HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Head Coach John Harbaugh Opening Statement: "It's good seeing everybody. I very much appreciate you being here. [It's a] beautiful day, beautiful setting and a bunch of guys working hard and trying to make the most out of everything they're doing while they're out here, so I really appreciate that. It's been fun. We've enjoyed it, and we'll be getting ready soon to move on to minicamp, which will be great. What questions do you have?"
S Beau Brade ... Let's get the injury questions out of the way. (Jamison Hensley) "Yes, we had minor things like Beau [Brade] had a minor ankle [injury]. I think [Chidobe] Awuzie had a minor ankle [injury], stuff like that. Nothing serious."
Is OLB Mike Green OK? (Luke Jones) "Yes, [Mike Green] is fine, as far as I know."
How pleased are you with where the team is at. You just talked about it; mandatory minicamp is next week. You're just about through three weeks of OTAs. What have you seen? What have you liked, and what do you feel like you need to grow the most? (Luke Jones) "It's a time for reaping, I guess. You're planting. You're working on everything. You're planting seeds in everything you do – offense, defense, special teams, individual technique, situational football, field-position football, all the different things. You're just working all the time to try to plan as well as you can, as much as you can. Try to do some weeding; get the mistakes out as much as you can and really prepare for training camp. That's really what you're doing right now, so I feel really great about it. I think the guys have been intentional. Intentionality has been a real big message this offseason. We're trying to be intentional about everything we do. Understanding what we do, we do it for a reason and then understand what the reason is. I believe they've really taken it to heart. They're really trying to do that, and when you do that, it makes for a better practice, so I feel really good about the practices. There's lots of things to work on there, but they're in there plowing the field every single day."
OLB Adisa Isaac is a guy that I know you were high on him when you drafted him, and last year was kind of a lost season. What do you see from him so far now, and what do you kind of see for him for the season? (Bo Smolka) "[Adisa Isaac] looks good. He's been in the weight room. He lost weight, got kind of trimmed up and did a lot of movement stuff, and then he came back. He started putting it back on the muscle mass a little bit, so he's about probably where you want him now and moving really well, really doing a good job in practice. He looks good to me, so it'll be time after this minicamp to see him in pads and all that and see how he does. But, I expect him to play really well. He's talented, and he looks good at this point."
We talked to RB Keaton Mitchell last week, and it seems like he's really embracing that kickoff return role. When you have a guy that embraces that type of role, what does that kind of mean to you? (Jamison Hensley) "Well, I mean, I would expect it, to be honest with you. If I'm a running back, or I'm a skilled player, I want the ball, and now they moved that touchback up to the 35 [-yard line], so I'm pretty sure that people are going to give the guys a chance to return it. So, I'm sure he is aware of that, and he wants the ball in his hands. If we have a guy out here that doesn't want the ball in his hands [as] a receiver, a tight end, running back or quarterback, then what are we doing? He'll be good at it, too. One thing we did learn last year, running backs – with the new setup – have really kind of thrived, for whatever reason. We've got some guys we think can do it, Keaton being one of them."
What did you see from CB T.J. Tampa Jr. at OTAs? What are your expectations or hopes for him going into the season after not playing as much as he probably would have liked last year? (Sam Cohn) "Well, [T.J. Tampa Jr.] has been healthy. That wasn't the case last year. He came in with the groin-type situation that he had to get surgery on, so that's been a big plus. So, the reps are really good for him. I've seen a lot of flashes, flashing some real good plays. [He'll] keep chasing the consistency with the technique. T.J.'s a young player, in the sense that I don't even think sometimes he understands how good he is, how talented [he is], how big he is, so I want him to play big, play like a big corner and embrace that as far as his technique, and he's been working on doing that. You see it really coming around."
