HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
John Harbaugh Opening Statement: "Good to see everybody out here. I appreciate you being out here. It's a beautiful day, great setting, just awesome. We had Coach [Jon] Gruden here for two days working with us. I've just had so much respect for him over the years. He loves football. He's a great football coach, great football mind, and he studied our team and gave us some insight [regarding] players, coaches, schemes, all of it, and we just really appreciate having him here. So, that was a real blessing. He was commenting on this setting here. He couldn't even believe it. He said, 'This is like football heaven.' I said, 'Coach, I think I said that before. I've said that quote.' Jerry [Coleman], do you remember that one? This is like football heaven here. You've got these trees around here, this setting. There's no fences, there's no traffic. There's a little construction, but that's not going to last forever. Did you guys get the fumes during practice? The tar? That was part of our strategy. You want the guys to be able to play no-huddle when they're tired with tar fumes in their face. You never know when that could happen, but the construction – Whiting-Turner is doing a great job. And then we've got 'Dr. Z.' [Dr. Michael Zollicoffer] here today. I read about his story. I think it was in The Baltimore Sun. Maybe it was The [Baltimore] Banner. I don't know. Who was it? Who did the 'Dr. Z' story? Nobody's taking credit for it. You guys are sports guys. You don't know. Stay in your lane. That's probably wise, right? He's the doctor that sees patients in downtown Baltimore, mostly free of charge – whatever they can afford to pay – and has been doing that his whole career. He has saved lives – countless lives – with what he's done. He's here with his whole family, and we get a chance to honor him. You talk about doing the 'Good Works' he's doing the 'Good Works' [with a] capital 'G.W.' The 'Good Works,' man. It's an honor to have [Dr. Michael Zollicoffer] here. He's a real hero."
How did Jon Gruden attending practice come about? Did he reach out to you? Is there any story behind that? (Jamison Hensley) "We've talked from time to time. I happened to see [Jon Gruden] in Tampa [Bay] a couple times because Alison [Harbaugh] was playing down there, and he's down there in Lutz. He has his office and his place there, and then we went down there last offseason. Our offensive staff, 'Monk' [offensive coordinator Todd Monken] and I, and George Godsey spent some time with him down there. So, he's been around with us, and I've known him since he was in [Philadelphia] when I was coming in, and he was going out to be the head coach of the Raiders. I got to know him a little bit, and I just [have] the utmost respect."
Did you give him the playbook? (Jerry Coleman) "No, we didn't give him the playbook. We didn't give him a script either. You can only go so far; you've got to draw the line somewhere. Good question."
What did Coach Gruden see looking at you guys? (Brian Wacker) "Yes, to give you a general overview, [Jon Gruden] studied us, and basically the message was, 'If I was game-planning against you and your defense, what would I do and how would I attack you guys?' And he didn't just stop there. He watched our offensive guys, he talked to our offensive guys, looked at all the players and had something for each player. He's just phenomenal and very, very detailed. [He's] a great teacher, too."
Did he identify any "Gruden Grinders" today? (Alex Glaze) "I don't know. Yes, [Jon Gruden] was grinding pretty good on some guys. He was letting them know where they can get better, which I respect. I think a great coach is not afraid to tell people where they can improve, and doesn't every player want to know that? He has so much respect for guys, and still at the same time, letting them know, 'Hey, this is what I see you can improve at.'"
What's your reaction to now having QB Aaron Rodgers in your division? (Jamison Hensley) "I really don't have a reaction. Just respect. Respect for the Steelers, obviously. Respect for the team that they have, the coaches that they have, the head coach, Coach [Mike] Tomlin. And then, obviously, we've always respected Aaron Rodgers as a player. I mean he's Hall of Fame quarterback, so we'll have to go against a Hall of Fame quarterback with one of the premier teams in the league, who happens to be our arch rival. So, we'll be preparing for that."
WR Rashod Bateman, speaking about his contract extension, mentioned how he hopes to create a new era for wide receivers in Baltimore. What does it mean to see him get that contract extension and just his desire and success that you've had at the wide receiver position? (Giana Han) "It means a lot. [With Rashod Bateman] and Zay [Flowers], I think both have done so well as drafted wide receivers here – first-round picks. To see those guys be successful – to see Rashod be successful – I love him. I always have, from Day One. I think he's always been so determined. He just wants so badly to be great, and to watch him grow these last couple of years the way he has, to where he's at now, and I really believe [in] where he is going to go. I'm just looking for him to continue to just [ascend] like a rocket ship, man, and take off."
