HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "It's good to see everybody. I appreciate everybody being here. [It was a] good practice. [It was] hot. I thought the guys did a really good job of pushing through in terms of execution, focus [and] trying to take care of the details. That's really what we were trying to do. It's a fast, mental practice, and we did a good job with that. So, we'll have a different practice tomorrow, more of a mental practice, and then we'll be pointing toward the Dallas game on Saturday."
How would you rate C Tyler Linderbaum as the holder? (Jamison Hensley) "Well, [Tyler Linderbaum] is snapping there, too. Yes, you've just got to work on the contingencies. How would I rate him? We've had that in the past, way back. We've had linebackers kick field goals. We [do it in] practice, [but] I'm talking about games like in [Philadelphia], and you [can] go all the way back. So, we've had long snappers hold. There's a lot of different things that can happen, so you want to be prepared for every possibility."
One of the overarching things I saw during Thursday's game vs. Indianapolis was how well the defensive backups played. The guys at NT, the guys at ILB and, of course, the two OLBs. How much does that complicate some of the things that you talked about regarding keeping six OLBs? (Ken McKusick) "I guess you'd say it's a good problem to have. It does complicate it because there's more than the allotted number, probably, that are playing well enough to make the team. I thought our defensive line, like you said, both inside, outside and the inside linebackers all played really well. I thought our secondary played well, too, on defense; Those guys did well. So, they get another chance again here on Saturday, [and we will] see how they do. But, they've done well in practice. Some of those guys are really coming along. They're really improving. Some young players, developmental guys that have been worked with our coaches, [defensive line coach] Dennis Johnson and [outside linebackers coach] Matt Robinson, [pass rush coach] Chuck Smith and [inside linebackers coach] Tyler Santucci. I think those coaches have done a great job, and we'll see what they do on Saturday."
Do you see developmental DT C.J. Okoye as somebody who could sort of play anywhere along the defensive line? Where do you see his fit? (Childs Walker) "[C.J. Okoye is] more of a nose guard, probably. I think he could play three-technique a little bit, or he can play over the guard. You talk about a head-up, two-technique [player], but [he's] really more of an A-gap player probably. He's 370-plus pounds, but he's really learning. He's really learning how to come out of his hips and strike and shed, stay square in there and play the run. He's gotten some push in pass rush. He's going to be a pocket pusher. [He's] making good use of all that size he has. He's come light years."
What do you view as the next step in OLB David Ojabo's progression? (Brian Wacker) "I saw a lot of it in the game. I think [David Ojabo] is playing in a very direct way. The thing about David Ojabo – it's important to remember – he's not a guy that played a lot of football. He was late to football in high school, might've played one year of high school football. He really only played one year of college football, really, is what he ended up playing as far as a full season. And then he got hurt coming out. So, football is kind of one of these games where the more you play it, the better feel you have for it. It's like any sport, probably, but I think his upside is really there, and I believe that we'll see it. I think we've seen it already in camp. I'm looking forward to the games so [that] everybody can see it, really. But yes, he's an upside guy."
What value do you think S Malaki Starks could bring to the secondary as they try to get more turnovers from interceptions this year? (Kyle Goon) "If you were going to sit there and say [that] one of the biggest reasons we drafted [Malaki Starks] is because of that very reason right there, and [defensive coordinator] Zach [Orr] ... He's made the point every day, multiple times in meetings and practice field and everything else about getting the ball, about taking the ball away, about assaulting the football, about catching the ball when they throw it to you, about catching tips and overthrows – all these different things that he's been emphasizing and working on. I think that guys are buying into it in practice, and they're making a lot of plays on the ball. So, again, let's take it to the games. Malaki [Starks] is a great example of it. He just has great ball skills. He has great range. All those guys back there, you saw one today with DeAndre [Hopkins]. He made a great play. So, I'm happy with those guys."
What have you seen from OLB Adisa Isaac throughout camp that indicated that he might show out in last week's preseason game? (Giana Han) "Great question in the sense that [Adisa Isaac] is really starting to play with physicality, I would say. That's probably the biggest thing, for me, is [that] he looks really strong coming off the edge. He's knocking back tight ends. He's stalemating tackles, and he's really hitting all those pull [and] kickout schemes really well. And [his] pass rush has been more physical, too, so the physicality probably would be the thing."
