HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "I appreciate everybody being here in beautiful Green Bay, and it is a beautiful day. [It's] really an amazing facility, [they have] great fields [and] great fans, and we sure appreciate the Packers for hosting us here for this practice. They're a high-class team [and] well coached by Coach [Matt] LaFleur, and then the whole organization ... I would go back to [Packers Chairman Emeritus] Bob Harlan. Bob Harlan is a guy who I've gotten to be really good friends with his family – Bryan [Harlan] is my agent – but Bob Harlan's fingerprints are all over this place. He built this thing up from the ground floor to what it is today, so we appreciate that, and we're very grateful. What questions do you have?"
It was your first time going against another team's first team. How do you think today's practice went? "I thought the practice was excellent. It's what you hope for in a practice like this. It's what we expected against a team coached by Matt LaFleur. His dad [Dennis LaFleur] and my dad [Jack Harbaugh] coached against each other way back when at Central Michigan versus Western Michigan back in the day, so [they're] a football family. Both teams were keeping it between the lines – between the whistles – and it was a physical practice. They're a very good team. I thought our guys did well. They acquitted themselves very well on both sides of the ball. I thought we played good football. It was good to get out there in a little up-tempo situation against another team, situationally, and try to handle the problems that are caused by that. We're really grateful for that work."
Do you know what your plans are for Saturday, in terms of whether you're going to play the starters at all? "We've kind of announced [that] we're kind of on the same path that we've been on the same path that we've been on throughout the preseason so far, so we'll kind of stick to that plan."
ILB Roquan Smith had an interception. What does it mean for a guy like that who's obviously not going to play much in the preseason game to get these kinds of reps in? "I was on the offensive field, so I didn't get a chance to see the defense or see that interception, but I heard about it. 'Ro' [Roquan Smith] was looking forward to this practice, as were a lot of guys. Lamar [Jackson] was looking forward to it [and] Zay [Flowers and] Isaiah [Likely]. A lot of guys were looking forward to a chance to get out there and go against another team. It's really valuable to do it. You can [play starters] in games; we decided not to, so this practice takes on importance."
When you were watching your offense, what did you think of the Packers' defensive front? That's kind of been the story around over the last couple of weeks. "I thought they were good. I have not followed the press on the Packers at all to be honest with you, but I thought it was a physical front. I thought their bull-rush was really good, [their] run defense was really solid [and] strong. It looked like a bunch of big dudes that played hard. I was impressed with them."
As coach, as far as evaluations go for the starting positions, what can you get differently out of these joint practices than what you get out of preseason games? "It's a great question. In some ways, it might be better. You get a little bit more of an isolated opportunity to look at guys situationally. One-on-one pass rush; that's a great drill to take a look at and evaluate for instance, but they're both valuable, and we're happy to have the chance to do it."
Did you get a chance to ride a bike? "I did not. They brought me over in a cart. I could probably get on bike. Some of the Packers' players were telling me that you kind of have to take a really close look at the bike first. The quality of the bike is not guaranteed. Usually, they're really good, but [you have to] make sure the chain has been oiled up – three-in-one oil – and everything is moving smoothly. I don't want to see the chain pop. I don't want to see it get stuck. I don't want that on video, so we'll have to see."
WR Rashod Bateman had a couple of nice catches. How have you seen him kind of ramp up since he came back to practice a few weeks ago? "Yes. Rashod [Bateman] looked good out there today. He looked good quick [and] fast. He had that one great catch in practice about a week-and-a half ago, and he landed on the ball, and that held him out for a few more days, which we were all bummed about. I'm happy with Rashod. He's going to have a great season."
With the offensive line, I know you're zeroing in on making those decisions. How do you think they looked today? It looked like a times QB Lamar Jackson was scrambling. "Yes. I thought they looked good. They were bringing bull rushes and games, and physical games in there, and our guys were stout [and] passing that stuff off really well. You're not going to be perfect, and Lamar [Jackson] definitely holds the ball. Lamar was not looking to run; he was looking to stay in there and throw. I think he probably would run more in a game than he did today, and that's a problem for the defense, too. From what could see [when] I was standing there – I can't wait to see the tape – but I was happy with how firm the pocket was 90 percent of the time."
I know it just happened, but were you able to get any word on S Kyle Hamilton? He left for a bit. "Yes, it's not a serious injury."
With the shift in the league of more teams not playing starters in preseason, do joint practices like this have added importance? "They might, especially if it goes to two preseason games, for sure. Like we said last week, the important thing is who you practice against and the mindset of the two teams going in. These two teams had the right mindset going in, and therefore we got good work in. I was happy with it, and I believe Matt [LaFleur] was happy with it too."
