HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "OK [it is] good to see everybody. [I] appreciate you guys being here. [It was a] good night. [It was a] fun night. Seeing the guys compete, seeing you guys fight and make some plays. [There were] a lot of young guys [who] played well. We can talk about all of those guys. [With the] fourth-down stop at the end, that was awesome and fun to watch. I'm really proud of the guys. 'B.K.' [Bilhal Kone] is going to be out for the season. It looks like he has a torn ligament in his knee unfortunately, so I'll just tell you that right now. Other than that, I think we're in pretty good shape with injuries. We had a couple of things, but we should be OK, and this guy [Keaton Mitchell] right here made a bunch of plays for us and got after it. We had big kick returns, and we had our defensive ends coming off the edge. We had some sacks and some TFLs. So, [we have] a lot of good things to look at and a lot of things to work on. What questions do you have?"
Last year, the special teams just had so many questions, specifically at punt returner. Just how good was it to see that be a strong point for tonight? (*Cordell Woodland)* "It was really great and, obviously, what LaJohntay [Wester] did was awesome and just to be aggressive. The first punt was a short punt, a tough catch. He ran up there and made it. Then he gets yards, and every time he had guys buzzing around him. I thought the blocking was good, too, but he made guys miss, [he] got big yards, got [a] touchdown, and obviously, he was massive. And then Anthony [Miller] went in there and did a really good job, too. He had the pooch punts, backed up punts that were kind of moving out there. He fielded those, which are not easy catches. So, it was good to see both those guys do well. Kick return was good to see. Rasheen [Ali] hit that kick return [and it] was good, and that was a big field position for us. [It] got us some points. So, all those things [are] very good. And Tyler [Loop], I thought Tyler did a nice job. He stubbed his toe on the ground a little bit in that one [kick], and [he] just kind of made the ball move a little bit left. [He was] perfect other than that, but to see him bounce back on the next kick, especially after getting kind of pushed back into the longer field goal, I thought was really a big step up for him."
At what point would you kind of make a decision on the punt returner position? Do you still need to see more out of those guys? (*Brian Wacker)* "I mean, yes, let's just go through camp. Let's let the process play itself out. We still have two more weeks. We have time. [We will] just see what happens. A lot of things happen. This is football, man. Things happen every single day, and we just try to have the best day we can tomorrow."
You previously said that you were hoping to decide the left guard competition by the end of this game. Do you feel like G Andrew Vorhees showed you enough out there this evening? (*Nikhil Mehta)* "Yes, I mean, can I look at the tape first? But I think he was in the lead, like I said. I didn't see anything that would make me think he wasn't, but I think Ben [Cleveland] played well, it looked like to me. So, we'll let you know, probably, once we see the tape."
CB T.J. Tampa Jr. went, I think the entire distance, he started the game and was in there the end. You need to look at tape obviously, but how valuable is that time for him knowing he missed most of last year? Didn't really get those reps in the summer especially. (*Luke Jones)* "That's right. It's so important. I mean, that's just really critical for [T.J. Tampa Jr.] and for him to play. I mean he needs to play. He needs to be out there playing and getting that experience. I thought he handled it well. [He] got locked in, [and his] sense of urgency was good. [He] made the play in the fourth quarter there at the end of the last drive. [It was a] tough play. [He] made it. [He had] a lot of poise. [He] wasn't able to get his head around to the ball but played it up in the receiver where he didn't have a lot of contact and got the ball off him. I thought that was really good. [He] made some tackles. Yes, he did a nice job, and I thought that Jalyn Armour-Davis did a really nice job out there and played exceptionally well. Keyon [Martin] played exceptionally well. Reuben [Lowery] played well. Both Beau [Brade] and Sanoussi [Kane] played well. I don't want to miss guys, but I thought that the whole secondary did a pretty good job."
John, speaking of young guys, S Malaki Stark and OLB Mike Green each had some individual moments out there. Just what are your impressions of that first game. (*Brian Wacker)* "Same, really. I mean I thought Mike Green was really, really active and it wasn't just Mike. I mean Mike was physical and active in the run and pass, but all those outside backers, I mean David [Ojabo] played really well. Adisa [Isaac] played really well. All of those guys did a really nice job. I thought the young D-linemen, I mean you saw some guys in there that you haven't seen. [The] two international players played really well. I thought that they were physical and good inside. The whole defense played well. It was good to see."