Was CB T.J. Tampa Jr. one of the guys who went to sr. defensive assistant/secondary Coach Pagano when he first got here seeking advice? How valuable is to have a guy like Chuck for a guy in his position? (Sam Cohn) "Yes, of course. [Sr. defensive assistant/secondary coach] Chuck [Pagano] is a great coach and does a great job with these guys. [He's] experienced, but Chuck, even when he was a young coach, he was a great coach. I know, because I was young then, too. He's always been a talented superstar, secondary coach, defensive backs coach, defensive coach, coach. He was a great head coach, so yes, it's very valuable."
Kind of piggybacking off the CB T.J. Tampa Jr. question, you've got a lot of young corners in that room. There's two high profile guys available. Do you like where you're at as far as the cornerback depth that's in the building, or is that something you guys are kind of looking outside the building as well? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I don't really look at it as an 'or.' I look at it as an 'and.' Yes, we're happy with the guys we have, and I'm very confident those guys are all going to do well, and we turn over every stone. So, you're always interested in anything you see on the waiver wire or anything else."
What differences have you seen in WR Devontez Walker as he heads into Year Two? (Giana Han) "Great question. 'Tez' [Devontez Walker] man, he's just way more confident, way more certain when he runs a route. He's off the ball. He's in his break. He's out of his break. He's upfield. He goes and gets the ball. Assignment-wise, he comes out of the huddle much more aware. [He's] just a year in, so [we] want to translate that now to the games and the competition, but I expect him to do really well. He looks good."
S Malaki Starks is getting a lot of reps on the first team. What have you seen over the past few weeks that backs that up? (Jamison Hensley) "Same thing. [Malaki Starks] is [a] very mature player. That's why he's a first-round pick. He's the kind of guy that you would expect to be able to step into a role like that. That's why you draft him in the first round, and with Ar'Darius [Washington]'s situation, he got thrust into that situation maybe a little sooner than we'd hoped, but he's embraced it. I expect him to do very well."
OLB Tavius Robinson had kind of a leap last year. What do you think contributed to that, and how do you see his trajectory of the next two years playing? (Nikhil Mehta) "I think [what] contributed to that is ... I was standing next to [owner] Steve [Bisciotti] out here during practice, and we both were looking at No. 95 – that's Tavius [Robinson] – and he said, 'Has he ever missed a practice?' I'm like, 'He's never missed anything. He's never missed a practice. He's never missed a meeting. He's never missed a lifting session. He's never missed a meal.'" (laughter) "'He hasn't missed anything.' So, all he does is ... Again, when he goes and does it, he does his best. He works hard at everything he does, and it shows up, and when he plays, he plays full throttle. So, I think that's the key. Plus, he's big and talented."
You guys called S Malaki Starks a "red star" recruit for multiple reasons. Since he's gotten here, what are some of those ways that you've seen him stand out to that exemplary level? (Giana Han) "One example – I think it's been reported – he was organizing walk-throughs at the hotel for the rookies pretty much the whole [rookie] camp. I think that's pretty cool, and he's always on point. He can answer any question in a meeting. We may be back there and say, 'Hey, alright, Malaki,' and you throw a situation at him, and he knows. He's been studying, comes prepared, and again, I'm sure he's made a mistake or two, maybe with some minor leverage things, but I've never seen him make a real mistake yet. He's very much a pro, probably way advanced beyond his years, in terms of being a pro."
Staying on the topic of safeties, what have you seen from S Sanoussi Kane so far? (Justin Robertson) "I saw [Sanoussi Kane] flashing today. You saw it too, right? Flying around, showing up where he's supposed to show up. I think he's taken a big step this year. It's starting to look like he could be that guy, maybe play that role as a third safety, perhaps. [He's] got a long way to go still, but he's looking like he's got a shot."
A lot of teams are happy when they get one pass-catching tight end. You have a few of them out there. What kind of advantage does that give you, as far as flexibility in having two guys like that? (Jamison Hensley) "Charlie [Kolar], how many catches did Charlie have today? About eight, didn't he? He had a bunch of catches today, so Charlie doesn't want to hear about two pass-catching tight ends. He wants to hear about three, and we've got a couple other guys in there. Zaire [Mitchell-Paden] wants to hear about four. As many guys that the quarterback can be confident in throwing the ball to and knowing they're going to make a play, I think that just makes you just way more dangerous."