You talk about the importance of figuring out who you're going to play in these things. Is it just a matter of you're generally going to play whoever you're playing in that preseason game that weekend? "We played everybody in the practice. This was kind of an opportunity [for] the guys that aren't going to play in the preseason game to get the reps."
You talked about QB Lamar Jackson not looking to run, but he was throwing a lot today. He's obviously another guy that won't play in the preseason game. How did you think he looked? "I thought [Lamar Jackson] looked really good. I thought Lamar looked great. I also think that the value of this thing ... because he's coming back there telling me, 'I should've done this. I should've done that.' It's just another kind of a circumstance for him to be in where he can kind of get ready for the season."
What did you think of RB Derrick Henry today? "I thought [Derrick Henry] looked good running through there. He popped through there a few times. He's an explosive guy. He's always critical of himself. He's like, 'Ah, I should've taken that one outside,' or 'I should've taken that one back.' I love his attention-to-detail. He's his own biggest critic and his own biggest believer at the same time, and that's what is key to success."
TE ISAIAH LIKELY
On how valuable joint practices are: "I feel like it was a great opportunity, especially when a lot of guys aren't playing in the preseason. So, going against another defense, seeing how the league's shaping their defenses around – especially going against an NFC opponent – it definitely was great work today."
On his experience riding a bike into practice: "I rode a little low-rider so I could walk, kind of, down the little hill, but it was fun. It was definitely a new experience."
On what it's like to see fans traveling from all around to attend practice: "For sure, definitely. I like the little atmosphere that it was – the whole strip. And [Green Bay] had a lot of fans out there, for sure."
On how the bikes compare to the bikes the Ravens built for local kids over the summer: (laughter) "I'd say [they're] good. Obviously, [I] love Baltimore [and] love everybody that [comes] out to Baltimore. Obviously, coming out here [and] seeing the same love definitely – always seeing the Ravens jerseys – it's always a good feeling."
On if he was aware of the Packers training camp bike riding tradition: "I've definitely seen it. I know a couple guys on Green Bay, so I've definitely seen it on their stories or on their Instagram. So, [I've] definitely seen it, but actually getting to live the experience was pretty cool."
On which Packers players he knows: "I know Malik Heath, the other receiver [No.] 86, [Grant DuBose, and] I know AJ Dillon."
On if he thinks his strong end to last season carried into training camp: "I'd say [it helped] carrying over the confidence. Obviously, you want to hold onto everything that you did [well], and obviously benefit from the cons that you have, but this is a new year. We're onto bigger goals, because obviously everything didn't pan out the way we wanted to, so obviously, [I'm] keeping in mind that obviously what I did last year wasn't enough. So, [I'm] keeping that in [mind] and understand that this is another year to get it done."
On how important it was to not have any fights during today's joint practice: "I'd say that's just being a pro. Obviously, there are going to be competitive periods. You're going to understand that, for the most part, you don't necessarily know the person in front of you. So, obviously [I] understand that being a pro is understanding that in the game, you can't fight, so don't bring it into practice."
On if the topic of fighting was brought up prior to the joint practice: "I felt like it was just a one-pointer. Obviously, they told us where both sides stood on the rules, and then, after that it was just play football."
On how much today's practice helped him see his readiness for the season: "I'd say [it's] really just taking every rep that you have like a game rep, and I feel like no matter who's in front of you – whether it's Green Bay or even when we're playing the Ravens against our defense – [we're] just treating every rep like it's a game rep, so when the game comes, it's easy."
On what it was like seeing the Packers starting defense play: "It was good. Obviously, I've never played in Green Bay, so seeing them, seeing how they operate, seeing the coverages, [and] seeing the defense align, it was definitely a new experience."
On his excitement to play at the iconic Lambeau Field: (laughter) "I'll definitely take it in when I walk in. Obviously, [I'll] look around see all the greats that played in there, and then really just go from there."
On if Packers WR Malik Heath gave him any food recommendations: (laughter) "No, [Malik Heath didn't] give me [any] recommendations. I'll probably have to see. We have a team dinner, so hopefully they show up and show out when we get to this team dinner."
On what he's seen from WR Zay Flowers: "Zay [Flowers] is taking [on] that leadership aspect of the receiver room. I mean, [on] good and bad plays that Zay has, he always tries to embrace to show the younger guys below him [to not] dwell on the past. Zay makes so many plays; he's one of the focal points of our offense, so he knows for the offense to go, he has to go. So, [he's] inspiring the younger guys to give 100 percent every play. Show up and show out is definitely a mantra that he's been carrying."
