SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR CHRIS HORTON
Opening Statement: "[It's] good to see you guys, today. It's been a good week. I think our guys came out the last two days [and] really put in some good work. Really, that's what we're focusing on. We know we have a division game. We know it's going to be a physical one. Every time we get a chance to play Cincinnati, [Bengals assistant head coach/special teams coordinator] Darrin [Simmons] and that special teams group, we know that we have to come out, and we have to play our best game. We have to make sure that we're trying to be as perfect as we possibly can, because we understand what type of special teams this unit [is] that we're going to face. Questions?"
You've talked about Bengals assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons for it feels like forever now. Is there a familiarity when you're playing these special teams coaches? (Jamison Hensley) "There really is. I think this season makes Darrin [Simmons]'s 22nd season, so he has – he's really played the Ravens a lot. I think when two teams play each other twice a year, you kind of get familiar with each other, and really, what it comes down to, it's going to come down to execution. It's going to come down to which group is going to execute the best, because I don't think there is going to be something that they're going to do that we haven't seen. So, I think for our guys, [it's] just, 'Come out there, let's work, let's get better and really just focus on us and really executing our plays.'"
We saw RB Rasheen Ali return from injury today. He's been pretty involved with you guys on special teams in the preseason. When he is activated this season, do you feel like he is close to being able to contribute to your guys' unit? (Jonas Shaffer) "I do think when that time comes, we'll definitely have a role for [Rasheen Ali]. I thought what he did in the preseason for us was really good. He was going; he was trending in the right direction, and it's our job, when his time comes, to get him out there and get him ready to go, get him ready to play Ravens special teams football, and I think he's got that kind of mindset, and I think, again, when he's ready, he'll be out there."
This is an evolving process. In terms of consistency, how close are you to where you want to get to? (Brian Wacker) "I think we're trending in the right direction. I think we're doing a lot of good ... Well actually, I know we're doing a lot of good things. Sometimes, we don't leave a game with an impact and having a lot of plays, but the plays that we do get, as long as we're plus on the plays, we feel pretty good about it. The more plays we get, the more our identity will show. It will show what type of special teams unit we're chasing. We have a standard, and we're going to continue to chase that, but I do believe we're close. We understand that every game is going to be different, because every personnel grouping is not going to be the same. So, it's our job to really focus on us and really execute our assignments."
P Jordan Stout had that hiccup against the Raiders with the short punt, but he's been pretty good ever since. Has he made any adjustments? What's been his turnaround? (Todd Karpovich) "I just think consistency from that standpoint, kind of what we just talked about, is really what Jordan [Stout] is focusing on [with] one punt at a time and just going out there, doing the same footwork, the same drop, walking the same lines and those things. I think he will get the type of punts that he wants to put out there. He's doing a great job, and the more he's out there, the more you're going to see him. But, the less he's out there – I've said this before – that's a good thing. It's a really good thing, so we're not concerned with that. What we expect from Jordan is, you have one shot, and it could be one shot, and that goes for everybody on our special teams unit. Take advantage of the one shot, because that might be it."
You guys brought in, for special teams reasons, S Sanoussi Kane and WR/RS Deonte Harty. How would you evaluate them in their respective roles? (Kyle Phoenix) "I'll start with [Deonte] Harty, just because he's the veteran guy, and I think what you see is when he gets the ball in his hands, he can be dynamic. He's got special traits as a punt returner and as a kickoff returner, but we haven't gotten a lot of opportunities. So, as a punt returner, we're trying to maximize everything we can for him, and he's done a great job. He's picking up the yards that he needs to pick up, and then, you love to see his physical running style – for a guy that some would say he's a little guy, right – but he's running through tackles, he's making guys miss, and that's all we're looking for, too – just keep getting positive yards. For Sanoussi [Kane], this is his fourth regular season game. The things he saw in preseason are a lot different now, because the personnel is a lot different. What he's done as a young guy so far, he's communicated well, his effort has been outstanding, and I think, and I remind him of, 'OK, you haven't made the flash tackles that you made in the preseason. Just don't chase those. Those plays will happen. You just keep being great at the things that you do. Bring out your effort, bring out your physicality, keep communicating and the plays will happen for you,' so he's doing outstanding."
