HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "Sorry for the delay. There were a lot of cool fans. Alright, thanks for being here. It's a great day. A lot of great fans out here today. We had Youth Football Day. It was rocking, right? They were fun. Everybody was in their jerseys. We had so many guests. We had the Ronald McDonald House here, and I just spent some time [with them]. That's why I'm a little late getting over with you guys. We had visitors from other countries here. We just had a lot of great people here. It was really neat. I had a young Ravens fan who ... I had my brand-new 'Play Like A Raven' hat. Did you like the hat? I don't know if you noticed, the new 'Play Like a Raven' hats that we requested that New Era got us. The fan asked me for it. I couldn't say no [to a fan] from Ronald McDonald house, right? So just really a lot of fun over there. [It was a] good day. [We got] a lot of work done. I thought we made strides today. We got better in a lot of areas today. Tomorrow, the pads will be back on, so that'll be a test, so that we can operate with the pads back on. We'll be at the stadium, so that'll be part of it, too. That'll be a big one for us."
What does it mean to have all these kids out here? I mean you provide the uniforms. The energy that they bring is pretty special. (*Jim Forner)* "[It is] pretty special. I mean [owner] Steve [Bisciotti] does a great job. Steve and Renee [Bisciotti] are both supporting all kinds of causes, and youth football is one of them. Knowing that football is alive and well, and that parents feel like it's something that's valuable for their kids, that's pretty cool. Just seeing the enthusiasm and the fun that they're having, it's what we're about. We're sports. We are supposed to have fun and connect with one another, so it was neat."
You guys made the move on K John Hoyland. Why was now the time to do that? (*Childs Walker)* "It's probably more about the roster than anything else. We definitely weren't planning on making a move. We were planning on John [Hoyland] being there at least for one game, maybe two games, maybe all the games, depending on how it went. If you're the drafted kicker, you certainly have the edge, right? We wanted to keep the pressure on both of them, too, and he was doing a good job and kicking well enough to earn a spot on the team, but we just had roster needs right now. We just needed some [players at] certain positions – tight ends, receivers and running back – so we felt like we had to do it, not that we couldn't bring him back if we get the opportunity or we needed to."
Does the move solidify K Tyler Loop even more going forward? (*Jamison Hensley)* "I don't know if you can really equate it that way. I think [Tyler Loop] is just going to stand on his own. He's kicking well enough to win the job. He had another really good day this morning. They went over to the stadium, and he made them all, so that's all good. But as we know, it's going to be the games that's going to mean the most."
Can you go over the roster? RB D'Ernest Johnson, did you guys sign him? (*Jeff Zrebiec)* "We did. You're going to have to help me. I'm not going to be able to list them off the top of my head, but D'Ernest Johnson signed basically during practice, so he gives us another running back, because our other running back, we have a concussion there right now. So, we want to make sure we have enough guys, and he's a proven guy in the league. Then, we brought a couple tight ends in to bolster us there a little bit. We're working receivers out, too, because you've got those guys with the different 'leg things'. You want to have enough guys, because we still want to have good practices, so you just got to balance your camp roster."
There's been a lot of high praise for CB Jaire Alexander, not just from what he brings from a playing perspective, but his personality, his energy. Can you talk a little bit about that, and what you've seen from that standpoint? (*Carita Parks)* "Well, [Jaire Alexander]'s full energy. He's in the weight room at six o'clock every morning, and he's lighting it up and bringing energy. He's just that kind of a guy. But here's an example; so, I showed a clip today where one of the young DBs got an interception before the day off, and he didn't run it back to the house. We had been showing these clips of all of our guys: Ed Reed, Dawan Landry and all these different guys. Jimmy Smith picking it off and making good runs and stuff like that. We want to encourage our guys, and he didn't run it out. I just told him, I said, 'Man, what a guy like me who was not a good player would've given to be in an NFL practice. If I'd have gotten an interception, I'd definitely be running that thing back to the house.' So, Jaire, did you see what he did? He picks one off on the sideline, and then – this field runs this way, then we've got another field running this way – so instead of running it back that way, he went on the other field and ran it all the way back. Did you see that? About 130 yards, actually, was probably what it was, so that's the kind of energy he brings."