We had a chance to talk to senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Chuck Pagano yesterday. Now that he's been back here for a few months, what's it been like? It was a long time ago when he was here, how have you kind of seen him, not necessarily change, but maybe evolve as a coach compared to how he was back then? (Luke Jones) "Yes. The days are long, but the years are short. It seems just like yesterday when Chuck [Pagano] was here, but it's been great. Chuck has never changed in the sense that he's always just been a great guy with high enthusiasm. An 'enthusiasm unknown to mankind' kind of a coach, kind of a person, family man, leader [and] friend. The players have really attached themselves to him in a great way in the back end. And I think [defensive coordinator] Zach [Orr], as well, those guys are getting along great, and Chuck just wants to help this team be the best team he can be, and to have that secondary play at the highest level it can. That's all he cares about. So, it's just great to have him back."
John, we haven't seen QB Lamar Jackson out here since the second OTA. Did you expect that? To your knowledge, is it just Lamar being Lamar and choosing to not be here or is it contract related? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I'm not taking any position on it or judging it, or whatever. Lamar [Jackson], the day he was out of here, played great. I could see he was in great shape, threw the ball great, made the right reads, knew the offense in an excellent kind of way. I thought he was fantastic. And when he comes back and practices, when that happens, I expect him to play at that level. That's what you measure. You measure, for any player, how they play. I'm not measuring, really, the attendance. I mean it's a voluntary camp, so I'm not measuring that. I love being out here, and I think all the players do. And when Lamar's out here, I promise you, he loves being out here. You could see it when he was out here. So, he's my guy. I love him, and I can't wait to just get into this season and get going."
We've seen S Sanoussi Kane make a few plays on the ball. What role do you envision him and S Beau Brade playing this season, and do you think you're going to add another safety before training camp? (Nikhil Mehta) "Yes, I envision those guys stepping up. They have to, and they have in OTAs, so far, heading into the minicamp. They're going to have to prove it. They're going to have to earn it, and there's always a possibility of bringing someone in. That's what we do. So, we'll see where that goes. But I think those guys are doing a great job."
John, we're talking to RB Keaton Mitchell in a little bit. What have you seen from him now two years removed from his injury?" (Jamison Hensley) "Yes, [Keaton Mitchell] looks good. He looks way better than he did at the end of last season, I think, just as far as movement. So, I've got high hopes. I'm not going to lie. I would never lie, never lie. I might not tell you everything, but I would never lie. But I have high hopes for him. I expect him to be really good."
We're also talking to CB Nate Wiggins today. What have you seen out of Nate and his development now coming into his second season? (A.J. Gersh) "Well, you saw [Nate Wiggins] today, right? What did he have? A pick and a key breakup in a critical situation. I expect him to be locked in and focused on the little things. Raindrops make oceans, man. [He is] locked in on every little detail to be great, and that's what he's focusing on."
We haven't seen LB Jake Hummel out here, and he was someone you guys signed in the offseason. I know it's voluntary, but is there anything there? (Luke Jones) "There is. [Jake Hummel] had a baby in the last few days. He had a little baby boy. We should announce that if he wants us to. We should put that out there with Jake, maybe. So that's why he's not here."
Do you have an official field goal count for K Tyler Loop today? (Giana Han) "Oh, yes. [We] do a count. Yes, you must have had a bad angle. I can tell you this: They were all right down the middle. But I had a good angle seeing them. They were right down the middle. [Tyler Loop] made that 60-yarder easily, so it was a good start."
RB KEATON MITCHELL
On how his knee is feeling: "It's feeling good. Yes, sir. It's feeling great."
On if there was a point when he felt like he turned the corner with his rehab: "Yes, once we got that break, I did a lot of rehab, really being focused on coming back and being back to myself. So, when I came back, I was back [to] normal."
On if it feels different this year: "Definitely. Yes, sir."
On the influence RB Derrick Henry has had on him and how he has helped him the most: "Just really taking care of my body off the field. [Derrick Henry] is a Hall of Fame type of guy, just making sure everything that he says, making sure it doesn't go through one ear and out the other. So, just taking that into consideration and just looking up to him, watching him, what he does, watching how he became a vet, just taking care of his body, how he's been in the league for so long and just stuff like that."
On if there are any particular parts of his game that he's looking to improve or ways that you want to contribute more to the offense or special teams: "Whatever they need me to do, I'm down to do it. Justice [Hill] is taking a step [up] in his role, so I'm just filling in his spot, doing all the dirty work, whatever they need me to do. So, I'm ready for what they need me to do just to win the Super Bowl."
On how cautious he was feeling when he first came back last year versus now: "Yes, just like the mental part coming back, you're always thinking about your knee, worried about what's going to happen, what's going to happen if I get tackled, but just overcoming that, I'm way much better. I'm out there like normal, not worried about what my knee is doing, just being confident in my knee and my rehab."
