HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "[I] appreciate you guys coming out. [It] was a good workday for us, and we're getting pointed towards two things: we're getting pointed towards [our trip to] Green Bay, but we're also pointed towards the opener in Kansas City."
You've done this in the past, not having QB Lamar Jackson get in any preseason reps, and it's actually worked out pretty well. The joint practices, what do you think really helps him get ready for the season when he's not getting any preseason reps? (Jamison Hensley) "We want to start the season off well. We want to put our best foot forward right out of the gates as much as we can. It's hard to do, there's no guarantee you're going to do that, and there's a lot of question marks to that every year. We have done well over the years doing that, because we practice well. It comes down to practice. Practice is what makes it; preseason games don't make or break you that way, it's the practices that make you, because that's what you stack. There are advantages to practicing; you see teams do it, like the Chiefs for instance, they've always done it. All the way the back to Andy [Reid with the Eagles] in 1999, they've always done it. We had done it for a while, and we haven't done it in the last few years. I think you can do it either way, and that's the way we're doing it this year."
Going back to Saturday night, Atlanta in that first half ran as many bootlegs as I've ever seen. Can you give us a little bit of insight into the relationship between you and defensive coordinator Zach Orr, and what you're talking about in terms of trying to get that stopped, as you see it play after the play? (Ken McKusick) "The boots really weren't our problem. It was the zone play-actions with the deep over routes that gave us the trouble off of the play-action mostly in the second half. Those deep over routes, what we really call 'burner' routes with the top off or clear out route on top of it. That's just execution, in terms of getting our linebackers popped out underneath there or our nickel. We were in zone [coverage] on a few of those, and that's tough in zone [coverage], plus getting to the quarterback. It's just more about right now ... It's less about scheme and more about calling our basic defense and having our guys execute them and be physical and see who can play and where we need to work. That's really what it's more about in the preseason, than trying to stop something with some kind of a scheme. That doesn't mean you don't get mad. You do, you get upset. We want everything stopped. We don't want the ball to be run on us ever. That's probably our biggest thing, but right now, we're also trying to get guys ready to play and see who can play."
You had said, ideally, you'd like to have the offensive line figured out with the open spots after the first few weeks of camp. How close are you to making that decision? How much more do you need to see as you get into the joint practices? (Brian Wacker) "I think we're close. I think we have a pretty good idea and what way it's trending in different areas. It's not altogether solidified, but we're in a good place right now."
With training camp to preseason games, obviously, it's probably difficult for you to make a decision with the running backs in the backfield and the wide receivers. Is it a good problem to make this final decision with the last few roster spots? (David Andrade) "Yes. You want to have guys competing for those last few spots. You certainly don't want to be scouring the waiver wire; you want to have guys here that you want to keep on the team, and you want to have a few more than you might be able to keep on the team. That definitely would be the idea. So, we're probably in that situation, but still, there are guys who have something to prove still. This last week, [with the] Green Bay practice [and the] Green Bay game is going to matter."
What have you learned over the years in the joint practices to get the best and most out of them? (Pete Gilbert) "The mindset of the two teams is the most important thing. If both teams come in with the same idea, that they're two good football teams that are trying to take advantage of opportunity to practice against another good football team and get a good football practice in, that's what you want. If a team is coming in like they're trying to prove something – some junior high [school] thing, then it's usually not good. We're excited to go against Green Bay. We think they're that kind of a group. [They're] a good football team. [They're] right there; [they were] almost in the NFC Championship Game, [and they're] a proven team. So, we're looking forward to that opportunity to go up and practice against those guys."
We haven't asked about C Tyler Linderbaum in a bit. Is he progressing well? How's that going? (Kyle Phoenix) "Yes. [Tyler Linderbaum] is right on schedule, [he's] just kind of right where we were planning. He won't be in any kind of contact work this week, but he's in all of the ACT practices that we do – he's been doing all of that, so, he's in a good place."
