SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR CHRIS HORTON
(Opening Statement) "How's everyone doing today? Good to see you guys. I think as we as we approach this week, for us, our main focus has been to continue to get ourselves ready to go play our best football game. Here it is, we're playing these guys for the third time, so the thing we've really just been trying to dial in on and focus on is our fundamentals and really just preparing for how we want to go out there and execute."
You've kind of cycled through returners with health and other various things throughout the season … You have guys getting healthy again finally. Who's going to be your returner? (Kyle Goon) "You know, I think, for us, is it's kind of like you said, we've had a variety of different guys back there – a number of different guys – and every guy we've put back there, we've felt like have done a really good job for us. I think for us, we're going to continue to work through that. [Steven] Sims has done a great job, and if he's back there, we're going to count him to continue to do the things in which we asked him to do. We put Tylan [Wallace] back there - he's done a good job for us - so we do have options for guys that could go be punt returners. You guys have seen us roll through the kick returners back there, right? We've had Keaton [Mitchell] back there, we've had [Rasheen] Ali back there, we've had Justice [Hill] back there you know we've had 'Des' [Desmond King] back there. So there [are] options for us, and I've said this before, I believe that if we take care of our business up front and in our blocking game, we'll get the yards that we're supposed to get."
Along those lines, we saw WR/RS Deonte Harty back out there yesterday. How did he look, just physically, after being away for so long? (Childs Walker) "You know, I think for him, it's just good to get back out there and get himself going again. He's another guy that, in the return game, has done a lot of good things, and it's good to really see him back out there."
We've seen K Justin Tucker, after those struggles, seems to be back in rhythm, you might say. Has there been anything substantive to it? Or is it just a matter of he's going make the kicks and this is just a hiccup he went through? (Bo Smolka) "I think it's just something that he went through. You'd have to ask him. I think what we want to see from him, we're seeing, and I think we've been seeing that. And for us, we're just not worried about it. We put him out there. He knows his job, and he wants to go out there, and he wants to make kicks, and I think he's in a good place right now."
We've seen P Jordan Stout taking kickoffs in the second half of games, do you anticipate that to continue in the playoffs? (Kyle Phoenix) "I do anticipate that those things will continue to happen. We've said this again around here – with the weather changing and the wind – we're just trying to get the ball as deep and as far as we can, and sometimes those wind conditions change. The kid's got a strong leg, and we put him out there, and he's done a great job for us."
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TODD MONKEN
With WR Zay Flowers dealing with the injury, if he is unavailable, how much does that change how you go about your game-planning and how you go about offensively operating? (Jamison Hensley) "Well, [Zay Flowers] has been a big part of what we do. He's a tremendous player, but we've got a lot of really good players, so it will be divided up, if he's not able to go. Hopefully, he's able to go, but I look forward to seeing the other guys play if that's not the case."
The Jacksonville Jaguars officially announced that they put in a request to interview you for their head-coaching job. How does any of that play into your frame of mind right now? (Bo Smolka) "None. Everything is about the Steelers. First of all, when anybody puts in a request, it's really a compliment to the organization, our staff and our players. That's really what it is. You can't do it without really good players, really good staff, a great organization and an unbelievable head coach, but there's nothing about that that factors in right now, other than beating the Steelers."
How much are you looking forward to getting RB Justice Hill back in terms of blitz pick up and also some of what he can give you on the perimeter that you may or may not have with WR Zay Flowers? (Luke Jones) "It will be great. We thought we were going to get [Justice Hill back] last week, and he got sick. Then, that kind of stopped his ability to make it through concussion protocol, so it will be great to have him back."
You received a game ball after Week 18 from head coach John Harbaugh. How many of those have you received in your career? Was it your first? How does that stand out to you? (Kyle Phoenix) "I don't know, game ball wise. I don't know. I don't know when it's ever been about the individual person. I really don't know. I really don't. It's always about the staff, the coaches and the players. That's really what it's about. It doesn't matter; I shouldn't say that it doesn't matter. I appreciate that. That's not what I mean. I just mean that I don't really even think about it. I really couldn't even tell you some of the times where the game balls are in my house. I really don't know. It's really about the players, the people, the relationships that you have, and it's on to the next one, really. What do we do this week? That's really what matters. You can't carry over points or yards, so we have to do it this week. That's a fact."
