HEAD COACH JESSE MINTER
Opening Statement: "[I] appreciate you guys being here. We had a great trip in Minnesota. [I] had a chance to study the film this morning with the guys. [There was] a lot of good stuff to learn from. [We] just had a really good practice. [I] appreciate their efforts, and we will do a bit of a walkthrough tomorrow. [There will be] another joint practice opportunity on Wednesday, and obviously the game on Friday, so it is a really good opportunity. Today was a chance to get our starters a lot of work [in] some of those type of periods and then get ready for another chance for those guys to get a lot of work on Wednesday with [the] Washington [Commanders]. We look forward to them coming in. With that, I will open it up for questions."
We saw OL Jovaughn Gwyn start at center on Saturday and working with the first team still today. What has stood out to you about him? (Jamison Hensley) "I think overall, [Jovaughn Gwyn]'s athleticism is one of those things 'Led' [run game coordinator/offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford] talked about back in the process of acquiring him. He has had him under his wing for a couple years and how he has developed. He is really powerful. He is really athletic. There is still a lot to get better at, I would say. But, we certainly like where he is at, and we like where Ethan [Pocic] is at. I think he has really asserted himself into that competition. I think that is going to be an ongoing thing here over these next couple weeks."
Would you like to give C Ethan Pocic a chance with the first team in this final preseason game? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I definitely see [Ethan Pocic] at some point in the next few days [or] week or so getting a lot of work. [I want to be] giving both of those guys chances with the first team and letting it shake out."
We saw DL Nnamdi Madubuike doing some more individual work with the guys today. Was today another big step in his development getting closer to the field? (Cordell Woodland) "It is all part of the process with [Nnamdi Madubuike]. I think he is in a great place. It is a progression week to week. [You] see him hitting the sled and doing things like that. [I] feel good about where that is headed, and we will just continue on that process. I think he is in a really good spot."
This is the final week of how this roster looks right now. Do you get a sense from guys that they know their opportunities are few and far between? (Morgan Adsit) "I told the guys their job, their opportunity is just to make it as hard as possible [and] put their best stuff out there. [I] talked about it earlier, taking the opportunity and running with it, making it really challenging for us to dwindle it down to 53 and then another so many guys on the practice squad. That is really where it is at. To me, there is competition all across the roster, some of it may be for spot 50 and some of it is still for starting positions. That is the reality of this time of year in camp. It has been a really good camp, but the competition has been great to see, and it will definitely shake itself out here over the next five days or so."
What have we seen from WR LaJohntay Wester in the return game? Have you seen him make strides as a receiver as well? (Josh Tolentino) "I think [LaJohntay Wester] has made really good strides. This guy flies off the ball on offense. His speed really shows up on the tape. [It] really shows up when he is running routes. I think he is becoming a lot more decisive as a returner. He has done a really good job in the punt return game, and I think there are still a couple things to see and learn on the kickoff return game. [I'm] really happy with where he is at and how he has progressed."
We saw CB Bilhal Kone limp off the field today. Do you have an update on him? (Giana Han) "[I have] no update. I think [Bilhal Kone] has come back from what he dealt with last year really well. I think he has covered people really well. There are still some things he is trying to improve at in chase, but [I'm] happy with how he has done so far for sure."
The clock is getting tight for Week 1. Is there still enough time for DL Nnamdi Madubuike if he continues in this fashion to be ready to play meaningful ball in Week 1? (Jeff Zrebiec) "Yes, that is something we will look at. I do not know if I have a definitive answer for that. I think every day is like, 'How did today go? What more can we maybe do?' So, I do not know the answer to that right now. We will continue to look for that and see where that is at, but again, we feel really good about [Nnamdi Madubuike] being in a good position to help us."
Is there any more clarity on C Danny Pinter's injury and whether or not he could go on season-ending IR? (Jonas Shaffer) "Yes, it is looking like a season-ending thing. My heart goes out to [Danny Pinter]. Just the opportunity [with] him coming here knowing the situation we had, [and] kind of earning the opportunity to potentially be a starter. But, I know he will work through this and come back from it. That is [the] type of guy that he is, but I definitely feel for a guy like that in that situation."
What is your approach to carrying fullbacks on the roster? (Ryan Bowie) "It is all predicated on what type of schemes you are running. I think right now, there are a couple true fullbacks in the league. A lot of those guys are probably classified more as 'move tight ends,' and you do different things with the versatile tight ends that are out there, so we will see how it shakes out for us."
You were in the college ranks when NIL started to become a thing. Do you have any reaction to NFL players who are now going and re-entering the transfer portal at the college level? (Nikhil Mehta) "It is crazy. I honestly had not heard much about it, and then somebody [told me] a guy is going to go straight from getting cut from an NFL team back to play for a college team. You know — it is what it is. I do not think anybody really wants that to be the case, but the courts have allowed it. It is all good — those guys are probably just trying to figure out how to get the best players they can, so they are taking advantage of the situation. But yes, it is just kind of crazy, I would say."
