HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening statement: "OK, it's good to see everybody. I appreciate you being here. We had a good practice [and are] getting ready for a very tough team. [There] could be some weather blowing in [from what] we hear, so we'll be doing our best to be at our best on Sunday. What questions do you have?"
I know we constantly ask, but with QB Lamar Jackson, are there any kind of definitive thoughts on him right now? (*Jamison Hensley)* "[It's the] same with all [of] the guys that are dealing with the different injuries. I think it'll be indicative as the week goes along and what their status will be going forward."
Now what can you say about the former Ravens OLB Odafe Oweh trade and S Alohi Gilman being here? (*Bo Smolka)* "It happened fast – I can tell you that. I didn't talk to Jim [Harbaugh] about it until after it went down, so it wasn't anything that we were talking about. It was between Eric [DeCosta] and [Los Angeles Chargers general manager] Joe [Hortiz] and the personnel departments on both sides. We had a chance to consider it in terms of what was best [in the] big picture for our team, for our defense [with] all the pieces together moving together; trying to build the best defense we can for the rest of the season. Also, in some ways, what's possibly best for the player, too, for Odafe [Oweh] and [for him to] go out there in his contract year and have a chance to make a statement maybe. I think that's good for him, and obviously, I have a lot of respect for them and how they operate there in L.A. with the Chargers. Alohi [Gilman], he's going to give us a lot. He's a veteran safety. He was in a very similar system. He's a proven player. He had a really good practice today. I think he's a good fit for us right now in what we're looking for. So, it's a piece that we've kind of been looking for as we've went here, really, throughout the season so far. So, for that to happen is a good thing for our defense."
You often talk about guys needing to get up to speed; we know S Alohi Gilman is in shape, because we are playing. Do you anticipate him being on the field Sunday? (*Bo Smolka)* "I think [Alohi Gilman] could play [on] Sunday. Yes, I believe that."
As part of the equation there, being able to have the flexibility to free up S Kyle Hamilton a little bit more, getting back, maybe playing closer to the line of scrimmage? (*Luke Jones)* "I think there's a lot that goes with it. We just put it together and set up the scheme. You're playing the [Los Angeles] Rams. We have to consider what they're doing, what our gameplan is going to be against them. We have that plan put together. We're trying to practice it now, and we'll see where it takes us."
Do you see something like this, maybe guys straighten up with more of a wakeup call of "anything can go" to do anything to try to improve this roster? With a trade like that, it might be surprising to some of the guys in the locker room. (*Morgan Adsit)* "Right, yes. It's a good question. I think guys understand that it's pro football; I believe they do. This is how it works, and there's always moving parts, opportunities are created, and I think they understand that."
What type of stress does this Los Angeles Rams offense put on you with how dynamic they are in the pass game? With Los Angeles Rams RB Kyren Williams, they seem to still lean on him in the run game and the pass game as well. (*Cordell Woodland)* "Kyren Williams is a really good [running] back, and [the Rams] have the backup, [who] is a Maryland guy [Blake Corum], St. Francis [Academy] product from [the University of] Michigan, but they are downhill, hard-charging backs. They put a foot in the ground, and they get north. They can cut back. They can take it all the way back. They can bounce outside. It's a very, very physical run game, but it's a very fast-paced offense. They get to the line, they get out of the huddle, they 'quick snap' you, they 'attack play' you, they 'speed break' you; they do all the things that try to put pressure [on teams]. [They execute] a lot of motion, a lot of shifts, run, play action, boot, drop-back pass, [with] some run game out of the drop-back pass and just try to get you off balance. Yet, they do what they do, and they try to do it well. So, it's kind of in that system. Sean [McVay] comes from the [Mike] Shanahan, then the [Gary] Kubiak background; it's in that system, and there are branches now. Of course, Sean's done a great job making his branch of it what it is and [with] his personality, so it's tough to defend."
You mentioned on Monday, the pass rush has to be better, obviously, former Ravens OLB Odafe Oweh was part of that deal. It's something more of a general manager Eric DeCosta question, I realize, but is that something you guys will continue to look at in terms of who's available? I know you've got guys, obviously, you'll put in there that you're confident in, but will you continue to look at that in the next few weeks? (*Brian Wacker)* "I think so. Those guys – like you said, it's twofold – the guys [we currently have] will be in there, and their reps will ramp up; we'll see how they handle it and see if they can get to the quarterback. Then, I'm sure until the trade deadline, those are going to be conversations that will be had."
