SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR CHRIS HORTON
How much excitement – obviously, you guys have put in so much work with K Tyler Loop, and he's put in the work. So to now have a real game, something that you try to simulate as much as you can, but just knowing that you can't fully simulate what happens Sunday night. (*Luke Jones)* "I think Tyler [Loop]'s in a great place. I think he showed that this preseason. When you watch his body of work and what he did. To him and to all those guys – because they're all young, and they're rookies – [the preseason games are] real games. You still have to go out there and produce and perform at a high level, and he did that. I just think this is just the next game that's in front of us. He's going to go out there, he's going to kick his butt off."
How impressed were you by what P Jordan Stout showed in the preseason? Is that kind of representative of what he's been doing all throughout training camp? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "It is very much representative of what [Jordan Stout]'s been doing in [training] camp. Jordan, he's just been outstanding. This year, he's put it all together, and it's coming together well. [Senior special teams coach] Randy [Brown]'s done a great job with him of just making sure that the fundamentals [are there], the details of how he walks his lines and things like that [are good], and you'll get the punch that he's looking for. He's done that. So, it's good to see. We look forward to carrying that over into Sunday night."
The three undrafted guys who made the team, do you think all three of those guys could help on special teams right away within that position? (*Childs Walker)* "I think all three of those guys [Jay Higgins IV, Reuben Lowery III and Keyon Martin] did an unbelievable job. I think when you look at the big picture of what they've done, not only on the defense, but they also excelled on special teams. All three of those guys have really done an outstanding job, and I just continue to look forward to seeing that. And yes, all three of those guys will have a role, they all have roles, and they'll be different roles, but [I] fully expect those guys to go out there and play well."
How nice is it to add a veteran like DB J.T. Gray this late in the game, a guy who's been an All-Pro special teamer and obviously has a ton of experience doing it? (*Jeff Zrebiec)* "First off, you have to thank [EVP and general manager] Eric [DeCosta], [VP of player personnel] George [Kokinis] and [director of player personnel] Mark [Azevedo] for that. You get a guy like J.T. [Gray], he's just sitting out there. He wants to come to Baltimore and be a part of this program and this organization after all the things that he's done [with] the reputation he has in this league. It is very exciting to have a guy like that. As a special teams coach, you look for guys like that, and to have that guy just sitting out there for us to be able to get him and get him here, it's just going to be fun."
Are you confident that what we saw from WR LaJohntay Wester in the preseason is real? (Pete Gilbert) "It's like the Tyler [Loop] question, right? For all the young guys, they're all young. And for LaJohntay [Wester], it's not that the games that he played were not real. They were real games. There were guys going after him and trying to get after him, and he caught the ball [well], and he made great decisions. So that's real football that's being played. Even though it's preseason football – let's make no mistake about it – there are guys out there that are fighting for jobs and trying to make teams, and he's going to be fine, and that's why he made this team. You watch him catch the ball, he catches the ball with confidence, and we're just looking forward to continuing to see him grow, and we're going to get him going."
What's the biggest thing you learned over the course of last year about the dynamic kickoff? (Bo Smolka) "I think with the rule changing again, and now the touchback [is] the 35-yard line, I think there's just a lot more. You really want the ball at the 35-yard line. Last year, you were probably OK with the ball being at the 30-yard line, so there's been a little bit of change. But, from our standpoint, it's an opportunity for our guys to go out there and just cover kicks. The play is alive again. It is an opportunity for our returners to hit big returns and field kickoff returns. So, we're just looking forward to just going out there. I think we've got a little bit of the angles figured out and kind of how we want to handle it, and we're going to do some good things."
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TODD MONKEN
How does it feel just to get after an opponent that is the last team you faced off against? Obviously, you reviewed some tape from that last playoff game. What are some of your thoughts facing the Buffalo Bills? (*Kyle Goon)* "Oh, we're excited. We expect to play a good team, and they should expect the same."
What did you think of the summer that TE Charlie Kolar had, especially knowing what the injury report looks like and then as far as him having a bigger role potentially? (*Luke Jones)* "[Charlie Kolar] has had a great offseason. [He's] really come along, and part of that is opportunity. He's in his fourth year, and [he's] improved every year. Like I said, he's had a great offseason. I'm excited to see him play on Sunday night."