What is the long-term outlook on CB Robert Longerbeam? (Brian Wacker) "Yes, [Robert Longerbeam] is going to get surgery; I can tell you that. As far as being a torn patellar tendon, define that. That's a little bit vague. So, I can't really say what he has, but am I allowed to say what it is? Will HIPAA allow me to tell you what it is? I can't, but it's something that was deemed that surgery was the best move for him, and that's good. That's a decision that every player has a right to make, and we support it. So, that's what he's going to do. I love him [and] the way he was playing. He was playing really well, and it's a little bit of a setback, for sure, because I was kind of starting to count on him and count on [Bilhal Kone], too. Those two guys were really looking like they could help us this year, but they're not going to be there. So, we'll get them in rehab, and they'll be back next year."
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH MATT ROBINSON
Can you give us a little bit of a compare and contrast of the styles between OLBs David Ojabo and Adisa Isaac, in terms of how they beat opponents and how they differ as pass rushers? (Ken McKusick) "Actually, [David Ojabo and Adisa Isaac] are a lot alike in a lot of ways. They're both contact players. They're long. They're strong. They're physical at the point of attack. They have really good power at the top of their rush, and I think in a lot of ways, they're alike. It's fun watching them go out there and compete."
When you think about where a lot of the pass rushing guys were at the start of camp, who's been the biggest surprise the last couple of weeks? (Nikhil Mehta) "The biggest surprise, I would say, is just the fact that Mike Green really pops out on tape. He plays with kind of a relentless mindset. He is tenacious at the point of attack. I think you guys have seen it in the games, his ability to affect the play pretty much every time he's in there. He is going to set a violent edge, get pressure on the quarterback, and I really like where he is at right now."
Head coach John Harbaugh brought up physicality when talking about OLB Adisa Isaac, and you just said contact player when talking about both him and OLB David Ojabo. They also both have had some difficult injuries in the last few years. Is it tough to mentally get those guys back from injuries and being the physical players they can be? Are they sort of reaching a point where they're over the hump of getting their confidence back from injuries? (Kyle Goon) "Definitely. I think [Adisa Isaac and David Ojabo] came in ready to play. Their lower half is starting to come back, and that allows them to play really strong at the point of attack. I'm excited for how that's kind of developing right now. We saw that in the first game, we've been seeing it on the practice field, and I just can't wait to build off of it in Dallas."
Have you seen OLB Tavius Robinson add some sophistication to his pass rush arsenal this year? (Childs Walker) "Yes, [Tavius Robinson] has a little bit ... He's more of a physical presence. He is a dominant edge-setting force. He'd been more of a power rusher in his first couple of years, but I think right now, he's definitely working on some finesse moves on the edge that he can work into some of his transition rushes, and I think that'll be a nice piece to his game."
I know you've been here for five years, but how did you kind of get involved as a coaching fellow? Were you always on that trajectory, or was it a surprise that you latched on with the Ravens the way that you did? (Jonas Shaffer) "I started coaching after I got done playing. I started coaching at a high school here, at Spalding, and then moved on to UConn with [former University of Connecticut head coach Randy] Edsall – who was my coach – and then transitioned to Maryland. My wife actually was really close friends with [Los Angeles Rams pass rush coordinator] Drew Wilkins' wife, because they were both cheerleaders at Maryland. That's kind of how I got connected here. While I was at Maryland, I was really trying to get a job here. I was trying to contact anybody that would kind of listen and just give me an opportunity to come in and put my head down and work."
What has it been like working with pass rush coach Chuck Smith? How has he helped you along the last few years? (Sam Cohn) "[Pass rush coach] Chuck [Smith] has a great deal of knowledge, especially in the pass rush and just the tools that he's been able to teach me and the arsenal that he equips our guys with. It is fun to learn with him. He played eight [or] nine years in the league, and it is great to hear those stories. It is really nice working with Chuck."