With the preseason games, we get the sense that you probably hold things back and are not showing too much. Do the joint practices give you more of an opportunity to work through all the details of the playbook? (Garrett Downing) "I would say some. I do not know that we have shown all of our wrinkles in the joint practices. Those guys talk, and you certainly have respect when you do the joint practices. You keep the film private; you do not share the film with other people. But, there is stuff that gets out there, and so there are probably still some things I would say that you may be holding close to the vest, but this just gives a great opportunity to kind of work maybe a few more things that you are not showing in the games."
With the amount of turnover on the coaching staff, how important was it to retain senior special teams coach Randy Brown with his experience for the young players who are on the roster? (Josh Tolentino) "Yes, to me that was really important. I think [senior special teams coach Randy Brown] has done a great job with those guys. I thought [Ryan Eckley and Tyler Loop], in the game, particularly performed really well [on] kickoffs, punts, directionals and flipping the field. So, I have a lot of confidence in Randy working with those guys, and he has done a really good job with them."
We saw a couple guys miss practice today. Did you come out of the game without any significant injuries? (Childs Walker) "Yes, we did. We came out of the game pretty well. I think everything right now is very minor [and] just little things. We feel good about the way we came out of the game."
INSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH TYLER SANTUCCI
What has it meant with all the coaching turnover, from Coach John Harbaugh to Coach Jesse Minter, that you were one of the holdovers? (Jonas Shaffer) "[I am] extremely grateful for the opportunity to be here [and a part of] this organization — to [head coach] Jesse [Minter], [executive vice president and general manager] Eric [DeCosta], and [owner] Mr. [Steve] Bisciotti — just for the ability to stay put, to really try to put my handprint on the linebacker unit and being able to keep some continuity there. I think it has been extremely beneficial for me. I have learned a ton from Coach [John] Harbaugh. It has been great being around Jesse [Minter] these past several months. So, I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to be here."
What has stood out to you about ILB Roquan Smith and the way that he has attacked the change and everything that goes along with getting ready for the season? (Garrett Downing) "It has been awesome to have one year under our belts together, to really earn some trust and being able to have the talks that we need to have. He has really responded in terms of — we hit some adversity last year. To be able to go through that together and really talk about it in terms of, 'Hey, here's how we saw things, here's how they went, how could we make them a little better?' I think his response through OTAs, minicamp and now Training Camp has been awesome. He has been chasing the best version of himself over the past several months. So, I am super proud of him and the way he has handled his business."
How have you seen head coach Jesse Minter put his mark on this place, and how do you feel like things are a little different compared to last year? (Sam Cohn) "I think the nucleus of what [head coach] Jesse [Minter] believes in — there is not a whole lot that changed. I think he is still about all the right things and has really just taken his own tune to it. I think when people have a vision, and you can sell that vision and everyone can see it clearly — that is what he has done for everyone, for coaches, for players, for the whole building. I think that is what Jesse has done. He has done a really remarkable job, and it has been amazing to watch and to be a part of."
The thing we've heard from so many players is the directness and the clarity with which he communicates what he wants you to do. What has your experience been and how have you seen head coach Jesse Minter lead this group? (Sam Cohn) "Yes, I think he is a clear communicator. I think when you create clarity as a leader, you create purpose for your people. I think that is what he does a really nice job of — as I said before — for coaches, players, for everybody. So, it has been a joy to be around."
What have you seen from ILB Teddye Buchanan since returning from that injury last year? (Ryan Bowie) "I have seen an immense amount of work from Teddye [Buchanan] — diligence in his work — to be able to be in the position that he is at, really ahead of schedule. I have seen a lot of patience from him combined with a lot of urgency. So, I just think that we are moving properly the way that he is supposed to. It has just been awesome to see him back on the football field in his environment. He loves this game so much, and it is like there is a brightness in his day when he knows he can go do 'indy' [individual drills]. So, it has been great to watch him go through this process."
You and several other members of this coaching staff spent a good amount of time at smaller schools — smaller FBS schools and even FCS schools. Is there a certain mentality that comes with spending a lot of time at those ranks, and how have you seen it manifest itself in working with these guys? (Quentin Corpuel) "I think everyone is different. I don't know that where you work creates your mentality — I do not necessarily agree with that. But, I think that you gain respect for the game over the years if you do start in the FCS. I think there are a lot of people that have respect for the game regardless of where they start or end. I am not really sure how to answer that other than there are a lot of people that respect the game in this building and put forth their best foot to teach the players and to be clear communicators. I think we have a great staff to do that."
Head coach Jesse Minter has mentioned ILB Trenton Simpson's versatility a few times. You have kind of seen him since the end of last year after Teddye Buchanan got hurt — getting reps and his game coming along. Can you talk about his growth and where he may fit into head coach Jesse Minter's scheme? (Cliff Brown) "Yes, Trent [Simpson] has had a tremendous jump. I think we have adjusted his offseason schedule and what he does and what he spends time on to really fit who he is and what needs to be his direction. He has done an unbelievable job of developing that part of it — taking the offseason, transitioning to minicamp, transitioning to now Training Camp, and then showing it on the field. So, I am really proud of where he is at. He is playing with confidence. He is playing with a sense of calmness, and all those things are great to see from him."
