HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "It's good seeing everybody. I appreciate everybody being here. What questions do you have?"
You're facing your brother for the third time in an NFL game. What are your thoughts on the matchup? (Jamison Hensley) "It's a tough matchup. It's a very good football team we're playing this week. [The Chargers are] highly ranked in pretty much every area. [They're] a winning football team, very physical, very tough [and an] extremely well-coached football team – no question about it. [Jim Harbaugh] is one of the best coaches of this generation, no question – I believe that. Even if he weren't my brother, I would say the same thing. We have our work cut out for us; we have to travel across the country and play on Monday Night Football."
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh gets a lot of notoriety even though you're undefeated against him. Are you surprised at the amount of attention he continues to get? (Jerry Coleman) "No. Jim [Harbaugh] is a fun guy; he's my brother. I've known him since he was born, and I've got that on him – [a year and] a couple of months. But, he loves football. He loves his players, [and] he loves football. He always has a way of seeing things that's really interesting, and that's why people are interested in hearing from him."
What's the competitive nature between you two guys? Obviously, you've faced off in the biggest stage of them all in this sport, but how hot does the competitive nature get between the two of you? (Cordell Woodland) "It used to get hot. Back when were younger, it was every day – it was one fight or another. He was reminding me a month ago – I used to be bigger than him most of the time, and he ended up bigger, obviously. He's a Pro Bowl quarterback – a 17-year player in the National Football League. He's a great athlete [and] always was. But most of the time, I had an edge on him in growth until we got to be about 18 or 19, and I'd hold him down and stuff. But he had this technique called the 'crab technique' he called it. And he would basically get on his back, and he'd get his hands and his feet up there, and he'd just fend me off with his hands and his feet, and I couldn't get to him. He was really athletic, so I came up with a technique. We had these big brown pillows in our basement that you would lay on to watch TV – these old corduroy brown pillows – and I would take the pillow, swipe his feet down and pin him and then get back on top of him. I had forgotten about it; I did not remember it. But when you're the younger brother, that's the kind of thing you remember. I take a little credit for his toughness, I guess; he's probably one of the toughest people I know."
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was on The Rich Eisen Show the other day and he talked about how when looks at your team carefully, when he looks at you guys on tape, there is an element of kind of staring in the mirror, in part because of all the people they have there who were from here, but do you see that? Do you see a powerful connection between the teams, whether it's the people or the style or whatever? (Childs Walker) "Yes, all of it. The culture, the way things are done, how [the Chargers] play, certainly, [and] the schemes [are] very similar. The schemes are, in a lot of ways not exactly the same, but in a lot of ways mirror images – the people coaching [and] a lot of the guys playing. But with that, it's two different football teams. It's two teams squaring off in a really important game, and that's what it's really going to be about. It's going to be about the guys out there playing the game. It takes a lot of courage to play this game; it takes an incredible amount of toughness to play this game. What these guys put into it, that kind of an effort, week after week. We're coming off of one of those games, [and] we're going into one of those – there will be one of those games the next week after that. That's what the National Football League is. That's why these players deserve so much respect for what they do. It's a players' game. It's an honor to be in this game [as a] coach. I told the players just this week in the opening meeting, it's a quote that they didn't probably get – you'll get it – I told them, 'I feel like the luckiest man on the face of the earth,' and I do, because you get a chance to be coach these guys and be around them every day."
What is it like coaching against someone that you are so close with and has been your sounding board, both of you throughout your entire careers. Is there that element that you do know him really well and can anticipate that on a gameday? (Morgan Adsit) "I don't know about anticipating stuff; I think it's more in the emotional world, it's more in that place. It's unique, and it's never been done before, and I don't know if it will happen again for a long time, this particular thing, so it's hard to describe it. I would say to people, if you have a sibling you're close to, you probably understand it. You probably can put yourself in those shoes and just kind of imagine what it's like to be across the sidelines in an NFL game coaching your teams. Everything else is the same."
How are your parents handling it this week? What's that conversation been like? (Pete Gilbert) "Yes, we've talked about a lot of different things besides football."
Is that off limits now? The football talk? (Pete Gilbert) "It's not off-limits, but it's just, what are we going to talk about? Everybody kind of understands the situation. They're not going to the game. They're going to watch it down in Florida at my sister's house, with Joani and Tom Crean, and that's their plan. I understand why they're doing that. It's great, but it's hard."
It's your parents' anniversary, correct? (Jerry Coleman) "It is their anniversary, yes. It's their anniversary, [on] November 25. They got married in 1961, because I was [born in] 1962, right?" (laughter) "It was over a year later. So, yes, [Monday] will be their anniversary."
Have you told the team stories about your guys' previous meetings or stories that you just told us about growing up with Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh? (Valerie Preactor) "No, not really. We've told some stories in the past, but not this week. Really this week, for the players and the coaches, it's not about that, because we have such a challenge. The challenge is playing the game. Getting in that game and playing that game against that team is the biggest challenge you could have, and that's what everybody is focused on."
