HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "Great to see everybody here. We sure appreciate you being here. Short week turnaround after a Monday night game. We finished the game less than 48 hours ago and we're back at it. Our guys were in today – very attentive [and] very on point with a mindset to get locked in and get ready for a big division game on Sunday at one o'clock in Cleveland. We've had many, many tough battles in Cleveland [and] with Cleveland. [They're a] very physical football team; very aggressive football team; very hungry football team, and we understand that. [It's a] tough environment always, especially for the Ravens. We're looking forward to it, [and] we're excited about the opportunity. The other thing I'll mention is we had three former Ravens that made the Top 50 for Hall of Fame inductions, so congratulations to those guys – 'Sizz' Terrell Suggs, Marshal Yanda and Haloti Ngata. Those guys are well deserving and, in my mind ... They have my vote. I don't have one, but they have my vote for first-ballot Hall of Famers. So, what questions do you have?"
We saw RB Keaton Mitchell out there. His 21-day window is starting. Is there a timetable on when he will return? Do you think it's going to take the full 21 days? Anything that you know? (Jamison Hensley) "It's all a good question. We really don't know anything. I don't expect [Keaton Mitchell] to be back this week in all honesty – not that ... Hey, you never know. We'll see how he looks out there tomorrow when we're out there full speed. He's been away quite a while, so we want to get him going; get him moving; get him practicing football and get him ready hopefully within the three-week window. That would be the goal for sure."
What's the kind of benchmark with RB Keaton Mitchell? Not just being out here today, but then that three-week window to kind of be out there for good? (Brian Wacker) "That'd be the goal that we would want him back, sure. We want him back at the three-week window at the latest. That would be the benchmark I would think. Something before that would be great."
What would be the litmus test? (Brian Wacker) "The litmus test? That [Keaton Mitchell] practices well; he can make all the change of direction cuts; he can be productive, but also he can protect himself – that's probably the most important thing – that we feel like he's strong enough to protect himself. That'd be the No. 1 thing."
Cleveland announced that QB Jameis Winston will start at quarterback. You've seen a little bit of him, but I'm sure you've seen a lot of him on tape over the ye*ars. What's your perception of him?* (Bo Smolka) "[Jameis Winston] is a very talented guy. He's a guy that our coaches have a lot of ... Our offensive coaches have a lot of connections with. [Offensive assistant coach] Danny Breyer and he are best pals. Not that that tells us much more than they're both great guys. He's a great quarterback; very talented quarterback over the years – [a] highly touted [and] highly decorated quarterback; [has] played a lot of football; can throw the thing all over the field for sure; push the ball downfield; does a great job with the reads. Those are the things that's a little different, because it'll probably be a little different offense than what Deshaun [Watson] was doing, because any quarterback brings his own flavor to the offense. They're going to have a different play caller – how much that's going to change with [offensive coordinator] Ken [Dorsey] doing it now instead of [head coach] Kevin [Stefanski]. We just don't know. We have to get prepared for the things that we think that they're capable of doing, but mainly we have to get prepared to play our best game on defense and do things right the way we do them."
In a short week, how much does that complicate when they change, obviously the quarterback is one thing, but change play callers. Does that force you to watch old Buffalo tape of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey's offense, or how do you go about that? (Jeff Zrebiec) "Well, no, [Ken Dorsey]'s influences are on the offense already. He's been the offensive coordinator, so he's been putting the offense together – it's a collaboration. So, we understand the plays in there. How he calls them in the game could be different, [or it] could be the same – you just don't know. Really for us, we need to play our defense that's called well. That's our goal, and that's what it will be."
Given the short week, any expectations for CB Marlon Humphrey, or any hope Marlon gets out there? (Alex Glaze) "Yes, I'm hopeful. I'm hopeful. All those guys are guys that have a chance to be back. We'll just have to see how it plays out during the week. The guys that are ready, they'll play. If a guy doesn't quite make it, then he won't be able to play. Right now, we don't know who that's going to be."
