HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "OK, [it is] great to see everybody here. I appreciate you being here very much. [Today was a] beautiful day, [and we had a] really good practice. All eyes are pointed towards Sunday [at Buffalo]. What questions do you have?"
We are talking to TE Mark Andrews in a little bit. We've all talked about what happened last time you played the Buffalo Bills. You've known Mark for a while, how do you think he will handle going back to Buffalo? (Jamison Hensley) "I think [Mark Andrews] will handle it great. Mark's a pro. He's been doing this for a long time. He's been in a lot of tough stadiums [and] a lot of tough environments to play football. He's a great football player. He works really hard, [and is] very prepared for the game, just like all the guys [on our team]. I think it's true – it's more about everybody, than it is about one person. We're a team going in there. We're not shying away from the reality that the [playoff game in Buffalo was] the last game we played, and we didn't win. We were disappointed by it, and we respect the Bills very much. We know we have a tough game in front of us. [We know] how good they are and how well-coached they are, but we're a very confident team, too. We know what a tough environment it is, but we're very confident we can handle a tough environment. We know it's our first game. Let's go in there, see where we're at and go from there."
When a team does get deep into January and has a disappointing result, what is required mentally to put yourself back in position to go there again? (Adam Kilgore) "I think you just go to work. You become the best team that you can become for the next time you play, and that's what we've done."
How much is there talk about, "Hey, we can't have three turnovers," versus the "Here is what we need to do on X, Y and Z?" Is there both? Is it one more so than the other? (Brian Wacker) "I guess it's kind of semantics, really. We know what it requires. If we'd gotten three turnovers, it wouldn't have mattered that we had three turnovers. That's part of it, too. You can talk about anything you want. You can do any kind of math you want. But what we're really trying to do is just chase the best football that we can, from one play to the next. [We want to] do all the impactful [and] important things as well as we can, from one play to the next. [We want to] play our best football and let the chips fall as they do. And you can't determine the outcome, except to the degree that you take care of the process and go out there and fight and compete and play well. And that's what we're going to try to do."
Did you feel pretty fortunate that a guy like S J.T. Gray, with his special teams experience, was available at this point in the year? (Jeff Zrebiec) "Yes. I definitely do feel very blessed – OK, let's use that word – that J.T. Gray is here. He wanted to be here, and he'll be contributing very soon, I'm sure, on special teams for us."
In some ways, is this the hardest game to prepare for? Only because of the fact that you haven't seen the Bills starters at all this year. Or is it the easiest because it's been on the schedule the longest and you've had the longest time to prep? (J*erry Coleman)* "How about we say it's both. It's both the hardest and the easiest at the same time, just for those very good reasons that you've put forth."
You've changed in the last few years to where, now, most starters don't play at all in the preseason. What's the challenge there versus previous years in terms of how these guys go full speed right away in their first action? (Bo Smolka) "I do think there is something to that, being out there in a game and kind of getting the feel for the game. The game is different than practice; it's true. You just have to kind of get in there and get after it; get your first hit, loosen up your pads a little bit and go play ball. So, we don't discount that, for sure. We understand that is part of [the transition into the regular season]."
Kind of to that same point, tackling just seems – especially when you don't play a lot of starters in the preseason, and it seems like tackling in training camps around the league has gone down – is there any more emphasis on that part going into the first game of the season? (Cordell Woodland) "We emphasize tackling really as much as you can possibly emphasize anything. Tackling is the name of the game on defense, just like blocking is the name of the game on offense. Didn't Vince Lombardi say that? He did, look it up. 'The game is about blocking and tackling.' So yes, it's very important. The fact that they haven't tackled in a preseason game is something to take into account, for sure. But I'm also very confident that we're going to go out there, and you're going to see a good tackling defense."
We saw CB Jaire Alexander out there today. Does he need to build back up at all, or has he been doing enough in the training room that that's not really the case? (Childs Walker) "We'll see. We'll see how it goes this week."
I know it's hard not to have someone like TE Isaiah Likely for this Sunday. How do you see someone like TE Charlie Kolar in this big opportunity for a big game like this? (David Andrade) "Yes, [this is a] great opportunity for Charlie [Kolar] for sure. Charlie has been working hard, man. He has prepared like nobody else. I'm really feeling very blessed about that, too, that Charlie is with us, because he's become an all-around tight end, and we expect him to play at a really high level."