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TODD MONKEN
We know what T Ronnie Stanley has been through the last few years, you were here last year with him, it's probably been noted that he wasn't happy with his season last year. For him to be healthy and playing at the level he is right now, what does that do for your offense? What does that for you as a play caller, knowing how important that position is? (Luke Jones) "Ronnie [Stanley] basically played through injury all of last year – he's been banged up. I thought he had a great offseason. He was here in the summer, and worked awfully hard, and it's great to see him playing at a high level. It really is, for him and us, for both of us."
How would you describe T Ronnie Stanley's leadership? There's obviously been some turnover among the group and some young guys in there. Has he been more vocal this year? (Brian Wacker) "Ronnie [Stanley] just kind of goes about his business. He's not a real – I would say he's more cerebral than he is vocal. [He] just really understands what we're trying to do, [and] what he's trying to do, and what he's trying to accomplish. So, those things he really gets it, and it's great to see him healthy. But he really doesn't say much around the guys, you'd have to ask the O-linemen. I don't hear him say things out of character or to the guys, he just goes about his business the right way."
With that group, the offensive line has actually played pretty well over the past couple of weeks. When you lose a guy like Joe D'Alessandris before the season, how much of an emotional toll is there for a group that's trying to prepare for a season and have something that devastating happen? (Jamison Hensley) "I think you would have to ask the O-linemen [about] the emotional part of it. For us, it's been fine, because George [Warhop] was able to come in and what areas Joe [D'Alessandris] was responsible [for] in the gameplan. I've worked with 'Hop' [George Warhop] before, so that was an easy transition. The transition is really, the emotional [aspect], you would have to ask the O-linemen, and then also, [you have] a different voice. Even if you're saying the exact same thing, you're saying it differently. It's a different tone; it's a different way of going about it. Everybody gets used to who they're being coached by, their teammates, that comfort level, so I think that would be a better question for the O-line and those guys."
RB Justice Hill had 6 catches on 6 targets in Sunday's game. How has he added another element to the offense as far as his versatility? (Todd Karpovich) "[Justice Hill] been doing that since last year. Sometimes games just present itself that way. Checkdowns [were] a few of them, they just found him, others were schemed – others screen wise. But, he's been doing that since last year, it's just a matter of how many targets that we're able to get him. It's the same with Zay Flowers. It's like, 'Is he capable of that?' Yes. The ball just didn't happen to find him in the game. I think it's a great one-two punch. I thought Justice has always played well, but I thought he played particularly well last week."
When you're running the ball so well and so much, do you go into the game expecting the opponent to really adjust and try to clamp down on that? (Ryan Mink) "I think eventually. You're always expecting something a little bit different depending on what you've done the week before. It's not even per se maybe just [the] run game in itself, but formationally, personnel wise, what they see. As you're doing something well, there's no way you're not developing some form of tendencies. Your tendency is to run it. OK well, that's a tendency. What are they going to do schematically, personnel wise, to combat that, and then we just have to have enough to be able to – for us – to be able to attack it."
Is that a point of focus this week when you talk players. Like, 'Eventually, they're going to stop what we're doing, and we need to be able to counter-punch through the air.' (Ryan Mink) "I think the best teams are able to win in varieties of ways and modes. You need to be able to run it when you need to run it, you need to be able to throw it when you have to throw it, and we've been pretty good that way when we've been clean, penalty free, [when we've been] doing things the right way, we've been pretty successful when we've had to throw it or be in two-minute [situations]. We just have to continue to work to be cleaner in everything that we do, because it still wasn't perfect. We still have a lot of work to do to be the offense we want to be."
