HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening statement: "Alright, [it's] good seeing everybody. I appreciate you being here. [It was a] good work day – our third day in pads; [it was] a tough day. It really is a challenge because, well, we've had the heat, which Sam Rosengarten, who is our director of high performance – he wanted the heat, so he got it. He wanted five days of it, and that's really what we've had. So, there's a lot to be said for that. If you look at the science and all that, in terms of acclimation and all that, our guys really handled it pretty darn well. I do think it factors in – some of the mental stuff – but it forces you to really concentrate and work at the mental challenges of the game. So, that's what we need this time of year. I thought the guys fought through it pretty good, varying degrees of success, obviously. The defense had a heck of a day today, as you saw, but [I'm] happy with the work ethic. We'll be in shells tomorrow, and we'll be off on Friday, then we'll be back at it on Saturday, Sunday [and] Monday, and then the Colts will be in here on Tuesday. So, that's our plan going forward. What questions do you have?"
I know everything is being graded out there, how were your passes to the running backs? (Jamison Hensley) "Oh God, it's like what you see in your mind, what it's going to look like ... I was literally shocked that the ball didn't fly farther than that. I can actually throw, I think, but I haven't really – well I didn't warm up either, to be clear. But no, I was a little disappointed in the performance of myself on that. Hope none of you guys got that on video, did you?" (Laughter) "Don't put that out. [Jerry Coleman] will be making fun of me. He'll be mocking me. I deserve that."
Towards the end of practice, you had a full live period with some of the younger guys. Is that something that you predetermined, or [did] you decide to do it today on the spot? (Bo Smolka) "We had it as an option in camp, on the schedule we had it scripted as an option, and we just decided to go ahead and do it. We wanted to do it, and the guys handled it really well."
There are some reports floating around about more specifics with TE Isaiah Likely's injury. Did he have surgery? (Morgan Adsit) "He's going to have surgery. I think the timeline I saw, actually, was accurate; the timeline that was reported. So, we have a shot to get him back there right away, early. We'll see. And so that's the good news. It was early in camp, and it's not one of those major type of deals, but it's something. It's multiple weeks."
You mentioned the timing, but when you have someone like TE Charlie Kolar, who played really well in more limited opportunities last year, how much is this a big opportunity for him to kind of step up? (Luke Jones) "Yes, for sure, [this is] a big opportunity for Charlie [Kolar]. That's what happens, and that's the way football goes. Guys get their opportunities in various ways, and they need to work to be ready, and we have all the confidence in the world in Charlie."
How is TE Isaiah Likely doing? I know he has high expectations for this offense for himself. It did happen early, like you mentioned, but how was he handling what happened? (Morgan Adsit) "I was with him. [executive vice president and general manager] Eric [DeCosta] and I were with him in there when we all found out on the image, kind of really what it was, and then it got confirmed the next morning. But we knew, based on the X-ray, what it was, and that was tough. That was a tough few minutes for all of us. But he got the MRI back, saw the plan, and he's in great spirits. It's kind of hard to keep him down [for a] long [time]. He's a high-spirited person. He'll work really hard. I heard that he was really happy [that he's not going] to have to go on crutches. He's going to have another device. He just was happy he didn't have to go on crutches, so, [we're] grateful for the small things."
We've seen S Beau Brade flying around out there. What are you seeing from him? Does he look like he's more comfortable to you? (Cordell Woodland) "I think Beau [Brade] is flying around. He's playing really well. I saw him – he was the first guy in the weight room in the morning, [I] saw him in there this morning, and he was lamenting the plays that he didn't make. So, you appreciate that mindset. [He's] very determined, very serious. [He's] doing a good job, really good."
Another guy I thought stood out today was CB Chidobe Awuzie. What have you seen from him throughout camp? (Ryan Mink) "Yes, [Chidobe is] really stepping up the last day or two. I think he's really starting to feel healthy, and boy, he knows how to play. He is smart. He's still learning the ins and outs of the defense, but he's a really quick learner. When you talk to him about it, he picks it up really fast. So, [I'm] very excited about him."
Is WR Zay Flowers OK? We didn't see him out there today. (Luke Jones) "Yes. He and a couple other guys that you didn't see are all [going through] camp-type things that you really just need to not go out for a few days on. So, he'll be back in a few days."
What have you been impressed by with S Malaki Starks, things maybe we can't see? (Zach Pereles) "Well, you probably didn't see him playing corner today. He actually played corner; he actually played nickel today a little bit. They had him moving around. He's definitely going to be a safety, but we do present our defense in different ways. And then also, the idea that playing all of those positions helps him really learn the defense completely. So [he is a] very, very smart player."