Obviously on special teams, you have a lot of rookies on that phase. Obviously, K Tyler Loop has all eyes on him. Is there anything specific, as the game starts that you're looking for from your rookies and how they compose themselves during a tough road game? (Kyle Goon) "Yes, probably just what you just said, that composure part of it. You're going to be out there, and it's going to be a raucous environment, and your heart rate is going to go up. Your breathing is going to go up, and you're going to be excited. And the thing that I tell them is the same thing that my dad told me way back when, before my first high school game at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School when I was 15 starting at right corner for the Pioneer Pioneers. What high school has the same – the Ann Arbor Pioneer Pioneers – and we played No. 1-ranked Detroit Catholic Central. And he told me, 'Just take a deep breath. Just take a deep breath before the first play, slow your brain down and everything will be OK.'"
And how'd it turn out? (Jamison Hensley) "It turned out really well. I'm really happy to share some stories with you when we have more time." (laughter)
You have as many guys on offense as you do who have self-confidence in their abilities and that've shown that they can do productive stuff with the ball, is there ever a challenge with getting guys to buy in on the idea that sometimes less is more for this team? (Jonas Shaffer) "Well, that's a great question, and it's not really something that we spend a lot of time thinking about, because I just think that it's understood. Football is a team game. It's a team sport and you're 1-of-11 out there doing your part. Nobody can do anything without the other 10 guys. And yet, at the same time, we also want guys who want the ball. If you don't want the ball, and you're a skill player on offense ... It's just like a corner who doesn't want them to throw the ball over there. I promise you, our corners want them to throw the ball over there. I'm pretty sure Cal Ripken wanted them to hit the ball to shortstop when he was playing shortstop, right? So, we don't mind that either. Shoutout to Cal."
We haven't seen FB Patrick Ricard in a couple of weeks or so. I know he was dealing with a soft tissue issue. The chances of him playing at this point are probably unlikely? (Brian Wacker) "You probably could do the odds. They probably have that. I bet they have the odds on that, don't they? Can you bet on that, too? I wouldn't know. We're not allowed to bet." (Laughter)
When FB Patrick Ricard has missed that much time, is it tough to – or has he been trying to ramp up? (Brian Wacker) "Why don't we just leave that for later? I appreciate the question."
Not injury report related for odds, but we did see TE Isaiah likely come out and talk to you before practice. I'm not saying that doesn't happen, but it is a little unusual. What was that visit like, and how has he been handling, just the process of being patient but now knowing the season is upon us, and he wants to be a part of it? (Morgan Adsit) "I'd say [Isaiah Likely] has probably been – after about the first two days, he kind of locked in and became patient. He has done really well, and I would say, maybe, ahead of schedule, probably. So, we'll just have to see how that goes going forward. But yes, I think he's been good. He's probably going to start getting antsy here pretty soon, though."
Have you noticed the extra layer of confidence or anything different in defensive coordinator Zach Orr as he prepares to lead this unit in Year 2? (Josh Tolentino) "You guys all know [defensive coordinator] Zach [Orr], right? He's always confident. I just think the energy ... There's an extra layer of experience, for sure. That's true for me, too. It's true for all of us. But the fact that he has this past year under his belt [and] went through the kind of year that we went through last year, I think that brings confidence in and of itself. He's done a phenomenal job, but he'll be the first to tell you, we'll find out this year what kind of job [he's going to do]. And I just am impressed with him. I told him today, he [and] all of the defensive coaches – I was in the defensive meeting – I thought it was a great defensive meeting. I thought the preparation was outstanding, and he's leading that. So yes, it's definitely – it's another year in, and that's good."
TE MARK ANDREWS
On if he has any specific emotions going into the Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills: "At the end of the day, this is a new season. I've had a full training camp of getting better. It's a new team. For me, just looking at it, it's two really good teams going against each other. I'm going to play my part. I'm going to do my job to the best of my ability, which I'm excited about. It's an incredible opportunity for this organization, for me, this team and everything we want to do this year to start it off right. So, I'm excited about that."
On how it feels for it to be a game week: "It's that time. It's that time. We've put in a lot of hard work, [have] done a lot of great things and grown as a team. [I am] just excited to see where that takes us, and it starts Week 1."