Is your approach to Week 1 any different from any other week in that you don't have any film of them with their starters this year, and they don't have any of you? Does that change anything or not? (*Cliff Brown)* "Not really; I mean, their coaches are the same; our coaches are the same. When you're good, you have a belief system in how you do it and how you go about it. So sure, there's some offseason studies. There's things they're going to see that they haven't seen on tape, and I'm sure there's things that we have to apply our rules [to] for things that they've done studies of in the offseason, defensively. So that's just part of it [in] Week 1."
FB Patrick Ricard is not there. TE Isaiah Likely is not there. Do you feel like there's so many different playmakers that you do have that as far as dealing with that, there are a lot of different ways you can go. It's a little bit easier than maybe in some places where it's you miss key guys, and you really get hamstrung. (*Pete Gilbert)* "No, I feel good about our guys. The guys that'll suit up on Sunday, they'll be ready to go."
There's a lot of focus on TE Mark Andrews with the way the game was played there last year. As a coordinator, does that influence at all what you're doing in terms of...? (*Bo Smolka)* "No, I mean Mark [Andrew] is a great player, has been a great player [and] has made a number of great plays for us. That's not why we lost the game. Mark Andrews is not the reason we lost the game."
Does it influence your strategies to try to have TE Mark Andrews specifically be a part of this game? (*Bo Smolka)* "No, [Mark Andrews is] always a big part of what we do. I mean, every week he's a big part [of the game], and we expect him each week to have a great game."
You guys throughout the regular season last year were so good about avoiding turnovers. Obviously, QB Lamar Jackson not giving the ball away. What do you think happened in that Buffalo Bills game that made turnovers all come out at the wrong time? (*Kyle Goon)* "I don't know, because we've won other big games where we didn't turn it over. So that's why you have to win a lot of big games to get to where we were at the last couple years I've been here without turning it over. You have to do it in the playoffs. It just happened that [the turnovers] came up then. It's unfortunate, because you're not going to win turning it over three times. I mean, we know that. You're not going to win the regular season, forget the playoffs. When you're playing really good people, you might overcome it when you have certain advantages, but certainly not [in the playoffs]."
T Ronnie Stanley had said last week that he feels like the offensive line is leaps and bounds ahead of where it was in terms of the details compared to this time last year. What have you seen from them in camp? Where do you feel like they've grown from last year? (*Sam Cohn)* "Well, first of all, [the offensive line] played outstanding football last year, but at this time last year, we all went through a change. We lost [former Ravens offensive line coach] 'Joe D' [Joe D'Alessandris]. George [Warhop] came in. There was a different voice in the room. So sure, you're going to be leaps and bounds ahead of where you were last year because [now], George Warhop's been in the room with those guys. [It's now the offense's] third year together – a lot of us are the same that have been here three years together."
You talked a lot in the early days of camp of wanting to work on pre-snaps and cadence. How do you feel a couple of days before the season of where you are at it at this point? (*Sam Jane)* "I feel great. I feel a lot better, and that's why you keep working on it. You don't just give in and say, 'Well, we're going to go on one-snap count just because we're struggling with it.' No, you have to fight like hell to be elite at it. You can't say you're going to be a nightmare to defend without being able to use cadence to your advantage. You just can't."
For the first game, this will set the tone for the rest of the season despite the opponent. What do you want to see from the offense? (*Carita Parks)* "[I want to see] clean football. I think that's the biggest thing. [It's] what we've worked on all offseason is clean football, our operation starts with that. As we talked about our cadence, our pre-snap penalties, those things [and] staying ahead of the chains. Like I said, protecting the football, finishing downfield, being the most physical team on the field. That's really what it comes down to. We're pretty good when we play clean football. We really are."
How do you factor in just the unknowns of the fact that it is a new season. You and the Buffalo Bills haven't watched each other this season as far as film when you're play calling and going through real-time kind of piecing things together. (*Morgan Adsit)* "Again, it's during the game is where you'll have to make those adjustments, because you're right, we don't have any film of any offseason studies, but both of us had really good years last year – outstanding years. So, you have to count on that. Like I said before, you have to believe in something. The core of what they're going to believe in, defensively, has to be the same, and that's the same with us. You can have some bells and whistles, some other things you've worked on, and maybe refine those and get better, but you are who you are, and then let's go play."