You mentioned former Ravens OLB Odafe Oweh, cheering him to go make a statement out there in his contract year. What do you think prevented him from doing that here this year? (*Pete Gilbert)* "I haven't really thought about that too much other than the fact that I think [Odafe Oweh] was playing well coming down the stretch here. He was really intentional about being really direct with his pass rush, run defense and being physical with it off the edge. I thought he was rushing the passer well, probably why the [Los Angeles] Chargers wanted him. I think if you look at the tape, you'll say, 'Hey, he's playing good football.' So, it's not something that we didn't take lightly. We understand that this is a good player – a really good player – who was a first-round pick who was playing well. We just had to weigh it out, all things considered. There's three or four other factors involved in it, too. It does give us a piece in the secondary [in Alohi Gilman], who's a really good guy and a really good player who, we think, brings something to the table for us that can help us."
You talked about S Alohi Gilman, but specifically with S C.J. Gardner Johnson, what do you like about his play? (*Childs Walker)* "Yes, thanks for bringing that up, too. I've always liked the way [C.J. Gardner-Johnson] played. I've always liked the way he played. He brings it. He's a 'bring it' attitude guy. He's a physical player, [has] a lot of juice and a lot of energy. [He's] a veteran guy who knows how to play the game, so that's another one that was kind of [a] parallel conversation, really. Maybe [Gardner-Johnson] first, we were talking about, probably; we've been talking to him for a little while. So, having him here is exciting as well. I think our team is better because of that."
Do you anticipate that it'll take S C.J. Gardner-Johnson very long to get caught up? (*Cordell Woodland)* "No, I really don't. I think [C.J. Gardner-Johnson] will pick it up just like that. He's smart. He knows the game, and he had a good day today, so those are conversations we'll be having."
What impresses you about the Rams' pass rush? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "[The Rams' pass rush has] high energy. [They are a] high-energy pass rush. Obviously, No. 8 [Jared Verse] – he's pretty good. No. 0 [Byron Young] is really good, too, and No. 10 [Josaiah Stewart] is really good, too. Then the inside guys are high-energy players as well. They do a little bit of blitzing, they do a little bit of moving off the edges, but it's really those four guys with the energy and power, and we're going to have to be ready for that."
You mentioned trying to find that rhythm in the offense, and it hasn't been to your guys' liking. How do you do that, obviously with QB Lamar Jackson's status in the air, but establishing the ground game, offensive line and how important is that to try to be part of that picture? (*Brian Wacker)* "Well, the game-planning is a part of that, how we put that together. We've worked hard at that this week. Against this defense, you have to block them; it comes down to blocking people, so hopefully we'll create situations where we'll create a little bit of space here and there. We have to do better on first down, especially, first and second down being more manageable and third down. We're not opposed to getting the first down and second down either, so that would be good, but you have to block them. You have to get the play started against any defense, against the [Los Angeles] Rams, against the [Houston] Texans, against the defenses we've been playing and the style of defenses we really played all year since the [Cleveland] Browns game. [With] all of these defenses, you have to get the play started, and that comes down to blocking."
I know you guys want to win every week. Is there any extra motivation to try to go into the bye week with a win as opposed to, obviously, the alternative? (*Cordell Woodland)* "It's hard for me to measure motivation, like to say it's 'extra motivation' because I just think we are all, and the guys are all, about as highly motivated as you can be every single week to get a win. So, they're completely motivated to get the win this week, but the main thing you have to focus on is how to do it. You have to go play a certain way and getting prepared to do that and to play the way we can play given whatever circumstances we have. We have a lot of skilled players on offense. We have plenty of guys to make plays and go play well, so let's go do it. Let's go find a way to win the game. You have to go play the game, compete and win one play at a time, and that's what we'll be trying to do. I know we can do it. We just have to get out there and do it, but the motivation level is high."
WR RASHOD BATEMAN
On what they need to do to find a consistent rhythm on offense: "I just feel like we've got to trust each other, trust the plan, trust what we've got in [here], and at the end of the day, we've just got to do our job. It sounds simple, but that's what it all boils down to is [having] everybody involved. We've got all the players that we need, we've got all the weapons, so we've just got to put it all together."
On if they feel pressed when dealing with difficult times like these: "Yes, I would say so. I think we're trying to do a good job of staying composed, but we understand where we're at. We understand the tasks that we've got to do [and] the hole that we've got to get out of. We're all grown, so we'll go play football, and hopefully get out of this hole."
On the pass that was intended for him that resulted in an INT on Sunday vs. Houston: "I looked up for the ball, and it wasn't there, and I looked down, and I thought he threw it away, and it was too late by the time I was trying to catch up to the ball. So, I apologize for what it looked like to the fans, but it wasn't a give up on the ball. If anything, I wanted [to do] a little more to help this team win games and whatnot. So, I've just got to keep running."
