FRIDAY MEDIA AVAILABILITY: JAGUARS – WEEK 15
Head Coach John Harbaugh
Opening statement: "OK, good to see everybody. [We] just finished a really good practice indoors here, and we got a great word from Mike Viti who – maybe you already know, or you'll come to find out – walked across the country from Seattle to honor those fallen soldiers throughout the course of the Global War on Terror and in honor of their college quarterback at Army. [Viti] finished up yesterday at the stadium, and really, the final leg is walking into the stadium for the [Army-Navy] game tomorrow. It's just an awesome, powerful thing. He has his teammates here. Some of these guys did part of the walk with him. So, it's great to have him with us. OK, what do you have?"
A couple days off for WR Steve Smith Sr. … Is he under the weather? (Aaron Wilson) "[Steve Smith Sr.] is sick, yes. Steve is sick, so he had … That's why he's out. He should be fine, it's just he's sick."
**Has CB Anthony Levine been cleared since he was a full participant? *(Luke Jones) *"[Anthony] Levine has been cleared, yes. Levine is all set. He's a full participant – right."
John, do you anticipate WR Torrey Smith being a game-time decision? (Jeff Zrebiec) "Yes. We'll see how it goes. [Torrey Smith] practiced today. He looked pretty good, so we'll see how he is Sunday."
How do you think WR Torrey Smith did? (Aaron Wilson) "Like I said, he practiced today. Looked pretty good."
You talked about penalties on special teams earlier in the week, but there are a lot of outlets that have you guys ranked overall as one of the best special teams units in the league. Does that match your assessment of what you guys have been doing overall? (Jon Meoli) "Yes, our special teams have played really well. We've had a great year, and I'm proud of the way those guys have played. Jerry Rosburg, of course, and Tony Coaxum have done a great job coaching those guys. We've played really well. That being said, we think we can play a lot better, and we've left too many yards on the table on punt returns. We've had too many yards called back on punt returns specifically. We just need to keep improving in everything we do, but we're capable of being even better on special teams than we've been, and we've been playing really well."
What kind of look has RB Fitzgerald Toussaint given you guys this year on the practice squad? Do you feel good about him if he needed to go into a game? (Aaron Wilson) "Yes, 'Fitz' [Fitzgerald Toussaint] has done a great job. He comes out here and he goes against our defense, and they get after him pretty good. He plays the game pretty much on Wednesday and Thursday as much as you can simulate it. So, he's ready to go, and we have a lot of confidence in him if he's needed."
John, is OLB Terrell Suggs OK? (Jeff Zrebiec) "Yes, [Terrell] Suggs doesn't usually go on Friday. So, he's fine."
WR Torrey Smith
On how he has not missed much time due to injury in his football career:"It's definitely tough, especially for me. I haven't missed a game since I broke my leg in the summer going into my junior year … I missed the first two games of my junior year of high school; I haven't missed a game since. I'm not used to it. I'm not really used to missing practice. I don't really like it too much, but I have to get healthy and have to make the right decision. Obviously, I'm not going to make that decision today. We'll see what happens on Sunday."
On if he will warm up to see how he feels on Sunday:"Oh, definitely. You have to test it out and see, because it may feel amazing, it may feel perfect. Another day or two definitely is going to help."
On how much lobbying he does with head coach John Harbaugh on a game day:"I don't know. I think sometimes it's better for coach to save me from myself, because I've never had to make a call like that. I played my whole last year of school with a high ankle sprain, so I can play through pain. It's just a matter of weighing, 'Is it worth lingering for a few weeks?' or 'Is it going to be ready on Sunday?' And I don't know the answer to that. But I'm not doubtful, I'll tell you that much!" (laughter)
On if he feels better knowing that the Ravens have other wide receivers that can step up in his absence:"Yes, definitely, and that helps. I don't feel any added pressure to rush back, because we have other playmakers. Again, I'm just a small piece of the puzzle. If I don't go or I'm limited in any way, we have guys that can step up and get the job done. That's the most important thing – the team."
On if he is going to be dealing with his injury the rest of the season:"I've been in there with 'Smitty' [Ravens certified head athletic trainer Mark Smith] a lot, and he's been taking good care of me. I'm better than I was yesterday; I'm better right now than I was last week. It's all about progress going forward, and I'm sure that I'll continue to be taken care of. It'll be resolved here soon – hopefully tomorrow. I'd love to be out there Sunday, but we'll see what happens."
