HEAD COACH JESSE MINTER
Opening Statement: "It's been a long week here. We got a lot of good work in. I'm proud of our guys [for] the way they played in that game. I thought we, especially in the second half, were able to kind of play the game the way we wanted to play a little bit more [and] control the ball a little bit more. [We] did a nice job on defense [in the] red zone [and] got a couple turnovers which we wanted to get, so [I'm] proud of our guys."
After getting your second win, can you talk a little bit about what you saw and what you liked in that second half especially? (Brian Wacker) "Yes, I just liked the resolve. Especially on defense, I thought we finished the game a little bit better than last week, which was a goal. Offensively, I thought Joe [Fagnano] came in again — [the] second week in a row — and just kind of managed the offense really well. [He] got us down there a few times, made some really key plays throwing the ball, [and] guys made some nice catches for him. I just liked the way we played in the second half with where the game was at halftime."
Can you speak on WR Rashod Bateman's absence? (Giana Han) "Yes, I'm going to stick by the statement that we put out regarding that situation."
Is there any concern about WR Rashod Bateman missing time? (Brian Wacker) "No comment."
Why was RB Adam Randall not out there today? (Giana Han) "[Adam Randall] is working through something minor, I think. I expect him to potentially be back out there as soon as early this week."
How good was it to see K Tyler Loop go out there and make the kick from the same distance as last week? (Ryan Mink) "Yes, definitely. That's what you want to see. I thought [Tyler Loop] did a great job on kickoffs, as well, for the second week in a row. So, [it was] good to see him make them, and [we'll] just keep trying to get those situations, but it's always obviously good to see him make those kicks."
With injuries to a number of the defensive line starters, other players have gotten a lot of reps in, including some of the depth guys. What have you seen from them, and how tight do you feel that competition is? (Giana Han) "I would say that that's as tight as any position [group]. There are a lot of guys there that have made plays and made impactful plays, and you obviously put a ton of stock into what happens in the games and how they play. So, it's a really deep room. [I'm] very proud of that room. They've gotten a ton of reps because of some of the dealings of the veteran players and what they're dealing with, so that room has performed really well and gotten a lot better as we've gone on. There will be some tough, tough battles."
What did you make of DL Aeneas Peebles' performance tonight? How has he progressed as a defender? "Yes, [Aeneas Peebles] has some playmaking instincts. [He's] got some ability. Whenever we move him and things like that, he's really effective. I think he's just keeping his head down, working. When guys sit there and don't count the number of bodies at their position, [they] make it a really hard decision. Control what you can control, [and] make it a really hard decision. I feel like that's what all those guys up front have done, and it'll make it really challenging."
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle was in the coaching booth for the second game in a row. Can you talk about what into that decision? (Giana Han) "Yes, I think the more and more [offensive coordinator Declan Doyle] kept thinking about it, [he has] been feeling really comfortable up there [after] the first game, and he does a really good job on the headset from up there. He's able to kind of dissect everything [and] see everything, so we'll see if he [wants to] maybe try it in the third game. But, it was just a decision we made this week."
S KEONDRE JACKSON
How much does this defense want to carry over from the joint practices the last two days? How much did you emphasize the need for the team to carry that over today? (Ryan Mink) "[It's about] just learning from the few mistakes we had in [the joint] practices. We preach not having a drop-off on our backend, and on the defense. So, the 'ones' hold us accountable; they go out there and play great. The 'twos' and 'threes,' we want to follow suit because you're just as good as your weakest link. Not saying that we have a weak link, but [we want] no drop-offs with that."
You obviously show a lot of energy on special teams both at practice and during games. Is it ever hard to keep yourself from maybe not going too hard and managing the emotions on those plays? (Brian Wacker) "I would just say we preach a lot about taking it to the edge, but you don't want to go off the edge with it, because last year, I had a few penalties in games when I first came up. So, just growing from that and learning [that] I can play fast, play aggressive and take it to the edge, but just keep it composed right there at the edge."
How much do you and CB Keyon Martin feed off each other? (Giana Han) "[Keyon Martin is] my 'dog.' [No.] 39 [and No.] 38. [We have] similar numbers. [Since] last year, we have been tapped in, so we know we have to go out there and execute, play great, feed off each other [and] keep being great. So, [he's helped me] a lot."