PASS RUSH COACH CHUCK SMITH
We've been talking a lot about the weight that OLB Odafe Oweh put on this offseason. How do you think that's going to contribute to his game and how are you working with him on incorporating that into his pass rushing game specifically? (Nikhil Mehta) "I think it's just the evolution of Odafe [Oweh]. I think he's grown up, and he's a guy who has always had a lot of muscle in his body, but I think it's one of those things that he realizes that with his size, with his speed, and his athletic ability, he can put on more weight. The more weight you can [play with], the faster you generate power with the ability to still have flexibility, bend and all those other things. I think it was a natural growth for him to do for his career."
OLB Adisa Isaac spent a lot of last year dealing with that nagging hamstring. What were the things that you wanted him to work on going into the offseason? (Giana Han) "Well, as far as the things that I can control from a pass rush standpoint, we wanted to get [Adisa Isaac] on the field and really get him going, so, he is working. Really, it's almost like his first year for him when you look at it, because he didn't get a chance to do a lot of stuff. But one of the things that Adisa has worked really hard on is [how] he's understanding the defense; that's the first thing. So, from that standpoint, he's working on understanding the defense. He's in good shape, he's [been] having a good 'get-off,' he's working hard in his coverage – all the different things that you want a guy to do. Adisa's working super hard, and we're excited about him. And I can't wait to see when we put the pads on in camp and get after it. That's going to be really the measuring stick of where he's at."
There was a lot of chatter about OLB Mike Green when the Ravens drafted him. I know you were excited about picking him up. What did you see from him on tape in the pre-draft process, and how does that translate to what you see out here? (Bo Smolka) "Well, the first thing I saw [out of] Mike Green was effort – a guy who runs to the ball. And if you've watched him out here, Mike Green runs to the ball every play, and you don't have to coach him on that. That's one of the best things. When you get to be a pro, you shouldn't have to coach effort. And a lot of guys that come out of college, you say, 'Let's go! Let's go!' You've got to push him. That's one of the first things I saw in Mike Green, and then, he's coachable. He wants to learn. He's in there asking questions with [outside linebackers coach] Matt [Robinson] and [defensive line coach] Dennis [Johnson] when we're all combined as a defensive front when we're all together in the room, and that's another thing that stands out about him. He's super smart in picking up the defense, and I give Mike a lot of credit. He comes out here, Mike has heavy hands. He doesn't turn down reps and [has] heavy hands. He puts hands on guys. He's shown that he has the ability to strike blocks and, again, we're not [going] all-out, and all that will be seen again when we get into [training] camp, but as far as Mike doing everything we ask, he's doing it. And from a pass rush standpoint, Mike is skilled. I give him credit and give his school a lot of credit and his coach in college at Marshall and probably Virginia. Mike can cross-chop; Mike can spin; Mike can ghost. But from that standpoint, Mike is the best example of this new generation that have learned from the pros, and he comes in already really highly skilled up. So, I give him a lot of credit. His 'get-off'... I'm just amazed that he's in his base two-point stance, and he has no false steps. He gets off on the ball fast. So, I can't say enough about Mike so far. Now we put the pads on ... The Mike Green that we've seen so far is everything that we thought he would be when we decided to draft him."