On the reverse, QB Lamar Jackson had a run where he ran for touchdown. CB Jaire Alexander ran him all the way down. What has it been like to see the two of them going at it at practice? (*Giana Han)* "With Lamar [Jackson] they punched the ball out today. It wasn't Jaire [Alexander], but I think it might've been Jalyn [Armour-Davis], and Lamar was kind of mad, but he couldn't get too mad. I told him, I said, 'That's your defense, too.' And he goes, 'Yes, yes, they got to attack the football.' He was congratulating them. But yes, I think those two guys going back to Louisville and having that relationship is good. It's good for both of them. They wanted to be together, but just from my perspective, it's really good for Lamar to have a guy that he goes back with like that into college. It's really cool."
We saw DL Brent Urban out there. He's wearing former DL Michael Pierce's No. 58. How did that reunion come about, and what role do you envision for him? (*Nikhil Mehta)* "Yes, it came about because I think [Brent Urban] still wants to play. Maybe he came to that conclusion, and I know Eric [DeCosta] has been talking to him for a few months. He was in the works for a while, and he played well last year. As long as he can still play and help us, he's a great guy, great kind of guy you want on your team. He gives us really good depth in there. I'm a little surprised he's wearing [No.] 58. It's a different jersey, probably. It won't be the same exact jersey, but that's also very cool."
We've heard about the juice and the energy that CB Jaire Alexander brings to the practices. Sr. defensive assistant/secondary coach Chuck Pagano has brought his own level of that. What's that been like for you just in terms of the type of impact he's having back there? (*Brian Wacker)* "Yes, [sr. defensive assistant/secondary coach] Chuck [Pagano] is probably the coaching version of Jaire [Alexander] with that. Chuck has always been that guy. He's always been a juice guy. He's always been a great coach and a great teacher, definitely, but also, just great fun, great energy, [is] always upbeat and always positive. Didn't they do a circle around him, and they all jumped up and down after the one interception there – that Jaire got – and they kind of crowded around? Chuck was leading the charge on that. Like we said, it's sports. It's supposed to be like that. It's supposed to be fun."
Quick follow-up on something you said the other day, and this wasn't a factor today, obviously, with the weather, but you welcomed the heat earlier in the week. With the really big players and the biggest linemen, how do you balance wanting them to fight through things mentally and making sure that they're OK? (Childs Walker) "It's a great question. We've got a lot of science behind that. So, we know now based on history, based on measurements, how much loading we want with what temperature degrees, based on the history of it, to minimize the injuries as much as possible – in other words, to build the kind of stamina that you want. And what we're looking at is the preseason and the first four games of the regular season to minimize injuries, so everything's built that way. We even have a deal; if they can get through the next four practices, it ups their chances of [being] less likely to be injured by eight to 10 percent. I don't know how he figures that out, but that's part of it. With that, they're wearing monitors. They're wearing the Catapult monitors that measure their heart rate and measure their core temperature, so we know. Our people are watching every single guy, so it's not like the old days [where] we didn't know where somebody was at. Now, we know where they're at, so we actually know if they can handle it or not, and we haven't had anybody get to the point where they can't. We've had some guys throwing up and things like that, but they haven't been to the point where they couldn't – [where] they were in any kind of trouble. We just have to trust the science with it."
With the left guard competition, do you have an idea of where you want to have that settled by? (Cordell Woodland) "I want to have it settled now, today, but I think we'll know by the end of this next game, probably. Andrew [Vorhees] has the lead. Andrew Vorhees is in the lead. Something would have to change. I will say, with Ben [Cleveland], he'll tell you, the first, three or four days didn't look too good. Then, the next three or four days looked really good, so [that's] good for Ben. Andrew has looked good all the way through, so he's in the lead at this point."
We didn't see WR Devontez Walker out there. Is he dealing with anything? (Brian Wacker) "Yes, [Devontez Walker is] dealing with a soft tissue deal. We just wanted to make sure he's OK. He's put a lot of mileage in. [There are] a couple of different guys like that. You just kind of want to ease him up a little bit at times."
DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT/SECONDARY COACH CHUCK PAGANO
Are you all the way back into the camp routine after not having it for a few years? (Jamison Hensley) "Yes, all the way back. You really don't have a choice, but it's been awesome. We have such a special group, a great group of guys, coaches and players. It's a ton of fun, super easy. Football character is off the charts. They love ball, so it's been a blast."