Defensively, where do you think you have made the biggest strides since last year? (Brian Wacker) "Just slowing the game down for me, being ahead of the play call, seeing the formation that the offense is going to get and then being able to talk [through] that and communicate it with the guys out there. Then, if I do make a mistake in practice or on defense, [I'm] learning from that, carrying it over to the game and fixing it up."
It feels like the defense has checked every box with the Eagles game, joint practices and today. What is it about head coach Jesse Minter's defense that has this defense just clicking at all levels? (Ryan Mink) "There's a lot of unity, and when [head coach Jesse Minter] first came in, that's exactly what he preached to us. He wanted us all to be connected in the backend [and] connected on the defense side. So, as a team, we want to be the best. So, [it's] just [about] unity, and as [long] as we're united and connected, we can go as far as we want to go."
TE JOSH CUEVAS
How nice was it to help the offense get started there to start the second quarter? (Ryan Mink) "It was good. It was a great experience. The atmosphere was awesome walking into the stadium. The fans are electric. Finally hearing that drum in person instead of on TV was pretty cool. My goal is [to] go out there and help the team any way I can, [whether there are] specific play calls for me or not, [or if I'm] blocking [or] catching the ball. I get that courage from [offensive coordinator] Declan [Doyle]'s playcalling. He is a mastermind of this offense, and it makes everybody feel comfortable."
TE Matt Hibner had a really big preseason opener. You guys are competing with each other in a friendly way. How much did you want to come out today and be like, 'Alright, I am going to make some catches too?' (Ryan Mink) "It is a friendly competition, but [Matt Hibner and I] always pull for each other. You can never digress in somebody else's success. If we are really pulling for one another, [then] both of us cannot lose. It was good bouncing off one another and really picking him up today and him picking me up that first [preseason] opener."
How have you dealt with the pressure that come with playing the TE position knowing the expectations? (Brian Wacker) "No, I do not really feel that pressure. I just know that I have really good vets in the room. I am learning from Mark Andrews and Durham Smythe. Even now, during these preseason games, you do not feel that pressure at all to really go out there and perform because you have so much comfortability and confidence in the coaching staff to put you in good positions to succeed. Even when you do not, then you come to the sideline, [and] we actually have pictures now, instead of in college, [where] you [would] have actual video of what happened during the play. You can easily break it down, see the looks and get back out there. There's not really much pressure going on."
What stands out to you about QB Joe Fagnano? (Ryan Mink) "[Joe Fagnano] is a good guy. [He is] honestly a better guy than a player, in my opinion. He is awesome. [He is] great to be around. [He] just wants to make everybody else better on and off the field. He is a general out there whenever he gets his chances. He had [two] great [drives], coming into the game [and] moving the offense down the field. [I] cannot say enough about that guy."
Head coach Jesse Minter had so many good things say about the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' defense. Can you talk about the trouble they gave you through the week and then obviously today? (Giana Han) "It was a great week of practice. [The Vikings] pretty much brought the house most of the time during practices, and they gave us some struggles during practices, but nobody adjusts better than the Baltimore Ravens when it comes to that stuff. We have a great playcaller [in offensive coordinator Declan Doyle] who breaks everything down position by position. He is going in between every single room at the hotel during meetings, looking at different looks and making sure we know what we are doing on specific looks. So, having [an] offensive coordinator that can really kind of personalize everything that you are doing and really give you a clear objective of what you need to do is awesome."
OLB ETHAN BURKE
You've had two really great defensive performances for the Ravens already this preseason. What did you see during this game, and how did you feel about your performance coming out with a forced fumble and sack? "I think we just continued to improve throughout the week. [We] faced [the Minnesota Vikings] twice in practice [and] had a better idea of what we were going up against this week. We just continued to go out and execute today and come out of there with a win."
OLB Mike Green said he's been really impressed with your performance. What have you been able to take from the veterans on this Ravens defense? "So much. Mike [Green] has always had my back. [With] Trey [Hendrickson] and 'T-Rob' [Tavius Robinson], [there are] just great veterans in this room to learn from. I couldn't be more blessed to be here learning from all those guys. So, it's been super fun the last month or so, and [I] just have to keep learning and getting better and take in what I can from those guys."