We know you have designed new returns and cover schemes in the kickoffs. How much if at all, have you incorporated defensive gapping principles and offensive blocking principles into that? And has it been more than in the past? (Nikhil Mehta) "[It's] been no more than the past. That's always been what you try to do. The thing that's eliminated it is the deep long drop, so you're teaching basically where to get set up a lot more in the pass [and] on the run. Now you basically stand there and you see the ball in the air, so it kind of gives you an idea of what your geometry needs to be on the play. But it's always defensive gap principles and offensive scheme principles and then scheme fits. It's not exactly like the offense and the defense, but the principles are the same."
After S Beau Brade battled through injuries in the spring, through training camp and two preseason games, what have you seen from him? (Jacob Steinberg) "Beau [Brade], he has dealt with a few injuries, but [he's] quiet, until we got him in the rookie skit, [and] then he wasn't quiet anymore; he's funny. So, that was fun – to see his personality even more. But yes, he's stepped up. He's covered well, but he's also made some hits – that's what I've enjoyed seeing – both on defense and special teams."
C Nick Samac got some snaps at center today. What have you seen from him? Is he more of a development guy or a viable option at this point? (Todd Karpovich) "[Nick Samac] made a big move this last week; he finally ... I think his ankle is feeling better, finally. He had the ankle injury there, and it probably did hamper him up until now. And he played well in the game. He was stout at the point of attack, and [he] had an opportunity because of Tyler [Linderbaum] not practicing, and we wanted to get Ben [Cleveland] some reps at guard. He had an opportunity to get in there and do some stuff, so I thought he did a good job today, and he did a good job in the game."
Is TE Mark Andrews progressing OK? (Pete Gilbert) "Yes, it's a very minor thing, very minor thing. I'm just ... We're just not messing with [Mark Andrews] right now. Don't worry about Mark. He's going to be fine."
Is TE Mark Andrews going with the team to Green Bay? (Kyle Goon) "Yes."
Were there any highlights from the rookie sketches? (Jonas Shaffer) "No. The guys though ... You could ask the guys. They could do better than I could at it. They were funny. They've avoided making fun of me so far." (laughter)
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On what went through his head when he heard about TE Mark Andrews getting involved in a car accident: "'Is he alright?' All types of things go through my head – like, that's Mark Andrews. [With] anybody just being involved in an accident, especially if I know them; but he's good, and that's all that matters. God was with him – God always [is] with him, and he's 100 [percent], and that's all that matters."
On his reaction to Emory Jones' touchdown pass against Atlanta: "It's great to see, especially not knowing what can happen [on] any given Sunday [and] any given play; and just to see a young guy just do what he did, it was amazing to see."
On his reaction to Peyton Manning and Tom Brady listing him as a Top Five quarterback in the NFL: "That's crazy. That's dope, especially coming from those guys. Those [are] guys who [are] on top of the Mount Rushmore [of quarterbacks] right now, for me at least. That's great – that's great to hear that from the GOATs."
On if he has any relationship with Packers QB Jordan Love: "No, I don't really have a relationship ... I've never met Jordan Love, but I'm looking forward to meeting him."
On what he hopes to get out of the teams' joint practice with Green Bay: "Some competitiveness – just not going against my guys each and every day. [We] finally get to go against someone else. Especially [since] I'm not playing [in the] preseason, [it's] just great to see how we are against other opponents."
On what he's doing to be more prepared for Week 1 as opposed to last season when he said he was rusty after the first game: "Wasn't I hurt too when I came back? When I came back, I was coming off injury and everything, right? I'm asking you because I don't really remember. I believe that's why I was rusty; I didn't play in so long and then I missed preseason and stuff, but I think I'll be good this go around no doubt. I've been with my guys since Day One, and we [have] been building chemistry, and I feel like we've been looking pretty good, so I think I'll be ready."
