HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "I appreciate everybody being here. It was a good practice and a nice day. Guys were into it and very focused on the upcoming challenge, which is a rivalry game against the Bengals with a lot at stake early in the season like they all are when you play in this division. And we know what kind of game to expect; it's always that way, and we're looking forward to the challenge."
QB Joe Burrow missed a lot of last season with a wrist injury. He's back, and after four games, what have you kind of see from him? (Jamison Hensley) "Yes. Really, we've seen the same thing that we've always seen from [Joe Burrow]. He's playing very well. He plays the game in a very unique way, a very precise way, in terms of his reads, his accuracy, his timing, [and] he's strong in the pocket – all of those things. He's leading that team, leading that offense like he always does."
QB Joe Burrow is completing 70% to WR Ja'Marr Chase and WR Tee Higgins. What kind of matchup problems do they create? (Todd Karpovich) "No question. They have really great skill ... They always have. They have a great scheme, they have great receivers, and it doesn't even stop with those two guys. Those two guys are top shelf-type wide receivers, but I think they have great depth in their receiving core. [Their] tight ends are really good receivers; they brought in Mike Gesicki. They have a good group of tight ends; they all do different things really well. Their running backs are playing really well. Both [Zack] Moss and [Chase] Brown are both playing excellent, running hard, [and] are very productive when they get the ball. It's a well-rounded offense."
This is a divisional team. You know most of the players very well. How does it feel to have S Geno Stone, someone who made a big impact, now on the other side? (David Andrade) "I don't feel great about it. I liked [Geno Stone] when he was on our side, but he's done a great job. [I] just [have] nothing but respect for Geno. He's playing in very well for them, you can see that he's doing a great job communicating back there as well as how he's just playing, play to play, making plays. [I'm] happy for him – we love him – but he's the enemy this week."
We saw CB Arthur Maulet back out today after going down during training camp. How good was it to see him back? And what unique characteristics does he bring to this secondary? (Melissa Kim) "[Arthur Maulet] is a great leader. Arthur is one of those guys that you feel his energy even when he's not playing – on the sideline, he was into it. He was flying around, he knew all the calls, he was coaching guys up. He was looking forward to coming back and to see him back – it's a little bit of a process. You've been down for four or five weeks. He's going to have to ramp his way back in; we'll see day to day how he does with that, but it's great to have him out there."
It's Week 5, and you had almost 100% participation in practice. That has to feel pretty good as far as being healthy at this point in the season? (Todd Karpovich) "All glory to God. We understand how valuable that is and how rare that is. I just think the guys are working really, too. Guys have worked super hard, they practice hard, they work hard in the weight room. I think the weight staff and the training staff has all done a good job with that, but [it's a] day-to-day process, we'll try to do the best we can today and be ready for tomorrow."
There was talk with offensive coordinator Todd Monken and spreading this offense. There was a question on what FB Patrick Ricard's role might even be here. And then the last two weeks he's just been like a battering ram out there. When you've watched him this year, what has stood out about him? (Bo Smolka) "Pat [Ricard] understands his role. You mentioned maybe not knowing what the role was going to be, but it probably was what the role was going to be there, because you knew what his role was going to be if he was here, and that's the one that you see. He's doing it at a very high level – the last two weeks especially have been ramped up for Pat, and he just creates another dimension that defense have to deal."
You were asked about him after Sunday night's game, but where have you seen DT Travis Jones take the next stride. We've always seen it in practice and the flashes of training camp, and now he's playing a lot more snaps. What has stood out to you about him? (Jeff Zrebiec) "It really is kind of what you just said – Travis [Jones] has been doing it in practice. We've seen it in practice, and we've talked about it in this group right here about how well he's been practicing and when he played in games last year. It might be the fact that he's a little more mature in terms of his physical body and technique wise, but it might be just the fact that he's getting more reps, and he's having a chance to showcase his skills even that much more. He's becoming a dominant defensive tackle, no doubt."
We saw the WR Davante Adams news come out. You guys are inevitably linked to that. I just have to ask the obligatory question, but how good do you feel about this offense and this wide receiving corps? (Jonas Shaffer) "You know how we feel about our guys; I really can't comment on anybody else's players. We talked about Davante Adams a couple of weeks ago [when we played the Raiders], and I didn't want to talk anything about him after the game – we had seen enough at that point. We love our guys."
We saw CB Arthur Maulet out there. I know RB Keaton Mitchell is eligible this week, but the expectation was never to have him back this early. Do you have a better sense of how he's coming along and how long it's going to take for him to get back? (Jeff Zrebiec) "It's impossible to put a timetable on it exactly right now. I would say this; [Keaton Mitchell] is right on schedule. The schedule was [for him] to be back this season. Exactly when that would be, we're probably closer to understanding that now, just because we're closer toward the end of that. But, you couldn't really pin it down yet. He's not close enough yet to really talk about it, but he's doing really well."