To your point, obviously you're focused on the game and Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is focused on the game. Will be there a moment where you are able to step back from it and appreciate it or have a moment with him at some point? And is that different than maybe it would have been earlier in your guys' career when you faced each other? (Brian Wacker) "I'm sure we'll talk before the game [and] chit chat before the game, and it'll be different because it's my brother than it is with other coaches, and it'll be great. We had that moment before the Thanksgiving game [in 2011], [and] we talked before the Super Bowl [the] same way. I don't think it's different in that sense. It's really cool, but even when you're talking, your thoughts are on the game and on the teams."
The Chargers have already turned a corner pretty quickly under Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. When you watch their team, can you see some of the elements that you can kind of pinpoint his fingerprint as to how this team has changed, just within the last year? (Cordell Woodland) "Absolutely. To me, it's a reflection of his coaching style, it's a reflection of his football personality. They've taken that on. They've gotten those kinds of people – that you guys have all pointed out with your questions – they've surrounded themselves with people that see the game the same way, and their team reflects that, players and coaches, and they're doing a great job."
Beyond Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, can you ever remember facing a team where both the offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator had worked for you in the past? (Childs Walker) "No. I can't say that I can recall that."
Along those lines, when you look at the connections between the teams, it's a long sheet of guys that have worked for both Harbaughs. It's an amazing number. Does that change the game in any way in terms of planning and the knowledge that some of these people may have on you? (Jerry Coleman) "It's different than other games, sure. Because we know the schemes pretty much, but there will be wrinkles, there will be ideas. It's kind of the old [saying], 'They know what we know that we know that they know that we know that they know what we know.' With that, there will be wrinkles, I'm sure. It's going to come down in the end to the players – just to emphasize that. All the scheme stuff is important, but most important is how the game is played and who plays the best football game out there in terms of making the plays and playing disciplined football and playing physical football and blocking and tackling and all of those things. It's a players' game. The players will be determining the outcome of it."
Do you have any update on ILB Roquan Smith? And is he one of those players that you'll have to battle if the trainers are saying they don't know if he can play this week? (Bo Smolka) "[Roquan Smith] is working hard to get healthy. He's not ruled out by any stretch – I can say that – and he's working toward the game at this point."
With Thanksgiving being one week away, what are you so thankful for during this Thanksgiving season? (Kevin Richardson) "Oh gosh, it's a great question. You kind of forget to be thankful sometimes, but like I told the team, I'm grateful for the blessings of family first. I told the guys in the meeting – when you go through these games, tough losses when we don't play as well as we're capable of playing, and it cuts you right to the bone. We all feel that way. And even in the wins, you still want to try to get better – it's all you think about. There are really not too many things I care about. I care about my relationship with my creator, number one, and my family. I really care about my family and the football team. I was joking with them, it's like when you call your buddies up from college or something and you want to know how they're doing, 'Oh, how's your family doing,' and the truth is, during the season, I might ask – and sorry guys – but I really don't care. I can't think about that, because we have these things that are so important to us going on right now, and I'm so grateful to have those things in my life that are so meaningful. Faith, family, and for us, football. That's kind of what it is."
S KYLE HAMILTON
On if it will feel different to play against his former teammates on the Chargers: "No, I don't think so. I think before the game you maybe think about it once or twice, but while you're playing, it's just nameless, faceless opponents. We're attacking this week like we would any other week."
On if he looks at the 2024 film on his former teammates or if he goes back to the old practice tape: "No, it's Week 12 now, so we [have] tape [from this year] that we can go off. It's always good. I'm sure after the game we'll say, 'What's up.' It's always good to see those guys."
On playing in a game where two brothers will be coaching against each other: "I've actually talked to coach 'Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh] about it a little bit just here and there – like having breakfast or whatever. I think from his perspective, he's done a good job just kind of managing the emotions, and we still have a game to play. But at the same time, I think everybody understands it's kind of historic, and it's cool to be a part of history. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think this has happened before other than them playing each other the previous times. It's always cool to see their family and what they've done and what they've done for football and be a part of it. But at the end of the day, we've still got a job to do."
On if there's bragging rights between the two head coaches on the line in Monday's matchup: "Oh yes. Yes, for sure – for sure. I know that me and my brother would be having those bragging rights. I'm sure Coach Jim [Harbaugh] is ready to play us again after the last time they played. Coach 'Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh], being the older brother, has to put him in his place. It's pretty cool to be a part of it."
On if the many personnel from the Chargers who used to be with the Ravens changes game-planning for Monday's game: "Yes, I think so. I think, although we haven't played each other this year – obviously we're not in the same division or anything like that – I think we're fairly familiar with each other and how each other operates. I think it'll be a good game. I think it's two like-minded teams – hard-nosed, hardworking and people who just love good results and love results. I think it's going to be a fun game."