After watching the tape, what'd you see from the secondary against Tampa Bay. Did you see any improvements there? (Todd Karpovich) "Oh yes, I mean I saw a lot of things in there, but I saw some big plays. I saw a lot of yards after seven minutes [to go] in the fourth quarter. I believe there was 200 yards in the last seven minutes, so it kind of changes the dynamic. The way I look at it, any play we make that doesn't get us in that place – offense, special teams and defense – and it never even goes down that road – the game's over. That's the way it would've been played the last seven or eight minutes. That's on us, though. You have to close people out. We played a great football game. I was really happy with the fact at the way we handled the momentum. You're going into Monday Night Football [against] a hot football team [with an] excited crowd, [and] the place is going crazy, and they jump out to a two-score lead. Just keeping them from going [up] 14-0 was something. Then they go back down the field again, and Marlon [Humphrey] puts a stop to it, momentum-wise, with the interception. Then our offense ... We go down, [and] we score six straight times on offense, [and] we come up with six straight stops on defense – that's impressive. What I'd like to do is make the play or so at the end that finishes the game. We did eventually, but anywhere along the way it could've changed that, and that's really where most of those yards came from."
The numbers say you guys are 32*nd* against the pass, but along with what you just said, a lot of times you guys are up by so much, teams have to throw in the fourth quarter, and maybe that hurts the numbers in terms of the ranking you think? (Jerry Coleman) "Yes, I do think that. I mean it's reality. They're not running the clock out [and] running the ball in four-minute [offense] at the end – that has an impact on stats. But what we're looking at is the things that we need to do better, and we know there's a lot of things we need to do better. We need to detail things out better – all three levels of our defense, so that we can be a complete defense and a consistent defense. We're capable of it. We're going to get there. I do like the upside of it, I really do – I feel good about the upside, because I believe in our players. I know they're very good players. I know our coaches are very good coaches. We just have to get there, and when we get there, what does that look like? I'm excited about that."
I know you're very in the moment most weeks and you're probably looking at week-to-week improvements, but do you ever look at the tape and performance like QB Lamar Jackson had on Monday and think about how he's grown as a passer and his general mastery of offense? (Kyle Goon) "Yes, I probably do. I think about that every day, honestly, all the way back. Because, really what you're trying to do – you try to do your job as a coach – all of us try to do what's best for our players. Same thing with the secondary – we're trying to do what's best for our players – secondary, linebackers, pass rush. No different for our quarterback or any of our ... Or Derrick [Henry] or any of our players. You try to build it and put it together in a way that brings out the best in your players around their skill sets. I feel like I think about it every day, but don't really look back and think, 'Oh man that's really great.' I probably will somebody. I do think it's really great, and I'm really happy and excited, but I think Lamar [Jackson] ... I feel we think the same way as players and coaches – we're looking at the next game. You're really only as good as your next game. I know he looks at it that way, and that's how I look at it, too."
QB Lamar Jackson's been really good against the blitz this season in particular. Why? What's your explanation? (Brian Wacker) "I wish there was one silver bullet. I think we've been intentional about it – that's probably the 'why.' We've been very intentional about not just that, but that has been a big one – how we attack people who are going to blitz us in various ways and play various coverages behind it. We've tried to build something, and Lamar [Jackson] ... I would say Lamar has been the most intentional about it. He's been locked in on that from Day One, so it is showing up, and we have to keep it going, and we're going to get different blitzes. Cleveland is a big blitz team – they're one of the best blitzing teams in football. [Defensive coordinator] Jim Schwartz does a great job, and we're going to have to be on point."
This past offseason, you talked a lot about you, QB Lamar Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken going back and continuing to build on this offense. When you think back to some of those conversations and you watch this offense now, do you see a lot of the key components and principles that you guys wanted to hone in on this season? Are you seeing that when you watch them right now? (Cordell Woodland) "Yes, I am seeing it, and I'm excited about it, because I think a lot of it is bringing brought to bear by Lamar [Jackson] and by the players. That was the intentionality of it, but we have 10 regular season games left. One at a time, we have to keep building on it."