When you experience injuries during training camp, how valuable is it to have depth at the cornerback and tight end positions? (Jamison Hensley) "It's hugely valuable, because then you can get guys back on the right timeframes, and you've got guys to step in and not fall off. We work really hard to have a deep roster. That's something that we value very much, and I think we do a great job of it. [Executive vice president and general manager] Eric is always working at it along with all the scouts, [vice president of player personnel] George Kokinis and all the guys. They just do an amazing job. So yes, and still you don't want any injuries, but you want to protect yourself."
We've been seeing the defense put a good amount of pressure on the offense. How much of that do you attribute to what defensive coordinator Zach Orr is scheming up and calling, and how much of that do you attribute to individual development on the parts of the pass rushers? (Nikhil Mehta) "I don't know. It's probably a little bit of all that, but it's not so much scheme now, because it's camp. We're just installing, so there's no game-planning going on. The offense knows the blitzes; they know what's coming that day. It's more about execution and individual guys making plays. And yesterday, we had a really good day in pass protection, today wasn't quite as good. I thought the defense really stepped up today with the pressures, so, that's kind of how it goes in camp sometimes."
Do you have an update on the MRI for CB Jalyn Armour-Davis? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "Yes. Again, in that group of guys [who are injured], it's not a serious deal. It's one of the 'itises.' It's not going to be anything that's going to keep him out for a long period of time. He'll be fine."
We've seen another player having a good week, WR Devontez Walker. What do you see in him taking more opportunities during this training camp? (David Andrade) "I think 'Tez' [Devontez Walker] is just really determined to come out and do his best. Today was tough for the receivers – we didn't have all the receivers out there, so it was a light group of receivers. Those guys had to take a ton of reps. So, just the ability to – when you are gassed, I mean, you are really toasted, you're sucking wind, you are hot, your legs are gone – just to be able to process the play, line up, the snap count, run the right route. Oh, then come back to the ball [and] catch the ball, that's tough. That's tough, and I thought those guys all did a really good job of that. Today it didn't look great, but under the circumstances, I thought they did a really good job, and Tez is a big part of that."
TIGHT ENDS COACH GEORGE GODSEY
When you lose a player like TE Isaiah Likely for a few weeks here, how has that affected the tight end group? Who are you looking at to step up next? (*Jamison Hensley)* "Well, the whole team will step up on offense. The whole unit will. But, tight end wise, we've got a lot of opportunities for Charlie [Kolar] and Pat [Ricard] will have his role. Obviously, Mark [Andrews] will have his role. [There are] young guys getting opportunities, so [I am] excited to see it take place early in training camp."
TE Charlie Kolar made the most of, virtually, all of his receiving opportunities last year. He really developed as a blocker. With TE Isaiah Likely out for a little while, what are you going to be looking for from him in terms of taking the next step, especially as he heads into a contract? (*Nikhil Mehta)* "Yes, he [Charlie Kolar]'s just going to do his job - whatever we ask him to. If it's in the run game, he's going to continue to do that at the point of attack. He's excelled protection-wise so far to start training camp. Then, in the route game, you see some separation that he's doing there, too. So, he'll have his role. There's really no one person that replaces one person, so we'll all do it as a unit."
TE Mark Andrews went through a lot between the end of last year with the offseason trade discussion and all of that. He's out here running hard, almost every rep. How has he been for you from, say, over the winter through now? What's it been like working with him? (*Bo Smolka)* "Yes, [Mark Andrews] is a pro, and this is a new year, and [there are] new challenges. [With] everything that we did last year, we're moving on to 2025. So, whatever we did well, whatever we did poorly, whatever we need to improve on, we're on to 2025. And now, let's get better and let's get ready for the season. It's been an easy transition. He's a good pro. I love working with him every day. [I have] nothing but positive stuff [to say] about me and Mark."
TE Mark Andrews has been, obviously, a great player for a long time. Do you think he can continue to be as productive this year as he has been in the past? (*Garrett Downing)* "[Mark Andrews] led the league in touchdowns as a tight end last year, so I think so."
There's an interesting dynamic in your tight end room with the three top guys all having last-year contracts. TE Mark Andrews brought up the word 'unselfishness' a couple of times. How much does that quality sort of permeate through your room and is it something that's discussed in the position? (*Jeff Zrebiec)* "Yes, as a group, we worry about the next day because we have so many responsibilities: run game pass, game and protection. So, we're worried about today, today. Tomorrow, we'll worry about tomorrow. We're not worried about the season just yet. We're worried about training camp, getting ready and getting ready [to be] prepared for, really, a 20-week season when you count the preseason, the bye weeks, and then hopefully we'll continue to play from then on."