How much easier is it to coach, having all that talent on the team? (Jerry Coleman) "Life is a lot easier. We have a ton of [talent] back there, but the thing about it [is] they work, and the plays they make today – the plays they've made in their careers to this point – it's because of their preparation, the time that they put in the weight room, the offseason, [their] film study, walkthroughs. [It] doesn't matter. They come out here. They know how to prepare. They're great pros."
Can you talk about the three young defensive backs, S Sanoussi Kane, S Beau Brade and CB Reuben Lowery, who are vying for a spot on the roster? (Ken McKusick) "They're all doing a great job. Again, when you have as much talent as we have in that room, top to bottom, and the young guys that have come in have shown the ability to grasp the scheme and learn what to do, and then they have ability out here [to] run and make plays. Iron sharpens iron, like man sharpens man. They've done a great job. Everybody knows what's at stake, but they're all rooting for each other, too."
How much have you enjoyed getting to know CB Jaire Alexander? (Jeff Zrebiec) "As much as you guys, as much as his teammates. [Jaire Alexander is] special. He has so much juice and so much energy and so much swag. And then when he gets out there, he's been telling us, 'I haven't played football since November. I have to ease into this.' And then he jumps out there and looks like he hasn't taken a day off. [He's] super smart, knows how to play. He's a great teammate. Like I said, he brings a ton of juice and energy. You can just see – when he intercepted a ball today, did you see the reaction from the whole defense? That's love. That's respect. When that happens, it's easy to tell. These guys know that guy is a great, not only a great player, but they love him as a human [and] as a teammate."
What kind of impact does that have, when you have a guy who has that swagger and juice? Some guys have talked about that kind of being a missing element of the defense before he got here. (Brian Wacker) "It's huge. It's huge. Again, you have a ton of talent back there, but there are guys that kind of lead by example [and are] very quiet. Their play isn't quiet – it speaks for itself – but then you get somebody with that type of swag that 'Ja' [Jaire Alexander] has. He's not afraid to talk. I can't say the word I used to be able to say in my other job [as a sports commentator], before I came back to coaching, but he loves to yap, and they feed off of it. That's contagious, so it's great to have him."
We know CB Chidobe Awuzie's track record as an outside cornerback, but is he someone you could also see being effective and kind of moving around, whether that's inside or even at safety for some reps? (Childs Walker) "100 percent. From a physical stature, [Chidobe Awuzie is] put together. He has good size, he can run – and most of all – his football intelligence. His football IQ is off the charts. We've worked him in there a little bit at dimebacker. I don't know if you guys have noticed that. He's certainly a guy that ... He's a quick study. He's played for a long, long time, so he understands. He knows how to play. He's always in the right spot. So, [if] you get in a pinch, you can't have enough guys like 'Chido' that have versatility, position flexibility like that. So, that's a bonus for us for sure."
When you have so much talent back there in the secondary, what can you do? What's your focus on trying to get the most out of them? Is there something you focus on as far as trying to get on the same page with communication, gelling? Is there anything, maybe specific drills or how you talk to them to kind of get that? (Jamison Hensley) "Yes. They had Friday off. We're back at it today, so Thursday night 'Ja' [Jaire Alexander] had a DB night at his house, so everybody went over there. Developing those relationships, developing that brotherhood, it goes way beyond anything when we walk in here. They're always communicating. They're always talking. They get a feel for each other. When you build that relationship like that and that becomes much deeper than just showing up to a nine-to-five – [where you] show up, do your job and then leave here – that goes a long, long way."
Is there anything with CB Nate Wiggins that you're emphasizing to help him take his game to the next level? (Carita Parks) "Yes, just consistency, because we've seen him ... From a talent standpoint, the measurables are there. He can run with anybody in this league. It's just consistency, being able to play at that level, down after down. And then, Year One to Year Two, we all expect a big jump just from ... I think the game is really slowing down for him, from a mental standpoint. He's starting to get all the calls down, so now it's going to be [about], 'OK, what's the down and distance?' He's going to have to understand that. 'What's the personnel in the game. What's the formation?' He's going to be able to dissect and diagnose, instead of worrying about, 'OK, what's my job on this call?' He's already got that down, so now he's figured out, 'It's third-and-8. It's one of these two plays based on the personnel, based on the formation, motion, all those kind of things.' So, just consistency."
