SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR CHRIS HORTON
Opening Statement: "It's good to see everyone today. Hope all you guys are doing well. Just a couple little details from the game. I thought our guys were a little bit inconsistent, really, to start the game, but I thought as the game went on, our guys picked it up, and they started to play up to the standard a little bit. Obviously, we had the first kickoff return [where they] just really kind of got out on us. And really that just comes back to the fundamentals and the details and really the execution of the play. We had guys flying around, [and] we had guys in the right spots. We actually had guys running guys over, but there's also some leverages that are involved in that play. So again, I thought our guys played pretty well throughout the game. Yes, we had some mistakes [and] some things that we're going to learn from, and we're going to get better."
With regards to ILB Trenton Simpson's touchback, what's the coaching point coming out of that? (Childs Walker) "Yes, the coaching point is really just don't panic and stay on your feet. Obviously, [Trenton Simpson] goes through the play – I watched this play over and over again, and I'm sitting there – and he picks a guy, and he is hauling down the field, he's running his butt off to get down there, and he probably just sees the ball just floating near the end zone, and his first initial thought is, 'I've got to down this ball.' Well, we want to stay on our feet. That's been the coaching point – stay on your feet. And everything else, he would have made a great play. The guy tried to make a great play and ended up being on the line by a glove. So, that's just one of those things he's going to learn from, and it's a good learning tool for all our guys."
RB Keaton Mitchell was down and RB Rasheen Ali was up. What do you like the most about Ali as a kick returner? (Bo Smolka) "I think it just has a lot to do with not only just as a kick returner – because I think both guys are really good kick returners – it has a lot to do with playing a lot of the other phases. But as a kick returner, [with Rasheen] Ali, he's strong, he's powerful, [and] he's got vision. You guys saw that the other night. [With] Keaton [Mitchell], it's the same thing. He's got the speed; he's got the vision. I think both guys are doing a great job there, but it's the other phases, really, that played into it. And right now, Ali gives us that chance to fill those roles right now."
What did you think of K Tyler Loop's performance? (Cordell Woodland) "I'll start with the field goals. I'll just start with Tyler [Loop]. Just overall throughout the game, he kicked well. The ball sounded great coming off his foot, and then when you go to that extra point, that's one that's disappointing. And I think if you ask him, he's probably a little bit disappointed about it because it just came down to just following through on the swing. He pushed it out to the right because he didn't follow through with the details and the fundamentals. So, everything that's happening just comes back to our fundamentals. But as far as the game goes, I was pretty excited with what he did. The kick out of bounds, again, that came back up. That's something that we want to really eliminate and get away from, but we're moving the ball around and putting the ball on the ground. And I think that's going to happen here and there every now and then."
It seems like based on the data from the first week, the new kickoff rule really has changed things this time. Was that your read on it the first week? (Child Walker) "I thought it was excellent. I think it was up 33% from last year. So, just the opportunity to get returns and have an opportunity to have an impact on the game from a special teams standpoint, I think it is huge. And it gives opportunities for these guys that made this team through special teams an opportunity for a play to go play a play. I'm thrilled about it, and I think we'll just continue to get better as we move forward."
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TODD MONKEN
Obviously, through three quarters, the offense was in a great rhythm. You guys were clicking and making explosive plays. In the fourth quarter, outside of the turnover, what did you see where it didn't seem like the offense was in the same rhythm as it was, maybe, in the first three quarters? (Jamison Hensley) "I thought our rhythm was fine. We just didn't execute. [I have] to call it better. We had a few penalties that – or loss-of-yards plays – that knocked us out of it, but we just have to do better."
You mentioned penalties. How frustrating was the false start on WR Tylan Wallace? To your point, it kind of knocked you out of... (Brian Wacker) "Yes, it knocked us, a little bit, out. We had a couple of those. We did a pretty good job, penalty-wise, but we had one that took us from third-and-2 to third-and-7. Then we took a sack that got us into a long, long field goal, where we had every opportunity to score a touchdown. And then [the penalty on Tylan Wallace], that took us really out of a reasonably manageable third-down [conversion opportunity]. So, that was frustrating, and what led up to that point. We'd been running the ball well, there was nothing about going into those last few drives – because we did score the first drive of the fourth quarter – nothing about that said we wouldn't still be able to run the football. You [can] look back, and you evaluate, and say, 'What could we have done better?' But throughout the whole game ... The end of the game ... The middle of the fourth quarter is no different than the rest of the game. Throughout the game when you have 50 [or] 60 calls, there are calls within the game that you wish you had back, or that you had executed a high level. So, all that is a part of the evaluation process once you get done with the game, and you look at it."