On if he tweaked his offseason routine this past year: "It's always just focus. There's so many different parts of your game that you're looking to get better at. No one's perfect, but just striving to elevate in each and every way is something that I look to do each offseason. It's what I did this year."
On if he has a sense of where the offense's performance is at so far: "We're going to find out. It starts Week 1. So, that's the beauty of this time of year; we've got to be hungry, we've got to be ready to go. I believe that we have a hungry team, a team that's ready to go. We've worked really, really hard, and this is going to be a great test. So that's the exciting part."
On how he leaves last season's Divisional playoff loss at Buffalo behind: "I'm a pro. This is what I do. This is what I love to do. This is my whole entire world. So, for me it's about focusing, doing my job and just knowing the type of player that I can be in this offense and for this organization and for this city. I've never lost sight of that."
On if he has rewatched the last game against the Bills: "Yes, of course I've watched the game, obviously, in game-planning for this year, but at the end of the day, each year is different. They played us differently from the first game to the second game, so you never know truly what you're going to get. Again, I'm excited about this opportunity of going against a really good team, and it's going to be a good matchup."
On if he received any advice or wisdom that carried him through the offseason: "I have a great support staff of family and loved ones. At the end of the day, I [put] trust in the people around me. I keep a small circle, and I don't listen to too much outside noise. I'm extremely grateful and blessed. I put all my faith in God."
On if he had any emotions about the Ravens playing the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 after the schedule was released: "For me, it's whoever is in front. It's all good."
On how it felt to receive support from players around the league after his social media post following the Buffalo Bills loss: "At the end of the day, it's always good for people to have your back. That's a good feeling. I'm grateful for the people that are around me, that believe in me, that trust in me, and I think that's evident in me being here [with] the trust that they've showed me throughout the years. There's been countless times where I have stepped up make big plays, and I'm excited to do that this year as well."
On what his thoughts on TE Charlie Kolar's ability to step up: "[Charlie Kolar]'s had an incredible camp. It's one of the best camps I've really ever seen by a player. He's just a total stud. He's been balling out, taking a big workload, and he's just continued to make big strides. He's doing incredible in the blocking game, but he's running great routes, and he is looking really fluid. So, I'm excited about him, and he is going to have a big year."
On what is required of a team to leave the past season behind and have a good year: "Well, I think it's the guys that you have coming back. What type of guys do you have in the locker room? Are they guys that are looking towards that end goal? Are they focused? Are they someone that gets down on themselves? I don't think that's the type of group that we have is people that get down. We're looking to get better. I think that [with] each training camp [practice], we focused on the little things [and] the details. This is the time of year, first game, Week 1, game one against a great opponent, to do our job, focus on the details, take care of the football, and good things will happen."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On what the keys are to changing the result from their last game at Buffalo: "Don't turn the ball over, finish drives and put our team in a great position to win. That's all."
On how many times he's gone back and watched film from the last game against Buffalo: "I can't count [how many times]. Just [from] watching film, [I've watched it] a lot, but just [for] me going back to see a loss – I don't know."
On what he sees when he goes back to watch that film: "I see [that] we could have done better. That's it."
On what he's seen from TE Mark Andrews and what he expects from him going into this game: "The [same] Mark [Andrews] that we always get – a guy who loves football, a guy who's eager to win, who wants to win. [He's] the same guy. Nothing has changed."
On how much fan support inspires him at the start of the season: "I love stuff like that, man. Shoutout to the fans. The little kids [in the video], it's all love, man. That just motivates me a lot. I can't tell you guys how much I love it. I love everyone back just as much as they love me."
On the mental challenge of spending months during the offseason and working hard to get back to the next season for another chance to play Buffalo: "It's really just going against your team over and over again. Like you said, it takes so long for us to get in this situation, but now it's here. But, [for] me, just going against my guys and pretty much knowing my guys in and out [and] the defenses in and out, I [just] can't wait to play my opponent. I'm tired of playing against my team. It's time to take our frustration out on those guys. So, that's pretty much how I look at it."
On what has stood out about the team's preparation during training camp: "Everyone [is] just dialed in. Everyone [has] just been hitting the ground running. There really hasn't been any lackadaisical [play] out there on the field. Our guys have been communicating a lot. Everyone just loves football. That's what I see from our guys right now."
On how he's been more vocal to start this season: "I feel like the guys will pretty much tell you. I can't really call it. When I see something that I don't agree with, I speak my mind. I just want to see everyone do [well]."