We see pass rush coach Chuck Smith has a little bit of intensity sometimes when he talks to the media and obviously out on the field too. Does he keep you on your toes a little bit with his passion and competitiveness? (Kyle Goon) "Yes, we go at it a little bit. It's all fun, but [pass rush coach Chuck Smith] is a competitive guy, and he just wants to bring the best out of our players. I think we all want that, so it's great."
What have you seen so far from OLB David Ojabo, in terms of those next steps that he needs to take? (Brian Wacker) "I really want [David Ojabo] to affect the game in kind of different ways, whether it's setting a dominant edge, being a physical player, getting pocket push and then getting his body on the quarterback. I think we saw him take steps towards that in the game, and he has a couple more opportunities to kind of prove that going forward."
Watching OLB Tavius Robinson take on TE Charlie Kolar when he was lined up in that inline spot, what would you kind say Tavius brings to that position, in terms of; when sees that it's a run, he knows it's coming his way, how hard is it for opposing teams to match up with him? (Jonas Shaffer) "It's awesome to watch because I usually know what the result is going to be. I think [Tavius Robinson] is going to really put his hands on people, get knocked back, change the line of scrimmage, force ball carriers to bounce or he's going to end up making a play. I know the inside linebackers like playing behind him, because he's going to change the line of scrimmage in front of them and usually it turns out good for the Ravens."
Have you seen a lot of battles between OLB Tavius Robinson and TE Charlie Kolar? How have you seen the two of them push each other over the past few years? (Giana Han) "That's been great to watch, because Charlie [Kolar] has gotten a hell of a lot better, just over the course of these years as an in-line blocker. I think going against our guys, it continues [the notion that] iron sharpens iron. The competitive drills that we do at practice, I think, lead to great results in the game because we have a tremendous amount of talent on both sides of the ball. Watching those guys compete, it's awesome to see."
You've been around the OLB Odafe Oweh for years now. Obviously, much was made when we first saw him come out for the summer, about the bulk that he added. He's talked to us about it. Do you think we're going to see different elements of his game this year? Will we see a more forceful kind of version of him, or what's your sense of that? (Childs Walker) "Yes, absolutely. The fact that he's changed his body, I think he's out to – the sky's the limit for him, and I think he's out to prove that he's a Top 5, Top 10 edge guy in the league. Putting on that extra mass is going to allow him, I think, to take on the wear and tear as the season goes on, withstand that and still be a dominant player down the stretch. I'm excited for him, and I'm looking forward to how he comes out."
With OLB Odafe Oweh and OLB Adisa Isaac playing together at Penn State, how have you seen that relationship play out here? Has Adisa picked up things from Odafe? What are they like together there? (Giana Han) "[Odafe Oweh and Adisa Isaac] are always joking, and they're always – I think Adisa is always trying to be in his hip pocket a little bit [and] pick up what he can. They're different players at the point of attack, at times, but I really like their relationship. It's cool to see. And the fact that the same thing [happened] with 'Jab' [David Ojabo] and 'Dafe' [Odafe Oweh], it's cool to have guys who grew up playing with each other. I think that relationship helps them when they're out there. They can trust each other, and it's cool to watch."
OLB DAVID OJABO
On what the hit against Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson Sr. was like during the first preseason game of 2025: "Great call by [defensive coordinator] 'ZO' [Zach Orr]. They didn't pick up the blitz. I saw daylight, and I didn't break stride. I got a good legal hit. I celebrated with the crowd, my teammates, and it was a good feeling."
On how playing with OLB Adisa Isaac has strengthened their performance and bond together: "Adisa [Isaac is a] good guy. We bond off the field, [and] like you said, we have similarities. So, we just [are] feeding off each other, both getting better every day [and] both having fun with it. Like I said, [he is a] great guy. [That's] my guy."
On if he is having the Training Camp performance that he has wanted to showcase: "Most definitely. It is my first true offseason [being fully] healthy. I feel like myself. [I] feel confident, [and I am] just kind of letting it rip. [I am] not thinking about rehabbing. I'm just thinking about football. I'm doing good. [I want to] keep getting better day by day."
On what has helped him to get back to the level of play he wants to be at: "Yes, it is God's blessing, honestly. You can't predict what happens on the field. Every snap could be your last. So, every time you're out there, you just have to smile, control what you can control, which is your effort. [Then] go out there, leave it out on the field, and ultimately have fun with it. It's a kid's game and that's what we're all doing. The team's getting better."