You said that K Tyler Loop needs to make kicks in games. He obviously did miss the one tonight, came back and hit the long one. Did that introduce any more uncertainty in your mind where you might think about bringing in a seasoned guy to compete, or what was your takeaway from tonight? (*Childs Walker)* "No, I wouldn't say that kick, to answer the question, did not introduce more uncertainty. I know what happened on the kick, and I just thought the way [Tyler Loop] responded was really good. [He] hit the ball really well tonight. So, I would say tonight, he passed the test. It might not have been A++, but B+." (laughter)
RB Keaton Mitchell, we've talked to him. We've talked to offensive coordinator Todd Monken about how he feels more and looks more confident, just less tentative than he did when he first came back from the injury last year. When you watch him tonight, what impresses you about him? (*Bo Smolka)* "Yes, I thought what you just said. I do think that's how you'd like to hit it. Keaton [Mitchell]'s one of those guys that's obviously got that ability to take it to the house at any time. You can bounce it to the edge. You can cut it back. He's good in the pass game, and then also establishing the fact that you'll run the ball between the tackles. I think he's doing that, too. And that's really important. You don't want to be the guy that they say, 'Oh, he is an outside run game guy,' right? You want to make him pay between the tackles, too. That's something, too, that I know he is very focused on."
John, do you expect that because of just where your numbers are at running back that you still will need RB Keaton Mitchell for these next two preseason games? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "Well, we have to check and see how healthy we are. That'll be the key. We'll just have to see how healthy we are in terms of what we do [for a] couple of positions, but we have to get one guy [Marcus Major Jr.] back from a concussion. [Rasheen] Ali had his situation today. Hopefully he's okay. We'll see where we're at."
Any early takeaways just from watching the passing game? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "Oh, it wasn't very good tonight. I mean, I thought that might have been the - is there a record for low [preseason passing yards]? How many passing yard did we have? 59 [passing yards]. Has an NFL preseason game ever been won in 59 passing yards. I mean, why don't you have that number? Yes, we'd like to pass for more than 59 yards. I assure you." (laughter)
John, that being said, when you look at the totality of what you've seen from QB Cooper Rush, do you feel like you've seen the guy that you thought you guys got in the off season? (*Jamison Hensley)* "Oh yes. Cooper [Rush] played well. I mean, he was in there, [and] he had a nice drive, [and] he had a pass, then we had to punt return [touchdown] and he was out basically. So, I feel good about Cooper. Devin [Leary] [is a] competitor. [He] fought in there but [the game] just didn't go his way tonight. It just really didn't fall in place for him tonight for whatever reason. He's had really good practices. I mean, he's looked super good in practice, which, so you are not going to just say, 'Oh man, that's it,' but there's going to be one that we're all going to have to look at. He's going to have to look at it and other guys [to] just see what happened when we watch the tape. But that's pretty surprising to have that kind of a night throwing the ball."
While you were kneeling next to CB Bilhal Kone, when you went on the field, how kind of emotional from that standpoint is it to see a guy who was playing his first NFL game to have that happen to him? (*Jeff Zrebiec)* "[It was] very emotional. [Bilhal Kone was] playing well, too. Even in that play, he made a heck of a play and then even seeing him in the locker room just now was really hard. [It was] very hard. But like I told him, 'The sun will come up tomorrow. If the sun doesn't come up tomorrow, we will have much bigger problems. So, the sun will come up tomorrow, you'll get this taken care of. You'll be rehabbing. You're part of our team, and you'll be back. So, it's just not on the time that you hope for.' So, I think he'll see that in due time."
Can you talk about with RB Keaton Mitchell, kind of where he is right now and the journey that it really took for him to get back to this point? (*Jamison Hensley)* "Well, I'll tell you, we probably, Keaton [Mitchell], you probably should talk to 'B.K.' [Bilhal Kone]. You've been down that road and had to go through that type of thing. So, this is the other end. We're talking about 'B.K.,' and [Keaton's at] the other end of that right there. The sun does come up tomorrow and you probably learned a lot on that journey I'm sure, right?"
RB RASHEEN ALI
On how it felt to get out there for the first game: "It was nice just to be out there after our ups and downs from last season. It was good to be back out on the field in front of the home crowd."