On if hitting 22.4 miles per hour is his top speed: "Yes, so when I first got here, I ran 22.2 [miles per hour], so I just hit 22.4 a couple weeks ago. So, [I'm] definitely feeling good back there myself."
On how OLB Tavius Robinson and ILB Trenton Simpson kept him in the loop through the offseason and during his rehab process: "When you face adversity, like a career-ending injury, you need those type of guys with you, just to keep you in a positive mindset, making sure you're OK. So, I appreciate those guys, Trenton [Simpson] and Tavius [Robinson] for being there for me. So, hats off to those guys."
On if OLB Tavius Robinson and ILB Trenton Simpson offered to tackle him to get him back into football: "Oh no, they were just making sure I made it to the season and made it to OTAs safely."
On if he thought his injury would be career-ending: "No, just because I know who I am and how I was raised. I have to finish what I started, so anything that it took, I knew I was going to come back and be ready to go."
On if the team has talked with him about a kick return role: "Oh yes, for sure. I'm definitely doing that, especially since if it's a touchback, it'll go to the 35 [-yard line], so I'm pretty sure teams will put it in play, and I want to be the one to return to kickoff returns and being able to be like a Devin Hester, like a don't-kick-it-at-type of guy."
On what success looks like for him individually, besides winning a Super Bowl: "Playing [in] preseason game one and finish it to the last game, whatever that is. Just staying healthy and available for the team."
On if he has a lot of experience with returning kicks: "In college, they didn't really let me do too much of kick return, but it is like a natural instinct. It's like an outside zone play for a running back, so it is kind of natural."
On where he clocked 22.4 miles per hour: "We were in the indoor [facility]. We were doing some sprints. I was like ... Really, Anthony Miller, me and him were running with each other, and he was like, 'I'm trying to hit top speed today,' so I was like ... Really, I wasn't planning on running that fast, but I guess I just came back. He was like, '[You] hit [your] PR.'"
On what he's seen from ILB Trenton Simpson and his development: "[Trenton Simpson is] just coming out here, being like a vet, vocal leader, trying to tell the younger guys what to do, but more so being a vocal leader."
CB NATE WIGGINS
On his offseason strength and conditioning routine: "Yeah, it was a big offseason for me with just gaining weight and getting stronger. I gained [around] 10lbs, I'm a lot stronger [and] a lot bigger."
On how much he currently weighs: "185."
On his motivation to put on more muscle: "Really just, I was just [getting hit] a lot. Injury wasn't my big thing last year, [but] just hitting the ground. With my shoulders hitting the ground, [my] body couldn't absorb the contact [well]. So it was really just getting [ready] my body [to be able to] take the contact."
On what he ate to help gain the muscle: "Really just steak and a lot of protein [and] mashed potatoes, stuff like that. I was eating a lot of steak."
On if it is difficult for him to add weight: "It's a hard thing for me [because] I have a fast metabolism, so it's really hard for me to keep weight [on]. So, when I gain weight, I'm really happy."
On if he prefers playing on the left or the right: "No, I don't really have a favorite [side]. I think I'm great on both sides."
On where he feels he's grown the most this offseason: "I feel like [I have grown a lot as a player], especially, like you said, [over this] last year. Last season, I didn't feel like I was really a pro yet. Now, I'm [understanding] how to be a pro now. I feel like now it's going to pay off."
On his thoughts about the secondary room with the addition of S Malaki Starks and the other returning veterans: "I feel great about it. I feel like we're going to come out fast. We're going to come out [how] everybody expects us to come out."
On how it's been working with Sr. defensive assistant/secondary coach Chuck Pagano: "It's been great. He [Chuck Pagano] is [a coach that has] coached Hall of Famers, so it is great picking up knowledge and everything he knows about the game. It's great. I feel like him coming in, it is going help us and continue [to help] us to grow as great players."
On the feedback Chuck Pagano has shared with individual players on the team and what he shared with him: "Yeah, the main thing [when] he came in that he was focused on me about, was my press. He was [saying to] just get my hands on, since I'm probably one of the fastest guys, so he was [saying to] get my hands on receivers [and] shoot my hands. [He said if I do that], I can really run with any receiver in the league."
On QB Aaron Rodgers joining the Pittsburgh Steelers and if he'd like to get a photo with Rodgers: "It'd be great to get a pick on 'A-Rod' [Aaron Rodgers]. [He is] probably a Hall of Fame quarterback. It is [going to be] great facing him."
On going up against WR DeAndre Hopkins in practice and having him on the team: "It's amazing, just because we both went to Clemson. We both know the Clemson staff. He came to Clemson a lot when I was there, so we have a lot of connections. It's great. I know it's his [13th] year in the league [so] it's great going to against him [because] he can teach me a lot of knowledge."