Will you make changes on the hands team? With two kicks being recovered, and they were both against you ... (Jeff Zrebiec) "Thanks for reminding me of that. I am aware of that. That's one of the plays I was referring to. If you recover that kick, [the game is] kind of over. Yes, we will. We'll look at it. Not everybody wants to be on the hands team; I can tell you. It's tough, a tough duty, but yes. The rest of the league [has given up zero], and we've given up two. Nobody is very envious of that right now, so we'll flip some guys around [and] try to get some guys in spots that we think can make sure we come up with the next one."
When you look at the level that T Ronnie Stanley has maintained this year, do you think it's simply a matter of he's able to make all the physical movements that were hard for him last year with the knee injury? Why do you think he's playing at the level that he is? (Childs Walker) "I think that's part of it. Yes, that's probably a big part of it, and also because of the fact that [Ronnie Stanley] has been able to train the whole offseason fully, so he's just stronger. The ankle [and] the feet, they're stronger. His whole lower body is stronger, because he [had the ability to] train. It's definitely showing up."
With RB Derrick Henry, he's on a historic pace for rushing yards. He also leads the league in carries, as well. Are you happy with his workload? We talked about this before, but are you happy with his workload? It's like 19 carries per game right now, but is that kind of what you're looking for? (Jamison Hensley) "It's not 30 [carries]." (laughter) "Thirty is kind of a high number. I protected myself on that. I'm happy with it. I'm happy with it because it does mean that we've had a lot of carries in the fourth quarter, which means that we have the lead, and that's what you want. I also feel like over the course of the season, it's going to be OK if it's not 19 or 25. When it's 10 or 12, that's OK, too. Other guys will be getting those carries as well, or hopefully, we'll be throwing the ball for a bunch of yards, but that's one thing about Derrick [Henry]; you'll never hear him concern himself with that. He wants it – there is no doubt about it – but he wants it because it helps us win, and that's all he ever talks about."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On if he ever thinks about being on pace to break RB Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record: "No, I don't really try to think about that too much. I just try to focus on doing my job and being better and better every week. I don't really try to get into the statistics of things. I focus on the team goals."
On what was going through his mind when he noticed QB Lamar Jackson blocking in front of him on the big run: "I've got to make it a play, because [Lamar Jackson] was getting out there. He did a good job. I told him, 'Thank you' after the game, too. You don't see many quarterbacks doing that. 'L' is just a team guy."
On if he was hard on himself after getting tackled on his big run: "Yes, I'm always hard on myself. That's not a good feeling, and you brought it back up; now, I'm going to be thinking about it on the way home now. But no, it happens. I'm 30 years old, running 21.7 [miles per hour]; I'm happy. It's humor. I wasn't really mad. [I was] just joking around after. People are ... I mean, you had speed coaches, track coaches ... Everybody was writing to me, talking about, 'Hey I could help you get you faster.'" (laughter) "I'm like, 'I'm good. I'm good.'"
On his thoughts after hearing Cowboys owner Jerry Jones say that he's having a career year: "Ravens, we've won five in a row. [We've] got some good momentum. I'm a Raven; I'm happy to be a Raven. Whatever is going on over there, that's their business. I'm worried about what we're doing in Baltimore."
On his efficiency on a lesser load of carries and if that's been beneficial to him: "I just think that speaks about the offense that we have [and] the dynamic players we have on offense. It opens up for everybody, and the guys that are blocking, they just make my job easier. All I've got to do is just get the ball, get north and south and make the best out of the play. They've been making it easy, so I give the credit to all of them for the stats and everything else. But as far as touches, I don't try to worry about that. If I get an opportunity, I try to make the best of it."
On if he believes that teams counted him out or underestimated him this offseason due to his age: "It doesn't matter. I went to the team I was supposed to go to, that I wanted to go to, and I can't worry about what people say or this, that and the third. I do what works for Derrick Henry, and I'm a Baltimore Raven, and I want to do the best I can to help us win each and every week."