What are your thoughts about FB Lucas Scott in terms making the transition to the NFL level? (*Ryan Mink)* "Yes, that's what it is. It's a transition right now. So, [Lucas Scott] is digesting a lot. He's putting it all together. We're trying to fit him in as many roles as possible and see what that looks like. He's taking steps day-by-day. I can't wait for the game to see what it looks like, too."
What have you seen out TE Charlie Kolar, obviously, he is strong with the run blocking. What have you seen from his growth so far in NFL level? (*Jamison Hensley)* "Yes, I think [Charlie Kolar] is one of the smartest players that I've been around. He knows everybody's responsibility. He knows what play is next on [offensive coordinator Todd] Monken's sheet. He has a very good intuition, defensively, of what's going on. So, we put a lot of pressure on him to go out there, react and to play fast, too. So, he's putting that all together. Now, we've just got to see it for a full four quarters. That's what we're looking at."
FB Patrick Ricard is a guy who can do a little bit of everything. How does his versatility allow you to kind of expand the playbook that the tight ends are a part of? (A.J. Gersh) "It's unbelievable what [Patrick Ricard] adds to our offense: two-back stuff, inline stuff and protection. We're not just asking him to chip and get out. He's protecting against some of the elite pass rushers in our division, and he is producing. He has produced for his whole career. He does a good job of taking care of his body. He's attentive. He's really into preparing for the next day, too. There's not anything we can get him on. We try to quiz him a lot on a lot of stuff. So, [in] all the different roles, he's excelling. I love coaching Pat."
Regarding FB Patrick Ricard, you said last year that there was a bit of a learning curve to being the lead blocker for RB Derrick Henry. With this being your two together, do you see that partnership being further ahead now compared to last year? (Jonas Shaffer) "Yes, I think every day [Patrick Ricard] is getting better. He and Derrick [Henry] talk a lot, and so, yes, I see him as a very, very big piece to our two-back run game. He's out there in every block, pretty much in front of Derrick. So, we love him."
You had WR DeAndre Hopkins years ago in Houston. What's it like having him back and how good of an influence is he on the wide receivers and tight ends? (Luke Jones) "Well, the one-handed catch I've seen quite a few times before, so I love it. [DeAndre Hopkins has] a lot of juice, a lot of knowledge, too. [He has a] very good brain for the game, too. [He] knows where to sit in zones, has a lot of good points for our guys, too, out in the route game. So yes, it's good to be with 'Hop' [DeAndre Hopkins] again."
TE CHARLIE KOLAR
On how he's handling the heat: "It's pretty warm. It's pretty warm. [My fiancée], Madie, drags me to these 'B.S.' hot yoga classes that are not actually hot yoga classes. It's called power sculpt, but it's like CrossFit hell. It's terrible in Iowa, but she made me go to them all offseason, so I feel like that prepared me for it."
On his thoughts of the hot yoga classes he did: "It's power sculpt. First of all, [it's] not yoga. Anything where I am getting screamed at and doing burpees is not yoga. That is CrossFit. I have a fundamental issue with calling it yoga, but yes. The worst part is I'm sitting there like a beached whale taking a break every 30 seconds, and this 75-year-old lady next to me is curling my body weight while doing it over and over. It's so embarrassing, and I loved it. Love you, Madie. Don't listen to that part."
On CB Marlon Humphrey's Instagram video asking Michael Phelps to teach the Ravens how to swim: "See, I didn't realize 'Marlo' [Marlon Humphrey] was going to post that, but I should have known. I should have known. It's so on brand. I thought it was going to be like a story or maybe sent to him, but I should have known better. I should have known better."
On if he feels different about his role going into this year compared to previous years: "Yes, I'd say I'm about a year older." (laughter) "I'm just kidding. Yes, obviously, I thought I played some good football last year. It sucked I missed a little bit with the flipper, but I mean, obviously, as a competitor, I want to keep expanding on my role, keep playing better, the snaps I'm giving, and keep earning more but it's nice to have that. We talked about earned confidence of seeing yourself do it, but yes, that's a good question. It's good to have that film, and you can continue [to grow], but it's so important to ... The only thing that matters is the next play. And so, it's important to look back, learn from it and take that confidence into the next year, but still keep getting better."
On entering the final year of his contract: "The good news is the practices are so hard that it's hard to worry about the future that much because I can't see straight when it's so hot, and no, that's not true – I don't want to get put in the protocol. I'm good. I can see straight." (laughter) "I am healthy. I was just joking. Obviously, you can't help but sometimes think about it. I think a big part of it is just like what can I control. What can I control right now? So, I can't control what they do. I can't control worrying about it. I can't control anything like that. All I can control is how do I put my best foot forward so when the time comes to negotiate. I have a really good body of work to show and stand on. So, I think my parents really did a good job of raising me with trying to focus on the important things and let the future play out as it is. But obviously you can't help but think about it sometimes."