On if that play felt like an encapsulation of their game against Houston: "Yes, that kind of just summed up the game and summed up how we felt. That play wasn't going to change anything, but I could have went a little harder and made it better than what it looked like. So yes, just a [tough] day all around for us, and we're just trying to be better all around."
On if Sunday's game vs. Houston was shocking to him: "Yes, all of this is kind of shocking to me, personally [and] even to the organization, not just myself. The fans have every right to feel how they feel. They expect excellence, and it's our job to deliver that. And we are not upholding the standard right now, so we deserve all the criticism. We take it, [and] we'll handle it, but we've just got to fix it."
On the importance of this game and getting a win before the bye week: "They're all important, but this is definitely important. We need to win to get in the win column so we can try to get some momentum to carry out through the year. No matter what it looks like, it's still a week-to-week league, and we can always find a way to get back in this thing, and if anybody can do it, this team can do it."
On the message in the locker room after a player is traded: "Honestly, it is hard to deal with. We're focused on the next game, and it hurts to see your brother go. For me, I was drafted with 'Daf' [Odafe Oweh], so to see him go away is weird, but hopefully it is for the best for both parties involved. So now, we've got to come back in today like we did, and practice, work and keep going."
WR ZAY FLOWERS
On how much of a challenge it is to get the offense on track when QB Lamar Jackson isn't practicing: "I feel like if anybody is missing their starting quarterback on any team, it'll be a challenging week. We believe in 'Coop' [Cooper Rush], and we believe in what we have. We believe in our team, so I think we'll be alright."
On the team's mindset about where they are right now: "Win the next one. We have to go win this one, get to bye week, get everybody healthy, come back and then try to finish strong for the rest of the year."
On what the offense needs to do to find a consistent rhythm: "Once we get healthy and get everything back on our offense, we'll be alright. We'll be alright, because the last two years, we had the same offense, and it wasn't a problem then. So, once we get everybody back, we'll be alright."
On how the recent trade with the Chargers impacted the team: "It was definitely a shock to me. I love 'Dafe' [Odafe Oweh]. I love him. [He's a] great player, and I wish him good luck over there. But, we have some guys that came in with some new faces, but familiar that we've played before, and I think they're great players, too. We're just trying to win, trying to get to the next one."
On if it's hard to process last week's game and how it all transpired: "If you've played football before, at some point, you're going to get there. You hate that it happened that week and [that] it happened in the NFL, but we just have to move on to the next week [and] think about that, think about getting this week done, getting a win and getting healthy on a bye week."
On the mood amongst the offense: "I think we're alright. I think we're going to be alright. Once we start running off some wins, I think we'll be good. We'll be in a good position at the end of the year."
S ALOHI GILMAN
On what his last 24 hours have been like: "In 24 hours, I've been awake for about 21 of them. It's been a long day. I'm still processing everything. It's been cool to be here, and everyone's been opening up their arms and just showing the hospitality. I have a little bit of history with Maryland. I was at the Naval Academy out of high school, so it has a special place in my heart, but I'm happy to be out here and get this thing rolling."
On how former Notre Dame teammate S Kyle Hamilton has been catching him up since he's arrived to Baltimore: "K-Ham" [Kyle Hamilton], that's my brother. He was a young freshman [during] my senior year at Notre Dame. He was having a hard time as a freshman, wanted to quit, but I had to keep him in shape, and now he's an All-Pro. I'm happy to be here. Kyle has been great. [He's] a great friend [and a] great player. [We'll] get that Notre Dame connection going again, and I'm excited for what's ahead."
On being traded from one team to the next so quickly: "It's something you can't really prepare for. It has been tough on me and my family. I have a young daughter, another son on the way [and] a wife, so that's been tough. You're in one facility one day, and you get pulled out, and you're on a plane in three hours. Throw a bunch of stuff in your bag, say goodbye, and hit the road. So, it's a whirlwind of emotions. Obviously, I spent a good amount of time with the Chargers – my whole career of six years – so it's a little bittersweet, but I've come to a great organization, and I'm super grateful for that, because they could have sent me anywhere. Being able to be here at the Ravens, [and] they wanted me to be here to help this team win. I'm excited to do that and [do] whatever I can do to be the best version of myself and to get this thing going."
On if the Chargers told him what to expect when coming to the Ravens: "With the Harbaugh Brothers, I'm excited to see the similarities and differences. Obviously, I have a lot of respect for both of them – [head coach] Jim Harbaugh at the Chargers and then [Ravens head coach] John [Harbaugh], obviously, the history that he's made here and built this great organization – so I'm excited for it, for sure."
