ILB TEDDYE BUCHANAN
On what advice he's received from the inside linebackers room about playing multiple positions: "[The inside linebackers] have embraced me and really helped me learn. So, that's made it easy on me. And then I think back to my college days, this is my third defense in three years, so I've gotten used to picking up different defenses; so that's helped me just understand football in general. I, obviously, look at guys like 'Ro' [Roquan Smith] and other guys on the defense and see how far I still have to go, but for me, it's just about taking steps every day forward and trying to continue to improve."
On if there is a large jump going from training camp to preseason to regular season games: "No, there's definitely a jump. I would say, between those three phases, but I think that's the gradual progression of football. That's kind of how we structure things here; you're building up, so you'll be ready when those moments come, and I feel like that's held true so far."
On what his strengths and weaknesses are in his performance abilities: "I feel like my strengths are just knowing [what] my job is and playing hard really. There's a lot of different things – I am a versatile player, but yes, those are my strengths. Then things I [need to] work on, I really [would] say everything. I've played two games in the NFL, so there's a ton of improvement for me, and I feel that every single time I step on the field every time [and] every single time I step on the practice field, [I have that opportunity]. So, yes, it's a gradual thing for me for sure."
On if his experience playing in a new place on the collegiate level has helped him adjust to the NFL: "Yes, absolutely. I've talked about this with other people. I think back to when we played Auburn the last year [when I was] at Cal, and that, for me, was a huge moment just coming from an FCS school. [I] never [had] really played in an SEC environment. We were on the road. So, I think back to moments like that and other big games last season, that [was] a jump and then just doing another jump this year. I definitely think my experience has helped a lot."
On where he has made the largest strides in his performance on the field: "I would just say getting more comfortable. You're a rookie coming into an NFL team, NFL locker room, it's different, and just adjusting to that, getting to know the guys, getting to know [the] Baltimore [area] and just everything – it was completely new. So, just getting acclimated in really every single way has kind of been how I've progressed so far."
On how much of a resource it is to have ILB Roquan Smith next to him on the field: "It's invaluable. I've talked about it many times, but 'Ro' [Roquan Smith] is a quarterback. He's the quarterback of our defense and [while] standing right next to him, I get to hear everything he's saying, and obviously, I'm taking in whatever he says, and it's helped me a ton."
On if he was surprised that this week was the first time ILB Roquan Smith has won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week: "I'm not surprised that [Roquan Smith] won it this week, and I'm happy he did. He probably should have won it earlier."
OLB ODAFE OWEH
On how the outside linebacker room will step up without OLB Kyle Van Noy: "We have the 'Next Man Up' mentality. We have a lot of good rushers on our team. Obviously, it's going to impact us without a guy like 'KV' [Kyle Van Noy, who's] a productive vet, but we have a lot of guys that can step up [like] David [Ojabo]. We have Mike [Green], obviously, myself – Tavius [Robinson] is coming into his own as well – so it should be good."
On ILB Roquan Smith earning his first AFC Defensive Player of the Week award: "First time ever? That's a crime [Roquan Smith hasn't won it before]. He definitely has had games where I'm just looking like, 'Wow, this is the best player in our division or even our conference.' Kudos to him. He had a great game, and there's probably going to be many more in this future."
On if he looks forward to playing on Monday night in the all black uniforms with the primetime atmosphere: "Yes, I love primetime games. It's fun. Everyone's watching. Obviously, we're going against a great opponent. [They have] two good tackles, too. We have a challenge for us. We've lost an awesome guy on our defensive line that is productive. Obviously, we're going to have to raise our level of play, so why not do it on primetime where everyone's watching."
On how the atmosphere elevates the energy of the game: "It really does, honestly, because you have the fans. I played at Penn State, and [Beaver Stadium] holds what, like 117 [thousand]? We hold more than 60 [thousand]. I feel like our stadium is louder than Penn State, so that gives us a lot of energy. Obviously, everyone's watching, so you want to perform well. You want to represent the Ravens and the name on the back of your jersey pretty well, too."
On the number of quarterbacks who've already been knocked out of games or sidelined by injuries so far this season: "It's crazy. It's crazy, especially with all the rules that they have to protect them, as well. It sucks, but we're trying to impact the QB as much as we can. We're not trying to injure anybody, but it definitely is crazy now. I saw someone almost try to hurt Lamar [Jackson] the last game, too. I don't want anyone else to be injured, but I want, for sure, Lamar not to be injured."
On what happened on the play where someone tried to injure QB Lamar Jackson: "I think someone tried to wrap his ankle, twist it the wrong way or something like that. They might get fined, but at least it's not one of our guys."
On how pleased he was with this defensive performance last week: "I'm very impressed. We bounced back pretty well. A lot of people were doubting us. They probably still are, but this is a step in the right direction. A few guys played really well, and we still have a bunch of more guys that can make more of an impact, as well."
On the atmosphere of a primetime game at M&T Bank Stadium: "It's loud. You can't hear the guy next to you. I feel like the ground shakes a little bit. I love when the lights go black, and you see the lights [on the fans' wristbands] in the stands. It's electric. That's how I would describe it."
On the difference that a primetime game makes in getting the team excited: "We live for the fans. We love the loudness. We love the loudness after a big play. It's big, and obviously, it's primetime. It's a stage where you can show out and show who you are."
OLB TAVIUS ROBINSON
On what he expects the atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium to be like during Monday Night Football: "I think all the Monday night blackout games have been a crazy atmosphere, but we're not there yet. For me, it's just about taking it one day at a time, correcting everything from the Browns game, moving on and focusing on Detroit."
On what he thinks needs to be corrected following the Browns game: "Stuff all over the place. There are always little things you can get better at, so I think the way we approach it is we look at the good, but we really look at the bad and try to fix everything from that."
