HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "OK, [it's] great to see everybody here. [We had a] very good day of practice. [We] had an in-season Wednesday-plus [practice], since we're still in training camp. [It was] full pads. [It was a] very spirited, very physical, on point practice. I was really happy with the guys. We got better today, and we had a special treat; we had 'Double J' [Jarret Johnson] here. He was here checking out the new No. 95 [Tavius Robinson]. The old No. 95 and the new No. 95, and they'll get a chance to watch some film together. I know 'T-Rob' really has a lot of respect for Jarret's game, so it's great to have him here. We welcome all the old [Ravens] players back. The tradition, the standard of excellence that they set, is something that our guys respect and they strive for. They even want to raise the bar, so it's good to have Jarret back. What questions do you have?"
Who do you like better, the old No. 95 or the new No. 95? (Mike Preston) "Well, we're going to find out. 'T-Rob' [Tavius Robinson] still has a lot to prove. He's not there yet. That's true." (laughter) "When he hits one of those inside shovel pass screens like 'Double J' [Jarret Johnson] did against Pittsburgh, against Hines Ward – do you remember that one – then, we'll put him in that category at that point."
Have you had any similar practice exchanges with OLB Tavius Robinson like you have with former Ravens OLB Jarret Johnson? (Jamison Hensley) "You can't even imagine that, right? No, 'T-Rob' [Tavius Robinson] would never, never in a million years. That's a great story." (laughter) "We'll all be sitting around telling that one again, for many years. I'm sure the fans would be happy to hear that, at some point. I thought we were going to get in a fight. That's a story for another time."
It might be a little early in the week to say, but sometimes in the third preseason game, as far as quarterbacks go, you've gone with your No. 3 guy for the whole game. Have you thought about maybe the whole game for QB Devin Leary, or do you think you might play QB Cooper Rush as well? (Jamison Hensley) "No, it will be more similar to what we did this last game. [We'll] go ahead and get Cooper [Rush] those reps, get him ready for the regular season. This will be his last opportunity for a while, but he wants those reps, I know for sure. So, that's probably the way we'll go, but we still have a whole week to decide."
There's obviously a lot of outside interest in formulating the 53-man roster over the next week. A lot of outside focus tends to be on how a player contributes offensively or defensively, but how challenging is that puzzle of trying to balance some long-term upside potential for what they do with their position group, but also special teams and how important they have to fit in that way? (Luke Jones) "Well, that's a big part of it because you're going to go play games, and your roster needs to fill roles. There are roles that need to be fulfilled in the game at a high level, not just a guy out there playing that position or doing something. He has to do it at a winning-plus level. He has to do it at a championship level, even. So, you need everybody in that role. Whenever any of us watch the game, if we're fans of the Ravens, we want to see that guy playing that position really well. Whether it's a nickel corner or whether it's a punt-protection left guard or a kickoff cover L-4, we need that guy playing at the highest championship level. So, you have to factor in what actually happens in the game, because the future is now. I think George Allen said that. 'The future is now,' and you have to get ready to play the games now, so that's a big part of it."
You've had a few months of watching DL Aeneas Peebles now. He's not built like your average interior defensive lineman. (Pete Gilbert) "Well, like your average Ravens Interior defensive lineman, right?"
Correct, but he continues to just flash, or that's what I've seen. What do you see out of him and the growth he's had? (Pete Gilbert) "I see the same thing you see. [Aeneas Peebles] flashes. He's quick. He gives us a little bit of a change-of-speed pitch. I don't know, maybe it's a fastball, maybe it's with movement. He's quick in there. We've always had the big, powerful defensive linemen, but when we saw him on tape, we liked him. Then, he was still there in the sixth round. It's like, 'Maybe he doesn't fit the prototypical Ravens defensive lineman of the past, but we've got those guys still, but here's a guy that can give us something a little different that we haven't had.' I know we're all excited about that."
Is DL Aeneas Peebles the kind of guy who's been a pleasant surprise? How quickly has he been able to make an impact in two preseason games? (Sam Cohn) "Well, we all expected [Aeneas Peebles] to come out and practice and play like this. You never know. He still has a lot to prove. He hasn't played in a regular season game yet, but he will, and I expect him to play at a really high level. He's a really good player. We all do. He's going to be out there, so he is going to have to do it, and he's preparing now to do that."