Around this time last year, you called OLB Tavius Robinson a "glass eater." Where you've seen him take steps since then and what are your hopes and expectations for him this season? (Sam Cohn) "Listen, Tavius Robinson doesn't get enough credit because Tavius Robinson is one of our centerpieces. He's not just a guy who came up [and is] an overachiever. No, no. Tavius Robinson, when you look at it from an organizational standpoint, I believe in speaking for our organization – I shouldn't be, but I think they'll always agree – Tavius Robinson is everything you look for in a Baltimore Raven. Every day, Tavius Robinson showed up – and this is not me exaggerating – he sits in the front; he takes notes; he plays hard. He's taking more snaps than anybody here since I've been here in practice. He works after practice. He's a good person. He got that 'dog' in him. And what he's really worked on really hard, [and what] we've worked on is Tavius Robinson now is going to be, I believe, a bonafide pass rusher. And he has an opportunity to have a breakout season. Tavius Robinson came out of college [and] ran a 4.6 [second 40-yard dash], but then also in fairness to how it works, Tavius isn't a part of the rush group. There was 'Dafe' [Odafe Oweh], Jadeveon [Clowney], you had Kyle [Van Noy], you had those guys, and those are double-digit sackers and guys who've had careers, so he's not getting those reps. So if Tavius Robinson had 250 pass reps a year, [I think] he gets seven, eight or nine sacks. It's just about the numbers. But Tavius Robinson is everything you look for. He's going to be a good rusher. He's adding rush moves to his repertoire. He's got power, but make no bones about it, Tavius Robinson is a centerpiece in our defensive front for what he does and moving forward."
Chuck, I know you worked mostly with outside linebackers, but I also know you have a reputation working with the defensive line. Can you talk a little bit about DT Travis Jones? (Ken McKusick) "Alright. First, let me answer something to make something clear: I'm the pass rush coach. I'm not the outside linebackers coach. I'm not the defensive line coach. I oversee the pass rush from the defensive line, the outside linebackers, the linebackers as well as the development of the secondary. So that's how it works now. So, Matt Robinson is the outside linebackers [coach], Dennis Johnson is [defensive line coach], [and] we all work together [with] the defensive front. It's three of us, along with [assistant to the head coach/defensive assistant] Megan Rosburg and [coaching/scouting analyst] Andrew Rogan. It's really four of us who really put it together, so you kind of understand the context of what I'm saying. So, I do get a chance to work with everybody. Now, Travis Jones, so I can answer your question. Travis Jones is fantastic. Travis Jones is a pass rusher that I'll put out there one-on-one with 95% of the offensive guards in the league, and they can't block him. Travis Jones is getting ready to be one of the best interior rushers in the game. Last year, when he was healthy, he was one of the best interior rushers in the game. The film doesn't lie, nor does the respect he has from the other teams. Travis Jones is skilled up. One of the things, when I first got here, we talked about some of the people that were here, we talked about [how] we want everybody to have a skill. Whether you're big, you're small, you're a cornerback, a linebacker, we want everybody to have a skill. Travis Jones has multiple moves. He does a chop drive. He can do a hump; he can do long arms; he can do everything. If things go the way I see it for Travis Jones, and the way I think the overview of our team goes, Travis Jones has a chance to be a Pro Bowler. He's as good as any defensive lineman [or] nose guard in the National Football League, and I think this year – when he stays healthy the entire season – I think he'll prove it and put it on tape."
OLB David Ojabo spent a lot of time here in the offseason. He has a few years under his belt, and he's obviously highly-skilled. What have you seen from him, and what's the key to unlocking some of that potential? (Cliff Brown) "I think the first thing is [that] [David] Ojabo's last year was pretty much the first year he was healthy. When you think about it, that's part of it. So, a lot of times when you're getting healthy, you're not necessarily gaining, you're just trying to manage to get back to where you started. So now I think this offseason, his platform has raised, from the standpoint of, he's had a chance to work harder. He has a chance to do the different things that it takes from a strength standpoint, and he has worked really hard. Ojabo plays hard, he competes hard, and I'm excited about what he gets a chance to do in [training] camp."