On his 69-yard kickoff return: "It's funny, because I saw [special teams coordinator] Coach Chris [Horton] earlier this morning, and the gameplan was to press left and bend it back and hit it up the middle, and that's exactly what happened. I was thankful for the guys up front, and we hit it."
On the emphasis he has placed on special teams this summer: "Honestly, I just want to maximize my role on special teams and get in on all phases and be an impact player on special teams."
On his run to the one-yard line: "Oh, yes, I could've finished that one better, but it was a nice run, good spacing. Thanks to the O-Line, and then we were able to punch it in at the end."
QB DEVIN LEARY
On how it felt to be out there for the first game: "It was awesome. I'm glad we got the win. There are definitely a lot of things to improve and clean up, but to come out with a 'W' feels good."
On what kind of tone he thought the team set tonight: "Physical. Definitely we're willing to win games up front. Credit to our offensive line, running backs, tight ends and our defense. That's what Ravens' football is about. They did an incredible job tonight."
On WR LaJohntay Wester's punt return touchdown: "Of course, you can't forget about special teams. LaJohntay did an incredible job for his first real NFL game. He's a special player."
On the pass reception LaJohntay Wester caught from Devin Leary: "That was a good connection. He did a great job of adjusting to the ball, man coverage, one-on-one."
On his progress from Year One to Year Two: "I just want to continue to play ball, continue to get the reps and learn from them. Second year in this system being dialed in and just continuing to learn every day."
RB KEATON MITCHELL
On how different he feels now versus last year when he came back and felt tentative: "[No], I feel good just coming back from strength and conditioning, OTAs, [and] camp. [I] feel a lot better [and] a lot more confident. So just being more confident in myself and trusting my knee— that it's stronger, and it can do what I need it to do."
On how this game showed him that everything he has accomplished got him here: "Yes, obviously it felt great. I haven't gotten in the box [end zone] in a minute. God works in mysterious ways. He allowed me to come out here and play in another game, so I appreciate that."
On taking pride in breaking tackles and his rehab process: "Oh yes, for sure. [I] definitely got stronger in the lower body and in the upper body. But yes, I'd be messing with Coach [John Harbaugh] during practice. I'll be telling him, 'Man, it just looks like this.' That's about it."
On what he did to feel confident in his knee: "It took a lot. [I was] just trusting the rehab, trusting the people that's putting you through the rehab, talking to God, [making] sure you're following the right steps, and you have to be disciplined with everything you do. And most importantly, just trusting yourself."
On returning kicks: "It was all right. Not as good as I wanted. I wanted to return one. 'Sheen' [Rasheen Ali] almost got one. But yeah, it was alright. [I am] just still trying to see what's what with the new kick return [rules]. [I am] definitely going to watch film and look at the returns we had tonight and just get better. [I will] take it from there."
On watching WR LaJohntay Wester's performance: "Oh my God. That was what's up. Congrats to [LaJohntay Wester]. He said he was going to take one to the crib, and he did it. But yes, he [is an] athlete [and] a great returner obviously. But yes, he [is] definitely going to make something happen in his league at punt return."
On when WR LaJohntay Wester told him he was going to score a punt return touchdown: "[He told me] at practice. For sure."
OLB DAVID OJABO
On how he felt after sacking Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson Sr.: "Just amazing. Playing football is the best, especially for this organization. [Defensive coordinator Zach Orr] Coach 'Z.O.' was making good calls. We were all just flying around, having fun."
On the success of the outside linebackers in tonight's game and what it says about the talent in that room: "That's credit to the Ravens [organization]. They know who to recruit, or who to draft and pick up. We're all [great] players. We'll just keep on going, keep on improving [and continue] to get better."
On his takeaways from tonight's game: "There is always something to get better at; whether it's communication, getting lined up faster, execution. We are going to go back to the drawing board. [I am] glad we came out with the win, but there is always room for improvement."
On if his clear path to sack Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson Sr. was surprising to him: "That's what we practice. You have to stay prepared, so that when that moment comes, you can answer for it."
On the talent of the pass rushers on the defense and if the competition in the room pushes them to improve: "Like you said, we're all great [and] we're all getting better. Competition breeds excellence. We just have to keep going, keep on improving [and] keep on listening to [pass rush coach] Chuck Smith, [outside linebackers coach] Matt [Robinson], and ultimately, [defensive coordinator Zach Orr] 'Z.O.' They put us in the right positions."