You've been looking at these guys all summer. How important is this week and this game when it comes to finalizing the roster? (Cordell Woodland) "It's important. It's finalizing the roster, as far as who's on it, for sure. A lot of things are determined. We certainly want to stay healthy. That's a big part of it, too, but also [the amount of] spots, to a degree, but also roles, to a degree. Who's going to be active? Who's going to be playing these different roles in these different special teams packages, or who's going to rotate in at different positions? Then, the practice squad is up for major competition, as well. Guys [are competing] to be on the practice squad, because the practice squad is part of our team. We look at that as making the team, so all those opportunities are there for guys."
Was there a concerted effort for QB Lamar Jackson and the offense to throw as many sidelines shots as you guys did today, or is that just kind of how it went? (Jonas Shaffer) "If you've watched pretty much all camp, you see a lot of outside lane throws in camp, and it's definitely something that's important for us to be able to do [on] every level down the field. Even as you saw, a lot of the sideline sail – inside out breaking-type routes toward the sideline – because with our offense, people are going to have to commit people in there to stop the run and to stop the quick passing game and Lamar [Jackson]. So, when they do that, then maybe they'll say, 'Well, you know what? Make him throw the ball out there.' We'd like to be able to say, 'Hey, we really want to do that. That's fine with us.' So, that's one of the things we're working on."
RB Derrick Henry, if he has a typical Derrick Henry year, he can crack the Top 10 all-time rushing yards list this year. You've been with him for a couple of years. When it's all said and done, where do you think he'll stack up among the all-time greats? (Jamison Hensley) "That's a tough question. I haven't done my stack on that yet, but I can, I guess. I am kind of a Jim Brown guy. I'd probably put Jim Brown at the top, for me. [Barry] Sanders, and who else would be on that list? Walter Payton. Oh my gosh, Walter Payton. How do you do it? [Eric] Dickerson. How do you do it? There are so many greats, but in my mind, I think Derrick Henry is in that category. I put him in that category with those guys, and I know he still feels like he has a ton to prove, and I want him to prove a ton, because he's with the Ravens. So, he has a long way to go in my mind. He has a lot of work to do." (laughter) "I'm going to let him know that. 'Let's get some work done here. Let's get some yards stacked up over the next few years.' Then, he will be the very best. How about that? Think that'll motivate him?" (laughter)
Defensive line coach Dennis Johnson is in Year Two right now. Just what have you seen him bring? He's a high-energy guy. You can hear him out at practice. What does he bring to that defensive line room? (Alex Glaze) "I'd say high energy is a very apt description. [Defensive line coach Dennis Johnson] brings it every single day. He's like that. That's how he is all the time. He's like that in the meetings. He's like that on the practice field. He's like that at lunch [and] dinner. In his office, by himself, he's like that. He just brings it all the time, and I think the players really appreciate that and reflect it. So many times, players will reflect the personality of their coach, and you have to have that [energy] in the D-Line room. It's such a battle in there. It's just so chaotic. It's crazy, the fight that goes on in the trenches in football, and you have to be bringing it every play. It's controlled violence. It's football violence, but it's very violent. Dennis does a great job of making that important and then teaching the guys how to do it effectively. Really more than anything – and the energy is important – but it has to be directed in a really effective way, and he's a great teacher that way."
Are you pretty much settled with the offensive line that we've seen? Is that what we can expect for Week 1? (Jeff Zrebiec) "Yes, absolutely. We will be working on that and then those guys' cohesiveness, then who the extra O-Lineman is and then how we work the backup rotational spots, and who's going to be active, those kinds of things. Also, I'd say the nine [players] are a little bit up in the air, in flux right now. I'd say we have the five [starters] now, [but who are] the nine if we keep nine? Do we keep 10? It's hard to do, but we have 10 worthy guys, for sure. Then, the practice squad guys are all kind of up in the air right now."
We saw OLB Malik Hamm leave a little bit early from practice. Anything you can share on that? (Jonas Shaffer) "Yes, [Malik Hamm is] OK. I didn't get any report on that, so I think he's probably OK."
