HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening statement: "OK, I appreciate everybody being here. We are getting ready for a very important game, the home opener against a division rival. [When] watching the tape, obviously [the Cleveland Browns] bring it like they always do. [They have a] physical and aggressive defense, [a] smothering type of a defense, man coverage, [they] mix it up, run out and play zone, try to disguise on you a little bit and a heavy pass rush. [They have a] very talented defense and an offense [with a] very physical offensive line with a downhill run game, play-action pass, drop-back pass, of course, in passing situations. Playing against Joe [Flacco] coming back; he's [been] playing great. I've been watching him the last couple of years and even on tape. So, all those things. What questions do you have?"
You mentioned with former Ravens QB Joe Flacco, you've played him before up there in New York, but will it be any different having him here in Baltimore, seeing him on the other side of the field? (*Jamison Hensley)* "In terms of looking back, what an amazing run, and what an era for the Ravens, the 'Joe Flacco era.' In the early part of his career was with Ray [Lewis], Ed [Reed] and those guys in the later part of his career with another set of guys. He's iconic, I think, in Baltimore football history. I respect that and admire that and still keep in touch with him, except not this week. This week it's not about that for us as a football team, it's about us getting prepared for a good quarterback that knows how to play the game, [who's] capable of making plays against you, and we're going to have to be at our very best to defend against Joe and the whole offense."
What challenges does Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco present, even at age 40? What does he do so well? (*Brian Wacker)* "I mean that's the thing. [Joe Flacco] operates the passing game really well. He does a good job with all the play-action stuff. He's going to get them in the runs they want to get in, but he can get back there. He is still big, he's still got a good arm, [and] he's very accurate. It's a good catchable ball, and he knows where to go with it. So that's kind of the classic drop-back quarterback kind of guy that Joe is, and that's the way they're playing with him."
You mentioned Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco's stature in the organization and all that he accomplished here. I mean given that when you guys made the tough decision in 2018 to transition to QB Lamar Jackson, what do you think he showed with his grace with that decision and kind of giving you guys the leeway to have that transition? (*Kyle Goon)* "Well, Joe [Flacco] was always a pro, a first-class man, a family man. Of course, at the time, we had a lot of conversations, and I don't really remember the details right now, but they're all positive and good. I always respect him for everything he did here."
Given the workload that RB Derrick Henry had last year, were you encouraged for how explosive he was on Sunday? (*Josh Tolentino)* "Derrick [Henry] was explosive and fast. He's a hardworking guy, and he's prepared to play. He had a great camp, and I wasn't surprised at all. It's what we expected to see."
You've come up with some emotional losses before, but as a coach, is there anything that you try to do to make sure, again, if you leave it at that game and you know everybody is looking forward? (*Jamison Hensley)* "There's a lot of things you do. I think it's more subtle than it is obvious. It's just it's the way you approach everything. You're going to have those in this league. It's the NFL, and it happens. We've been in a lot of games over the years where we've had leads – I think it's actually 152 [games] since 2008; we've won 140 of them and then lost 12, and that's tough, but there's a lot of other games you lost, too. It doesn't really matter how you lose them, it matters that you lost them, and you have to find a way to come back and play the next week and improve. The opportunity of failure or disappointment is the opportunity that brings into sharp focus all of the things that you need to get better at, because every single person is looking at every single thing that they didn't do as well as they wanted to do in their mind. Because we have accountable guys saying, 'That's on me. If I'd have made that play, if I'd have done that better, if I'd have made that decision,' Whatever it is – for all of us – that would've been the difference in the game. So, it brings into sharp focus, the opportunity to improve, so you try to make the most of that."
Have you or anybody from the organization heard anything about the QB Lamar Jackson situation with the fan in Buffalo? I know we heard Monday, but within the couple of days as of last, have you heard anything from the league? (*Jeff Zrebiec)* "I haven't personally. I know that [EVP & general manager] Eric [DeCosta] and [president] Sashi [Brown] have talked to the league about it."
So, there's going to be no discipline for QB Lamar Jackson, as far as you know? (*Jeff Zrebiec)* "As far as I know."