QB Lamar Jackson said yesterday, when he was asked about worrying about the playoffs, that he has gotten a little antsy in the past, a little excitable. Is that something as a play caller that you have to be cognizant of, how amped up he is, especially early in the game? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I don't know. I haven't seen that, so it's very difficult for me to comment on that. I haven't seen that. In the playoff games last year, I thought he started out fine. I thought we started out fine in some ways, so we're going to do everything we can for all of us to get comfortable and start fast. That's a key to any game, so whatever we can do from a player standpoint, from a coaching standpoint, to get us to start fast is the ultimate goal."
Much has been said, before the last Steelers game, about QB Lamar Jackson's previous struggles against the Steelers, and then that was by far his best performance against the Steelers specifically. What did you see from him that he did well in that game? (Bo Smolka) "Well, first off, I think it's unfair to pin it all on [Lamar Jackson]. I think that's, and I'm not saying you. I'm just saying in general. I've been here two years, and he's played in three of them, and there are things I didn't do well in the first game a year ago, and we had a bunch of drops. Then, the first game this year, we had turnovers and a bunch of penalties. That's a team issue. That's not a Lamar issue. That's a team issue, and he played really well this last time we played them, and we played well as a team, and that's what it's going to take Saturday."
Do you keep a playoff week like a normal week? Is that how you look at it, or do you address the magnitude of it all? (Childs Walker) "Not really. We've been ascending. This isn't a new season. This isn't starting over. It's just building [from] where we've started and where we've come. We're ascending. That's what you talk about. We're getting to the point [where] we're playing our best football on both sides of the ball, and that's where you want to be. That's where we're at right now. Now, we have to carry that over to Saturday."
How important is it to get the run game going right at the start? Last time you played Pittsburgh, the run game had a big day on the ground. How important is it to hit the ground running from the start? (Cordell Woodland) "For sure. We talked about it last time. There's nothing like being able to turn around and comfortably hand the ball off. That's the start of everything you do. It's hard to control the game if you can't run the football. Let's just say that. You control the game with physicality. You control the game with being able to run the football, especially in weather conditions, and it sets everything else up that you do, so that's critical. That's not just us. That's everybody, so [I'm] looking forward to Saturday."
You talked about ascending. Do you feel like this year compared to last year that you're more able, if an opponent comes in and says, 'I want to take away 'X' part of their gameplan,' that you're able to be able to pivot off of that? (Ryan Mink) "I think we're in a better place as a team and a staff in your second year, more than ... Last year, we ran the ball well, and we threw the ball well. I wouldn't say we were as efficient as a staff, as a team, our comfort level with each other, how we do things [and] how we prepare. I would say we're better there than we were last year and more consistent. We were certainly able to do that last year, maybe not as proficient and maybe not as efficient."
I know your focus is on the Steelers, obviously, this week, but big picture-wise for your career, how interested would you be – I know you had that little stint with the Buccaneers at one point – to have another chance to be a head coach in the NFL? (Jamison Hensley) "Well, it's flattering, but again, like I said, it's a compliment to the other coaches that are a big part of how we game-plan as a collaboration, to the organization – that's why I wanted to be a Baltimore Raven. From top to bottom, [the organization is] first class [and has] the best head coach in the NFL. We have tremendous players and a tremendous staff. That's what it says. It doesn't say anything about me. It says about who we have – who we have inside the building – and what matters most is Saturday. I promise you that."
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR ZACH ORR
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken just mentioned that he feels like the team is ascending. Obviously on the defensive side, you guys are playing your best football of the season. The cliche always goes, "The team that gets the hottest in the playoffs usually is the one that wins." How does that boost your confidence? (Alex Woodward) "I think it boosts the confidence a lot, but it all goes into the preparation. I think that, like we said, coming from the Bye week after we lost to [the Eagles], the players came in locked in and ready to roll and took their preparation to the next level. I think we just [have] to continue that, and that's what will continue the success that we've been having. [I'm] confident in it, because I know how our guys are preparing. We've had great weeks in practice [and] great meetings so far this week, and we [have] to continue with these next couple days leading into Saturday."
When you think back over the season, can you pinpoint when you felt like the worm kind of turned and you started to see real progress week after week with the defense? (Childs Walker) "Yes, I could really just think of just the week leading into the [Week 11] Pittsburgh game – that was our next game. And just the level of focus [and] intensity and then seeing that carry over into the game. Even though we lost, it was the best we felt like we've played, and it was the style of play that we wanted to play – physical; max effort; togetherness; guys not looking to point the finger or anything like that. I think that's when it really started to turn, and we realized that we could build on that and continue to keep it going if we stay locked in with the preparation and stay focused."