When we talked to a couple of defensive guys, they've all talked about emphasizing more turnovers. We saw a few today. What are you and the coaches trying to do to get more turnovers? (Cordell Woodland) "It starts with the head coach [John Harbaugh], obviously, and then [defensive coordinator] Zach [Orr]. We talk about that every single day. The ball is everything. Besides the final score, takeaways determine wins [and] losses more than anything else. [If] you're plus two, [or] you're plus three, you're going to win. If you're plus three, you're going to win 92 percent of your games. So, we drill it. We talk about it. We show tape. Zach's done a great job of going back and finding all the turnovers and takeaways – every one of Ed Reed's, Ray Lewis', those defenses from when John first got here in 2008 – he's showing those, showing our own guys making plays from practice. When you see it, you talk about it in the room, you go to practice [it during] individual drills; we're working turnovers all the time, we're talking about it, and then, you have a day like today where you get four or five interceptions. Guys are getting their hands on the ball, pass breakups, those kinds of things. Again, it just becomes kind of a feeding frenzy, if you will."
The Indianapolis Colts will be here in a couple days for joint practice. For you, will be there some emotions seeing the horseshoe helmets here? (Jamison Hensley) "No, it'll be great. [There are] not many players left on that squad from when I was there, but a bunch of personnel guys, front office people, ownership obviously – Carlie [Irsay-Gordon] and Kalen [Jackson], I don't know if Casey [Foyt] will come – so it'll be great to see a lot of familiar faces."
You talked about how iron sharpens iron. What have you seen out of this Ravens receiver group that's really testing your secondary? (Nikhil Mehta) "There is a ton of speed. There is a ton of athleticism. [Wide receivers coach] Greg Lewis does a great job with that group. They run great routes. They're explosive. They are super fast, super explosive. Zay Flowers has feet like a shorebird. It's almost impossible to get a hand on some of these guys [like] little [Dayton] Wade. Those guys are so quick at the line of scrimmage, and again, their route running [and] just the competitive nature, it reminds me – I go back to college, to my Miami days. We were so talented on both sides of the ball, and those guys competed at such a high level. By the time game day came around, it was easier just because of how competitive those guys are."
ILB TRENTON SIMPSON
On how much more comfortable he feels this year compared to last year: "Man, I feel great [with] two years of growth. I'm going into my third year, [with] two full offseasons now under my belt. So, I'm so comfortable out there, have a great understanding of the defense now, so I'm just out there playing hard, fast, physical, Ravens football."
On how he thinks about generating turnovers and being a part of that: "As a linebacker, our emphasis is shots on goals, so [we're] getting a shot on the ball every time, trying to punch it out, and then we have a saying in defense room, 'Tips and overthrows, we have to get those.' Just being on defense, the more turnovers we get and the more times we can get the ball back to the offense—Lamar [Jackson] and those guys—the better chance we have to win."
On reflecting during the offseason and preparing for this year: "Going back and studying myself, studying my tendencies, the things I did great, the things that I could improve on and just going back and doing a lot of self-reflecting. I feel like all offseason, I did a lot of watching film. I did a lot of great things last year, so going back and just continuing to build on those and just getting ready for Year Three. It's going to be special for sure."
On if he wanted to work on anything going into this year: "Yes, I wanted to gain a little weight. I gained five pounds, so I feel a lot stronger run-fit wise. I'm in there. I'm stout. I'm taking on guards, coming downhill and feel a lot stronger, so yes, that was the emphasis this offseason."
On his mindset and approach going into his third season: "Just go out there and ball. I'm excited. I know the work I put in this offseason and then the goal I have for myself, the goal this defense has and the goal the team has. For me, I just know, if I do my 1-of-11, how great this defense can be. I know those 10 other guys are going to do their job. So, for me, just being very self-conscious on my habits, taking care of my body and just focusing on film."
On what it's like playing next to ILB Roquan Smith: "It's a blessing, because [Roquan Smith's] just so ahead of every play. He is an eight-year guy, [an] All-Pro [and] one of the greats. So, him being able to see the tendencies, seeing if a guard is light on his hands, run [or] pass reads, things like that. So, for me, being able to go into another year with him, I can definitely see improvement in myself and then just being around them outside of the building also, just watching ball together. My game is going to grow a lot, for sure."
On how he and ILB Roquan Smith built chemistry this offseason: "Yes, so [Roquan Smith] actually took the time and came back and trained with me a lot one-on-one this off season. We watched some film together, so truly just taking me under his wing, spending time [together] ... We're grabbing lunch, talking ball, talking about life. Just a true example of a great teammate is what he is, and I appreciate him a lot, and I'm excited to go out there and make some big plays with him this year."