On the decision not to go for it on fourth-and-3, what was the dialogue there? Was there any thought of going for it on your end? (Brian Wacker) "There was talk of going for it. Yes, like any fourth down. Again, that's no different than any fourth-down situation, whether there's dialogue of whether you go for it or not. That wasn't any different than any other fourth down that we have, that's reasonable."
QB Lamar Jackson said again yesterday that he thought that if he wasn't cramping at that point, that you guys would've gone for the fourth-and-3. Was that your read on it? (Childs Walker) "I don't really have any read on it. I don't have any read on that at all. What happens in the middle of the game and what the decision that we make, collectively, to go for or not to go for it ... I'm not one way or the other. That's [Lamar Jackson's] read on it, yes."
What did you think of how TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden played? He was filling in, kind of in that FB Patrick Ricard role a little bit. How did he do? And like you said, obviously you guys were able to run the ball at a high level. (Luke Jones) "That was awesome. [It was difficult] trying to figure out if Pat [Ricard] was going to be available – if you're going to have him – but how important he is to us and being able to play in that mode, right? With the downhill physicality, the physical run game, and for [Zaire Mitchell-Paden] to have never played in a game – what an unbelievable testament. In my mind, he could have easily made the 53[-man roster]. If you have training camp for guys to earn to make the team; he did that. And then for him to play in the backfield, which we hadn't done a lot of. [He learned it] within three days – it was huge. It was huge, in terms of our ability to run the ball like we did."
With DE Myles Garrett, there is a lot of focus on this Cleveland defense. What's the key to kind of keeping him contained? (Bo Smolka) "Well, there are a number of things that you have to do, against any elite player. It doesn't matter who that is. And [Myles Garrett] just happens to be one of those elite players that you've got to do a great job [with] the modes you play in, the looks you give him and the help you've got to give your guys. That's all part of it. That's no different. And he's an elite player. He's going to wear a gold jacket. He's hard to go against. He's hard to prepare for – as the whole defense is. They do a great job at an attacking style defense [and] make you earn it."
What did the Browns defense do so well against Cincinnati to really limit the explosives that I know you guys are looking at for every game? (Jonas Shaffer) "Well, their mentality is that they don't want to give you anything. They're a heavy man [coverage] team. They're a heavy pressure team. They've got really good players, and really good coaches. And so, when you get into that ... They have momentum going, they had momentum at home, [and it] became harder and harder for the Bengals to be able to run it, which is – you have to be able to run the football against these guys. You can't just let them tee off and get after you. So, when they couldn't run the football, that put [the Bengals] behind the eight ball."
Obviously, a popular topic of conversation around here is the blown leads and not putting away certain games. How much did you put the onus on yourself to maybe be more aggressive going forward? Is that something you guys have talked about and you look at, in particular, late in games when you have a lead, being more aggressive? (Jeff Zrebiec) "Sure. It goes both ways, right? I have to be able to trust Lamar [Jackson] with the ball in his hands, which we did. On the second-to-last drive, we ran a QB-driven [play], and he got 16 yards, and we did it again. The fly sweep to Zay [Flowers] is a QB-driven [play]. Obviously, we can be more aggressive. And when things don't work, it's not right; you're wrong. If we'd have gone in the game and scored 12 points, then the gameplan wouldn't have been good enough. That's the world we live in – when it works, it's the right way; when it doesn't, then you have to figure out how to fix it. That's what we're paid to do is fix it. So, you look at it and say, 'OK, mentality-wise, where were we at?' Because every situation is different, right? A field goal to beat you, a field goal to tie, a touchdown needed, [it's] all of those things. You look at it and say, 'OK, how can we be better next time in all aspects of the gameplan.' But especially then, because that was a game within the game. No matter what you'd done up until that point, you need to find a way, at that moment, to not put the defense back on the field. And we didn't do that."