On what the biggest strides in his game have been this year so far: "Just being free. [And just] being out there , going hard, getting a call and just going a 100%. That's what it is like at the pro level. Everybody's good. So if you're hesitating, if you're thinking about anything other than your true assignment, you'll fold. So yes, just being free; playing free and having fun."
On what his impressions are of outside linebackers coach Matt Robinson: "[Matt Robinson] is a cool guy on the field and off the field. He has the 'mentals.' He is an X's and O's guy, [and he's] very detailed, too. So that combination of having Coach 'D.J.,' which is [defensive line coach] Coach Dennis [Johnson], he's good with the run stuff, and [he] brings the energy. [Pass rush coach] Coach Chuck [Smith], he is a 'guru.' He knows how to pass rush. He knows how to teach it. Then Coach Matt, [outside linebackers coach] Matt Robinson, he just kind of finalizes everything [like] our drops, [and] just X's and O's. That [is the] trio right there. And also shoutout [to] [assistant to the Head Coach/defensive assistant] Megan [Rosburg]. She does a lot of work in the background with the stances. Just that whole group, they're doing their thing to help us just get better."
On how he blocks out commentary on roster numbers with the outside linebacker position: "I haven't heard anything about that, honestly. I'm out here. [When I] just get the call, [I] play fast, have fun and control what I can control, which is my effort and my attitude."
On what his thoughts of OLB Mike Green have been so far: "[Mike Green]'s talented. [He's] really talented. Also, off the field, he is a very personable guy. [He's] somebody you could have fun with [and] always crack a joke or two. [He's a] really good guy. I'm happy we have him."
On if his preparation during the offseason in 2025 was different compared to years prior: "I just work on my flexibility, strength and then, of course, I got [together] in [outside linebackers coach] Matt Robinson's corner with the X's and O's of the game. Because, all of us are good, all of us are smart, all of us are physically gifted, but just to get that little edge with formations and stuff like that [will] take my game to the next level. So yes, just [receiving] more IQ prep for sure."
On how much he roots for DL CJ Okoye, a fellow teammate from Nigeria: "'Big CJ' [CJ Okoye]. That's my brother. He's come a long way. All the odds are stacked against him. He's new to the sport, kind of like how I was, but he just keeps grinding. All it is for him is confidence and knowledge. He has a 'God body' for football. He was built to play football. So, as soon as he gets that confidence up and knows the call, knows what to do and just [gains more] knowledge of the sport, the sky's the limit, honestly."
On what the next level of his game entails: "For my game, [it is] everything from run dominance to pass dominance to dropping [in coverage]. [In] our position we drop, too. So just being versatile. Just being able to be a fourth-down player, not just first, second or third [down player]. [I will] just be on the field, do my drive, be productive, come off and then [take on] the next [challenge]."
On what it was like to return to Nigeria to give back to the community: "It meant everything. That whole trip gave me [the] perspective [of] just how blessed we are. Our complaints are their blessings. I had a fun day, myself, and I gave just T-shirts, bottles of water, and I had kids crying just saying [that] this is the shirt they're going to wear for the rest of the year. So, it gives perspective. Look at us. We [are] at 'The Castle' [Under Armour Performance Center], and we have thousand dollar cameras and phones. They wish they could have a phone like that. [It is] just [the] little stuff like that gives perspective on life. We have no complaints in reality. We're too blessed."
OLB TAVIUS ROBINSON
On the strides he's made between the past couple years and now: "Just big strides. I think going back from Year One, looking at that film in Year Two, I was like, 'Wow, this isn't good.' And then in Year Two, looking back, and it's like every year you're trying to get better. Looking back on old film, it's like, 'Wow, I'm such a better player now.' So yes, I think I'm just continuing to take strides and continuing to grow."
On if not suiting up for the preseason game was a point of pride for him: "It definitely meant a lot that coaches trust in me [and] believe in me. Yes, it was different though. It was weird not suiting up and going out there, but yes, for sure."