What have you noticed differently about defensive coordinator Zach Orr now compared to this time last year? What stands out to you? (Brian Wacker) "Is this the last question? I'm glad this is [because] I was hoping somebody asked me this. All of last year, I was watching everybody [on the] broadcasts and [in] talking. I've lived it; I've walked it; I've seen it. I watched this [defensive] coordinator stand on 10 toes. Zach [Orr] is the guy. Zach Orr, I'm telling you, is going to be an incredible coordinator, and let me tell you why. When we were struggling last year, I watched him stand in front of these mics every week and talk to you all, and he didn't flinch. But I also watched him stand in front of the room [when we] played the Bengals, and it wasn't like we were celebrating because, from a defensive standpoint, they did a lot. They had a great day on us. Zach Orr looked those players in the eye, and he never lets the highs get too high or the lows get too low; he stayed in the middle. And I'm telling you, he always would be positive, but he was tough. He's tough on the coaches and the players. He would tell everybody, and he would show everybody how close we were to actually having success. It might be an angle of a defensive back running to the ball, or it might be a pass rusher that ran past the quarterback, and the quarterback ran. Zach would stand and talk to everybody, and he led. He never flinched. And watching this cat do it, [because] I know last year a lot of people in the media were saying, 'Well, this guy came in and helped.' No, Zach Orr did it. Zach Orr, in those rooms, with the coaches, he led, he made the changes in support with [head] coach [John] Harbaugh and the guys on that staff. But, Zach Orr truly led the charge. I'm a witness to it, and I've been wanting to say this, because the dude is the truth. [The] dude didn't flinch, and [the] dude is going to be one of the best coordinators in the league. He is smart, he is a leader, and when you watch him work every day, this dude comes to work, I'm telling you. I'm just glad that was my last question, because I wanted to set the record straight because I'm a part of it, and I have no reason to come up here and 'B.S.' you all, because you know how I roll. But, Zach Orr was the one who changed what we did last year, and give John Harbaugh a lot of credit. He was in there with us, too. But, I've got to give Zach most of the credit for the adjustments that happened in that secondary, and also [in] helping us coaches. He's like the 'youngest in charge,' that's what I call him. He's a special coach, and I'm really blessed to be around a guy like that."
OLB ADISA ISAAC
On how this offseason will be different and build a successful year: "Yes, this year has definitely been way different than last year. [I] just feel a lot much fresher with all the rehab that I did last year [with] just getting my body right this year. And from the offseason, [with] the time we had off coming into this year, I feel like I took the right steps to be mentally and physically prepared for what's going to happen in [training] camp and throughout the season. I'm definitely in a good spot now moving forward. I'm just excited."
On if he took different measures to make sure the nagging injuries don't happen again: "Yes, definitely. I just really emphasized the main injuries that I had, which was the hamstring [injuries], and [I] really just took a deep dive on what's causing it. Then [I] attacked the rehab, and then [I] attacked my offseason workouts. I'm feeling great. So, that's kind of what I was striving for coming back [this offseason], and now I'm just stacking and looking for good things."
On the hardships he endured while being injured at the start of his rookie season: "It was definitely tough getting on the biggest stage and then having a couple hiccups. But adversity is nothing new for me, and I feel like I'm the same under adversity. I just kind of attack it with calmness and a sharp mind, and I feel like tough times don't last. So, it's a matter of just putting my head down, putting the work in, and I know that sooner or later, I'm going to come back on top. It's just a matter of time."
On the specifics of his second hamstring injury: "It happened [during a] preseason game – the second one."
On if he bonded with CB T.J. Tampa Jr. while both being injured last season: "[T.J. Tampa Jr. and I] bonded the whole year. I feel like we had a good class. We [are] all very like-minded, [we] came from similar places, [and we] had similar stories. So, we all bonded, regardless, but [with both of us sidelined, it] definitely put more of an emphasis on it. Just pushing each other to come back and just talking about what we're going to do, how we [are] going to do it, and just getting ready for the season and [with] high expectations."
On how he leaned on Penn State teammate OLB Odafe Oweh for guidance last year: "I've played with [Odafe] Oweh since college, so I've known him for a while. Even since [before] college, he was my host at Penn State, so he's always been kind of like a big brother to me, and [he] just kind of showed me the way, and [he] showed me how to do things the right way. It has been amazing to end up here, be reunited with him and continue the journey for real."