We didn't see DL Nnamdi Madubuike out there. How is he doing? (*Sam Jane)* "[Nnamdi Madubuike]'s dealing with a little something. He should be out there tomorrow."
Just based on clips and stuff, CB Jaire Alexander has been one of the guys getting hammered for how that fourth quarter went. How much of that do you feel like is just him just not being able to practice a lot of the month leading up to that game, and what do you kind of expect for this week? (*Kyle Goon)* "I think that's fair to look at that. It's a practice sport. Practice is important, especially at that position [for' just being exactly right. So he and I have had that conversation. I recognize it and the main thing right now is just to get him right. He's healthy enough, but we have to get him right so we can go out there and play like Jaire Alexander, which I fully expect him to do. We'll just give him an opportunity to do that."
You talked often about your Ohio roots. Have you heard from anyone from back in the day about maybe them being upset about this game being one to honor the 30 seasons, but given the shared history between the teams.. (*Jonas Shaffer)* "Have I heard from any of my friends in the Midwest? I have not. Nobody's mentioned it to me, but now that you asked the question, I'll probably expect to get a couple calls."
What did you see defensively from Cleveland, I mean they were so good against Cincy in the second half with seven yards allowed. What do they do? (*Pete Gilbert)* "They were smothering the Cincinnati [Bengals] offense and playing the way the Browns want to play. When they can play that way, that's when they're at their best. They've got good players, and [Cleveland Browns head coach] Jim Schwartz does a great job, and it's a downhill. The best word I can use is a smothering type of mindset. You have to find a way to get to crack the smother open. That's what you have to try to find a way to do, and they try to keep it tight. So, they did a great job against the Bengals. It was a great defensive performance."
T Ronnie Stanley and C Tyler Linderbaum played really well the other night. What would you like to see the rest of the group, just collectively, when you look back at the game from Sunday night? (*Brian Wacker)* "Interesting phrasing. I thought the offensive line played well overall. We ran for a whole bunch of yards, blocked really well. The pass protection was pretty good for the most part. There weren't too many major problems there. It was pretty solid. So, I think just across the board, [from] first game to the second game, you have a chance to really improve, because it does give you a chance to kind of see really where you're at. There's going to be some things that you're going to look at, and you're going to go, 'I didn't see that coming.' There's going to be some other things that you expect to see. Some things are going to be better than you expect to see them, and yet the next game is not the last game, the next game's not played the same way. So, you've got to anticipate all the things that you think might come up with your guys. So, it's just a process. It's a long season, and it's the art of developing a football team and helping the team become the very best [it] can be. So, that goes with the offensive line. I was in [offensive line coach] George [Warhop]'s meeting this morning, [hearing] all of the coaching points. It's all what we do as coaches, and George is a great offensive line coach. That's what they're going to work on – all the ways they can get better."
With the fan interaction with QB Lamar Jackson, is that something that you talked to Lamar about or was there any conversation about that? (*Garrett Downing)* "I haven't talked to [Lamar Jackson] about it too much. He and I had a conversation about it in terms of just [speaking] a little bit about what happened. So, I am very confident he understands what he needs to understand. I know he talked to [EVP & general manager] Eric [DeCosta] about it at length. So, as far as I can tell, I think we're in a really good spot with that."
What are you looking for from your defensive leaders after Sunday's game? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "I'm looking for the defensive leaders to play great football, and to lead the way in terms of example the way they work, the way they prepare, the way they run to the ball, the way they lock in on every rep. It's the same thing [that] we're looking for everybody, but of course you want your leaders to lead the way and all those things. I've seen them do that. They've done it all the way through [the games], and they've done it since. So, I wouldn't expect anything different from those guys."
WR Zay Flowers leads the NFL in receiving yards and he had nine receiving targets. Do you feel like the offense is really clicking when Zay is getting the lion's share of the targets, and how do you think that impacts your offense over the next weeks? (*Sam Jane)* "The good thing about our offense is that those targets can really kind of go anywhere, and Zay [Flowers] got them. That's great because Zay is a dynamic player. I was really happy with one [touchdown] 'Hop' [DeAndre Hopkins] got and what he did with it. I think it's what you do with the targets that you get. The ball's going to go where it's going to go with Lamar [Jackson], that's the kind of player he is. He kind of takes it where it needs to go a lot of times, and our guys understand that."