You guys are going to get to face some really talented defenses in the first couple of weeks of the season. How excited are you to get away from playing your own defense and stack up against some of those in the league? (*Sam Jane)* "Well, we get to go against a pretty good defense every week, so we're fine there, and every defense in the NFL is really challenging. You have the best coaches in the world, you have the best players in the world, and each one presents different challenges. That's up to us to do a great job every week, to put ourselves in the best position, move the ball and score points. That's what it is. It's nice to have the players that we have, but then putting it all together on Sunday night, which really is what matters."
Do you sense an eagerness just to get to it? I mean, we're asking you all these questions about last season, players, too, and all of these predictions flying around. Is it nice to just have the real thing in front of you now? (*Childs Walker)* "Well, you can feel it. You can feel it this week with our players and us, as coaches. Like, it's here. You no longer can say, 'Well, who's going to play in this preseason game? Where are we at? Where's the roster at?' No, here's our roster, here's our guys, here's our opponent. The seasons is in front of us. Everything we've worked for in the offseason, everything we've worked for in [training] camp to get to this point, [now is the time] to lay it out there. Let it rip [and] see where we're at."
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR ZACH ORR
What's the biggest thing you wanted to get out of camp to be ready for Week 1, and do you think you got it? (Pete Gilbert) "I definitely think we got it, but the biggest thing one out of camp was just all 11 guys that [are] on the field at the same time having the same common goal, being on the same page and then just cutting it loose out there. So, from an execution standpoint, [it's about] everybody doing their assignments, 11 guys playing as one, and then just cutting it loose [and] attacking the football. That's the main thing we wanted to come out of camp [with], being fundamentally sound, being aggressive and [giving] maximum effort, and I feel like we've done it. I'm happy with camp. It's been one of the best camps that I've been a part of here, so I'm very pleased with how that went."
We spent a lot of time throughout camp hearing about how good this defense can be. Before you guys started last year, is there just an excitement to show what you can do with this group and just get out there and go play football? (Sam Cohn) "Yes, I think it's exciting, just because it's the start of a new journey. Every year is different. We feel like we can be very good, but we have to go out there and go do it. That's the exciting part of it – now, we've put in a lot of work. The guys have worked so hard. We can't be proud of those guys enough, but they're putting in the work, so now, it's time to go out there and go do it. Everything that we've done up to this point, it really hasn't counted on the scoreboard. It's counted for us building what we want to build, but now, it's time to go do it. I know we are excited to go out there and go show the work that we put in and get off to a good start."
Along those lines, S Malaki Starks comes in and almost right away, he established himself as a starter. How much curiosity do you have in seeing whether that can translate over into the regular season? What is the value of having backups like S Sanoussi Kane at that safety spot? (Jonas Shaffer) "I'm fully confident in Malaki [Starks]. I can't wait for him to go out there and go play a full game. He played a little bit in the preseason, but he didn't play a lot of snaps. Like I said, it'll be interesting to see how he goes out there and [see how he's going to] do. I know how I feel like he's going to do; I think he's going to play really well for us. He's done great in camp. He's done great in practice. I might say he doesn't play like rookie; he doesn't act like a rookie, but like we said, it is Week 1, so this is going to be his first professional [full] game. We have to go out there and go see him do it, but I'm confident that he will go out there and go play great football for us. Like I said, he played early at Georgia, so this is nothing new for him. Then, as far as guys like Sanoussi [Kane] that have been in the system, he's done a great job for us, as well. So, [we're] fully confident in him if he has to go out there."
You have been a former player yourself. It's no secret around the league, not just here, that fewer and fewer starters are playing in the preseason. From a defensive standpoint, how much is there to that concern or the unknown of guys that haven't truly form-tackled to the ground since last January? Just the challenge of that when you know you're going up against a formidable offense? (Luke Jones) "That's definitely a challenge, because there's nothing like [it]. Playing tackle football, you have to actually go out there and tackle to get better at tackling. I feel like coaches have done a great job with the drills. We've drilled the mess out of tackling drills. We've tried to simulate taking guys to the ground, so I think we've done as best of job as we could simulating tackling. But also, like you just said, [with the] first game of the season, you never know. That is something that [we] have on our mind, and we sit there and say, 'We have to go out there and do the little things.' Tackling is a thing that we have to do well if we want to win on Sunday."