On how the Ravens' O-line is coming along from his perspective: "My guys [have been] coming along very well. [They're] young guys, [and this is a] very young group. I think is probably the youngest group I've been a part of since [I've] been in the league, and guys are coming along well. We got Ronnie [Stanley] at tackle, [and] we got Tyler [Linderbaum], and those guys that are leaders of the line right now; and we [are] just going to keep stacking and keep getting better."
On the difference he has felt in training camp from losing weight: "I've got a lot more energy. I'm not fatigued as much. If I'm running 30 yards down the field – I can come back and just be like me, like a robot, even though I'm not a robot. So yes, I'm feeling good. I just feel better, a lot better."
On if he's ready for the regular season to start or if he still wants time to work on some things: "You know [there's] always things to work on, but I'm definitely ready for the season. It's been a great offseason for us, and [I'm] tired of going against my guys. [I'm] looking forward to September 5."
On if he feels a difference in Year Two with offensive coordinator Todd Monken: "Yes, absolutely. Like you said, just me being a part of this system; going into my second season [and] having a whole offseason, and just building with our guys [some] chemistry, and listening to Coach [Todd Monken] and seeing what his vision is for the offense. I feel like this year, it'll be different this go around."
On if he's comfortable not taking any snaps in the preseason: "I'm very competitive, so sometimes I do [say], 'I want to go play,' but at the same time I know why our coaches [are] keeping us off the field; and I'd rather just play [the] regular season then going out there and things happen."
On when practicing against an opponent is a key to figuring out how team chemistry: "Not necessarily; just seeing how my guys are against other opponents and not just going against the same guys over and over, because I believe our defense [learns] our tendencies and [learns] our moves just going repetition each and every day. So just going against [the Packers], we'll see how guys are."
On how much anticipation he has for seeing RB Derrick Henry's debut: (laughter) "I believe you guys are looking forward to seeing Derrick [Henry more than] me, because y'all ask me about him every time I'm up here, but I'm definitely pumped up too, man. Just to see this guy do what he's been doing since forever, I'm just ready. I'm just glad he's on our side this time – like I always tell you all – and we're not going against him. But, I'm ready. I'm hype. I'm definitely hype."
On if he's OK after leaving practice for 10 minutes: "I'm good. I'm wonderful. I'm great. I'm good."
On how his relationship with WR Nelson Agholor has progressed and what they can do this year: "We're going to be better than last year. I feel like our chemistry last year was pretty good, as well, but that's just [with] all my receivers. I'm always trying to get our chemistry down pat [with the] tight ends [or] the running backs. It doesn't matter, because those guys are who are out there with me, so it doesn't really matter. But 'Nelly' [Nelson Agholor], he's [a] big bro, so [I'm] just trying to get a little knowledge from him and stuff like that."
On the No. 1 thing he's seen from the defense that he thinks will scare opposing offenses this year: "I don't know. I don't know, because all 11 are just great players. All around, our defense is just so different and dynamic. I'm just glad I'm not going against them in real time – just [in] practice."
On if he feels faster and more elusive over the course of training camp: "Do I look [like] it? Do I look fast? I do? I guess that's the answer." (laughter) "I guess that's the answer."
On what happened to his torn shirt: "Last week, one of the guys ... I was running the ball through the hole or whatever, and the guy tried to pull me, and I just kept running, but I'm just going to say a bear tried to fight me, and I won. How about that?" (laughter)
On if he's noticed that he's running faster: "No, not really. I just have to outrun my opponent, and I'm just cruising after that. I'm not really trying to do a 100-meter dash. I just [want to] beat whoever's chasing me. That's all."
On QB Josh Johnson going 11-for-11 in last week's game: "That's expected from Josh [Johnson]. [He's the] 'OG.'"
On what it's like having someone with QB Josh Johnson's experience level in the quarterback room: "That's definitely great. Actually, the first time Josh [Johnson] was here with us, a couple of years back, I was so hype to have him. Just learning [from him] and knowing the type of offenses he's been in and just hearing him speak and how he [learned] ball and how he [knows] ball, it's incredible for me to be in a room with a guy like him."