DEFENSIVE LINE COACH DENNIS JOHNSON
Obviously, DL Aeneas Peebles is someone you guys like coming out of the draft, but what kind of stands out is he's not the prototypical size of most of your room. What's really stood out about him, and what allows him to combat the fact that he's not as big as some of your typical defensive linemen? (*Luke Jones)* "'Fub' [Aeneas Peebles] is one of the most explosive defensive linemen I've ever coached or evaluated on tape. He uses his explosiveness, obviously, in the run and in the pass, and he gets his hands on people quicker than they can get their hands on him. In the run game, that helps him a lot. Obviously, in the pass game, he's good with transitioning [and] getting on edges. That's kind of probably what pops off just naturally on tape, but taking that explosiveness and putting it in the way that we play our run technique – with square pads, fast hands and all the things – has helped him rise with charts as it relates to competing out here."
Where have you seen DL Aeneas Peebles take steps forward the last couple of weeks? Did you expect him to have the two preseason games that he did? (*Sam Cohn)* "[With] the way he practiced I expected him to perform well. So, yes, but he prepares like the guys in our group. You have 'Beeks' [Nnamdi Madubuike]. You have 'Trav' [Travis Jones]. You have 'Brod' [Broderick Washington Jr.] You have people who have a lot of reps under their belt that's also in there guiding them and helping him along the way. For him to take the prep off the field and then bring the energy, the effort, the want to and the technique on the field, [we] kind of expect him to perform well."
I know you guys are starting to prepare for Week 1 right now. Conceivably, with your best, however many pass rushers, and any of them could be kind of double-teamed on any given pass rushing situation. Does that make your job tougher or easier as you kind of think about game plans and how to counteract what other teams are serving you guys? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "Whenever you're game planning for pass rush and stuff like that, you want to try to create ways to get one-on-ones with those guys, whether it's how you present something, a formation or whatever that might be. Just as coaches – and [defensive coordinator] Zach [Orr] does an incredible job of calling it that way – we kind of do a good job at working in that way to create those one-on-ones. Now, if there are times where guys are getting doubled, that doesn't take away expectation of getting pushed or still disrupting the passer, but then somebody somewhere else is getting a one-on-one. Just playing it as a group rushing and attacking the quarterback with four or five, whatever the call requires, it's kind like how we approach it."
I know you don't have the final call, but these decisions are made in consultation with a lot of people. How difficult are the roster decisions going to be with how well a bunch of your guys have played along the defensive line? (*Jeff Zrebiec)* "It's incredibly difficult. [It is] kind of like what 'Coach Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh] said before, it's a good problem [to have], because you have guys out here competing. You have guys every day showing up [and] giving it everything that they have. You have guys who come out here [and are] learning new plays [and] new techniques for the first time in their career and just hitting it 100 percent, not batting an eye. If someone makes an error, they shake it [off], and they come right back to it and get better at it. That right there just raises the level of the group, which raises the level of the defense, which raises the level of the team. Having that closeness and competitiveness, it's a good thing. We don't look at it like a bad thing when it comes down to it at the end [of the day]."
Has there been anyone who has surprised you with the training camp they've had? (*Giana Han)* "A couple [guys], I will say. 'Big C.J.' [C.J. Okoye], for sure. [I] just remember him walking in here [looking] raw, but really taking to the techniques, wanting to be good and wanting to learn. Again, it's a room full of guys who are going to put on their work hat every day and show up. So, if you don't, you will stand out. [He's] just allowing himself to be coached hard, to be pushed hard, past probably what he's used to. So, 'Big C.J.' for sure, and all the guys [like] 'Cam' [C.J. Ravenell], 'Fub' [Aeneas Peebles] and rookies [like] Jayson [Jones]. Every one of those guys have really come in and exceeded expectations a little bit."
What is the next phase of the development of DL Travis Jones? (*Cordell Woodland)* "I expect Travis [Jones] to be the best player on the field whenever he's on the field in general, and I think that Travis expects that for himself, just to be more dominant and [to] be more consistent with being dominant. Last year, he had some injuries up and down, but I'm really looking, for this year, for him just to really go out there from the start to the finish and just be the powerful, run-stopping, pass-rushing nose tackle that he is."