On what he thought when he saw that their first game of the season was at Buffalo: "Nothing. It's just like any other game. I'm trying to win regardless. I don't look at any opponent. I always tell you guys this, I don't look at any opponent and [think], 'I've got to beat them.' I feel like we've got to beat everybody. I'm just locked in."
On what he learned about the kind of weapons that the Ravens have after going through training camp: "I pretty much just let the play do the talking. I can't tell you guys what I learned [or] what I see with my guys. You guys [are] going to see it come Sunday night."
On how he deals with the sharpness aspect of having not played a game in a while and then wanting to be sharp on Sunday night: "Just by practicing how you play [and] competing extremely hard at practice against my guys. [Having] guys just holding their coverages and doing exotic blitzes and stuff like that. That's helping us out from when the game comes, and even though we're not getting hit, I take everything like it is game speed. It's a game scenario, and that's why I feel like I'll be prepared."
On if he has a sense of how ready this offense is: "I never know. I feel like, as the game goes on, we pretty much find out. You never know. It is like on paper – everything looks good on paper until you get out there on the field. So, I just find out while we're playing."
On his eagerness to get back out on the field and play a game again: "I don't know. I'm pretty calm right now. I think there's a reason I'm calm though, so I'm chilling. But, I'm looking forward to it."
On if he's aware of all of the people who are picking them to win the Super Bowl: "No, we've got to win our games. [You] can't go to the Super Bowl without making it to the playoffs. So, we've got to focus on Buffalo right now. We can't peak too soon. This is extremely early to be thinking about a Super Bowl."
On if he looked to sign an extension this offseason: "I think I tell you all this all the time. But, the season is here. I'm not worried about that. You would've been better off asking me that during training camp, but I'm locked in, man. I'm ready for the season to start. That time will come."
On if there will be a deal after the season starts: "The season is here. I'm looking forward to the season." (laughter)
On his experience with IShowSpeed: "He didn't really challenge me for any sprint, man." (laughter) "But, no, he's dope, man. He's a dope guy. [It was] very exciting. [He has] a lot of energy. It was a lot of fun to go out there and have fun with those guys, [with] him and the high schoolers. It was dope. It was a dope experience for me. I really don't watch [live] streams, so that was my first encounter [with him]."
On if he would recommend IShowSpeed to be a part of the Ravens: "I don't know. It's different when you're getting hit with pads on. I like what he's doing. I want him to be safe. I don't need him to get hurt out here with us. Let us do all that."
On if he's happier that the weather in Buffalo will be warmer than last winter: "Yes, but it really doesn't matter. Obviously, you saw we played in snow when the playoffs came [last year], so it really doesn't matter [in what weather] we play in. The win column is all that matters. So, I'm just trying to win regardless."
On if he has an idea of what the next layer of his game looks like: "I think I say this all the time, too. [It's] everything. I really don't have anything specific that I want to just get better at. I try to get better at everything. You can always critique your game and get better at something. You're getting older, and you've got to see where other teams are trying to stop you. So, you just try to get better at everything."
On if he was disappointed that he didn't win AP Most Valuable Player: "The voters chose who they wanted to pick. It is what it is. It is what it is." (laughter)
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On how long it's felt since he last played a football game: "Honestly, I didn't know it had been that long. Eight months, it flies by. It's quicker than what you think, but yes, [I'm] just very excited to get out there. Obviously, it's going to be a hostile environment [and] a great opponent to open up the season. We know what's on the line. It's the first game of the season, so [we're] excited about that and ready to show the world."
On his excitement for playing the same team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year: "[I'm] very excited. Early in the season, you definitely know where you are. [We're] playing against a really good team in Buffalo, so [we're] excited about that. We have to go out there and do what we do and not have self-inflicted [mistakes], and if we do that, everything else will take care of itself."
On if there is a part of him that watches the preseason games and thinks he can't wait until he's out there playing: "No, I'm one of those guys [who] loves seeing the younger guys go earn their opportunities throughout the preseason. A lot of guys win jobs [and] change their lives forever, so I'm big in seeing that and watching those guys go out there and do that. I haven't really played in the preseason since I've been a pro, so I don't really think it's something that I need, personally, but to each his own."