To come up here and have a sack and a forced fumble, how do you feel about this game after your performance today? "Yes, obviously it was good. My goal is just to continue doing what I'm doing, keep getting better, just [keep] having fun and enjoying celebrating with my teammates and whatnot."
You and other young guys are getting a lot of reps in the preseason. How much does that help you, and particularly when you see the results, what does that do for you? "Yes, I think it's been great for us to get our feet wet, dive on top of the opportunity and take advantage of these reps that we're getting now so [that] we're ready when the real thing comes along. I've enjoyed going out with Zion [Young], 'Ruck' [Kaimon Rucker] and 'Adis' [Adisa Isaac] and just balling and having fun with those guys."
OLB MIKE GREEN
How much has some of the success that you are having early in the preseason helping set you up for what is next? "I think being able to go out there in these preseason games and work on your craft [is important]. You get good competition in practice, but I think being able to go out there and experience the in-game feeling gives you a boost of confidence. I think over time and through continuing to work on [my] craft sets me up to be ready for the season."
How important is it for you to see results, get a sack or a quarterback hit and put up some pressures like that, even if it is just the preseason? "Regardless [of] what game it is, it is still a confidence boost, and it shows you that the work that you put in [and] the moves that I have been practicing [have been] paying off, especially since [I'm] trying to work on [my] craft in practice, [so] being able to go out there in the game and be successful with it, it means a lot."
With injuries to a number of the defensive line starters, you guys have gotten a lot of reps in, including some of the depth guys. What have you seen from them, and how tight do you feel that competition is? "It is [a] very tight [competition]. We have a good group of guys in both the outside linebacker room as well as the defensive line room. Competition is what makes us all better, and I think as we continue to make each other better and continue to rise as a group, [then] we are going to be very special. [By] being able to see those young guys go out there today and produce and make plays, it lightens us up because we see work they put in and how much they want to get [better]."
Two games in a row, the defense has played well with particularly a lot of the young guys getting a lot of reps. How important is that from a depth standpoint for you guys? What do you think it says about the younger players? "It simply means that when the time comes [and] we are in the actual season, they are going to be ready for it, and there is not going to be a game that will be too big for them to play in. I think that is the biggest upside of these preseason games is just to get their feet wet, to raise their confidence a little and show that they belong here."
An undrafted rookie OLB Ethan Burke, what have you thought about his camp and then his performance tonight? "I am very impressed with [Ethan Burke]. His work ethic, the way he comes in and works on his craft, the way he practices [and] the way he carries himself, I am very impressed with him. I am surprised that he is an undrafted free agent, but I am glad that he is here. He is going to be good, and I am excited for his future."
QB JOE FAGNANO
The Vikings' defense gave you guys trouble throughout the double joint practices. How do you feel like you guys as an offense, and specifically offensive coordinator Declan Doyle adjusted to their defense? "I think anytime you go into a practice, it's tough because you're not really game-planning for things. You're still installing the offense, so that can be kind of tough for an offense, but I think we improved from the two joint practices into the preseason game. [I'm] happy with the way the guys responded."
TE Josh Cuevas was saying that offensive coordinator Declan Doyle showed a different level of attention to detail for every single position group. What was that like having him come in and just know down to all the little details of what you should be doing? "Yes, it's definitely helped me out a ton just learning the nuances of protection and where guys are going to be at on routes, because I've learned in my short time in this league [that] a lot of it has to do with timing and your footwork. So, everybody has to be on the same page, and that's really what [offensive coordinator Declan Doyle] is just putting on our plates right now. There's a lot that we need to improve on, but I think we're getting there as an offense."
Where do you think you've made the biggest strides now with two preseason games under your belt and getting a number of reps in practices? "I think, overall, [I am] just getting the grasp of an NFL offense. It's a lot different than college offense, at least in my particular situation. [I am] taking that one day at a time. Obviously, like I said, there's a lot that I need to improve on. [I'm] happy with the performance today, but I have to watch the film, and I know there are a couple of throws that I'm going to want back."
How do you feel like your offensive line responded to the pressure that the Vikings were bringing today? "[I thought it was] pretty good. [The Vikings] got [to] me a couple of times [and] showed a couple of different looks. It's kind of what their defense is known for, and they play really sound, really good defense. They try to confuse you and make you speed up your feet, and that's kind of the big emphasis for me is just playing my game, taking it one play at a time and taking what they gave me."