DL Travis Jones and DL Nnamdi Madubuike had their races off the field, a little extra competition. Did you encourage that, or what did you see? (*Pete Gilbert)* "[Travis Jones and Nnamdi Madubuike] compete in everything that they do. [With] those two, it doesn't matter. It could be a question asked in a meeting. It could be out here in a practice. It could be a pass rush. It could be [a] show. It could be in a walk-through. They're almost joined at the hip a little bit, and they spend a lot of time together on the field. Especially, in the interior part of the defensive line, what people refer to as 'the trenches,' you need a brother-in-arms, and they spend enough time off the field together [and] on the field together, and they play together as one. So, attacking the field or getting off the field, to them, it's all about being competitive."
A couple of DL Travis Jones' best pass rush moves last year were that "club" move and that "hump" move. How rare is that to have that in your tool bag and to be able to use it as successfully as he does? (*Jonas Shaffer)* "You have to be a powerful individual to do it. It's a power move, and I know [pass rush coach] Chuck [Smith] works on it with [Travis Jones] a lot, too, sometimes pre-practice and post-practice. It's a move that he has seen that he wanted to make his own, and he's still working at it. You've seen it [show up] in games before, but it's not a move for everybody. You have to have some strength to you and some natural power to execute it. You're talking about moving a grown man against his will with power and leverage, so it could be challenging."
We were just talking about how comforting it is to bring DL Brent Urban back. What has it been like for you to have him back? (*Giana Han)* "I missed 'Urb' [Brent Urban] when he wasn't around. I still remember when I first got here and just how comforting 'Urb' can be in a room, in a setting on the field. [He's] a vet with a lot of experience. He could take techniques, [and] sometimes [he would] tweak them and make him his own a little bit, but being very effective with it. In the meeting room, he's awesome. If somebody doesn't completely understand something, he was like, 'It's kind of like this,' for the person that doesn't understand it. [He is] always a joy. [He is] always smiling. We could be in the middle of training camp, [and] it's super hot, we've run tempo and all types of [drills], and he still has that big smile, like, 'Come on guys, we've got it.' [I] love having 'Urb' around."
What do you like about NT John Jenkins as you guys try to collectively fill the void that former Ravens DT Michael Pierce left? (*Luke Jones)* "John [Jenkins is] very similar to 'Urb' [Brent Urban]. [He's a] high-energy guy. [He is] very smart and intelligent [and has] taken to the defense with ease. [He has] taken to some of the techniques with ease. He's been around the league, so he's brought things that he's learned in his career here, and the things that he feels like can help with the play, he brings [those] up. I like having John around. John is awesome. He's incredible."
DL AENEAS PEEBLES
On if he has a chip on his shoulder being an undersized interior defensive lineman: "I probably wouldn't go as far as saying a chip on my shoulder. I think it's something more that's just intrinsic for me. I've always just wanted to be the kind of guy that's dominating in this league one day, so that's just kind of how I go out and approach every practice, approach every day and approach every workout. I wouldn't say it's a personal chip to anything that has to do with my stature. It's just kind of something intrinsic in me, which my role models instilled in me."
On where he feels like he's come along the most during training camp: "I feel like I've definitely improved as a run defender. That's definitely something that I felt like is a part of my game that needed improvement, and I felt like over these last couple of weeks, I've definitely done that. [I'm] just striving for more."
On his conversation with DL Broderick Washington Jr. in which he described how he wants to "be that guy" on the defense: "One thousand percent. That's just one of the things that, going through this whole draft process that I went through a couple months ago, that they said I couldn't do. So that's what I set out to prove."
On how he would describe what he brings to the defensive line: "I just feel like I'm just not, stature wise, the typical Ravens defensive lineman, but I feel that at the end of the day, the Ravens always have killers up front. So, I might not be the prototypical size of a Ravens defensive lineman [as] they want to say, but thankfully, the Ravens saw something in me to make me a Ravens D-Lineman."
On how he brings something different to the defensive line: "A thousand percent. I feel like my game is primarily based on my quickness, my ability to change direction [and] my leverage. Those are things that I really try to emphasize in my game."