On his reaction to ILB Jay Higgins IV making the roster: "I think Jay [Higgins IV] is a tremendous player coming out of [University of] Iowa. From what I know from Iowa – I don't know much – but I know a lot of those guys are fundamentally sound [and] play very hard. He's one of those guys. He knows how to get to the football despite the measurements and things of that nature. Hats off to him for the way he works each and every day, how he comes in and [is] always just trying to get better and keep his head down. I have a lot of respect for him."
On how much the secondary depth allows the defense to be more creative: "I think that more so goes to 'Z.O.' [defensive coordinator Zach Orr], and that's his role. My role is to play linebacker and play linebacker to the best of my ability, and I leave all the rest of the 'Z.O.' for how he wants to disguise packages or whatever the case is."
On how much better physically he feels right now compared to Week 1 of last year: "I feel really good right now, and that will show in a couple days – I'm not sure how many days it is until Sunday – but when Sunday gets here, that'll show, for sure."
On the defensive focus for playing Bills QB Josh Allen: "First and foremost, going up against [Josh Allen], I think it starts with stopping the run, just truth be told, making the guys one-dimensional, and that starts with stopping [James] Cook. I have a lot of respect for him [and] the way he runs the ball. Stopping them, making them one-dimensional and forcing it to be a drop-back game. And when you do that, then things can go a different direction. So, it has to start [with] first, stopping the run, and then we'll go from there, and that's something that we will do."
On what is required to make sure the heartbreaking loss in the playoffs doesn't lead into the next year: "That's life, man. You can't focus on what's in the past. It's in the past for a reason. You can use it as fuel, but you should never let something in the past affect how you look at things, because it's a new day. It's a new team. This team is not the same team as last year, and neither are the players. We are the same dudes, but each person has changed a bit, regardless of how you look at it, and I think every day in life teaches you that. So, I'm excited about the opportunity, and I know it's going to be a great matchup for us in front of the world, and we just get to go out and show exactly who we are."
On S Kyle Hamilton's belief that with QB Lamar Jackson, the team always has an opportunity to win the Super Bowl: "Yes, absolutely. We call him 'Big Money K-Ham' [Kyle Hamilton] now, though. Outside of that, yes, like you said – I've been saying that when I first got here – anytime Lamar [Jackson] is on the team, you have a chance to hoist the Lombardi [Trophy], but I think that's everybody's plan going into the season. So, it's about each and every one of us looking at ourselves in the mirror and saying, 'What are we going to do to make sure that that's us?' But it starts with this game. It's one game at a time, one moment at a time, and if we do that, play to our standard, eliminate the self-inflicted [mistakes], starting with Week 1 up in Buffalo and knowing we'll probably see them again [in the playoffs], then everything else will take care of itself."
On his reaction to finding out they play Buffalo in Week 1 and if he uses that as fuel for motivation: "Honestly, I don't really see it as fuel, because truth be told, whoever it is, you can roll the ball – like I've said many times – on this pavement right here, and we can get down. At the end of the day, it is a team that we have to play, and yes, they are the team that we lost to last year, but that's last year. This year, I'm focused, and I know the team is focused on going out there Sunday night and showing the world exactly who we are, and [we're] not focused on anything else."
On if the defense talks about their slow start from last season and wants to hit the ground running this year: "Yes. I think last year, as a defense, yes, we obviously didn't play the first couple of weeks the way we wanted to. Each and every person has to look themselves in the mirror, regardless, and there are some tweaks [and] little things [to change]. People make mistakes, obviously; that's human nature, but we know that's not our standard. Again, that's last year. We're now focused on this year. It's a completely new team. It's a completely new defense, like I said, so I'm excited about it, and I'm excited just to go out and show the world. I'm sure you'll be tuned in Sunday, so you'll see that for yourself, as well."
On his reaction to CB Marlon Humphrey saying the Ravens defense isn't feared the way it used to be: "I think there is some truth to that, and I think it's more so about instilling fear into your opponents. That's just goes with the way you play ball [and] being relentless. Any chance you get to take a cat out, you take a cat out, within the rules, obviously, but that's how you have to play and just play with an attitude. I think if we play with that edge and that attitude play-in and play-out and do [it] to the best of our standard [for] each and every individual that goes out there, we'll instill that fear in the individuals, but it starts Week 1. We have to show the world exactly who we are, because we know who we are, so now, it's about showing it and not having self-inflicted [mistakes]."