On if he feels like ILB Teddye Buchanan is competition: "This is National Football League; it's always competition every day, but also that's my teammate. We come to work, and we come to learn off each other. What I know, I'll give it to [Teddye Buchanan], and what he sees, he'll give it to me. It's all a team effort, and at the end of the day, 'Team, team, team.' That's what we preach, and as long as we get the wins and our defense is playing well, that's all that matters."
On what's impressed him most from ILB Teddye Buchanan: "I could say physically, [Teddye Buchanan] works in the weight room. He's definitely a strong guy, a[brings] lot of good energy, and I definitely see he has a bright future, for sure."
On what it means to be taken under ILB Roquan Smith's wings: "Just the feeling, I know I believe in myself, but to have the guy beside you believing in you means a lot. I know as a teammate of his, I know what '[No.] 0' [Roquan Smith is] going to do every play. So, the confidence we built practicing beside each other, spending time on and off the field, it means a lot to me. Every day I try to go out there and prove myself to him, the team and also to myself to know, I am trustworthy and that you can depend on [No.] 32 to do his job."
On OLB Kyle Van Noy taking accountability on a missed play from last season: "It means a lot. This defense is full of great vets. Kyle Van Noy was going on Year 11, so we're all accountable. We're all right. We're all wrong. We're all on the same page, so in that play, we just had a little miscommunication, but like you said, we all took [accountability] of it and figured it out."
CB NATE WIGGINS
On how he would describe CB Jaire Alexander as a teammate: "[Jaire Alexander is] one of one, man. Him and 'Marlo' [Marlon Humphrey], you can't compare those dudes. They're just one of one. They're great teammates, great dudes to be around. They're hyper, they're going to bring the energy, and yes, that's what we need on the team, somebody who can bring the energy to the team."
On CB Jaire Alexander's impact on him: "As soon as [Jaire Alexander] came to the team, he said he was going to bring the energy. He's here to teach us. Whatever we need, he's here. So, he's had a great impact, just like you said. The first week he came, he said that we're going to come to his house. So, he brings the joy. He's a great fit to the DB room."
On coaches saying he's working on being more consistent: "Yes, I totally agree on that. It's just practicing every day. It's about getting reps every day and getting better. I'm not perfect – I mess up from time to time – but just being consistent, just like they said, just practicing every day, coming to work, not missing days and just keep working."
On how the game is slowing down for him: "Just seeing the route concepts, getting to know the NFL better and concepts of the routes, how deep the route is. So, I felt like last year, I was just playing with my talent and what God would give me, so this year, it's going to be a totally different ball game this year. Now, I know the routes – how they want to do the routes, how they want to run the routes – so now, it's just slowing down. Everything is [coming] to me now."
On if feeling more comfortable allows him to be more aggressive: "Yes, just knowing where my help [is] at. Just like you said, knowing [where] my help [is] at, knowing where Kyle [Hamilton] is at, knowing where 'Marlo' [Marlon Humphrey] is at. That's going to [help] me make more plays on the ball this year, and just knowing the defense ... Last year, I really didn't know the defense [well]. I was just out there, like I said, so this year, I know the defense, so now it's just about playing fast and just going to get the ball and taking the ball."
On adding weight this offseason and how he's felt practicing with pads on: "Yes, I feel great. I feel like I'm faster now. I can take on blocks now. I'm stronger now, so yes."
On who he's leaned on to try to hone in on the mental side of the game: "Since Jaire [Alexander] came in, that's the guy I've leaned on because – he and I – he's a playful dude, [and] I'm a playful dude. So, we get along just as well, so he took me under his wing when he first came in, and we never looked back. So, he and I, we're buddies."
On what impact sr. defensive assistant/secondary coach Chuck Pagano has had on their group: "[Sr. defensive assistant/secondary coach Chuck Pagano] is bringing whatever you need. If you've got an off day, he's going to pick you up. He brings the energy. He knows a lot of ball. You could tell he's coached for a long time, so he knows a lot of ball. He coached Ed Reed, so he's coached Hall of Famers. So, why would you not want to do it like that [with someone] who knows everything."
On how he's taken to the emphasis of trying to get more takeaways this season: "This year is about getting takeaways. That's the big thing I want to work on. I know I dropped plenty last year, so this year, it's just about catching it, because the ball is going to come. So, this year, we've just got to catch it."