On ILB Teddye Buchanan's communication: "Teddye [Buchanan] is a hell of a communicator. It starts with him, he's the one with the green dot. From [defensive coordinator Zach Orr] 'Z.0.', to him, to all of us, we all relay. We were able to play fast because he got out the calls quick."
On if he knew he had injured Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson Sr. after sacking him: "I knew I hit [Anthony Richardson Sr.] hard, but I'm not trying to hurt anybody. [It was a] hell of a call by [defensive coordinator Zach Orr] 'Z.O.'
S MALAKI STARKS
On playing in his first NFL game: "I was excited. It felt really good to be out there. They've got a really good team, a great group of guys. So, just to be out there and be able to compete with them felt really good."
On if his first NFL game is what he expected: "Yes and no. It was kind of different than I thought it would be. The way we do things is kind of different, so this was easier, I would say. We work really hard, so just to be able to be in that position and the guys I'm out there with make it so easy."
On seeing CB Bilhal Kone go down with an injury: "You never want to see it. Football is 100% rate of injury, and you never know when it's going to happen. He's been working really hard to be in his position. His story is amazing and he's going to bounce back and be stronger than ever, but I know it's going to take some time, and we just have to be there for him the best way that we can."
On how he thought ILB Teddye Buchanan performed tonight: "Teddy looked really good. He has natural leadership skills. He's just a natural when it comes to playing football. Just to be out there and be with him felt really good."
On what he was happy with in his game tonight: "That's tough. I'm very hard on myself. I think I communicated pretty well, but I think I could probably do a little better. I think I made some plays, but I could've prevented them to begin with, trusting my instincts. But I think [it was my] first game, getting back into it, not bad, but not where I want to be."
On if he had to give himself a grade: "I'll go 'B.' Or maybe 'C+.' I don't know, one of those."
On what it felt like running the defense out there: "It felt natural just to be back out there with guys who want to play. I think we're all on the same page, that's the biggest thing, and I think we did a good job of communicating tonight. So, I'm excited."
WR LAJOHNTAY WESTER
On scoring the punt return touchdown: "We had a great joint practice with [the Indianapolis Colts] a couple days ago. I came close to breaking one at practice. And after that, I called my dad and was like, 'I feel one coming tomorrow.' I prayed all night, and trusted God, and he led me to the end zone."
On how the game speed felt to him: "At the end of the day it's football. I have been playing football since I was six years old. So, it was just second nature. We had a stadium practice last week, so I got all my excitement [and] emotions out then. So, it [is] always better coming in the second time, [and it is] more comfortable.
On how tonight's results will affect his confidence: "If you know me, you know I always have confidence. Just because everyone [has] overlooked me. It was a great performance, [and a] great performance by the team. But I am always going to have confidence."
On the promise he made to RB Keaton Mitchell about scoring a punt return touchdown: "I don't really put much pressure on myself. I just knew it was coming. Just by watching film, and us practicing against [the Indianapolis Colt], I just knew we had them because we take special teams very [seriously] over here. I knew my guys were going to do their part, [and] I just had to come in and do my part."
On achieving success in the role as a drafted punt returner: "It [feels] great. That is one of the reasons why they brought me here, is to become a game changer in the special teams department. I am taking that role head on. I just [have] to keep improving day in and day out, so I can go in and lock the job when the season starts."
On if his college coach ever gives him tips with punt returns: "Definitely. He just tells me that [I should] relax, be confident, and that it is my world out there. So, that is some of the news he gave me."
On if he's checked his phone tonight: "I haven't checked it yet."
On if he was told that the team needed a jolt in the punt return game when he was drafted: "It was definitely mentioned to me, and I already kind of knew that coming in. So, there wasn't a whole lot that needed to be said. I have a very high understanding of this game and my position."
On the emotions he displayed on the sideline following his touchdown: "I've been overlooked all my life, in this game, since I was six years old. I was still making plays, so, for me to be able to overcome all of that, and get here and be able to get my first NFL touchdown in a game like this, it was amazing. It was a whole lot of built up emotion, anger, frustration, and crying. I just let it loose tonight."
On what was going through his head as the touchdown was unfolding: "This might be the one. I was really aggressive tonight. That was my goal coming into the game [which was] to be aggressive [and] let God do his magic."