A lot of people are trying to move past last year's game. It's a new season and all that, but this is the team you played last year at the end of the season. Defensively, what are your biggest takeaways from that game? (Bo Smolka) "The biggest takeaway from the game was [that] they beat us. They controlled the clock, they controlled the football, and they didn't turn the football over. So, we have to definitely force them to play the game on our terms. It's not easy to do. They're one of the top offenses in the league, but we didn't do what we needed to do from a fundamental standpoint and attacking the ball. So, we have to do a better job at doing that, and we look forward to that."
Looking at the total body of the two games against Buffalo last year, when you zeroed in on how you guys executed the plan that you wanted to against Bills QB Josh Allen particularly, did you think you did a pretty good job of doing what you wanted to do against him? (*Childs Walker)* "I would say the first game, yes, because we won, [but] the second game, no, because we lost. [It's] real simple. The second game, he didn't have to do a lot to beat us, so I can't look at that and say, 'Oh, we did a good job against him,' because he didn't have to go crazy for them to win the game. They found other ways to win. I think that's a testament to good quarterbacks – taking what the defense gives you. If you feel like you have the game in control, not losing the game or not putting the ball in harm's way, and that's what he did. Like I said, every year is different. We've played them quite a bit. We understand the type of player he is and what type of offense they have, and we have to find a way to, not only slow him down and stop him, but also [stop] the other skill players that they have on their roster."
I know you're an NBA guy. I know a lot of talk in the NBA is about how teams are only as strong as their weakest link. Do you think a similar dynamic is in play in the NFL, or is it a different game with 11 guys on the field? (Jonas Shaffer) "It's definitely a similar dynamic, because when you have a team sport, obviously, teams are going to attack where they feel like you're weak at. So, if they feel like you're weak in a certain area, and you are weak there, that's not a good thing. But, if you really don't show any weaknesses or don't have a weakness, or if they try to think that they have a weak spot, and that's actually not a weak spot, then it plays in your favor. But I definitely think that plays .... Now, not as much in basketball, though. [In the game of] basketball, they could really single you out and do some real damage to you, and you can't really get [any] help out there."
As a coach, after CB Marlon Humphrey entered as a rookie, what was your first impression of him? Do you have any good anecdotes that stood out to you both in his early days and now you that you've gotten to know him more? (Sam Jane) "[The] first thing that stood out to me is, 'This dude, he's a rough rider on that field.' He's a nice guy, great guy, goofy guy off the field, but when he hits that field, and he puts those pads on, he's going to go a hundred miles per hour, and he's not going to care who he hits. He's going to hit somebody. You don't see that much from defensive backs, especially corners [which is] what he started out as. But just really seeing his growth and maturity – I think Marlon had the benefit of when he came here, he had a lot of older vet guys around him like Lardarius Webb, Brandon Carr, Jimmy Smith, Eric Weddle, Tony Jefferson, Anthony Levine [and] all these guys. Now, he's that guy for a lot of the younger players. Just to see his maturity, his growth on and off the field, and to see that he's still playing at a high level in Year Nine – I still think he's underrated as a player in this league – so I'm excited to see what he does this year. His growth and maturity throughout these years, since the time I've known him, has been tremendous."
A year ago at this point, you were going into your first time as a defensive coordinator. Now, you've got the year under your belt. How different are these weeks from a year ago to now this one as you get ready for Week 1? (Pete Gilbert) "It's funny, because I would say it's a little different, because I know what to expect and temper my emotions – I would say my inner emotions – but it's game week. It's exciting. Every week brings its own challenge. Every year brings its own challenge, so I really won't know until the game happens. Obviously, last year was a good experience for me, so I don't think, [for] me personally, [there are] a lot of things that you can throw at us that I won't be prepared for, but we'll see. Teams and offenses are always getting together in the offseason, scheming and huddling up ways they can get over on us defensive guys, so we will see what they've got Sunday."