Along those lines, especially the first couple weeks of the season, you guys had a lot of chipping help with tight ends, fullbacks. What is the push-pull as you get more comfortable with your offensive line to withstand pressure and have more guys go out to routes. (Jonas Shaffer) "The more you're able to run it, stay out of the chains, not be in second-and-long [and] get back on track, and then third-and-long, you avoid those issues. You just do. In the first two games, we weren't in that situation. We weren't as effective on first down, we put ourselves in some long-yardage situations, we were in more third-down and two-minute [situations], then you are in the world of chipping, and we're still doing that. It's going to get to that. It's a long season, and certainly are guys are going to continue to get better. Roger [Rosengarten] is going to continue to get better. Pat [Mekari] did a great job at left guard or wherever we needed him [to be]. That's going to continue to be something that we're going to have to continue to do, and matchups create that – certain matchups when you play teams. Von Miller was a player that played on third downs. Maxx Crosby is a guy that plays every down; that's a little bit of a different animal, and we're going to get into those guys as we get further into the season."
When you turn on the sports talk shows, all the talking heads are saying, 'The Ravens have found their identity. They're going to run the ball; they're going to pound you that way and work off that. They've found it.' Do you agree with that notion? (Ryan Mink) "That will drive you crazy if you listen to that s---. Two weeks ago [according to sports talk shows], we were the worst team, and terrible, and, 'They don't do this.' Maybe some of it is true, maybe some of it is legit. But the reality of it is, they have a job to do, [and] we have a job to do. And have we been cleaner? Yes. Have we run the ball better? Yes. Does every team want to have an identity where you can stay out of the chains and run the football? Of course that is. And I think our guys have embraced that and [have] done a great job with it. I love listening to those guys. Everybody that's on TV – I love football. So, anybody that has dedicated their lives to football, I think it's awesome. But at the end of the day, we have to stay true with what we believe in, and then continue to do it the right way. Whether we're throwing it, or whether we're running it. To me, the best thing we can do is to continue to strive to be as consistent as we can be in all facets in our offense. Running it, throwing it, two-minute [situations], critical situations, and being elite when it comes up. And we've been having great practices, which has led to us being where we've been the last couple of weeks, really."
How unique is FB Patrick Ricard and what he's been able to do in these last few weeks? (Carita Parks) "Pat [Ricard] is a valuable piece for what we're able to do. He's part of that, when you say identity. He's kind of a part of an identity, of what he is. [He] gives us the ability to run the ball down hill, the ability to run the C-gap, and we wouldn't be the same offense without him. When I came here a year ago, it was .... Hell, he was thinking of moving to [play] guard for god's sakes. [We] didn't think we were going to use him, and it's like no, we're still going to use him. There are still four-minute, coming out, you have to run the football. You have to score touchdowns in the red zone. The best teams score touchdowns in the red zone, and we've been really good at that, and he's been a big part of that. So, I'm fired up he's been here as long as I've been here."
The past couple of weeks, players and head coach John Harbaugh have announced that you've been having a great couple weeks of practice. What constitutes a great practice versus one that isn't as positive? (Kyle Phoenix) "Not playing very well. I think [with] anything in life, that's what changes, right? When you don't like what you see, you have a choice – either keep doing it the same way you've been doing it and get the same results, or you can change. Whether it's me or our players – is that what we want it to look like? If not, what are we going to do to change it? And they understand that. They have to embrace that. You can only say that and say, 'Hey, let's talk about how we want this to look.' That at least gives you a chance. It doesn't guarantee anything, but doing it the other way does. It guarantees you'll be sloppy, it guarantees it won't look you want it to look like, so the players have embraced that, and we have to always look in the mirror and say, 'What are we doing,' from everything we do. From the meetings to our walkthrough to our practice to how we detail out the plan for their understanding of where we want to go and what we want it to look like – paint that picture, and then for them to see that picture and take it to the field, which they've done a great job of. [That] doesn't mean that the first two weeks we weren't giving effort. It doesn't mean that, but at the end of the day, whenever things aren't going well – it's not just football – try to solve it. That's what we do. We fix it. It doesn't matter – relationships [or] job. Whatever it is in our life that's important to us, when it's not going well, you fight like hell to fix it, and that's what our guys have done a great job of."
