HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "OK, it's good to see everybody. I appreciate it. [It was a] good workday today. [It was] a tough day, [but we had] good work practice. This is an important week for us to try to improve and get better. [I] thought the guys were very intentional about trying to do their best and get better today. So, we'll be on to tomorrow. We'll be in 'shells' and then work from there. What questions do you have?"
I think we might talked a little bit about yesterday. I mean, is this going to be in your mind, the last kind of full camp-mode week and then next week goes out of it or how do you have that kind of plan? (*Jamison Hensley)* "Well, yes, you're never really out of it [training camp] until after the last preseason game. So, it's a little bit [of a] different schedule next week, but I would still consider it [part of training] camp."
We saw OT Corey Bullock get in there right away at center the other night. What have you liked about him? (*Bo Smolka)* "I would say [Corey Bullock has made a] dramatic improvement [and] just works so hard all the time. It's showing up in how he's playing. He's playing both center and guard positions and has just done well. I see him blocking people. That's usually a pretty good [sign]. I don't know. Isn't that what linemen do? They block. So, he's making a lot of blocks."
We saw that CB Robert Longerbeam had to go on IR. Did that just end up being worse than you guys initially thought, or what happened? (*Childs Walker)* "That's a long story. It's just a long story. I really couldn't even explain it to you, as much as I might want to. I couldn't explain it to you, so just it is what it is. You haven't heard that from me ever, have you? Until now. That was a Brian Billick one. I like Brian. That was for Brian. It is what it is."
Is CB Jaire Alexander OK? We didn't see him out there. (*Luke Jones)* "Yes, [Jaire Alexander]'s OK. Jaire is OK. Kyle [Hamilton] is OK. DeAndre [Hopkins] is OK. Keaton [Mitchell] is OK. All of those guys are OK."
Speaking of WR DeAndre Hopkins, now that he's had a few weeks in camp. I mean, it's one thing, like you said, when you play against him. Now you have him here. What have you liked about WR DeAndre Hopkins so far in camp? (*Jamison Hensley)* "It's just the skillset that, gosh, you always saw you played against [DeAndre Hopkins]. He tore his jersey. Someone tore his jersey trying to defend him yesterday [in practice], and he still made the play anyway. I accused him of cutting the stitches ahead of time to try to get calls, but I accused him of that when he was playing for Tennessee and for Houston. But no, he's the same guy, [and he] does the same things really, really well. Nate [Wiggins] was asking about covering him yesterday on that one low, red [zone] sideline play and, 'What could I have done?' When really, [I said], 'Honestly, Nate, there's nothing you could have done better. That was a great throw and a great catch by probably arguably one of the best who's ever done it.' He and guys like Anquan [Boldin] and [Derrick] Mason are good at those kind of plays right there [from players] that we've had here."
We saw WR Malik Cunningham take a snap or two down in the red zone there. Was that just kind of thrown in there? Is that something different with his usage or his plan going forward? (*Nikhil Mehta)* "That's great that you noticed that. No, that was a situational drill [where] we're throwing an interception, because it was a 'get-down' victory] for the defense. So, we practice those situations. If you get an interception [and are] up by one score late in the game, you can run the clock out, [then] you run and you get down [and] don't turn it over. None of our quarterbacks like to throw interceptions. I was going to make Devin [Leary] do it, but then I said, 'No, Malik [Cunningham], you go do it.' So, Malik throws a touchdown pass the very first time – just to make his point – and then he threw the interception."
I know you guys have been a little banged up at running back. Adding RB Myles Gaskin, what do you like about him? He's been productive. (*Luke Jones)* "Yes, [Myles Gaskin has been] a very effective back in the past and different places. He plays special teams [and is] very into it. I just thought he was really on point and excited to be here. [He] had a good day today in special teams and then at the end as a running back. He got in there and did well. [He] seemed like he knew what he was doing. I think he'll help us here, and [we will] see what happens."
I think you have talked about, certainly the players have talked, about your decision to have everything graded with the leaderboards, position leader and position leaderboards in position rooms. Could you talk about how that kind of idea came to you? I know you previously were grading players, but what was the idea to make it transparent and have it like this? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "Well, probably the best way to describe it is just to take it to another level. We've always been very intentional about all those types of things that are important. You grade a lot of different areas. You grade everything to some degree. You certainly evaluate everything. We've always believed that if it's important, and it matters, especially if it's the type of thing that's kind of the dirty work, sort the blue-collar work, that takes kind of an everyday intentionality, then you should not just talk about it, but you should reward it, emphasize it, grade it, evaluate it and all those kind of things. So guys are thinking about it, and that's really what we tried to do."