On the dynamics of the outside linebackers room: "Like I kind of said with my [draft] class, we [are] all like-minded in our room. We have the same kind of 'M.O.' [and] play style, so we kind all get it, and then the scheme fits us perfectly. It's just a matter of us going out there executing, being on the same page and playing Raven football."
On what his pass-rushing skill is: "I'm lengthy, and I have speed. So, combine that with a lot of moves that complement that, and just my effort [with] my will to make things happen is also going to make it work. But definitely using my length, my long arms, my speed to get around the edge, my lateral movements and just putting it all together and blending everything together and just make my name."
On the benefits of having Chuck Smith as a pass rush coach: "It's been great. [Pass rush coach Chuck Smith] just [puts] emphasis on a lot of our stunt movements and a lot of the details that a lot of other coaches might not focus on. We emphasize that a lot. It's going to show up, but it won't show up on the stat sheet. It's something that's really important to our room and something that we really hone in on."
OLB TAVIUS ROBINSON
On where he developed his strong work ethic: "I think it just goes back to college and my journey. That's kind of what has gotten me to where I am at this point. So, it's something that is always going to be in my blood and just kind of how I operate for the rest of my life in everything."
On if he feels like 2025 could be a breakout year for him: "Yes, I think just going into my third year here, things are just coming smoother [for me]. The way I see plays, everything – as the years have gone on, it's gotten easier. I've been seeing plays better and kind of just taking it to the next level every year. So, I think this year is going to be great for sure."
On how he is able to keep up with his regimented schedule: "I think everyone here – we get tired during those [training] camp days, but again, we're blessed to do this. We're blessed to come on this field every day, so I would be dead wrong to miss out on something, whether it's a rep, a lift, anything like that."
On if he has ever missed a practice in his career: "I haven't, no. No, sir."
On where he feels he's grown as a pass rusher under pass rush coach Chuck Smith: "I think going into my third year with Chuck [Smith], I've learned so much from him. He's been a great coach just to pick his brain and [to] have someone who's done it at the highest level and learn from him. I think, again, every year I just think I'm getting better learning from him. I think it's just, again, going to step it up a notch in the pass rush."
On his impression of OLB Odafe Oweh this offseason: "Odafe [Oweh], he's been a dog. It is good to see him, and I think he's going to have another – a great year. That's a guy that I've kind of looked up to since I got here."
On what he feels is his strongest skill as a pass rusher: "I think mine is power. I'm physical, I like coming off and using my head a little bit and bull-rushing guys, so that's kind of my staple right now. But then, it's just building off of that is kind of my goal."
On if there is any gauge of the effectiveness of power moves this early in the offseason in non-padded practices: "Not really, no. In OTAs, without the pads, it's kind of hard to judge that, but once the pads come on, yes."
On what he's seen from ILB Trenton Simpson this offseason: "Just another great offseason with [Trenton Simpson]. We were up here in the building all day. We took our little two weeks [off] at the end of the season, and then we were here for the whole [offseason so far]. [Trenton is] just a guy who was, again, in here every day working, getting better, taking care of his body. So, I think he's going to have a great year, too."
On what has stood out about ILB Mike Green in his first few months as a Raven: "[Mike Green]'s been a guy who has been very attentive in meetings, and that's a big thing. Getting in and learning the playbook, it lets you play fast. He's been a guy who has been on that, knows his stuff, and I think he's going to be a baller for sure."
On the growth of OLB Adisa Isaac after dealing with injuries last season: "I think in [Adisa Isaac's] rookie year, he had injuries and stuff, [but] now I see him getting treatment, doing recovery stuff, [doing] active recovery every day. He's in there doing yoga with me at the end of the [day]. So, I think he's learned how to take care of his body, and I think he's going to be a dog as well."
