If you were making a list of the Ravens' most outspoken players, defensive lineman Broderick Washington wouldn't be anywhere near the top.
But the burly fifth-year player was struck with inspiration last week coming off the Ravens' bye. He got back to Baltimore early, and when working out Sunday night, the words came to him.
Washington was planning to deliver his message to the Ravens' defensive line, but when he found out he was a team captain for that week's game against the New York Giants, he decided to save it for the entire team.
So after Monday's bonus practice, Washington delivered the "wise words" to the team before breaking them down – and it hit. Washington set the tone for the week.
"I've been here five years and every year I feel like no team has actually beat us. It's always us beating ourselves," Washington said of his message.
"My message was let's make sure we're on top of all the little things so we don't beat ourselves. I think everybody did a good job of that and the outcome was what it was."
Washington said it was his first speech in a while. Head Coach John Harbaugh mixes up the captains each week, giving different players the platform to deliver messages to the team, and the timing worked out.
"God willing, I had the perfect opportunity, and I just took a chance and put it out there," said Washington, who said there were some claps and cheers from teammates.
Lamar Jackson is the team leader, and he stays on top of his teammates to make sure they're locked in on the details. But he pointed to Washington after Sunday's 35-14 blowout win over the Giants.
"[I] pretty much didn't have to say anything. I believe 'Broddy' really kicked it off earlier this [week] in our indoor practice when he said what he said, and I feel like we all felt that way," Jackson said. "We just have to play Raven football for the rest of the season."