Are you expecting to see both Pittsburgh quarterbacks in this game? (Cordell Woodland) "Yes, I'm definitely expecting it. Just because I think [the Steelers have] two starting quarterbacks – two starting-caliber quarterbacks on their squad. They've won games with both of them. Justin Fields is a weapon, so you [have] to be prepared for ... You [saw] it in the first game, even though he didn't start against us, he came in and made some critical plays that ultimately, in our eyes, cost us the game. So, we have to prepared to see both of them – not even just Justin as a runner, but him as a thrower, as well, because he is a quarterback. So, we prepare for both, and the gameplan really doesn't change much from either one. We [have] to do what we [have] to do. Play sound [and] disciplined football, and we like our chances."
From your perspective, what are some of the pros and cons of playing the same team three times? (Carita Parks) "Honestly, it was funny; we were talking about this. I had a chance to play in this type of situation, and a couple years ago coach in this type of situation when we played Cincinnati three times. I think every game is its own story, so you can't get caught up too much in what happened in the previous games, because each game is different, and I think just the pros – you just kind of understand how certain guys play. But I don't think it's that big of a deal, honestly. I think every game is its own game."
CB Brandon Stepehen is a guy who's obviously taken some lumps whet you guys weren't doing so well earlier in the year. In that first game against Pittsburgh, they used George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth to match up with size against him. When it comes to Brandon and how he's performed as the defense has gotten better these last few weeks, where do you kind of see his mentality, and how prepared is he to kind of go against that? (Kyle Goon) "Yes, 'B-Steve' [Brandon Stephens is] prepared. He prepares hard just as anybody on our team. The thing I love about 'B-Steve' is he has the mentality that you want to have as just a professional athlete and especially as a DB in this league. I mean, he's a one play, next play, whatever happens – whether it's a good play or bad play – [he's] moving on. We [are] happy with 'B-Steve.' We love that teams are trying to challenge him, and we know that he's up for the challenge. He's been prepared, [and] he's been locked in. It was funny, me and [head] coach [John] Harbaugh [were] just talking earlier during practice about how locked in and how good he's looked. We [are] confident, and we [are] excited, and I'm ready to go see him ball out Saturday."
When you say how good CB Brandon Stephens has looked, do you mean in practice this week? (Kyle Goon) "Yes, in practice this week. Yes, and [Brandon Stephens has] been looking good for us, honestly, the whole year, in my opinion."
Similarly, about CB Brandon Stephens, do you anticipate him having the same amount of role and involvement on defense, or is that position more fluid with CB Tre'Davious White and CB Nate Wiggins and getting those players in on that side as well? (Kyle Phoenix) "Yes, I think all those guys are very key. You see we play them all together at times. You see we can interchange those guys depending on matchups, so I think everything's up in the air. We feel like Marlon [Humphrey], [and] Nate [Wiggins], [and] 'B-Steve' [Brandon Stephens] and 'Tre' [Tre'Davious White] – we feel like those guys are all starters in the secondary. We'll use those guys depending on the game [and] depending on the gameplan accordingly."
You alluded to the fact that you played in that game when you guys beat the Steelers back in 2014. Was there an extra layer of satisfaction in beating your rival to take that next step? (Childs Walker) "Yes, I think [there] was when you look back at it like after the season. At the time, just my personal mentality and I think the mentality that this organization has, which is why I love it so much, is it doesn't really matter who the opponent is. It's like, we [have] to line up, [and] we [have] a game to win on Saturday, and we [have] to go do what we [have] to do to win that game. Yes, when you're in the offseason and you look back at it, yes, it makes it a little bit sweeter. At the end of the day, we [are] going [to] be happy to get a win, because we get to advance to the next round, regardless if we [were] playing whoever."
How happy were you to see OLB Odafe Oweh hit double-digit sacks in the finale, and where have you seen him grow the most over the last year? (Luke Jones) "I was happy. Just any time anybody reaches a milestone, we [are] going [to] celebrate, just because you understand the work that you have to put in – silencing the doubters and all that stuff. So, I can only imagine the pressure that [Odafe Oweh] has on him as a first-round pick. I wouldn't know [and] a lot of people don't know that. I've seen him really just grow and just his preparation from a standpoint [of] he always [works] hard physically [and has] studied mentally, but I think the game is slowing down for him, and he's really taking the next step in his film study, and I see that [in] how he's attacking offensive linemen, [and] how he's understanding protection schemes, and how that fits in with his God-given abilities and how it fits in with our scheme. I think [with] him just meshing that together; [assistant defensive line coach/outside linebackers] Matt [Robinson], [pass rush coach] Chuck [Smith] and [defensive line coach] Dennis [Johnson] do a great job with him. I think just a combination of all that is really where you're seeing his game rise."