On if there is emphasis on improving his physicality: "Yes, a hundred percent. Physicality is always the No. 1 part of my game, a hundred percent. Yes, I'm definitely [stronger]. It's been a great offseason here in the weight room. Not only is it my game, but it's the Ravens game, so it's important to bring that every day."
On where he made the biggest strides in reviewing tapes: "Looking at [my game on] tape [from] Year One to Year Two, it's just seeing offensive formations better and being able to play faster, play looser and just make plays off of that. I think taking another step this year and just continuing to grow will definitely be great."
On if he's watched former Ravens Jarret Johnson's tape: "I've watched. Not only that, but we wear the same numbers, so I've watched as many podcasts – as many everything that he's been on – just trying to tap into his mental a little bit and his highlights as well, because he was a guy that maybe didn't get all the credit that he deserved – sack wise and pass wise – but he was a dominant run defender, dominant physical gritty player. So yes, I've done a couple of deep dives on him and gone through his career here. He's a legend for sure, so it's a blessing to wear his number."
On if Jarret Johnson is a guy he tries to emulate: "A hundred percent, yes. The way he played, the physicality, the effort that he played with. A hundred percent, yes."
On his role on the team and if he looks at himself as an 'early down' outside linebacker: "I think that's something I'm always trying to improve on, but at the end of the day, it's a team sport, and so if my role is first- and second-down, I'm going to do that to the best of my ability and keep working to get reps on third-down. The most important thing to me is winning, and whatever my role is, I have to do that to the best of my ability."
On what his Canadian friends say about your career path: "[They say] a lot. They're all really proud of me, and I think Canada as a whole ... More and more guys are getting drafted every year, so it's been great. There were guys that I look up to, and now for me, it's just important to show the youth that it's possible there and just continue to grow that number every year."
On if DL Brent Urban was one of the guys he looked up to: "[Brent Urban] was, yes. He was one of those guys [I looked up to]."
On his mentorship and dynamic with OLB Mike Green: "[Mike Green] has been a guy who has come in and just really taken the details from Day One, and I love that. He's on his playbook. He's taking great notes every day. We sit beside each other, so [I'm] really proud of him and the strides he's taken from OTAs to now. He has that dog mentality, and he's going to be a dog for sure."
On his path from Canada to American football: "My path was kind of [different than Brent Urban's]. I played [football at] university in Canada first, so didn't really get any looks out of high school. But after my two years in Canada, COVID-19 kind of led me to Ole Miss. Then from there, it was a blessing that COVID-19 happened, because without that, I wouldn't have gone to Ole Miss, and then it's just a trickle effect."
On what pass rush coach Chuck Smith and outside linebackers coach Matt Robinson are like in the room: "[Pass rush coach] Chuck [Smith] brings the energy every day. He's always getting us better, getting us hyped up before practices, and same with [outside linebackers coach] Matt [Robinson]. Both of them bring energy every day, so it's a blessing to have both of them in the room. Matt is just one of the smartest coaches I've been around. The way he knows X's and O's. He puts us in good positions to make plays on game day."
On if he has an example of outside linebackers coach Matt Robinson putting him in a good position to make plays: "Yes, I have lots of examples. I can't really say certain plays and stuff, but there's a lot of big plays that I made last year from situations that we worked through in practice, we talked about in the meetings room, and then seeing that exact thing in a game and going here and making that play. So, lots of situations like that."
On if former Raven Jarret Johnson's career and image is one that he would be happy with: "I think for me, I'm always going to be working on expanding my role. That's important, but at the end of the day, it's so important to me to do what my role is to the best of my ability. So yes, I would be happy with that for sure. [Jarret Johnson] had a great career, and he's a legend in this building. He's on our defensive meeting slideshow every day. He's one of the guys up there, so just playing my role to the best of my ability."
On what it was like to come into this year with a bigger role on the team: "It's been [about] just continuing to get better every day. That's been my focus always. Whether I was in Year One, Year Two or Year Three, I just had the same mindset of I have to get better every day, because you're either getting better, or you're getting worse. So, every day I come out here, I try to put my best foot forward and just grow."
On if it is weird that he is one of the more established guys on the team: "It is a little weird. It feels like I was just playing 60, 70 snaps in the preseason game, and now all of a sudden, here we are. So, it's crazy how fast the time has gone, for sure."