With the three undrafted rookies in ILB Jay Higgins IV, S Reuben Lowery III and CB Keyon Martin, what did you see from them that made them a good fit for your defense? Did you see some of yourself in their journey? (Carita Parks) "Definitely. All three of those guys, hats off to them. Keyon Martin, Reuben Lowery III and Jay Higgins IV, they earned it. They earned it every single day, and I think it starts with, first of all, you have to love football, because I'm telling you right now, if you are an undrafted free agent here, and you don't love football, you probably going to get out of here before you can get a chance to get to training camp. So, they love football. They were consistent every single day, as far as their work ethic, showing up to practice, doing the right things, being coachable [and] getting better. Then, they have playmaking ability. You have to be able to make plays at this level. You can be a hard worker, [and] you could be a good dude, but ultimately, you have to make some plays if you want to make an NFL roster. They did all three of those things, and they continue to do it on a daily basis. Those guys stood out specifically early on. The biggest question for them was going to be, 'Once we put the pads on and get into these preseason [games and training] camp, are they going to be able to stay consistent with it?' And they did. So definitely, I see a little bit [of myself in them]. Just me looking back – you asked that question [and I was] reflecting – I can definitely see that and kind of put myself in those shoes and see how they made it and how they feel with that."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On his excitement for the season to get started: "I'm always excited when football is back. I'm happy it's Week 1 and [that] we get to get rolling."
On how much he's looking forward to being able to turn things loose against another opponent: "Yes, we've only got one more [day] of practice tomorrow, and walkthrough is on Saturday, and I think guys are just focusing on working hard through the week and then letting it go out there and show on Sunday. I'm excited for everybody. I'm sure everybody's excited to get back to playing football, and [to] go out there and execute and play the way we know how."
On what has motivated them the most from their last game against Buffalo: "They advanced, and we didn't. So, they have the upper hand on us. They played a hell of a game, and there's a reason why they won, and we get an opportunity to play those guys again."
On if they feel like they did a good job of focusing and working on some of the little things that hurt them last year: "Well, I think last year was last year. We didn't like the way it ended last year, but this year is a new year, and we'll focus on that and what we need to do to put ourselves in a position to win. I know [that] we know what not to do, so [we'll] just focus on the positive things, [focus on] fixing things that we need to get better at, and [we'll] go out there and play our style of football."
K TYLER LOOP
On how he's feeling knowing that his NFL debut is coming up: "We've played three weeks just now – three preseason games – and I am feeling really good about the operation with Nick [Moore] and Jordan [Stout] and the offensive line. I think we've put a lot of good work in this offseason as a team, and as a unit, to be successful. I am really excited."
On the mental preparation aspect in his first regular season NFL game: "I don't know, it's kind of the same.[This is the] first regular season game, but it really felt like the Colts [game] was the same, because we played football on a 120-yard field, 53-and-1/3 [yards] wide, [the same size] uprights. That's the same thing that's going to be [there] on Sunday. And having that mindset of, I've been kicking a football on a big stage since college, and now I'm in the NFL. It's fun. It's the same game, and it's the same operation. It's just really exciting."
On the biggest thing he thinks he's learned and gotten better at since being drafted: "Developing a consistent process. I think over the course of college ... But really, over the past three or four months, working with [senior special teams coach] Randy [Brown], Jordan [Stout] and Nick [Moore], developing a process is something that I got really good at. Randy is very big on developing your process."
On what it's been like working with senior special teams coach Randy Brown: "It's been fun. [Randy Brown and I] have a good relationship. When we get to work, it's work. When we're on the field, it's serious. But off the field, I think we have a good friendship between our room. We like to crack a lot of jokes, hang out, spend time together, keep it light and keep it fun. What's really nice is when it's time to work, it's time to work; we talk to each other [and] have good conversations about what we can do better, what we're doing well and what it's going to take to be successful."
On why he wears No. 33: "It was given to me in college [by] one of my really close friends [who] I played high school [football] with and then barely missed playing with at Arizona, his name is Blake. He wore No. 33. And when I got to Arizona, [I said], 'Give me No. 33.' I wore it, and it just kind of stuck. [The Ravens] asked me, 'Do you want to change?' And I said, 'No, [let's] keep it rolling.' It's kind of become my thing at this point."
On the "Loop, there it is" catch phrase and how it started: "It's hilarious, it's not corny, it's just funny because sometimes if I get recognized, [people will say] 'Loop, there it is!' And it's like, 'Yeah!'" (Laughter) "No, but it's fun. It's something that my family likes to make jokes about. It's been really cool to see Baltimore embrace me like that. It's made me feel very supported here. It's really exciting to be here."
On if he knows where the "Loop, there is it" catch phrase came from: "I have no idea when the first time it was brought up. I know my dad and brother, after the draft at my house were looking [on social media], and they're like, 'Oh, they're saying that every time you make a field goal, they're going to go, 'Loop, there it is.'' And so, it's like, man, whatever [the fans] do, it'd be fun."