The NFLPA released their choices for All-Pro. S Kyle Hamilton and ILB Roquan Smith made it form your defense. How do you view sort of how the players vote on that stuff, and what does that mean to you and the guys on your defense? (Kyle Goon) "Yes, I mean it means a lot. Like I said, anytime anybody gets an accolade, we celebrate it – or a milestone – because we understand, yes, it's an individual award, but all the guys will tell you that they couldn't do it without [their] teammates. We celebrate it. It means a lot to me, [and] it means a lot to the players [and] a lot to everybody in the organization. I think it's great that the players do an All-Pro team just because, shoot, just [to] be real, it's different. The guys, they know, because they're the guys that [are] lining up across from you out there on that field, so I think that holds a lot of weight in making the All-Pro team that's voted on by your peers."
Who gets credit for designing a play to have DL Michael Pierce drop back into coverage? (Bo Smolka) "I don't know, man. That play has been around a long time. I just carried it over, but man, Mike P. [Pierce], that's one ... I'm still shocked by that play. That was crazy, man. That's one of the best plays that I think I will probably ever witness. I don't think it's going to get much better than that. Then, just the whole deal of him sliding and going down like that, I was like, 'Man.' It was athletic. It was great, and it's a play that we've run before. My friend was joking with me [because] he saw it – we did it against the Chiefs – and it didn't work out too well. He was like, 'What are you doing dropping this big guy into coverage?' I was like, 'Bro, it's just the play. Don't worry about it.'" (laughter) "Then, we ended up getting an interception this time, and he texted me back and was like, 'OK, I see the play worked this time.' That's a heck of a play by Mike P. We tell those guys all the time – you just keep doing your job, keep doing your job and you never know when the ball might come your way. You have to make the most of it, and it just happened that he did to close it out. That's great for him, great for us."
Were you happy DL Michael Pierce went down? (Cordell Woodland) "Oh, yes. Yes, I was happy he went down. I was like, 'Please, let's get down. Let's get out of here nice, safe and sound.' I think it was a really good, smart decision, and we're going to need him, fully rested like he is now, for Pittsburgh on Saturday."
Had you worked on the technique with DL Michael Pierce? (Childs Walker) "That was pure instinct. We have to work on that technique. That technique was a little shaky right there. I have to be honest." (laughter)
In the middle of the season, when things weren't going well, how did it make you feel when so many guys were saying, 'It's not a Zach thing. It's us. We need to fix it,' and they basically had your back? (Cliff Brown) "Yes, I appreciate that, man. Honestly, they didn't have to do that publicly. Just for guys doing that, it made me want to go harder for them, and I think that just kind of shows the unity and the bond and the family-type atmosphere that we have here, because we say it's a family, but a lot of times, when things start going bad, you get tested. Guys start turning their back on each other, and we never did that. That's what honestly gave me the confidence that we'll be able to get this thing going in the right direction. It's because we did stick together, and we did have each other's back, but those guys doing them, I can't thank them enough, because shoot, I'm human, too. Hearing that, I need a boost at times, and that definitely gave me a boost."
S KYLE HAMILTON
On the defense overcoming the early-season struggles and becoming a stout unit: "I think it's something that we all knew we could do, and we're proud of [it]. We finished the season strong, but at the same time, we're about to go in the playoffs now. No one really cares about that anymore. It's a one-week life that we're living right now, so we're just focused on doing it against the Steelers this week."
On if he has been dealing with a knee issue for a while, and if it will inhibit him on Saturday: "No, I'll be all good."
On how he prepares for dealing with an offense that might use two different quarterbacks: "I think our coaches have done a good job this week just kind of sprinkling in different personnel and having the right people for those looks. The scout team has been doing a great job giving us what we need. Whatever that may be, they've done a good job all year at preparing us, [and it's] no different this week. It's obviously something that you have to gameplan for because Justin [Fields] is a threat when he comes in the game with his legs and also can throw the ball, too – he's still a quarterback at the end of the day. Practicing that a little bit will help us if it does happen in the game."