On Timberwolves G Anthony Edwards joking about meeting him in the hole: "I saw that, yes." (laughter) "I mean, everybody has got an imagination; everybody's imagination always goes – in their head – the way they want it to. But I was talking on Mark [Ingram II]'s podcast yesterday; I was like, 'We've got to set up a training camp where basketball players come out here and put these pads on and see if they really can get through it.' But [Anthony Edwards] is a tall guy, so at least he's not going to tackle me low. So, we might have to try that out one day." (laughter)
On his impressions of and excitement for RB Keaton Mitchell: "Keaton [Mitchell] is a speed demon; I know you all saw that last year. You're all talking about my efficiency, [but] his efficiency was out the roof, so that just adds another dynamic into this offense. I'm a vet guy, so I'm going to try to help as much as I can and give him as much game [insight] as I can while we're teammates. He's fought hard to get back to be able to play this season, and I'm happy for him and can't wait to see him get on the field."
On if there's been any banter between him and QB Lamar Jackson after trading AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards over the past four weeks: "No, I just think us practicing hard and that then transitioning to the game ... [We're] just focused on getting better week after week, and I feel like once you put the team first and focus on execution and being determined [about] what we want to be as a team, then the individual stuff is just 'window dressing,' and that will take care of itself."
On if his ESPN Himmy Award in his looker is something he received after the Monday Night Football game: "That was [from] last week; this week, I wasn't 'him.'" (laughter) "So, we'll see [about] next week." (Reporter: "Do you think you can be 'him' next week?") "I don't know. We'll see, but [Cleveland] is a great defense. I know their record doesn't show that, but this defense, they're physical, [and] they fly to the ball. They're an experienced defense, [and] I feel like they're solid on all ... From top to bottom – I know I say this every week – this is probably one of the best defenses we've faced, for real."
On how much fun he's having with the Ravens: "Yes, it's been a lot of fun. I'm not smiling right now, but I'm happy inside. So, yes, I've been enjoying this, and [I] thank God for bringing me here, and I'm going to try to take advantage of the opportunity as much as I can."
On the offensive line turning things around from earlier this season: "Yes, like a said, they deserve all the credit. Anything I do well, make sure you mention them first before you mention me. Those guys, like you said, they took all the heat [in the early weeks] and just went back to work, and [they've] been balling every single week. So, don't give me credit without giving them credit, for sure."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On RB Derrick Henry's chances to break the single-season rushing record: "It's there. I feel like [Derrick Henry] has a great chance of achieving that. I think he can do it. I believe he can do it."
On if he feels any different when playing on Monday nights: "I don't know what it is about Monday nights. I just love playing football. I'm trying to win, and that's the biggest thing for me. So when I'm out there, I'm trying to do anything possible to get us a 'dub.' That's all."
On his response to media saying the offense is "unstoppable": "Nothing. It just goes into one ear and out the other. Like I said before, they were saying we were the worst team in the league. And each and every week, we've just been worried about proving ourselves right, and that's pretty much what we've been doing. [We're] not worried about the outside noise."
On how dangerous the backfield is with RB Derrick Henry, RB Justice Hill and himself: "Definitely Justice Hill as well, but like I said before, it's just a pick-your-poison offense. We have guys out there at receiver [that are] just doing a great job [of] getting open, catching the ball, and getting yards after catch. [We] have great tight ends, the offensive line is playing great, and the running backs are just doing what they're doing. We just have to keep getting better each and every week, because I believe we still make little, small hiccups in games where we're stopping drives from putting teams away early. But we just have to keep getting better each and every week."
On RB Keaton Mitchell's return and what he can add to this offense: "I'm loving it, but [we have to] keep getting better. I want [Keaton Mitchell] to be 1000% when he's out there. We're doing pretty good right now without him, but we can't wait to have him back, definitely."