What's the one aspect you feel like, coming off that game, you'd like to be better in when you look back? (Brian Wacker) "Well, we got into the red zone, and we had lost-yardage plays. Let's say it like it is. We had a third-and-2 on the very first drive, [had a] penalty, and then a lost-yards play; so we made a long field goal. And then right before halftime, we had the fumble that we lost 15 yards on. It basically took us out of ... Everything after that was trying to get us into manageable field goal range. At that moment, when you talk about the swing before the half, it went from possible touchdown to now we have to get a field goal, and then they get a field goal coming back. That was huge. Now luckily, to start the second half, we scored to kind of take that momentum back. But those are the things that we need to improve on – when we get in the red zone, we can't go backwards. We can't put ourselves in those positions where you've done everything right up until that point."
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR ZACH ORR
When you go over the film, what was maybe the biggest thing that jumped out to you – the biggest area of improvement for the defense? (*Jamison Hensley)* "Just our fundamentals and technique. The guys were in the right position. We just have to be tighter and cleaner with our fundamentals and techniques. I felt like we wore down in that aspect as the game went on – really the fourth quarter – the well kind of broke in that aspect, which was disappointing. So, we're not here to make excuses; we have to be better. So, that's been the biggest thing. That's been the biggest point of emphasis is finishing and doing that through our fundamentals and our technique."
CB Marlon Humphrey said yesterday that he thinks the defense wasn't mature enough in this performance. Do you think that's a fair critique and I guess if so, were you maybe surprised to see that? (*Childs Walker)* "Yes, I think that's a fair critique. Honestly, it's a week-to-week league. So yes, last week, the film, the game showed it. We weren't mature. We weren't mature enough to close out that game. Was I surprised by it? Yes, I was, but I think the guys responded the right way with it. Guys owned it, which is good, and we looked at what we need to get corrected, and we've had two great days of practice so far this week. So, I'm excited for the opportunity to come again, because like I said, it's a week-to-week league, so what happened last week really doesn't matter [for] what's going to happen this week."
Another thing that CB Marlon Humphrey had said was, 'We're not going to be repeat offenders.' That message is we're not going to be as patient, Zach Orr's not going to be patient as he was last year. How have you gotten that message across and is that also accurate? (*Bo Smolka)* "That's definitely accurate. Like I said, it's a team right here. We [are] all about being upfront and honest with each other, and we know it wasn't good enough from all ends – coaches and players from the defensive side. We're going to do things that's going to help us get it right, and the players and coaches that are going to be here are the ones that are going to do it the right way. So, it was a good message. It wasn't [said] in a demeaning way; it was more of an encouraging way that, 'Look, we looked at the film. Everybody knows what we have to do. [There are] small tweaks here and there, and a good team exposed it. So, let's go do it.'"
We had heard that you guys had a whole defensive team dinner on Monday night. What do you feel like you got out of that and what do you feel like the players got out of just getting together for something like that afterward the loss? (*Sam Cohn)* "That [dinner] was with the players. I was up here getting ready for [the] Cleveland [Browns], but I'm glad that they – just from outside looking in. I don't know what they discussed or what they talked about, but I think that it's good that they got together and talked about it [the game]. Because that's where you really grow as a team, not just here in the building, but when the players hang out with each other outside of the building, you're able to get a chance to really decompress and understand where each other are coming from. So, for them to do that and stick with that, I think that just shows the connectivity of the team and the defense, and we're going to need that if we want to put on good performances."
What do you think went wrong on the play before the half that allowed them to get into field goal range? (*Cordell Woodland)* "I think, honestly, we could have been in a better [play] call. So, I'm going to put that on me. [The Bills] executed to a high level. I didn't think they were able to execute that play. We knew that play was coming. So, [there are] little tweaks that I can do from my point of view to help put us in a better position. But hats off to them. They made the play, [and Josh Allen] made a heck of a throw and the completion on the contested catch."
To that point, head coach John Harbaugh said you guys threw everything out. What did you sort of take away from that in terms of moving forward? (*Brian Wacker)* "I think that we have to play the calls right, because really, the main thing is to get off the field. I mean, [when] you look at it, we played 87 plays; when normal games are what – 60 to 70 snaps? 70 is really on the high side. So, when you get 87 plays, you're going to have to unload the call sheet, especially when we're trying to get a stop. We played 37 in the fourth quarter. [When] you look at it, we played 50 plays throughout the first three quarters, 37 in the fourth quarter. That led to us wearing down. We were trying to find calls to throw at them and get them off the field. When you have many plays, your call sheet should be unloaded."