On a much lighter note, have you noticed that the Baltimore Orioles have started to celebrate their home runs with the Ravens helmet going through the back there? (*Jerry Coleman)* "I haven't noticed that. Really? That's really cool."
They have the helmet in the dugout. (*Jeff Zrebiec)* "Really? No way. I love that. I love that."
Yesterday when the Orioles player had a walkoff hit, he had the Ravens helmet on the field. (*Jeff Zrebiec)* "Really? Alright O's! We love it. Let's go!"
TE MARK ANDREWS
On what it means to be part of the history that has been built within the Ravens organization: "I am blessed. I'm very thankful to be part of this city [and] part of this organization. I couldn't ask for a better place to be drafted to and be welcomed into."
On what he expects to be present on Sunday with Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco coming back to Baltimore: "There's a lot of love for [Joe] Flacco and what he's done here, with all the games that he won and what he did for the city. But for us, it's about going out there [and] competing. Our defense will be ready."
On what Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco taught him about what it looks like to lead a team and carry yourself well: "Joe [Flacco] was always a pretty easy-going guy. [The guy] liked to have some fun, but [he] was able to kind of dial in. As a rookie coming in, he was a great person to learn from, just about how to be a pro."
On if he expected Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco to still be playing football at 40 years old: "That's the thing about life, man. You never know what's to come. It's a credit to him and how hard he's worked. I am very proud of him."
On what he remembers about the 2018 season with both Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco and QB Lamar Jackson on the team: "I would just say that, obviously, Joe [Flacco] handled it like a pro. That's the type of person and type of player he is. And for him to still be in the league and doing his thing and playing really well, it's awesome to see. Obviously, [it was] Lamar coming on the scene and immediately just taking over. That's Lamar, and the rest is history for him."
On what he's seen from the team this week in response to an emotional loss against the Bills: "Just focused."
On his impressions of Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco from his rookie season in 2018: "I just remember we had a good tight end group, and he loved his tight ends. But just being able to joke before the games, it was always very casual, very fun, and there were just constant jokes and having a good time. [We were always] having good conversations."
On what stands out to him about what the Cleveland Browns did on defense in their game against the Cincinnati Bengals, especially during the second half on Sunday: "They are a great team. It is a tough matchup. They have a great defense, and we have to be ready to go to be able to play against that."
WR ZAY FLOWERS
On what his performance in the Buffalo game does for him: "Honestly, I'd rather get the win, if I'm being honest, but I was just glad to be back on the field. It felt good being back on the field, because I missed some time last year at the end, so I was just excited to get back on the field."
On if there was a play from Sunday where he noticed his added strength from the offseason helped him: "I'll say [that] I didn't cut back in the game, so that's a positive. I just kept running straight and just picked up more yards with what I could get, so I'd say it played a role in that way."
On how the team has responded and is moving forward to the Cleveland game: "I feel like we always respond the right way, no matter what happens. No matter if it's a win or loss, we always come back and respond the way we need to. 'Coach Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh] always harps on that. [If] it's a win, we come back, and we get better [in] what we did wrong. [If] it's a loss, then we just come back and try to win the next one. I just feel like we always prepare the way we need, and we know what we have to do."
On if his connection with QB Lamar Jackson is because they worked out during the offseason together: "I feel like everybody has they own connection with 'L' [Lamar Jackson]. I'm not going to say I'm the only one with a connection with 'L.' Everybody has a certain connection, and he knows what routes [we run] and how we get open, so he has a connection with everybody, and he's able to get everybody the ball, as you've seen."
On how out of character the defensive showing was on Sunday and how confident he is that they can get back to what he's seen in practice: "I feel like that was super out of character. That was the first game where [the defense didn't] play [any games in the] preseason, no tackling [and] no real games. I just feel like that was out of character for them, and they know. They all know it, so I believe they're going to get it right."