On if the Ravens are the hottest team going into the playoffs: "I don't know, I feel like that's more so for the outsiders to kind of judge on. I don't really care what we did in the regular season at this point. It's the playoffs now; everybody has a 0-0 record. Whatever you did in the regular season doesn't matter anymore. We're all in the dance kind of like March Madness."
On if it's an upside or a downside to playing a team that they know so well: "I think it's [an] upside. I think it's cool to go against the rival – arguably one of the better rivalries in the league – on the biggest stage right now in the playoffs. [It's] win or go home, and it just raises the stakes that much more. I'm sure both sides will be playing their hearts out. Both sides are going to be super sore after the game. It's just the nature of the game, but it's a blessing to go out there and be able to play in front of our fans against the Steelers. You couldn't really draw it up better than that."
On how CB Nate Wiggins has grown this season: "I think Nate [Wiggins] is super, super talented; he's one of the more talented people that I think I've seen on the football field. He's got good size, good hands – he's super fast, obviously. Mentally, I think he's grown a lot this year. Not even just football-wise – just coming in, communication and stuff like that. It's cool to kind of see him grow up, and I think his career is on the right trajectory right now. I wouldn't be surprised if he's the top cornerback in the league in the next few years. I really think he's that talented."
On if the intensity will go up a level on Saturday because it's a playoff game: "Maybe. I feel like those games are pretty physical as is. Maybe a few guys out there with bumps and bruises who might have not played in the regular season – you kind of just have to rub some dirt on it at this point. It's win or go home, and [I] definitely don't want to be on the back end of that statement, so everybody is going to go out there and do what they need to do, and it's going to be a fun game to watch."
On if this postseason feels different compared to his past two playoff appearances: "Yes, last year we had a bye – that was kind of nice. But obviously, we have to come out and win this first game and the game after that and the game after that. But, we're not really worried about the next week; we're worried about Saturday right now. And to answer your question, no, not really. The playoffs are the playoffs. You kind of get in that mode once the season comes around, and it's not a surprise to us – this is where we see ourselves starting [back] in OTAs. We're blessed enough to be at the point now to be at the opportunity to go win a Super Bowl, and we just have to go do it."
TE ISAIAH LIKELY
On what he's learned from offensive coordinator Todd Monken the most: "[Offensive coordinator Todd Monken] is a great 'OC.' Everybody sees him as energetic. He's always running around on the field trying to get everybody [going] and knowing what everybody has to do, and that's exactly what you want from an 'OC,' especially when you have a quarterback like Lamar Jackson. You want somebody that energizes everybody and gets everybody going."
On if he sees the development of the offense in Year 2 under offensive coordinator Todd Monken: "For sure, that's just everybody buying into the product. Just everybody getting with each other [and] really just understanding everybody, where everybody is trying to come from the point of view of the offense, and really just trying to let everybody's talent shine."
On how he feels about playing the Steelers for a third time this season: "I feel good. It's a divisional rival. You always want to go in and understand what you're good at, what they're good at, and at that moment, you just let your talent shine."
On playing at M&T Bank Stadium this weekend: "I love playing at 'The Bank' because I feel like that's a stadium like no other. When you get the crowd into it, that charges up the sideline, and when it charges up the boys on the field, the sky is the limit."
On how much momentum matters heading into the playoffs: "That's the reason you want to win as many games as possible, [is] to play at your home field, and I feel like when you have a home field like 'The Bank,' when you get momentum at 'The Bank,' when you have everybody charged up, I feel like we're a scary team to beat at all times with that."
On how he controls his heartrate in the playoffs: "Really just breathing. Good play, bad play or momentum play, you just have to breath and take it in because you know you'll never win the game [with] that one snap. Every snap matters, but you'll never win a game in the first quarter off of the first snap you take. So, just breathe in, whether it was a good play or bad play and just knowing that it's going to take a full 60 minutes."
On if each play feels big in the game, or if it goes away once he starts playing: "I'll say, at least from me playing as a young guy in the playoffs, at first, every play I felt like was big at every moment. Having vets like Lamar [Jackson], like Mark [Andrews] in my ear talking about, 'Man, just breathe. Stay in the moment. Stay engaged.' Hearing that, it just lets you know that, 'OK, as long as I take it one play at a time, we're going to be a scary team to beat,' and not just going out on the fact whether it was a good play or bad play and just playing your game."