Was relative stability, relative to the last year, in your second year, with so many veterans back, what do you think led to – because you said a lot of the are guys not stepping up in the way that maybe you thought they would? (*Pete Gilbert)* "Like I said, I think first and foremost, you have to tip your hat off to Buffalo. Shoot, they made some plays. Let's start there. You have to tip your hats off to that team. [You] have to tip your hats off to Josh Allen and the offense; they made plays when they had to, and they executed just a little bit better than us. So, I don't necessarily know what led up to it. It was the first game. I really think that through the first three quarters it wasn't perfect. We weren't expecting to be perfect the first time, first game of the season, but we were playing good ball even though things weren't always right. Then [come the] fourth quarter to our own undoing, we were out there for a long time, and we mentally and physically got worn out, which is tough to say, but that's the truth."
Head coach John Harbaugh had talked about how the rush lanes weren't good enough. What did you see there and why were they not good enough? (*Bo Smolka)* "Like I said, you have to give credit to them, but our rush lanes – when you talk about defense – it all has to work together. You have to have good rush lanes to 'muddy up' the picture for the quarterback so he can't step up cleanly and get in the rhythm. At times when we did that, we were just a little bit off in the coverage. At times when the coverage was really nice and tight, what happened? He got out of the pocket and extended plays, and that was a point of emphasis that we didn't want to allow happen. So, they have a good O-line, and we didn't play up to our standard in all ends. But definitely the rush lanes were disappointing. I agree with Coach [John Harbaugh] on that."
Head coach John Harbaugh said yesterday that the team had to get CB Jaire Alexander right. How difficult is that to do during the season when he just hasn't played a lot of football? Do you think that can be accomplished on the practice field or do you have to live with some of the getting off the rust during games? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I don't think it's difficult as long as [Jaire Alexander] is healthy and practicing. He's been out here flying around. He's just going to get better, the more he's out there, the more he's really practicing and getting game reps. That's going to going to be good. I'm not worried about him. He does have to get right. He had so much time off and then came back last week [and] practiced. So yes, it is difficult, especially when you play in this league. It's difficult to take that much time off, come back and play. And it wasn't all bad on his end in the game, but we know the player that he is and the player that we saw in camp that he's going to be for us. So, we have full confidence in him. He's been flying around. The main thing is being healthy enough to go out there and practice, and he's been able to do that last week [and] this week. So, he's just going to continue to get better. I'm still excited and fired up about him. The team is, the organization is, and there's no doubt in our mind that he's going to be ready to go when it's time."
Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco, he was talking about going against you as the defensive coordinator that was his former teammate. What are your memories of Joe Flacco and what challenge do you think he'll present? (Carita Parks) "Man, shout out to Joe [Flacco]. Joe is a great dude [and] a really cool guy. I know that everybody thinks he's just this laid-back dude. He was one of the guys in the locker room. [He] loved talking basketball [and] playing corn hole. [He is] really competitive. [He was always] just joking around in the locker room. He was one of the guys. So, I definitely enjoyed being his teammate. It's crazy that he's still playing, and he's still playing at a high level. He's a starting quarterback. The challenges he does pose is that he's a veteran, so there is not a lot of stuff you're going to be able to throw at him that he hasn't seen. You have to make it as difficult as possible for him. And then, there is a reason why he's still in this league. His arm talent is still legit. He can still push the ball down the field at a very accurate and dangerous rate, from a defensive standpoint. So, we have to do everything we can to make him uncomfortable and get after him."
What did you think of S Malaki Starks in his first game? What did you like, and what do you want to see better now going into Week 2? (Luke Jones) "I thought he had a good start. He had some really good plays out there. They downed the football, [and] he didn't have any major coverage busts. [He] communicated well. I know he had the interception in his hand on the first drive that he wanted back, but I saw the mature player and the good player that we knew that we were getting. I think he's just going to continue to rise as the season goes on [and] as he adjusts to real game speed."
S KYLE HAMILTON
On takeaways from the Bills game that the team needs to keep in mind for the upcoming game: "It's a 60-minute game. We know that. Honestly, last week was last week. [We're] not too worried about it. Don't forget it, but [we'll] learn from it. We have the Browns this week, so it's in the past. We're getting ready to play a different game."