On how he stays at a consistent level after a career-high receiving yards last week: "Honestly, that's not really my job. I don't really drop draw up [any plays]. I just do what coaches tell me to do, and sometimes, [in] some of those games Derrick Henry had 160 [or] 170 [rushing yards], so I can't really control that either. If we're winning, keep giving it to him. I don't mind. Like I said, I'm all about winning."
On if there was no where to go during the handoff on the second-down play on the last drive: "Yes, there was nowhere to go. That's why I dove, and I dove because I just wanted the time to keep ticking so we could just knock some time off the clock."
On WR DeAndre Hopkins' one-handed touchdown catch in the game: "I've seen it at practice three or four times, so I wasn't even surprised. I don't even think I looked at the play. I was facing the other way, and I just heard everybody going crazy, and then I looked up at the board and [saw] what [DeAndre Hopkins] did. I was like, 'Bro, that's legendary 'Hop' right there.'"
On if they were too explosive of an offense and left their defense on the field too much because the drives were short: "Yes, [in the] first half, we [were] super explosive. [In the] third quarter, we were super explosive, and we thought we were going to run the ball to end the game, and that's what we wanted to do, and we had the [running] back to do it, and unfortunately it didn't go the way we wanted."
On where he gets the mentality that he'd rather win than have a bunch of catches in a game: "If you get the ball a lot at receiver, that means your run game is not good, so we have Derrick Henry. A lot of teams don't have Derrick Henry." (Reporter: "And Lamar [Jackson].") "Yes, so it's like you get what you get, and I do what I can with it."
CB MARLON HUMPHREY
On their mentality following Week 1: "We'll get into meetings to figure out what went wrong down the stretch. It was a tale of the fourth quarter, [where] you want to be at your strongest. We just kind of weren't really on our 'P's and Q's' on the defensive side. You flush last week, and you try to get to 1-0 for this one."
On if games like Sunday linger in his mind: "I can't say that during the game [that] I really thought about it. I will say when we were up 15 [points] ... I like to sit next to Roquan [Smith] at the bench. I know he's pretty locked in throughout the entire game, and I want be at that same mental level. I just remember being up 15, and I looked up at 'Ro' [Roquan Smith], and was like, 'Let's go win the game.' As a collective, when you watch the tape, I think we all want to do that, but I think it goes to what 'Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh] addressed in the team meeting. He said we're just not mature enough as a team yet. It's very clear we've got great players on both sides of the ball, but defensively, we have to work on our maturity, too. It doesn't matter what our offense is doing. We have to go up there and win the game, and, right now, our maturity level, sadly, when we get in those situations, it's just not enough."
On his memories of being teammates with Browns QB Joe Flacco: "I enjoyed my years with Joe [Flacco]. I remember one of the first meals I ever had, Joe joined me at the lunch table, and it surprised me. I just thought that a quarterback [and] a Super Bowl MVP would not just join a rookie at the lunch table, so I thought that was cool. I was young coming in [and thought] quarterbacks were probably just arrogant guys. So, that's my first memory of Joe. Then, obviously, watching him on tape, he's kind of still the same Joe. He looks at all his reads. To me, it's almost a lost art [of] quarterbacks – the three-step drop, five-step drop [and] go through all their progressions the way Joe does. Obviously, it's a familiar face coming back to Baltimore. It is a weird thing [with him] being in that Browns' jersey, but we're excited to go against him and hopefully come out on top."
On the team getting together for dinner after Sunday's game and why it felt necessary: "Honestly, that dinner was already set. I don't think it's a question – I'm not going to say the 'problem' – but the current problem on the team is the defense. So, I think we're together. I think we flushed last week, and we're onto things ahead."