Are there any surprises from the kind of transparency that it requires? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "I think it's really great. I don't know if there's any surprises. It's great that the guys are so into it. I love the fact that it matters to them so much. I just think that they understand. When you go through the things that we've gone through, in terms of different games and things like that, they can see when we do those things well, most of the time the game's not even close. When we don't do those things well – we haven't been blown out, but we've given teams a chance to beat us. So that's where we want to be intentional and just be at our best in all the little things that matter, as much as we possibly can. I'd like to be the best in the league at turnover margin. I'd like to be the best in the league at [committing the] fewest penalties. I'd like to be the best in the league at running to the ball or tackling or blocking or whatever it might be. Those are the things that are impactful to the game."
We saw OLB Adisa Isaac and T Carson Vinson had a lot of good matchups and a lot of very spirited pass rush reps today. What are you seeing out of both of those players and specifically with Vinson, how do you feel like he's done coming into the league? (*Nikhil Mehta)* "I think [Carson Vinson is] a developmental player who's done well. It is a step up. It's a step up for sure. It is for everybody but especially coming from a little bit of a smaller school competition, they played Auburn [University]. They hated those moments, but he's going against the best of the best every single day. And you're right, it's been very intense. The edge guys and the D-line with the offensive line, it's been really intense every day. It was intense out here again today, and I think he gets better every day, and he still has a ways to go. But he's got the tools, he's got determination, and he's smart. So, I would expect him to become a really good player."
WR RASHOD BATEMAN
On his comfort level with QB Lamar Jackson: "I would definitely say being on the practice field with [Lamar Jackson], playing in the games with him – and being able to spend time with him on the field – that's part of playing with Lamar Jackson, and you've got to be on the field to learn it. So, I definitely have gotten used to it. Hopefully, we keep growing there."
On the areas of his game that he has been the most pleased with during training camp: "I just [pride] myself on staying healthy and staying consistent with that. I feel like as long as I'm on the field, I can make plays. So, I've shown that, and I've proven that, so I'm just trying to do what I can for my body and be there for the team."
On his message to the two rookie cornerbacks, CB Bilhal Kone and CB Robert Longerbeam, dealing with season-ending injuries: "I would just say [that there are] going to be some dark days going through rehab, but just keep pushing and keep fighting. That's the only thing that helped me. I didn't know if I was going to have another contract or have another day, because when those things start happening in your career, opportunities start to dwindle. You just never know how you're going to end up, but [it's important to] just always have the mindset [to] keep going."
On the differences he sees in G Daniel Faalele from when there were in college at Minnesota to now:
"When I was in Minnesota, [Daniel Faalele] was over 400 pounds, so [there is] a big difference. He was my roommate, so all the food was gone a lot." (Laughter) "[There has] been quite a difference, to see him come to the NFL [and go] through what he's been through, being from Australia and all of that. It was kind of crazy that we got drafted to the same team, but he has worked extremely hard to get to where he's at, so I'm definitely proud of him."
On if it was unusual for a wide receiver to live with an offensive lineman: "In my situation, yes. I don't know anybody else who was doing it at that time, so it just ended up working out. [We] came in together and bonded, and I ended up with some big guys in my room, for sure."
On if he ever gave G Daniel Faalele any fashion tips: "[There is] not much you can do there." (Laughter) "[There is] not much you can do there."
On the growth he has seen from WR Devontez Walker: "Definitely [Devontez Walker's] confidence. Coming in as a rookie, you're second-guessing [yourself] a lot. You want to please the coaches; you want to please yourself. So, [there are] a lot of things going on in your mind, but I would definitely say that game has slowed down for 'Tez' [Devontez Walker]. He's playing at a high level, as you all can see. He's stacking days on top of each other. He's put in a lot of work, and he's committed to the game, so hopefully we'll see a lot more of him making plays this year, as well."
On if there is anything he's seen QB Lamar Jackson improve upon throughout training camp: "Yes, and no. It's like, yes, but it is a much deeper conversation. [Lamar Jackson] has a 99 overall [Madden rating] for a reason, so it's kind of hard for me to pinpoint what he does wrong. That's why I don't get paid to do that. That's [offensive coordinator Todd] Monken's job. But Lamar, he's more vocal than he ever has been about what he wants from us, even to the staff and the offensive linemen. He's definitely pushing the agenda of just staying hungry and being competitive. He's definitely a competitive guy, and he's leading us in the right direction with that."
On his route-running abilities and how he went about taking his game to another level: "Going out on the field and practicing it, for one, but also just watching a lot of film. I watched a lot of Jerry Rice. I watch a lot of other guys in the league, even Zay Flowers. But you have to be a student of the game, and I'm blessed to be a student of the game. I love it, and I'm always trying to find different ways to tip off the DBs, to make them think I'm going left and go right. So, some guys don't have it, and some guys do have it, and me and Zay are definitely two receivers that I think definitely have what it takes to be at that elite level of route running."
On where he watched tape of Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice: "If you go to YouTube, [there is] a highlight tape of him, but it's very, very old. You have to look very closely, but you can see that he was ahead of his time when he was playing. He ran routes how a lot of us do today, and there were not a lot of guys doing it back then, so he was definitely the 'OG' in route running for me, for sure."