What stood out to you about QB Lamar Jackson's development as a quarterback who can mitigate pressures and avoid sacks? It seems like he's taken a step forward, even from last year. (Jonas Shaffer) "I don't know. It just feels like I see it every week. [Lamar Jackson] loves to compete. I think that's the best way to say it. He loves to play the game of football, and he wants you to help him to be the best he can be, and he's embraced [quarterbacks coach] Tee [Martin] as his position coach; he's embraced me as the coordinator, and we've embraced what his skill set is and what he brings to the table. It's always a work in progress with him, just like it is with our offense. You can never be stagnant and just keep doing the same things, and he's continued to grow and understand where we want this to go, and he's it. He's the conductor, man. He makes this thing go, and so that's been fun. It's been fun, and we're only going to continue, hopefully, to get better and bring everybody with Lamar, and our guys have done a great job – [they] really have – embracing that. We have a great group. We really do."
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR ZACH ORR
When we talked to CB Marlon Humphrey he said from his viewpoint you have to win the matchup between the DBs and the Bengals' wide receivers. How do you see that matchup between your group and theirs? (Jamison Hensley) "I think it's a team defense effort. Obviously, they [have] star receivers; their passing game's really good; their quarterback is just as much a part of that as anybody. That's a matchup within the matchup. It's team defense; it's our whole defense versus their whole offense. Just focused on the pass game – our D-line and linebackers have something to do with that as well, as far as disrupting timing and everything like that. That's a matchup that I know [Marlon Humphrey]'s focused on because he's a defensive back, so he has to understand those guys inside and out. It's team defense, but that matchup between the receivers and DBs is going to be huge in the matchup Sunday, and our guys [have] been working their butts off this whole week and preparing the right way. I'm excited to see them Sunday."
OLB Kyle Van Noy was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month; how do you put him in position to get so many sacks? What have you done to make him so successful? (Todd Karpovich) "First and foremost, congrats to 'K.V.' [Kyle Van Noy]. He's earned that. All he does is come here and work every single day in the classroom and on the field. I think that it's a testament to 'K.V' – all different spots and all different things he can do because he's a real versatile player; he's a really smart player – he's one of the smartest players I've personally been around – he knows a lot of football. And he understands situations and understands offenses. It's a credit all to him that we can do different things with him, because he can handle it and execute it at a high level. I just think he's getting more comfortable with his role and with the system being in his second year here."
I talked to OLB Kyle Van Noy yesterday, he said one of the reasons why he's been so successful is that he's been able to focus more on his rushing attack as opposed to off the ball stuff. Do you think that has a big part to do with it? (Melissa Kim) "Definitely, definitely. I know early in [Kyle Van Noy's] career in previous places, he's played off the ball a lot as well as on the ball. Here for us, he's truly an edge guy. We like his versatility; we're able to use his versatility, but he's in the outside backer room, and he's focusing on stopping the run and rushing the passer."
You've talked about how smart of a player OLB Kyle Van Noy is. How often does he come to you with ideas about what the defense should be doing? (Ryan Mink) "[Kyle Van Noy] definitely comes with ideas, and that's what we appreciate about 'K.V.' We encourage that with our players. It's a partnership – we want to make it work. We say, 'If you have a good idea, bring it to us.' 'K.V.'s one of the guys – he's definitely going to bring some ideas to the table – and they're pretty good ideas. It's great conversations – we love those conversations with our players, because ultimately, we just want to find the best thing to do to help us win – that's what we do as coaches, and that's how they feel as players, so it makes it easy."
Obviously tackling is always something that you talk about and stress. This week going into the Bengals and WR Ja'Marr Chase, especially known for breaking tackles and getting loose – he did it against the Panthers last week. Has that been a priority this week? (Ryan Mink) "Definitely. It's definitely a priority. Like you said, it's a priority every week, but we know who we're going against [in the Bengals]; we saw the [Ja'Marr Chase] play from last week; we've seen the plays over the years. We know their skill guys very well. Just like previous years, this year they're like Top 5 in yards after catch, so that something we have to be able to eliminate if we want to be successful on Sunday."