On how disappointing TE Isaiah Likely's injury is: "It sucks, man. I mean, just because people say it's a part of football doesn't make it any better. It sucks. The guy's worked his tail off. He's a great player, a great teammate. Obviously, we're grateful that it's not super long term. So yes, I know that the general feel is we hope to get him back early, which will be awesome. But it sucks. I mean, obviously he's a great player, but also it's just [that] we're a pretty close group of guys. It's fun to practice together and everything. So, we'll be really excited to get him back, and we'll hold it down while he is out."
On if they are worried about TE Isaiah Likely's mindset with the injury: "Yes, he's super resilient, but it doesn't mean it doesn't stink. We will check on him. Make sure he'll be good, [which] he will be good. But it doesn't mean we're not going to still check on him, send prayers and just be there for him. It's always really hard. One of the hardest parts of injuries is the mental part of it. Just now you have to watch practice, and you can't go out. It sounds simple, but it sucks, and we've all been there. It doesn't make it any easier. But yes, just because he's strong enough doesn't mean you still don't check on your teammates."
On if he feels like opponents won't forget about him after what he put on tape last year: "No, I still ... I turn around; there's two gold jackets probably in the backfield, so it's like, if I was defensive coordinator, I'd probably be focused on Lamar [Jackson], too. So, it's not that I don't believe in myself. I know [the answer to], 'What is the biggest threat when you play the Ravens?' It's the MVP. It's No. 8. He's the best player, and so our job as an offense is to support him and to make him feel comfortable and create lanes for [No.] 22 [Derrick Henry] and [No.] 43 [Justice Hill] and everyone in the backfield. Then, we have a lot of weapons outside, so ... I say those things jokingly. I know that I believe in myself as a player, but it is pretty cool to play with a team that's this loaded. We just have a lot of weapons. It's fun."
On how much the offseason narrative and comments about TE Mark Andrews upset him: "It's really frustrating. I know people really care about their sports, but to see how terrible some things [that are] being said is really ... I hurt for [Mark Andrews], and I see it. He does a really good job of blocking it out and stuff, and he's like very strong, but some of those things that were being said is pretty messed up. I know that people are very passionate about their sports, but he didn't kill someone. We came up short. It sucks. It really sucks, but to see the way people react to some of that stuff is really disappointing for someone I love and care about so much. So yes, it does make me upset. I understand people are emotional, but I wish people kept it above the belt a little bit more. I've been a fan. I am a fan. I yell at the [Oklahoma City] Thunder when they're not playing well. They're the champions, by the way – 'OKC' – but I still ... It is frustrating to see how personal it gets sometimes, just because I care about him and Isaiah [Likely] and all of our room and all of our team so much."
On his focus this offseason: "The interesting thing about football, and sports in general, is the better you get as a player, the more you see things to improve on. It's weird. As I continue to learn the game, I keep seeing ways I can be better, so there are still so many things in the run game I can be better at. Then in the pass game, just taking my opportunities in the play-action game and down the seam or the cross or whatever, just being more efficient in my movements. I still spend all offseason trying to become a better athlete, better mover, being able to get lower in my stance. I'm a tall guy, [so] how do I continue to get low and fire out? There are just so many things to keep getting better at. There's an endless supply, and that's just offense. There's a whole other separate special teams. How can I get better in my alignment and my leverage and everything, but yes, there's still so much stuff to get better at."
On when ILB Roquan Smith ran across the field to him and TE Mark Andrews late in practice: "We were just talking, but we were good. We were just chopping it up. No, we're good. I think we'll be good. I think we'll power through that relationship, struggles, friendship issues."
On if the call was correct on the disallowed touchdown from practice: "I didn't see it. I know that there was a clutter of feet. I feel like if there's going to be a guy going down, they're going to probably call DPI, just because of the way it looks, but I didn't see what actually happened. It looked like there was a collision and a foot tangle and then Mark [Andrews] fell, but I assume we're going to get that call."
On if he caught the back-shoulder ball against ILB Roquan Smith the other day in practice: "First of all, I thought I was in the middle of the end zone, and then [the referee] called incomplete. Sometimes I just look at myself, and I'm like, 'Am I an idiot?' I was in the middle of the end zone, and he called incomplete. Then I watched the film, and I was so far in the end zone – I got like five steps in – and so if you call it OPI, that's the question we can have, but it was not incomplete."
On if he was juggling the ball at all: "No, and the refs were just as hot as we were. I think they were just trying to get off [the field]." (laughter) "They do a great job. They come out here every day. They do an awesome job, so I'm just giving him a hard time."