On what he learned from watching Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice's tape: "I would just say consistency. [Jerry Rice] is consistent on a lot, and I think as a receiver, you have to be consistent in how you move and with your feet. [Also] with your body language, your speed and tempos of how you do stuff. Davante Adams is also a guy that I have studied, and he's very good at switching up his tempos and doing different things like that. So, there are a lot of different guys that I've pulled from, for sure."
On if he does film study of cornerbacks prior to facing them in games: "Kind of, [but] not really. I feel like I study more so the defense as a whole. I truly feel if a receiver fails, it's kind of his fault. Sometimes you can get a pass interference or whatnot, but I truly think if a receiver does what he needs to do every play, then he should win."
On if he has a preference of playing during the preseason: "I honestly don't. I don't really care. I just listen to what 'Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh] tells me to do. I love playing football. I have learned to not take it for granted, so every day feels like a game for me. [Whether] it's practice, preseason or [the] regular season, I've learned to just treat it all the same. I don't know when I'll be playing, but [it is] hopefully soon."
On if he feels the value of stringing together multiple healthy offseasons: "As a football player, [staying healthy] is always a concern. I don't know if [anyone] ever takes it for granted. [Getting injured is] just something that can wake you up. I feel like it definitely opened up another side that I wasn't ever aware [of], for sure. I had never been hurt before, so I'm just learning to cherish every moment. Not even [just] about injuries, but just the game of football."
WR DeANDRE HOPKINS
On when his jersey was loose the other day and he broke away from a tackle: "That's just how they make the shirts here. [I was] playing football. It was just nothing crazy, nothing unusual."
On his relationship and chemistry with QB Lamar Jackson: "I think it's progressed well. We're building the chemistry on and off the field. [We're] in the locker room talking about things, so I think it's going well."
On which defensive back he likes to go against in practice: "I like going against all of them, but I would say specifically Nate Wiggins. I think Nate is a young guy who loves competing. He wants to be great. Obviously, Jaire [Alexander]; Jaire and I have played against each other before, but I've never played against Nate. 'Chi' [Chidobe Awuzie], I played with him in Tennessee. So, I would say Nate just because him and I have never really got reps against each other, and he's a young corner who wants to be great."
On if CB Nate Wiggins has the tools to perform at the highest level: "Oh yes, of course. [Nate Wiggins] is a Clemson guy, so we train him well around there. Nate competes every day. He doesn't complain, comes out and works. He has every tool set that you look for in a lockdown corner."
On how they divvy up passes and keep everyone happy: "I think this [wide receivers] room is full of unselfish receivers, and I think last year was a testimony to that. Those guys are winning games and just balling out. I think both of the [starting] receivers had good years last year. So, coming into it, I feel like it was a good group already from what I heard about them. Then, coming here, they just want to win and play unselfish ball."
On if CB Nate Wiggins has ever brought up seeing his name on the boards at Clemson: "No, [Nate Wiggins] hasn't, but my uncle is a strength training coach at Clemson, so I remember him always talking about Nate when he was there. [He would tell me] just about a young kid that's going to be great. I would go there and hang out with my uncle in the strength training room, and Nate would be in there a lot of times just doing his own thing. He'd be like, 'This kid right here is going to be great,' and obviously, he was talking about Nate. I feel like he's still continuing to find himself in this league. But yes, I knew him when he was at Clemson through my uncle."
On if he gives advice to CB Nate Wiggins: "Yes, we talk a lot, just about certain routes that [Nate Wiggins] feels like he needs work on. When we do one-on-one drills, I'll run some of those against him, just so he can kind of get reps that he needs at certain depths or against certain kinds of coverages. So yes, we talk a lot."
On if he has a preference whether he plays in the preseason games: "I have no preference. I haven't played in preseason in a while, but football is football, so I have no preference."
On what stands out to him about WR Rashod Bateman: "The way [Rashod Bateman] competes. He is hard on himself, which is good, which is what you look for in a young wide receiver who's still making a name for himself in this league. He comes out and works. He competes, he loves going against our best corners, and he looks forward to those matchups. That's what's stood out the most about him, just how he likes to compete against our best corners."
On where he thinks RB Derrick Henry will rank when his career has ended: "I think [Derrick Henry]'s track record speaks for itself – what he's done in Tennessee, what he's done here and what he's going to continue to do here. I think Derrick is obviously on track, but [he] and I, I think we're definitely present in what we're doing and not looking forward and that's trying to win games for the Ravens right now, but I think everyone knows, potentially, where he could be, and I feel like he does as well."
On the secret to success between passes from QB Lamar Jackson: "Just trust. Just trust, and obviously, me going out and showing [Lamar Jackson] that he can trust me. That comes obviously with reps and doing it over and over, so really just trust, because sometimes you don't look like you're open, but it is on the receiver to kind of make you right."