Maybe no defense defended Bengals QB Joe Burrow over the past few years like this Ravens one. What did you learn from former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald about how to diffuse someone as intelligent as Joe Burrow, and I guess how much of a moving target is the offseason reshuffle for every team? (Jonas Shaffer) "Yes, it's tough. Every year is different; every game is different. I think part of the success has just been everybody being on the same page playing team defense and going out there playing as hard as we can and not giving up big plays. That's a big focus for us going into this week is [for] everybody [to be] on the same page; us playing team defense and us eliminating explosive plays, because we know they're a real explosive offense. I think if we do that, we give ourselves a good chance."
CB Marlon Humphrey said yesterday he entered last week wanting to play with a little more physicality. He said he when into it saying, "I want to play like Roquan Smith." What does that mean to you being someone who's been around Roquan? (Melissa Kim) "It means a lot. That's what we always talk about with a guy like Roquan Smith – he's a special player. He's a special player [and] a special human. He's a guy ... His personality, his energy; his play is infectious on the field and off the field. He inspires people. I think if you're a great player [and] you're a great person you [are] going [to] inspire people in multiple ways – 'Ro' has multiple ways of doing that. One is by just cutting on the film. When guys cut on the film, you might think you're playing as hard as possible, and you might think you're giving everything you got, then you see a guy like Roquan – it's like, 'Oh it's different.' I think it's great that guys [are] trying to strive to play like him every single snap. I think if we do that, we [are] going [to] be fine."
Players and coaches have mentioned that you're calling plays with more comfort and sound more confident. Is that something that you feel that you've settled into? (Kyle Phoenix) "Yes, I think that every game is different, but I think that obviously with more time and more experience more comfort comes. I definitely feel like you can say that for sure."
OLB Kyle Van Noy gives a lot of credit to DT Travis Jones and OLB David Ojabo. How have those guys stepping in and playing their role brought the unit together to the point where Kyle is playing as well as he is? (Timothy Dashiell) "They're doing [really] good. [Travis Jones and David Ojabo] are two young guys that we've been excited about. Travis Jones has been getting better every single year. I think this year is going to continue to be a breakout year for him – he pops on the film and he's a rock in there on the interior. Edge guys know that that helps those guys out. Then David Ojabo – we've been knowing his talent and his work ethic; all he had to do was stay healthy. He's been healthy; he made a big play on that third down. He's been good this whole season for us, and we're excited about where he'll continue to go as well. Travis Jones and David Ojabo – those guys are getting better every single week, and I think if they continue to work the way they know how [and] the way we know they will, we're going to continue to see good things from those guys."
With Bengals QB Joe Burrow – obviously one of the top quarterbacks in the league – what do you see when you're trying to break down film and things like that as the biggest challenge in going against him? (Jamison Hensley) "I think the biggest challenge is not letting [Joe Burrow] know where to go with the football, and then really trying to switch stuff up on him. He's a really good football player; he's really smart. He understands coverages; he understands pressures. It's tough to confuse him; it's tough to trick him, and even when you do, he has the ability to still beat you with his arm and move around the pocket and still beat you with his feet as well. We have a lot of respect for him; we know what he's done; we know what he's capable of, and we have to be on our A-game if we want to come away with a victory."
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On if this game has a different level of intensity: "Yes, it's a highly anticipated game. It's a division game, at the end of the day, and we know how much these games mean, in a sense. And truth be told, [the Bengals] don't like us, and we don't like them, so it's one of those type [of] things. We're just going to go out and play our game, and it's going to be a good game, so I'm excited for the matchup."
On why he feels the Ravens and Bengals don't like each other: "Just watch the tape. [When] you watch the tape ... Across the board, since I've been here, it's been that way. But at the end of the day, it's a game that has to be played, and we're excited about it, and I'm sure [the Bengals are] excited about it, as well. So, it will be a great game."