On how you prepare for a very versatile Detroit Lions offense: "I think, again, it just goes into this practice week. How we practice is how we're going to play. So going into tomorrow, the next day and the next day, [it] will be about all of us focusing on doing our jobs and studying that film to make sure we know what to expect."
On his relationship with OLB Mike Green and what has impressed him so far: "Mike [Green] has been – since Day One – he has been a dog here. I'm so impressed with the way he studies the game and knows what plays are coming. [I am also impressed with] his physicality, all that, the way he's in there watching extra film with us. He's been impressive since he got here, so I know he'll be able to step up and do what he's been doing."
On if there is a different atmosphere during Monday Night Football: "100 percent, yes. I think Monday night, and especially the blackout games, are always a different atmosphere, for sure."
On if the "Darkness Falls" game changes the mentality of the team: "It's definitely one of my favorite [games], for sure. I think last year was [the game against] the Bills, and the year before that was the Bengals, so I remember all of them. [I am] definitely looking forward to it."
On his early impressions of the Detroit Lions offense: "100 percent. They look good. They have a good offense, obviously. And again, it's just about really diving into what they do this week and taking it day-by-day leading up to Monday."
On the violent nature of football and the amount of quarterbacks around the league who have been getting injured: "We're obviously not trying to hurt anyone, but yes, it's a violent sport, and I think everyone who signs up knows that. So, I think it's just how the game goes sometimes."
On the pass rushers having to step up after OLB Kyle Van Noy's injury: "I think, like you said, we'll all have to step up. And again, [we'll have to] put in a little bit of extra work because [Kyle] Van Noy he's still going to be the film room with us. He always does a great job of giving us tells and stuff like that. So, we'll still have his knowledge out there on the field with us."
T ROGER ROSENGARTEN
On what it's been like having T Carson Vinson in the offensive line room: "Yes, Carson [Vinson] is a 'guy,' man. He's got a lot of that God-given ability with his size and his talent. He has worked hard ever since he got here, since OTAs [and during] training camp. I can't speak [highly] enough about him. He has just put his head down and grinded, and I commend him for that."
On preparing for Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson and playing on Monday Night Football: "Every week, you go against probably one of the best [pass] rushers in the NFL, and that's definitely been a highly-paid position. Those guys disrupt games, so it's part of my job and the rest of the offensive line's job to minimize those guys' [opportunities] for making plays. But, I think if we clean up a lot of the stuff before the snap happens – being on the same page and all that stuff – I think if we trust our technique, we'll come out good."
On what they saw that attributed to the struggles with the run in Sunday's win vs. Cleveland: "Like I kind of said before, it's all the stuff before the snap even happens. Just making sure we're on the same page, [and] that includes all five of us, myself included. I wish I had some plays I could go back and change, but coming off a big week [in] Buffalo [from a] rushing [perspective], and then [running] it how we did it versus Cleveland, it wasn't up to our standard. But like I said, if we clean up the stuff before the snap even happens and trust our technique, I think we'll get the ball rolling."
On if he's referring to the offensive line making adjustments at the line: "Yes. At the line adjustments, assignments and small tweaks within the play. That kind of stuff."
On if the number of QBs around the league who have suffered injuries reinforces the importance of their job: "Oh, absolutely. Especially as an offensive tackle, you're going against the best edge rushers in the National Football League, and those guys are getting paid big money go get to the quarterbacks. So, it's our job to protect them, and thankfully [with] Lamar [Jackson], we have such a good player where he can make multiple guys miss at one time. But, regardless, I think holding up the pocket, [having a] strong pocket – especially on the edges and interior – it's our job to protect those guys."
S MALAKI STARKS
On his thoughts regarding Monday Night Football games in Baltimore and his mindset going into the game: "They're special. A lot of guys who have been here – they have talked about the atmosphere. So, really just being on our p's and q's when it comes to communicating, being on the same page because it's going to be loud; it's going to be rocking. A lot of guys are really focusing on that this week."
On what he thinks of his performance after two games in the NFL: "I think just the guys that I'm with, they allow me to show my abilities, and our defense is so crazy [and] filled with so much talent. [It's composed of] guys who really care about the game, that it doesn't really matter who gets the job done or who gets it done. And a lot of guys understand that, but really, the older guys that's in the room that I'm able to lean on are helping me with my development right now."
On what the message for the defense was this week: "[The message is to] just to keep getting better; don't get satisfied. We have a goal, and we know we want to reach it. We know where we want to end up, and I think day-in and day-out, [we are] just continuing to work on ourselves and get better; [that's] what we want to do."
On what the Ravens defense will focus on for the game against the Detroit Lions: "[The Detroit Lions] are very versatile. They've got a great group of guys [and are] very well coached. They're elite. So, like I said earlier, we have to be on our p's and q's. We have to be on [the] same page, have to communicate, but also just go out there and play ball, trusting our abilities and in our training and just go do what we can."
On if the game against the Detroit Lions is one to show his versatility with the potential to play in the slot: "I think a lot of guys can fill in any role at any point in time. I think a lot of guys are just ready to come out and go play. It doesn't matter who's out there, as long as we have 11 people out there. We're very comfortable with everybody in our room. It just comes down to what we do during the week, how we practice, how we communicate with each other and how we look at the game. So, that's going to be huge."
On if he is still keen to pick off Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff: "[Jared Goff]'s an elite quarterback in the league. [I have] much respect for him. So, yes, I [would] love to for sure."
On if seeing the Detroit Lions score over 50 points in their Week 2 matchup catches his attention: "Yes, it's the game of football, and [the Detroit Lions] have a very explosive [and] very elite offense. So really, like I said earlier, [we will] just [keep] focusing on what we do as the defense. That's the main goal."