On if T Ronnie Stanley reminds him of the guy before he dealt with injuries: "Yes, absolutely. That was the only thing with Ronnie [Stanley], [was] just the injuries. He was just trying to get back to where he was, and I feel like he's feeling pretty good now, and he's just the same Ronnie I knew ever since I entered the league."
On how big of a difference it makes when his left tackle is going to hold up in pass protection: "It makes my job a lot easier. I get to go through my progressions, get the ball out, and just have successful plays."
On why he's been so successful against the blitz this season, and if he relishes when defenses blitz him: "That's pretty much what I study, the blitzes. That's the main thing. Catching the defense in a blitz, or [if] they're just trying to catch us or knock us back from having positive yards, the best thing for me [to do] is just go in the film room, get with [quarterbacks coach] Coach Tee [Martin], get with Josh [Johnson], get with 'Dev' [Devin Leary] and [director of football strategy/assistant quarterbacks coach] Danny [Daniel Stern] – we're just in the room trying to get better. But blitzes are one of the main things we go over the most and knowing the protections and pickups and stuff like that."
On his mentality facing the blitz now, compared to when he first entered the league: "When I was younger, I would see the blitz happening, and I would pretty much just try to beat the blitz without flipping the protection. Sometimes I'm like, 'OK. It's a guy, I'm going to be hot, this guy is going to be by himself untouched, [and] I can just get the ball out,' and sometimes I had to pay for it. My biggest thing over the last few years is just getting my [offensive] line to where it should be going, and if a guy is going to be free, I'm going to know how to navigate the ball and get it away from him just to get us in a positive situation."
On why the screen game has been so successful: "[We're] just working hard. All the mistakes we made [and] the things that were a problem for us, we're just trying to make it like second nature right now, and that's pretty much what we've been doing. The things we mess up, we try to practice over and over until we get it right and just get on one accord."
On how the success with WR Rashod Bateman has been growing: "We're just balling right now. We're just playing football. [Rashod Bateman] is doing a good job at getting open – he's been doing a good job at getting open – it's just getting him involved with what's going on. We have a lot of dynamic guys on the offense, [and] sometimes it's hard for him to get the ball, but how it's been going each and every week, [the] defense's eyes are on everybody. It's like, 'Who do we have to guard? Who do we have to double?' And in one-on-one matchups, I love our receivers."
On if he feels like RB Justice Hill has been an unsung hero: "I'm glad we gave Justice [Hill] that [contract] extension. I feel like that helped us out a lot. But he's been that guy – Justice Hill has been that guy. He's just showing up when we need him to."
On who would be the best emergency QB on the team: "I don't even like the question. I hope we're never in that situation, but any one of them. Hopefully we don't need it though. That's not even a thought in my mind."
On RB Derrick Henry saying he was "slow" online after getting caught on his 81-yard run: "I just feel like [Derrick Henry] slowed down – he thought he was gone. It's the NFL, guys are going to keep running after you, especially a guy like that. They don't want him to have a 90-yard run on them. He's definitely not slow; he's just talking."
On being a lead blocker for RB Derrick Henry's 39-yard run Monday night: "Yes. I just saw Derrick [Henry] cutting back across the field, [and] I was like, 'I don't want him to get stopped in the backfield or just cut back and gain two yards,' I'm going to try to help him score from way out. And that's pretty much what was going through my mind, 'Just help him score.' That's all and nothing less."
On if running next to him on that play made him realize how fast RB Derrick Henry was: "I thought [Derrick Henry] was going already. When I was pushing on [Antoine] Winfield [Jr.], I was thinking he was running past me, but he was just trying to see what direction he was going to have to run in. And then when I looked at it on film, I was like, 'Bro, you should've been ran past me.'"
On the team's reaction to him being a lead blocker for RB Derrick Henry: "Nobody really said anything. Derrick [Henry] said, '[I] appreciate that,' but nobody really said anything. We're trying to win. We're trying to do whatever it takes to win."