On how the Ravens-Bengals rivalry has grown since he's been here: "Absolutely. [The Bengals], obviously, have been good for a while, with [Joe] Burrow [and] the offensive weapons that they have. And then, even from the defensive side of the ball, they've got some really good players over there – a former [Ravens] player in Geno [Stone] and whatnot. So, I've got mad respect for those guys, but at the end of the day, it's a game that has to be played, and I play for the Baltimore Ravens, and we've got to play [the] Ravens' style of football."
On the defense's step forward last week against the Bills: "Yes, it's all about taking a step forward, and I think, like 'K-Ham' [Kyle Hamilton] said last week, 'While taking a step forward, win. [Win] while getting better.' And at the end of the day, I think we did take a huge step, but I think that's just a small step into the journey on where we see ourselves, at the end of the day. So, it's just about continuing to prove exactly who we are. You have naysayers say this and say that, but what matters is about each and every guy in this locker room and the 11 guys that are out there on that field on the defensive side of the ball every time. I have an immense amount of respect for each and every guy I go to war with."
On the physicality in last week's game against Buffalo: "The tape speaks for itself. But that's last week, and [we've] moved on to Cincinnati. So, at the end of the day, we have to raise it up another notch, knowing it's a division game and knowing how much this game means. So, just be on the lookout for the physicality. You've got to show it every play, and when you show that, it judges your manhood, as a man; that's how I look at it. So, I'm excited about it, and I'm excited to show my physicality, as well as my football smarts. So, it will be an exciting matchup, and I'm excited."
On ILB Trenton Simpson's play: "[I'm] very excited for Trenton [Simpson] and the way he works day in and day out. I would say [that] he's the hardest worker [of] one of the guys I know, but I like to put myself up there, as well." (laughter) "But yes, Trenton, man, [I have an] immense amount of respect for him and just the way he approaches each and every day, his obsession for the game of football and just wanting to get better at each and everything he does. And when you have a guy like that, with that type of mindset, you can't do anything but respect him, and you know the trajectory that he's on is steady going [up]. So, I'm just happy to be a part of [it] with him, and one day, when I'm retired, he'll still be lighting 'cats' up." (laughter)
On if he plays with such effort and intensity to be an example for his teammates and with hopes that it rubs off on them: "Absolutely. And it starts with ... When they say a 'leader,' [a leader] leads by example; he shows the way, in a sense. And I feel like that's honestly just my way of showing the game of football how much I appreciate it for giving me everything that I've gotten and for showing me a lot of things and meeting a lot of people. Even you guys in here, I wouldn't have met you guys without the game of football, and I feel like that's just my payback for it, and I'll just say, whenever I hang up the cleats, I don't want to have any regret. So, every 'cat' that I see until that time [has] got to pay for it, at the end of the day." (laughter)
On if he believes that he's raised his level of play and is where he needs to be right now: "I can continue to raise my level week in and week out. There are always ... No human is perfect, at the end of the day, so there are plays in every game that I would want back. Even [in] the Buffalo game, there were some things that I would want back, but that's just a part of chasing perfection, at the end of the day. So, I think goes for each and every guy in this locker room – being able to just chase perfection on every given play and just knowing [that] if we do that and just play the game to the best of our ability, that we'll be a hard defense to move the ball on and play against."
On RB Derrick Henry's ability to already wear on defenses this early into the season: "Yes, man, there's a reason that [Derrick Henry] has been doing what he's been doing for eight- or nine-plus years, and I have a great deal of respect for him. I just see the way he works [and] takes care of himself; it inspires me, honestly, on the daily. But just knowing the type of work he puts in throughout the week and just knowing his demeanor when he gets the ball in his hands ... And truth be told, yes, I think a lot of defenders don't like to see him coming. When he's pulling up on the block, a lot of guys make 'business decisions.' It's kind of funny when I'm looking at it from the other side, but I'm just happy he's on our team now."
