HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening statement: "We appreciate you guys being here. We had a good week of practice. [We are] excited to play Monday Night Football [and are] excited to play it at home. We are excited to play against such a good football team as the Lions, and we'll be ready to go. What questions do you have?"
You go into a game like a Monday night game, big spotlight game, extra day, all that. Is there anything that's different message-wise or anything you guys do differently? (*Brian Wacker)* "Most of the message just kind of takes care of itself. It's really about football; it's really about being prepared, and then really, as much as anything, [it's about] setting your clock. It's a different clock. It's funny, it's only one [additional] day, but it seems so much longer to get to the game. Monday's a long day, but you know what? Set your clock for 8:15 p.m. on Monday night and be ready to go, and that's what we'll do."
Given how serious neck injuries can be, with DL Nnamdi Madubuike showing up on the injury report, how's he doing? Is it muscular? Is it structural? Anything you can share? (*Luke Jones)* "I really can't share any details on the injury itself, but it's something that they're looking at. [Nnamdi Madubuike] came up with some symptoms after the [Browns] game. [There was] nothing specific in the game where we saw it actually happen, but they're dealing with the symptoms, and they're testing right now. So, he will be ruled out for this game, and they're going to try to get to the bottom of it."
How's it looking for TE Isaiah Likely? (*Jerry Coleman)* "[Isaiah Likely] practiced all week. We'll just have to see where we're at."
Without DL Nnamdi Madubuike, what have you seen from someone like DL Aeneas Peebles who's played some the first couple of weeks? Obviously, he's a rookie, but someone you're going to be expecting to step up a little bit. (*Luke Jones)* "Right, and [Aeneas Peebles] is going to need to step up. It's kind of just – to your point – with Nnamdi [Madubuike] being out, those guys are all going to have to step up and pick up the slack. Definitely with 'Fub,' [Aeneas Peebles] he has to do that in the run game and the pass game, whenever he is in there [with] no drop off at all. I know he is going to play hard, he's going to get after it, and I have a feeling he'll make a few plays."
OLB Kyle Van Noy has been out with the hamstring as well. Is that still – you know where I am going with this. (*Brian Wacker)* "I appreciate the question. I'm probably going to stay in the category on all of those guys and not give our opponent anything to know yet. I appreciate the way you asked that." (laughter) "That was well asked, well asked."
This is kind of an offbeat question. Has anybody contacted you about flag football? I know they're calling some teams to try to get some players for the [Saudi Arabia tournament in March]. Has Tom Brady said anything to you? He's lined up some players. (*Jeff Zrebiec)* "Boy, Tom [Brady]'s busy. I have not heard from Tom or anybody else regarding that."
Curious with G Andrew Vorhees, what have you seen from him that you like this year? (*Brian Wacker)* "I think [Andrew Vorhees has] been physical, and he just needs to keep chasing consistency. [With] past protection things, he's had some really good reps, and he's had some reps where he has gotten outside of his center of gravity a little bit. So, he is working on those things, and [it's a] big challenge this week. So, we need those guys to step up. Our offensive line is really going to be a big part of this game. If we can block them, and the [Detroit Lions are] tough to block, that'd go a long way for us."
Along those lines, knock on wood, QB Lamar Jackson's been very, very durable the past couple of years. But when you see how many quarterbacks, mobile quarterbacks that have already been knocked out of games this year and are on IR, does it make you wary about all about just all going on back there? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "Well, you have to just play the game. I really do believe Lamar [Jackson] has a great feel for that, just a good feel for that. So, I trust him, but you have to go play the game. You have to go play the game to win the game, and Lamar does a great job of that."
This is another random question, but I listened to your "Harbaugh Coaching Academy" podcast interview with Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, and he talked about glorifying the small things like hustling to the ball, that kind of thing. Obviously, you have been fan of that kind of small stuff before, but did any of that rub off on you with what you wanted to emphasize with the big screen TVs and everything like that? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "No, I already knew that stuff. It wasn't new, but it's not surprising. It's not surprising that [Detroit Lions head] Coach [Dan Campbell] would have that mindset, and I expected it. You watch his teams play, but those are football truths. Those are self-evident truths of football that we talk about a lot. And you see it in their team, and that's a challenge, and we expect to see it in our team, too. I think that's one of the reasons it's such a compelling matchup."
We haven't seen RB Keaton Mitchell active yet this season. I know you mentioned numbers, is that just the case on a weekly basis with him with the gameday roster numbers? (*Brian Wacker)* "It really is. [Keaton Mitchell] definitely could help us. We have so many backs, you'd be scheming him in for certain plays, but he would help us on special teams. He would help us on offense. We just don't have the spot right now. I guess in some ways, that's a good problem to have, but I would much rather see him out there and see him active on gameday. It would be really what I'd want to see. So, we'll see where we go. Rasheen [Ali]'s doing a great job on special teams. He's also a very good running back. That probably tilts the scale right now. They're both really good kick returners, so yes, that's a tough one. But in a good way, we're healthy. So, we like that, too. Yes, I'd love to have him out there in the game Monday night. [I would have] loved to have had him out there the last three games, but when he's out there, we're going to be excited to have him. He's on our team and he's practicing well. [He had] a great week of practice and really looked good. So yes, that's part of the dilemma with the numbers. I wouldn't mind letting everybody be active that is on the 53. If they wanted to do something like that with the rules, that'd be pretty cool, too, but that's how it works."
Being that you ruled out DL Nnamdi Madubuike for this game, is it possible this could be an IR situation, or you still don't know? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I just can't really comment on it right now. I don't know enough to say."
CB Jaire Alexander, what's been the back and forth dialogue with him? He seems to be handling it pretty well, dealing with this nagging knee injury. (Brian Wacker) "Yes, it's been an honest dialogue. It is just a really good conversation. He, myself, [sr. defensive assistant/secondary coach] Chuck [Pagano] and [director of high performance] Sam Rosengarten have all been involved in this, along with, obviously, the trainers. But he's doing great, and going to be [playing] sooner, rather than later. I will tell you that much. He's practicing, and it's coming along really well. He's champing at the bit for sure, and I just want to be fair to him and do the right thing."
DL AENEAS PEEBLES
On his mentality ahead of Monday's game vs. Detroit: "I have the same mindset going into every week. I go in every week trying to be the best Aeneas Peebles that I can be. So, that's all I can really think about, and that's all I can really do."
On how he's felt he's played the first couple weeks and on transitioning from preseason to regular season games: "Yes, I feel like I've done well. I feel like I still see things that I need improve on, and [there are] points of my game that I can get better at, but I feel like it has been a good start."
On how difficult it is not having DL Nnamdi Madubuike: "It would hurt any team. [Nnamdi Madubuike] is one of the best defensive tackles in this whole entire league. I love watching his game, and I love studying his game, so it hurts not having an All-Pro defender out there, but it kind of is what it is."
On what DL Nnamdi Madubuike has taught him since he got here: "I'm just trying to emulate [Nnamdi Madubuike's] motor. The way he moves, the way he attacks the ball on the field and his passion for the game. Those are things that, not only me, but any D-lineman can take away from his game."