RB JUSTICE HILL
On if he has bragging rights over the wide receivers after leading the team with 6 receptions for 78 yards and 1 TD last week: "No, that was just one week, man. That was a fun one, though." (laughter)
On going up against his brother CB Dax Hill: "I mean, we've gone up against each other, it seems like 10 times now, but it's always a fun game when you know your brother is on the on the field with you. So, we're going to see what he's doing."
On if he and RB Derrick Henry want to prove that they can be the best one-two punch in the league: "We haven't really talked about it, but we always want to be the best. We've had a good start to the year, [and] we're just going to keep improving."
On how he rides the highs and lows of a season and tries to stay even keeled: "Good question. You just try to keep the main things the main things, control what you can control and just prepare right. [You] just go about the week as if it's a normal week and then just let it fly on Sunday."
On RB Derrick Henry taking the first play 87 yards for a TD: "Yes, we probably ran [the play] about three or four times in the past, and every time, it was like 10, 15, 20-plus [yards], and I was like, 'Yo, bro, if we call this, it's going to go for real, because I haven't seen it not work.' And so, we lined up in it the first play, and [the Bills] were in that same defense, and I was like, 'Yo, let's see what he [does],' because you've seen Derrick Henry have the long 99-yarders, 90-yarders. We were backed up a little bit; I'm like, 'Oh, this might be it.' So, it wound up being it."
On RB Derrick Henry hitting over 21 MPH on his 87-yard TD run: "I've already known [Derrick Henry] can run. We were out here in the spring working out, [and] he's hitting 22 [miles per hour], and that was like at 30 yards. I'm like, 'Dang, bro, I'm over here trying to keep up with you.'" (laughter) "And so, I've already known [that] he's got wheels, man, so it was good to really see that. And you already know [that] when he gets in the open field, good luck catching him."
On what makes RB Derrick Henry's stiff arm so effective: "I mean, you see it." (laughter) "[Derrick Henry] is 6-3, 6-4, [with] long arms, [and he's] strong, and so it's hard for people to even get within reach of him, because his arms are so long. But that, and then he just gives it his all, because I was asking him how [he] gets those stiff arms off, and he was like, 'Bro, I just give my all in it [and] put it all in there.' And so, yes, man, he's just a freak of nature."
On where he thinks he's grown the most as a player: "I feel like in every aspect, because I want to grow in every aspect, not just one or two areas. So, overall, I just got better at running the ball, processing a little faster, slowing things down in my mind, pass blocking and catching – pretty much everything."
On his football IQ and how much time he spends watching film: "It's hard to play a game for 20 years and not be somewhat of an expert at it. I've been playing since I was 5 [years old], so it started then, and you just kind of progress, and the more you do stuff, you just start learning more. [When] you've been in the position your entire life, you try to start learning other things, so [that] if your opportunity is called to go do something – they need you to fill in here [or] do something there – you're just ready to go. So, yes, it just came from a long time of playing the game."
On how much getting married and having a child helped his mindset and maturity: "It's definitely motivational – going from just a single bachelor to having a family. Being able to provide for your family, that's the No. 1 thing you want to do – is provide for your family and make sure they're living a good life. And so, yes, that just shifted my mindset and motivated even more than what I already was to just continue to go about and be great and do things."
On his teammates' reaction to watching film of his TD reception from this past week: "Obviously, it was fun, man. It was a good play, but they've seen me do that in practice, and so, it was nothing new to the guys. But yes, it was just fun that it finally happened in the game."
On whom is faster between he and his brother CB Dax Hill: "I mean, I'm always the fastest one [between me and Dax Hill]. But I don't know. I don't know. We've got to race again, because I haven't really seen much from him lately." (laughter)
On what stands out on tape about the Bengals' run defense: "[The Bengals] are a solid team. [They've] got good players across the board. And for us, we're just going to go out and execute our plan. I feel like, if we go out and execute the way we've been doing and continue to just get better on the things that we didn't [execute], we'll have a good game."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On how playing a familiar divisional opponent in the Cincinnati Bengals changes his preparation: "I just prepare like any other game. Just trying to have everything right from practice and film [and] out on the practice field and take everything I learned from the practice film – what I see – and take it into the game."
On if a familiarity from an opponent makes playing a team any harder: "Somewhat, but each and every team is going [to] try to get better and try to change up on what they did the previous year."
On if he feels defenses will start game-planning differently to stop the Ravens' running attack: "I believe so. Then they have to get prepared for those guys who [are] running those routes – our receivers and our tight ends [and] sometimes our [running] backs."
On TE Mark Andrews not having a catch in two straight games: "I believe [Mark Andrews'] role is ... He's doing his role. Sometimes you might not get the ball, but we've got all these great guys on our offense that's helping us win games, including Mark. Mark is playing a huge role for us just doing what he's doing – blocking, running routes, running guys out and finding other guys to be open. He's just being a team player right now."
On RB Justice Hill and the Ravens' rushing attack: "[Justice Hill]'s explosive. I believe he showed it last year – he was showing glimpses of it last year – but this year, he's just taking it up to a whole new level. I don't know if it was because he got paid or something, but he's just doing his thing right now. I'm loving it, I'm loving it."