On what he expects to bring to the Ravens defense and fit in: "I can bring flexibility, just bring in that next level of anticipation and just being a playmaker out there, bringing instincts and passion to the game. Obviously, like I said, I have some chemistry with Kyle [Hamilton]. Hopefully, we can get him the best [opportunities] possible for him to thrive and flourish. [I'll bring] just being the best version of me, being a ball hawk, being a guy who's always around the ball and just commanding the defense. I'm excited to do that."
On what former teammate Chargers S Tony Jefferson Jr. shared with him about the Ravens: "Tony Jefferson, obviously, that's my brother. Shout out to 'T-Jeff.' Since he's been at the Chargers, he's always repping the Ravens, and I used to get on him for it, and now I'm here. So, I gave him a call right before I got on the plane. That's my brother. I've had a lot of great memories with him, and he has so much respect for this organization. He was like, 'Man, you're going to love it.' I'm just excited to be here."
On his first impressions of senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Chuck Pagano: "Obviously, Coach Pagano [senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Chuck Pagano], he's been around the game for decades. [It's great] just being able to chop it up with him and learn more about football. It's obviously really early, but he's a guy that I can learn from. I've been in the league for a little bit, but I'm always trying to get better and learn and grow, and Chuck Pagano is a great place to start and just learn and grow my game."
On how much he loads onto his plate this week to play the Rams: "Luckily, I've had open [training camp] practices with the Rams almost every year that I played with the Chargers, so I have a pretty good understanding of what they do. The coaching staff here has done a great job of trying to slowly install things [for me] and see how we can tie the knots together. It's exciting for me, because that's what I do as a football player. This is my craft, so I'm going to be up all night. I've already been up, so we're just going to keep it rolling and just keep getting better."
On how similar the Ravens defense is to the Chargers defense: "When [Chargers defensive coordinator] Coach [Jesse] Minter and [Chargers head] Coach [Jim] Harbaugh came to the Chargers, there was a lot of Ravens film that we watched. [We were] trying to learn a little bit about the techniques, schemes, personnels and whatnot. So, [there is] a lot of carryover [and] a lot of crossover. Obviously, every coordinator has their own philosophies, techniques or small things that they like to add their wrinkles to. I learned a lot from Coach Minter, but I'm excited to work with [Ravens defensive coordinator] Coach [Zach] Orr. This whole defense as a unit has a lot of talent, and whatever I can do to add to it, I'll be here for it."
S MALAKI STARKS
On the current mindset of the defense: "I think the biggest thing is just to get back to playing our type of defense and who we want to be. I think we know who we have in the room. We know the guys that we have on the defense in the locker room [and] the type of coaches that we have. [I think our mindset is] just really focusing on ourselves [and] finding out what we need to do to get to where we want to be and just kind of focusing on the steps, and not so much of the bigger goal."
On if it is challenging to play "team defense" when the team is struggling: "Yes, I mean, it can be. And I think the biggest thing is – I think what I love about our locker room and our team is that guys realize ... You're playing with guys who know how to do their job. [They are] people you can trust. And yes, the season is not going how we want it to. We're not getting the outcomes that we want right now, but there's not a single guy in that locker room that doesn't trust the person next to them. And I think that's the biggest, the best thing, really. So, nobody is really focusing on like, 'OK, I have to do my job and then, I have to go make a play. I have to go make a play.' The biggest thing is you make the play whenever it comes to you. I think that's kind of the mindset of everybody."
On what it is like to have two new players in the defensive backs room: "It's awesome, especially for me as a rookie, just really learning from guys who have so much experience. I got a chance to talk to both of them [Alohi Gilman and C.J. Gardner-Johnson] today, a lot. How they view the game of football and just that older presence in the room, you can never complain about that. So, just coming here [today] and meeting them, seeing them going out to practice today, it always brings a new type of energy to the room, so we're all excited."
On taking accountability as a team and the defensive leaders in the room: "I think the biggest thing, and [Kyle Van Noy] was right, accountability is huge, but it starts within yourself. You can't take accountability until you look yourself in the mirror. And I think a lot of guys are doing that, and it's kind of coming as one. For instance, Van Noy, he's a really big voice in that room. He's an older guy, he's been in the league for a long time. He knows what he is doing. A lot of guys who are that voice, they're doing it, but everybody has to start with themselves first. It's hard. It's hard to do something, to tell somebody to do something, and you're not where you're supposed to be as well. So, it's really looking at yourself in the mirror and figuring that out first and then taking accountability as a team."