On what it has been like to work with DL Nnamdi Madubuike: "[Nnamdi Madubuike] is great. He is just a phenomenal person to watch go to work. He is a perfect role model for somebody like myself or any young D-lineman wanting to learn how to dominate the league one day, similar to [what] he's doing now and will continue to do. Just being able to just watch him, see how he works, and not only him leading by example, but also telling me things I can improve on my game. He's been a great role model so far."
On how making plays against the Ravens starting offense affects his confidence: "It's just kind of what I feel like I should be doing. I try not to get too high or too low ever, because while that play might [have been] great, it's never as good as you think it is, and it's never as bad as you think it is. So, I just try to continue to take it one step at a time [and] just take everything for what it is."
On what has surprised him the most about the NFL since he got drafted: "I'd probably say how special the athletes are in the NFL. In college, you're not used to every single offensive lineman being just as fast as you. There are some special athletes, especially in this building. Just going against guys like Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum – going next to those kinds of guys – every rep is definitely a mental battle and a physical battle [while] going against such talented athletes."
DL BRODERICK WASHINGTON JR.
On how excited he is to start the regular season: "I can't wait. I'll start by saying that, but I'm just embracing it, embracing the journeys [and] cheering the young guys on. It's been exciting watching them fly around though. Did you see all those guys the other day versus Dallas? That was crazy, but [I'm] just embracing the journey [and] taking it one day at a time."
On what it means seeing other teammates joining him for early morning workouts: "I think it just speaks to the hunger of the team. I think we've got a lot of guys that are hungry, whether that's for a job or a [Super Bowl] championship. I think we've got a group that's hungry."
On DL Aeneas Peebles and how he has surprised him in training camp: "[Aeneas Peebles is] a ball of energy. That boy can flat out rush the passer, and he can also play the run really well, too. I think he's going to surprise a lot of people in that aspect of his game, but it's just awesome to watch him fly around out there. I'm really excited for him."
On if he sees a chip on DL Aeneas Peebles' shoulder because he's a little undersized for a Ravens lineman: "Definitely. [Aeneas Peebles] and I will be talking. He would be like, 'Man, I can't wait to show folks I can play the run. I'm more than just a pass rusher,' and he's chasing it. He's in the weight room with me, 'Trav' [Travis Jones] and other guys trying to get stronger, and he's working at it. I just can't wait for him to show off what he can really do."
On DL Aeneas Peebles' best trait as a pass rusher: "[Aeneas Peebles'] explosiveness. That boy can get off the rock, and he's got a lot of wiggle to him, too. So, those big offensive linemen, they're going to have a tough time with him."
On if training camp feels different this year in defensive coordinator Zach Orr's second season: "Yes, I think everybody has bought in, really. I think everybody's bought in, and I feel like as a unit, we're more together, and I think that's been the biggest difference."
On being in Year Two with defensive line coach Dennis Johnson and the energy he brings: "To speak to [defensive line coach Dennis Johnson's] energy, it's outstanding. I think if you're a new guy, it's kind of annoying, just because he's always yelling, but if you get to game day – I heard 'Fub' [Aeneas Peebles] say this the other day just talking about the game or whatever – he [said] in the back of his head, he could hear Dennis yelling at him telling him to run to the ball. He's a technician, and he's on every little detail. The way he coaches, he leaves no stone unturned. We watch every play of practice, so there's no guessing or anything with him. [He's a] great coach."
On if how last year ended hurt more because of the success running the ball against them: "Oh, yes. It sucked. It was bad, and we pride ourselves on not letting people run the ball, so that falls on the [defensive] front, really. So, I think everybody took that pretty tough, and we've been working at it every day to be the best group that we can be."
On the next step is for DL Travis Jones: "To be honest, [Travis Jones] is going to put it all together this year. If he stays healthy, he's going to be the best nose tackle in the game. He's got all the traits and abilities to be that guy, and I'm excited for him. I can't wait to watch it. I can't wait."
On how much he's looking forward to Week 1 at Buffalo: "I can't wait. I'm super excited. But, again, I'm just taking it one day at a time. I think that's the best thing that I've got going for myself right now, and the main thing for me is just stacking days until it is Week 1 and then just continue to do that."