On responding on social media to online comments: "You've got to understand [we're] human too. We [are] going in there we trying to win games. All our lives we've played football; we got to the highest level, the professional level, to win games and not to help people's parlay. We [are] not betting on the games – we can't even bet on games and stuff like that, so we're not worried about that. I don't believe we go into games worried about stats either. We are worried about the W column – the win and loss column. And we're not trying to lose, so we go out there and just try to do what teammates do – try to help each other out. This guy might run someone else on a route to get this guy open – just being team players. We don't dwell on parlays, but I see a lot of people like to make comments in our comment section and our DMs [direct messages], and then when we address them in our DM, they want to make it public. It is what it is. We're trying to win; we're trying to win."
On if he's seen an increase in people's comments to him: "I believe it's become a thing ever since the betting just started – a lot of bets have started like FanDuel, stuff like that. I believe that's when that junk started happening. I don't care; I just don't like when my teammates get hit with, 'Oh you missed it by two yards.'" (laughter) "We don't care about your two yards, boy."
On how the Ravens' rushing attack is different from previous years: "It's just a different unit. We've got different guys that we added to the offensive line, obviously, and then [we have] Derrick [Henry] in the backfield. Guys are different. Years in the past we had a great rushing attack as well, but [it's] just different guys doing it this time."
On if he feels this year's Ravens rushing attack is the hardest to stop since he's been with the team: "I wouldn't say that because just two weeks ago it was, 'Oh they need to run the ball more,' and 'Where's the run game?' We just won two games with our offensive line doing a great job, and our running backs doing a great job. Now it's like, 'This is the best rushing attack the Ravens ever had.' It's just pick your poison with our offense – that's what I believe – not just the run game [but the] passing game, too."
On how much he thinks the Ravens' offensive versatility give them an advantage: "It's just playing chess and not checkers out there on that field. That's basically what it is with our offense, because any given game depending on what the defense [is] giving us, [it's like,] 'OK they're stopping the run, so now we just air it out, or if they're stopping the pass – they're going Cover 2, cover four quarters and stuff like that – we [are] running the ball. It's hard to defend us, that's what I believe."
On how much he is changing plays pre-snap: "It depends on what the defense is giving me. I might check out of something; I might just change the protection one way – put it here. It depends. It's really on the defense – I'm going off [what] the defense [shows me]."
On how the Ravens' RB duo helps him: "Just put the ball in [Derrick Henry and Justice Hill's] hands and let those guys work; and then when I have to throw the ball, I work. Those guys help out with blocking as well, not just running the ball. Justice has had a touchdown catch, Derrick Henry just had a touchdown catch – he's helping in the pass game as well, so they [are] just doing it all right now."
On how he keeps himself and the team from getting too low or high: "Pretty much because we've seen what it was the first two games – how it was just, 'What are the Ravens doing,' [and] 'The Ravens are the worst team in the NFL.' We were seeing all type of crap. Then we just win these games, and it's like, 'Oh they're the team to beat.' We just play football whenever we have to – Thursday, Monday [or] Sunday – it [doesn't] really matter. We just go out there with the winning mentality."
DT TRAVIS JONES
On how his role changed because NT Michael Pierce was out on Sunday: "Missing 'Mike P.' [Michael Pierce] for the game last week was a big thing, but I felt like I just had to step up, play some extra snaps and just go out there and dominate."
On if he's ever hit a quarterback as hard as he hit Bills QB Josh Allen on Sunday: "No, I didn't. That was fun." (laughter)
On what he thought when looking back at that play: "Yes, it was all over Twitter. I wish I could have hit him a little harder." (laughter)
On if he slowed up at the end of the hit: "Yes, I did. I did a little bit."
On what's allowed him to play so well this year: "[I'm] going into my third year, seeing things, plays develop a little slower for me, and [I'm] going out there playing next to [Nnamdi] Madubuike. You know he's getting most of the attention, so when I get my chance to have my one on ones, I have to win those."
On how much he relishes the physicality of the defensive line: "Playing for the Ravens, you have to be a physical player. You have to play physical, you have to play hard, run to the ball [and] do the little things right."
On how important it is for him to get sack production: "The sacks are going to come. I feel like I've been getting back there; I've just been missing them. They're going to come."
On where he feels like he's improved as a player after three years: "I feel like, going into my third year, I've been improving in being more consistent and being more dominant on a down-to-down basis, and that's what I've been working on this whole offseason, just being consistent."
On if he feels more physically dominant this season: "I do. I feel like when I get my hands on guys, they're not able to move me."
On how DT Nnamdi Madubuike getting more attention impacts things for him: "[Nnamdi] Madubuike draws most of the double teams, so I just have to go out there and just dominate and win my one on ones."
On if there is anything he did differently this offseason: "No, nothing differently, but going out here and practicing against Tyler Linderbaum, one of the best centers in the league, helped me improve my game a lot."