On how the team has responded this week in practice: "It's been good to see how guys have shown up to practice and tried to fix what was wrong in the game. [With the] first game of the year, obviously, there are going to be mistakes, and we wanted to get that win, but we didn't. There's nothing we can do about it now, so I think practice has been very intentional on correcting mistakes that we did in that game, and hopefully, it doesn't happen again."
On if the outcome surprised him: "Yes, it definitely surprised me, but it shows how good this league is, and you can never relax. It doesn't matter how close or quote-unquote far the lead is. Somebody said a stat today [that] 11 games [in Week 1] were one-score games, and that just shows the parody in the league and how every team has guys who can make plays and guys who can change the game. That's on us 100%, and the Bills did a good job of fighting back, but it's on us to shut the game out at that point, specifically the defense."
On his reaction to Browns WR Jerry Jeudy saying nothing in the Ravens secondary impresses him and if he takes note of that, or if he just thinks guys say what they are going to say: "Guys say whatever they're going to say. I really don't care. That's the thing with bulletin board material that I never understood. Was I not going to play hard before he said that? I'm going to play the same way I was going to play. If you need bulletin board material to go play, then that's a problem on you. I guess he's trying to get himself hype for the game, and we're doing the same thing. We'll see you on Sunday, but yes, we're excited to go out there."
On if Week 2's loss last year against the Las Vegas Raiders plays into his mindset at all this year: "Yes, I think, naturally, a little bit. Obviously, we don't want to have the same conversations in Week 3, so we have to go out there and make it right from last year, and hopefully, we've matured some since then to assess the problems [and] not put all our eggs in one basket just to start the year. It's one game, so we have to bounce back, and I think we will."
On why he thinks the defense will quickly turn it around: "We've been through it. We've been through the ringer, this defense, and there's been a good amount of continuity on the defense the past few years in coaches and players. We've been through it, and we don't want to go through it again. So, [we have to] snap back into it before it gets out of hand, because you don't want to have a conversation like we did last year. Week 11 and on, the Ravens were good on defense, but we want to be [good in] Week 2 and on. So, it's now or never for us. Not trying to put too much pressure on us going to the game, because we need to go out there and play through it, but we know there's a job that we need to do. We have to get it done."
On if CB Marlon Humphrey's critique of the defense's "immaturity" in how it handled Sunday's game is fair: "No, I don't think so. [Marlon Humphrey] has his own perspective, but I think it was more so lackadaisical than immature. I think it was just a little stuff, like the way we're taking the field. We might've wanted the offense to drain the clock out with eight minutes left, but that's not how the game flowed. We still had an opportunity to go out there and give them the ball back. I've said it this whole week; [the offense] should not score 40 points and be trying to fight for the game at the end of the game. In the National Football League, if your offense puts up 40 points, you should be winning the game handedly. So, props to them. They did a great job, and I think we did for the majority of the game. We just have to close it out, and that's where I think we were a little lackadaisical in that."
On the challenges that Browns QB Joe Flacco presents: "Growing up – I'm not trying to age [Joe Flacco] – but just watching him, he was always known for his arm and just his deep pass. He still has that. Obviously, [he's] seen a ton of football. He's cerebral, I'm sure, and can still make every single throw on the field. So, it's up to us to go out there and do our jobs at the end of the day. But yes, with Joe, respect to him being in this league and still starting in this league still. I'm sure it'll be cool for him coming back to Baltimore."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On what stood out in their preparation for Week 2 against Cleveland: "Going to practice, loving ball. We want to come [to practice] and get better, even more than last week, and I'm looking forward to Sunday."
On Browns S Grant Delpit saying he isn't hard to tackle: "Yes, I saw that. I saw [Grant Delpit]'s coach had a quote, and he had a quote, and we're going to see on Sunday."
On the importance of establishing the run game early against the Browns: "It's important against anybody. We want to establish our offense, [our] run game and pass game and execute no matter who we're playing."
On TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden's performance in his first NFL game: "[Zaire Mitchell-Paden] did an incredible job, man. Stepping in [that role], and he was down there blocking. He had some great blocks for us to have success in the run game, and me, as well. I definitely appreciate him, and I'm excited for him if he gets another opportunity this week."
On if he feels like the rushing game is further ahead at this point in Year Two compared to last season: "I think last year doesn't matter. I think we're just focused on the present and what we need to do to help us win. We're focused on being efficient, doing our job effectively and to put ourselves in the best position to win. Last year is last year."