On how to address the maturity level on the defense: "That's definitely something we're still working on. When you go through it, you really have to think. Everyone wants to make a play; that's the biggest thing. Everyone says, 'I want to make a play. I want to make a play.' I'll just go on how I look at it; I'm more of a negative than a positive guy. I'm thinking, 'I don't want to lose this game, so I'm going to do my job, so that it's not my fault.' That's the biggest thing. Do your job, and if a play comes to you, it comes to you. You don't go out and try to make a play and then do my job, and I think that's the biggest thing. It's so crazy how I'll get beat, but the pass rush has helped me out, so it's a bad throw by Josh [Allen]. Then, when it doesn't work like that, [and] the pass rush doesn't help, the coverage doesn't help. And when the coverage doesn't help, the pass rush doesn't help. It's just so key to how it all works together, and I think that's the biggest thing is to do your job. If the play comes to you to make, make it. Working on maturity comes in practice. We do a lot of scenarios. It's crazy how we did the exact scenarios that we lost on multiple times all throughout camp. We were in the perfect calls for a lot of the things that happened, but we did not execute the calls properly. That's why the loss hurt so bad, because we knew exactly what they were going to do in a couple different situations, and all 11 guys couldn't get together. So, that maturity, we're still working on it, and we're looking to build on that maturity on Sunday."
On what is going to shorten the learning curve for the defense this season: "'Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh] and 'Z.O.' [defensive coordinator] have similar messages, but different in a way. 'Z.O.' made it very clear [that] we're not going to be repeat offenders. It's not going to be a situation where somebody's been doing something wrong, and nothing gets said, or we think this, that and the third. If you're doing things right, you're going to play. If you're not doing things right, you're not going to play. I'm hoping I'm one of the guys that's going to do things right, and I hope whoever else is with that, but we're not going to get into a situation similar to last year where we kind of mask over this and try to do this and protect this guy or protect that guy. The guys that do it right are going to play. It's really just that simple. I think we're just too talented of a team to continue to have those collapses, the kind that we've had. This last game, I felt it was more of a true group defensive effort, but the guys that are doing it right are going to play. That was kind of the message, and I think everybody can respect that going forward."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On if it feels different to be facing Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco for the first time in Baltimore: "Yes, definitely. [The Browns are] a division rival, and [you think about] how many times you have to face [the Browns] each season. [After] seeing my guy in the meeting room my rookie year, it'll definitely be different. Just [because of] the rivalry. It'll be different."
On what he remembers about Joe Flacco from the 2018 season: "[I] just [remember Joe Flacco] being in the meeting room and how cool he was with things he would say. And how funny he was. I don't know if people know, but 'Flacc' [Joe Flacco] is funny. He used to have me rolling as a rookie. I used to be like, 'Man, this man just says stuff so nonchalantly.' It is great. He is a great person to be around."
On if he is surprised that Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco is still playing at a high level at age 40: "No. My rookie year I saw 'Flacc' [Joe Flacco], on this field right here, throw an 80-yard bomb cross body to Chris Moore. It was ridiculous. So for me to see that back then, [there is] no doubt in my mind. No doubt in my mind."
On his relationship with Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco and if there was any animosity considering the line of succession at the quarterback position: "To be honest, I really didn't think much of it, just because I was just trying to learn as much as I could my rookie year. I wasn't looking to be out there [on the field], actually. I can't speak for 'Flacc' [Joe Flacco], but I was cool. I was cool. I feel like we had a great relationship. That's all I can say."
On if he thinks there will always be a connection between Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco and himself: "Yes, just from the saying, 'Once a Raven, always a Raven.' And I believe that's a fact."
On his conversation with Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco at the NFL Honors in 2024: "I was like, 'Man, I thought we were going to have to see you in the playoffs,' because he was going crazy. I think he was with the Browns at that time. Yes, he was going crazy. So I was like, 'I know you wanted to go against us.' He was on a roll. He had those guys in a good position."
On if his cramping during the game against the Buffalo Bills prior to the fourth-and-3 at the end of the game was a fluke thing and on a lot being made about it: "Why was a lot being made about that? Well anyway, I was actually cramping the drive before the turnover happened. I went to the sideline, if anybody paid attention, I was drinking pickle juice on the sideline already. I'm like, '[director of sports nutrition] Sarah [Snyder], I need to get hydrated. I'm cramping, I'm starting to feel cramps.' And then we went back out there, and obviously my fourth-and-3 happened, but if I wasn't cramping, we definitely would've went for it [on fourth down]. We definitely would've went for it, I believe."
On where he was cramping: "My calves. Both of my calves. You know how they said [during] the Browns game [in 2020 that] I had a 'poop game' or something. That's how I was. But I was better off, because it wasn't happening right then and there. I just felt it coming on. But yes, I was cramping again."
