your own setup in that particular game. You can study their tendencies and things like that, but when it comes down to actually trying to beat the guy across me one on one, it is going to come with the in-game 'Tom and Jerry' fight."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On his feelings about playing on Thanksgiving: "[I feel] probably the same [way I feel about playing on Christmas]. I'd rather be sitting down watching football, eating and chilling with my family. But you know, it's great to play on Thanksgiving. I feel – it is my first time. Is that our first time [with me]? Yes, [this is my] first time playing on Thanksgiving, so it's going to be different for me. Usually, I'm watching – like I said – eating. But playing, [I am] looking forward to it."
On if he has any childhood memories of watching football on Thanksgiving: "I don't remember. I can't call it. All I know is [that] I was always watching the Cowboys. That was my favorite team growing up – the Cowboys. So, I was always watching them."
On when he injured his toe: "It actually happened in the game [on Sunday]. I just got fallen on, but I'm good, though. [My] toe is good."
On if his recent injuries are becoming annoying: "Talking about it, talking about it is [becoming annoying]. I don't like talking about something that happened, but it is what it is. It is a part of the job, a part of the game, but hopefully nothing [happens] this Thursday."
On if he remembers when his toe injury happened: "[It happened during the] first quarter, I got tackled during one play. The guy – I wouldn't say it was intentional, we were just playing football, [it was a] regular tackle. He just dropped all his weight on me, though."
On playing in cold weather games and how he prepares for windy weather: "It starts in practice, with the wind aspect. [We] practice outside to get used it – to get accustomed to the wind, just throwing into it, throwing away from it, throwing with the wind sometimes, just to try to put different trajectories on the ball when I'm throwing. [But] that's about it, because you can't control the weather – at least I can't."
On him being mic'd up and how often he laughs during games: "I don't know. I'm having fun doing something I love, so that's why I'm probably laughing. My guys, they [are always] cracking jokes and stuff like that. They probably don't get it all the time, but yes. So, that plays a part in it, too."
On what stands out to him about the rivalry between the Ravens and the Bengals: "The back and forth. It seems like every time we play them, we've been going back and forth. [They have a] great quarterback over there and a great receiving corps, so [I am] just looking forward to it again. Hopefully it [doesn't go] back and forth [in this game], hopefully it's one-sided, and it's our side."
On what it's like to watch Bengals QB Joe Burrow from the other sideline: "I'm just hoping – because [Joe Burrow] is a great quarterback – just hopefully they don't score any points. [I want the defense to] just get him off the field as fast as possible. The defense just [has to] do their one-of-11 – do their job – and just put us back on the field, because I [get] so tired of seeing him throw to Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, because those guys do a great job of putting points on the board for their team and performing."
On if it is tough not to get frustrated when he is getting injured often: "I don't think about that. We're winning, so that's what it's all about. I can't control an injury. Things like that happen. Unfortunately, it's just happening [at] the wrong time, I believe. But we're winning, so that's all my focus is on."
On if his other injuries have gone away: "I'm feeling better, in some areas." (Laughter)
On if it's been difficult to manage through the pain of injuries and if that has affected his performance: "Oh, no, I just get treatment. And when Sunday comes – [or] Thursday, which is what's about to happen this week – I don't think about it. I just go out there and play."
On T Ronnie Stanley saying that the team won't win a Super Bowl without the offense improving: "I agree, absolutely. [We have] to put points on the board. We can't keep putting [Tyler] Loop out there to [kick a field goal] on each and every drive, because there's going to be some times when we're going against a high-motor offense, and they might score a lot of points, and we're going to have to match those guys. So, we just have to do our job. I agree with Ronnie [Stanley]."
On how important it is to get off to a fast start during games: "It's very important to get off to a fast start, keep that pace in the game fast. That's what we need to do."
On if the team feeds off the M&T Bank Stadium crowd during primetime games: "I can't call it. Just being in 'The Bank' [M&T Bank Stadium], the crowd noise, just hearing our fans popping out of their skins. We just go out there, and it's pitch black – I don't know, [there is] something about that setting that just has us turned up. I don't know, I can't call it."
OLB DRE'MONT JONES
On the challenge of going against Bengals QB Joe Burrow who hasn't played in a game since September: "'Professional Joe' [Burrow] has been one of the best for a while, so it doesn't matter that he didn't play a lot. It matters how can we find ways to stop him. When he's back there, he's lethal, so we have to do our part."
On his impressions of how the pass rush has worked together and on what's clicked these last few weeks: "[We're] just staying resilient. This group has been consistent since I've been here. Whether it is a good game or bad game, they're always looking to be better and working. They put the last game behind them, and we're going to focus on a new opponent each and every week. [It's] something you have to respect and appreciate. Any 'BS' or anything positive, you have to just look forward, no matter what."
On if he feels like he helps rookie OLB Mike Green: "Yes, [it's about] how we gel, how we play off each other. Any wisdom that I have, I give to him. We can be lethal if we do it the right way."
On if the duo nickname with OLB Mike Green "Draymond Green" is catching on: (laughter) "No, that was a weak name, but it was funny though. It just made sense because my name is Dre'Mont, not Draymond. It's not catching on."
On if he's come to a consensus on a duo nickname with OLB Mike Green: "Mike Green and 'Dre.' That's our duo name."