On how he evaluates his performance so far this season: "I think I have very high expectations [for myself]. I don't pay attention to the stats or whatever. As long as the play gets made, it gets made. But I think my biggest thing is just trusting myself, trusting what I see, trusting what I feel and just going out there, playing and having fun. I think I'm still learning. I'm going to be learning for a long time. I mean, everybody is, but I think really just playing ball, just cutting it loose; I think that's the one thing I really want to focus on, just going out there and being myself."
On if he feels like, sometimes, he's playing tentative: "Yes, just sometimes I'll see something, and it'll be like a split second where I think about it. There is no time for that in football. Just when you see it, you go. I think that's what I just want to get to."
On what the challenging start has been like this season and if it's been a shock: "I think it's been a lesson. It's a test. I think there are two ways to look at it. It's either, 'Alright, it wasn't our year. We didn't have whatever, it wasn't our year,' or, 'OK, this is a test. What do we need to do to get to where we want to be?' And like I said earlier, I think that's the mindset. Nobody is pointing fingers, nobody is doing any of this stuff, nobody is dividing within. So, it's really just focusing on where we want to be and the steps to get there, focusing on the steps that it takes to get to where we want to be because everything we want is still in front of us, and I think everybody knows that."
On if he's seen any scheme changes this week: "Yes, I think the coaches want to make it simple. They want us to go out there and play. And they're doing their best job. They're putting [together] the best gameplan [that] they can, and it's on us to go out there and execute. So, they've been doing a great job so far."
On personnel changes and what that means for the secondary unit: "Yes, I think every group has its own energy. The game is won up front; everybody knows that. The linebackers have their own type of energy. The DBs have their own type of energy. So, I think it's time for everybody just to take it up one notch. And I think a lot of guys understand that. And just like I said earlier, just going back to being us, going out there and flying around, having fun and competing. At the end of the day, no matter what it is or what the case may be, just being the defense that we want to be."
On if personnel changes, such as trades and bringing in new faces helps drive home the idea of doing everything possible to get the season turned around: "Yes, I think it does. I think some guys can ... I guess this is my first time going through it. That doesn't happen in college. I woke up today and I was like, 'Dang, there's two new faces in the room.' So, it's a little different, but you realize that it's your job. There's a sense of urgency that goes behind it. But the coaches have 100 percent faith in us [and] 100 percent trust in us, and we have a hundred percent trust in them as well. So, just really going out there and figuring it out as a team, as a defense, offense, special teams, what we need to do and how to get it done."
OLB KYLE VAN NOY
On if he feels like the response from players after the loss to the Texans has been different from weeks prior: "It better be. It better be. Like I've been trying to say in this conversation with you, we don't want to just talk about it, we want to be about it. To the fans, I know we've been saying this, but we want to put a better product out. Not only for them, but for ourselves, too."
On how close he thinks the pass rush is to being where they want it to be: "I mean, it's not where I want it to be, at all. We have a standard. We have a standard of being one of the best [over] the last two years, and [right now], it's not close to that. So, we have to do more and be better about getting back to [pass] rushing at a high level. We also need to get ourselves into situations to be able to do that. We haven't gotten ourselves in enough situations to really get after the quarterback. We've had a lot of second-and-1 [plays], a lot of third-and-1 [plays] and a lot of fourth-and-1 [plays]. We haven't put ourselves in a good enough position on first and second down to get into those longer-yard situations, so hopefully we can start to do that."
On the reaction to former Ravens OLB Odafe Oweh being traded: "First, I'm always thinking about the person, right? Let's take football out of it. A lot goes into it when you get traded. I've been traded, personally, and it takes a little bit [of time]; you're in a little bit of a shock. I'm sure 'Dafe' [Odafe Oweh] was. We've been able to text real quick, but hopefully we'll have a conversation [soon]. I want him to obviously get settled. First and foremost, I just want him to be OK as a person. Like, hey, it's part of the deal. Also, [I am] excited for him. At the same time, I've also had the teammate who was traded here. [Alohi Gilman] has been my teammate previously – Alohi, or 'Lo' is his nickname – I'm excited for him. He's going to help us out. [He is] a very good football player. He plays football, and I'm excited for him to come into our locker room and be a leader right away. [He is going to] get to work. Hopefully, I don't know, but hopefully he's up on Sunday because I think he's going to be able to help us out."
On if trades serve as a wakeup call for the locker room: "Yes, I definitely have to go with a wakeup call. I can't control those things. I can only control what I do on the football field, as well as be able to communicate to help others around me, and that's kind of what I'm focused on. But it definitely is a wakeup call for those that haven't been in the business a while. But for me, I always just try to focus on what I can control, and [right now], that's continue to do what my job requirements are."