On his conversation with executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta about his incident with a fan during Sunday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills: "[Executive vice president & general manager] Eric [DeCosta] talked to me about it. I believe everyone saw what happened. Don't get me wrong, I didn't try to [gestures pushing], it just happened. I got pushed [in the head], and [I was] like, 'What?' I thought I was outside. I wasn't even thinking about me being out there on the field. But my apologies to that [person] – whoever that was – I don't know who it was. My apologies to him. Just chill next time. You can talk trash and stuff, but keep your hands to yourself. That's all I can say."
On a Buffalo Bills fans throwing items at Ravens players during the game: "That's crazy. Stuff like that shouldn't be happening. This is not WWE. We're playing football out here. We don't want to ... I never seen anyone – don't make me look bad, Flock Nation, don't make me look bad – but I've never seen one of our fans do anything like that to an opposing team. So, just keep it football. [You can] talk trash, I know [people are] going to talk trash. I know the opposing team is going to talk trash, so keep it that way. But keep your hands and keep your objects to yourself."
On if he's heard anything from the NFL about disciplinary action: "No. I talked to [executive vice president] Eric [DeCosta]. Eric talked to me about it. The league talked to Eric to talk to me about it."
On if he was frustrated that the late tackle on him during the fourth quarter wasn't called for an illegal hit: "No. I kind of play football, but hopefully we start getting those calls sometime soon, fast. Hopefully that doesn't happen again to me. But it's football. I don't cry on the field. I don't cry at all, really. I just play ball."
On if he has thought back to losing in Weeks 1 and 2 of the 2024 season: "I didn't even think about that, that's not on my mind; a loss that happened last year. We are just trying to stay the course. We're locked in on the Browns. That's a divisional game. We [are] just trying to come out with a victory."
On the vibe he expects from the fans during the home opener this Sunday: "Oh man, I'm expecting the crowd to be going crazy. [It's the] 30th anniversary right now. I'm looking for people to be popping out of their skins. I know I will [be]. [I'm] looking forward to it."
On if the festivities surrounding the 30th anniversary of the Ravens serves as extra motivation going into Sunday's game: "I'm just happy to be a part of history. We're just trying to conquer the victory come Sunday, in front of the home crowd. I feel like it'll be incredible with all the festivities going on for the crowd, for the fans and stuff like that."
On executive vice president Ozzie Newsome's role within the organization and what he means to him: "That was the guy who got me here, [who] believed in me. [Ozzie Newsome] told me that, actually. I remember on the visit [during the draft process]. Just talking to him, he was like, 'There's something about you. There's something about you.' He was writing his little notebook. And then for them to call me Draft night in 2018, it was incredible. He actually believed in me. I [will] always [have] a lot of love and respect for Mr. Ozzie."
On if he remembers executive vice president Ozzie Newsome sharing that, while some teams wanted to look at QB Lamar Jackson as a wide receiver, the Ravens viewed him as a quarterback: "No, I [don't remember that]."
On if it meant something to him that executive vice president and general manager Ozzie Newsome saw his value as a quarterback: "It means a lot to me. Just for me, being a quarterback for this organization, and him being the GM at the time ... And just everything we've been through [while] being here. Like I said, I have a lot of love and respect for Mr. Ozzie."
On if any of the leaders on the team shared motivating words to the team after an emotional loss during the Sunday Night Football game against the Buffalo Bills: "No, to be honest, I haven't said anything. I feel like Derrick [Henry] spoke up. He is obviously a leader on our team. He spoke up after the loss that I [heard]. I wasn't in there, but I feel like everybody knows what we should be doing. All of us – on both sides of the ball, including special teams – all of us know what we should be doing. We're just trying to come out with a victory [on Sunday]."
OLB KYLE VAN NOY
On how the team makes sure the emotional loss is left in the past: "Everybody is different. Something that I've learned over my career is that there's usually sometimes a 24-hour rule. Sometimes you need to take 48 hours or 24. After emotional loss like that, I think it was OK to take 48. It was one of those games where you have to really look at yourself in the mirror, personally, on defense [and] collectively. You have a lot of guys that care about football, and for myself, it wasn't my best performance, personally, so I just want to do whatever I can to get better this week and get back out on the field and put on a good product for the guys in the locker room and also fans, too. Fans want to win just like we do, and we want to win probably more than they do, just because we're the ones putting in a lot of work and effort. [We're] grateful for the chance to be able to do that. Luckily, that [loss is] at the beginning of the year like this. Hopefully, they're not happening at the end of the year, but we're just focused on the Browns right now. [We'll] put that in the past, because it's past our 24 hours [or] 48 [hours]."
On how if the game festivities and celebrating 30 seasons makes it easier to put last week's game behind them: "Yes, that's awesome. I don't think that honestly is anything that has to do with us. That is more for what's going on for the fans and the stadium. We're just focused on us, and we [have] to play the Browns. The [people on] social media I feel like are upset about that, but it's our first home game. That's what we're celebrating for those anniversaries, is that it's the first home game, and we're excited to play in front of our crowd. I hope they bring that energy, because we're going to bring that energy. I know I am, and I know the defense is going to come out bringing that energy."
On playing against Browns QB Joe Flacco and the respect he has for him playing at high level later in his career: "Props to 'Cool Joe' [Joe Flacco]. He's still cool in the pocket. He still has a beautiful, tight spiral [when] throwing the ball, and he's playing for something bigger than himself. He's playing for his kids. He's talked about that openly, and I respect that. I respect someone that is experienced like him that's still performing, still playing at a high level and producing good numbers. [It] seems like everybody cares about what he has going on as the quarterback. Some teams don't put everything in their basket, and I feel like the Browns are heavily on Joe's side, and I respect that they're committed to him, and I respect that he's committed to the game as much as he has been, not only now, but in the past, too. And it's awesome to see him still play really, really good football."
On why they weren't able to contain Bills QB Josh Allen like they wanted to and how the defense can fix that moving forward: "It goes back to controlling what your 1-of-11 job is. I think it starts with communication and then performance when you're doing that standpoint. I feel like we did OK at points in the game, but at the end result, it wasn't what we wanted, and we ended up losing. That's a big reason why we lost. The pass rush lanes weren't as tight and crisp as we needed it to be. The two times [we played the Bills] before, we felt like, as a group, we kept [Josh Allen] in the pocket, and he didn't get out many times to make those downfield throws. A couple of times this last game, he did, but honestly, I'm so ready for the Browns. I'm not even thinking about that game. That's just something that we're focused on now going forward, is just worrying about the Browns, honestly. That loss, it hurt, but we're already over it. We have to [be over it]. We have 16 other games to worry about, and this one's the next one. All our attention and focus is on the Browns O-line, Joe Flacco and being able to stop the receivers like [David] Njoku. The young guy – I'm sorry I don't know his name yet, but he's No. 44 [Harold Fannin Jr.] – he's a very, very good player. [Dylan] Sampson, the running back, they have some talent over there, and we're focused on them."
On if any of the veteran leaders felt the need to say something specific to the team or does what's known not need to be said: "The defense had a dinner, and it's going to be private – just because I don't need to express what was said – but things were talked about, and we have to turn the page, focus on the Browns and make sure that we don't start like last year. I know, personally, for me, the positive is I'm not playing with a broken face." (laughter) "That's something good for me going into Week 2, is that I'm healthy. We have a pretty healthy team right now. [We're] looking forward to the challenge of the Browns, Joe Flacco coming back to a place where he's won a Super Bowl and the emotions of that. He's going to want to play really well, so the competition of how the Browns defense has performed over the years, and our defense needs to step up. It's exciting to have that challenge and being able to have the opportunity to play and the perspective and the opportunity to play on Sunday. We're excited about that."
On how rejuvenated he felt coming out of that team dinner: "You have to put perspective on it, and the perspective is we weren't good enough. Those are the facts. We ended up losing, and let's turn the page and focus on the Browns, because 1-1 sounds a lot better than 0-2."
On whose idea the team dinner was and who paid the check: (laughter) "Like I said, I'm not going to go into details, but just know that we're doing everything we can to try to right the ship and get it going in a place where everybody's excited about it."