On S Ar'Darius Washington's performance during last Sunday's game: "Yes, I think in my three years here, 'A.D.' [Ar'Darius Washington] has been one of the more resilient people on the team. He's had injuries; he's had times where he might have not been in the rotation; he's had times where he's been put in the rotation [and] had another injury. He's just been super consistent ever since I've been here, and to see him get an opportunity and excel with the opportunity, I think he's not just back there – I think he's back there making plays and doing his job at a high level. [I'm] super happy for him and just thankful I get to play besides somebody like that and have somebody who's as much of a professional as he is [after] maybe not [being] in the position that he wanted to be in at the start of the season. We're getting down to the crunch time of the season, and he's a big part of our defense. So, I'm just happy for him and excited."
On how much the defense can build on their performance last week: "I think it's easier said than done. It's something that we kind of got caught up saying against Buffalo and then coming up the next week and not doing. I included, as well as everybody else in the building, definitely doesn't want that result again. We're aware of it now and know that we played a good game, but I think we can get a lot better, and I think that's kind of the mindset everybody on defense has right now."
On adjustment to playing high safety and how he thinks playing there last week went: "I think in college – even starting in high school – college and even in the league – I've always seen myself as a safety, a versatile one, but at the end of the day, I think I play safety. If I'm asked to go play safety, I feel like that's not an issue for me to play safety if I'm a safety. I just want to do whatever the defense and 'Z.O.' [defensive coordinator Zach Orr] needs from me on a week-to-week basis. If that's going to play safety for the whole game, then I'm 100% fine with doing that and will do it to the best of my abilities."
On if he's comfortable wearing the green dot if ILB Roquan Smith is unable to play: "Yes, I've had it in my helmet pretty much every day at practice for the past 12 weeks. I remember they never told me I had the mic in my helmet, so Day One of practice, I just heard 'Z.O.' [defensive coordinator Zach Orr] in my ear, and it was a surprise, but I've gotten used to it now. I remember rookie minicamp I came out here, and I had the dot, and that was definitely a lot different than now. My head was spinning, so I didn't really have a chance to get the guys the calls – I kind of feel bad for that. I've grown since then, but yes, if I'm asked to do so, then I will."
On the challenge of preparing for Chargers QB Justin Herbert: "Like you said, [Justin Herbet] throws a pretty ball, and it's a super accurate ball – you can throw it deep, and he can throw it short accurately. He carries out his fakes very well. I think one thing that's underrated is his legs, especially last week, just watching the film. I think on second-and-long [and] third down, he was able to pick up some first downs and kept Cincinnati's defense on the field. That's something we have to be very cognizant of – just rush lanes and keeping him in the pocket – because obviously, we're worried about him throwing the ball, but at the same time, we can't let him get easy yards."
On how the Chargers offense under Greg Roman reminds him of prior Ravens offenses under Roman, and if he expects the Chargers to switch things up in their matchup: "Yes, I agree with both of those points. I think it is somewhat similar. Obviously, you don't have the same people – [the Chargers] don't have Lamar [Jackson]. That's taking nothing away from Justin [Herbert] or anybody on that side of the ball. You've got to adapt, and I think 'G-Ro' [Greg Roman] has done a good job of adapting his offense to his players and not the other way around. They're playing with the big fullbacks and big tight ends, and it's hard-nosed football. You know where the ball's going, [and] you know what's going to happen – it's just, can you stop it or not. There's some beauty in that. There's some ugliness in that, too – just the way that the game's played, but we're all tough guys. I think there are some similarities there that we're cognizant of, but at the end of the day, I'm sure he's going to have some wrinkles to keep us on our toes."
On if he's talked with former college teammate Chargers CB Cam Hart about their upcoming matchup: "Yes, so me and Cam [Hart] came in [the] class of '19 [at] Notre Dame. [We] lived together for a year – my junior year. [We are] pretty much best friends, and it's so cool to see what he's done. He was a fifth-rounder this past year. He never complained; never did anything. He put his head down and went to work. I think if you guys have watched any Cam Hart film, you'd know that he's been playing really well this year, and I'm super happy for him, and I think he's just scratching the surface. I'm sure just like Jim [Harbaugh] and John [Harbaugh] have bragging rights, we're going to have bragging rights, too, on this, so that would be an added 'W' for us if we get the win."
On if he and CB Cam Hart will do a jersey swap: "Yes, we were going to do a jersey swap. I don't want to put it out there, but if we did happen to lose, then I might have to just wait on that. Because I don't want to be out there swapping jerseys after we lose. But, hopefully we win, and I'll be happy-go-lucky to go swap a jersey with [Cam Hart]."
On his thoughts on CB Tre'Davious White: "I was actually talking to 'Tre' [Tre'Davious White] – and I grew up a big LSU fan – so I remember growing up watching him [and] Jamal Adams – all those guys played together. I was a 'Tre' [Tre'Davious] White fan before 'Tre' [Tre'Davious White] even knew who I was or even knew I existed. He's been a great pro in this league for a while and having somebody like that to add to our room that I [already] think is deep and just that added wisdom, and I think he's super talented. It's such a big win for our team to get somebody like that. Obviously, he did a good job last week, and I'm sure he's going to build on it this week."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On if the players think about the head coach John Harbaugh coaching against his brother, Jim, or if that impacts the game from a player level: "To be honest, I don't think about it. I can't speak for everyone else. I remember watching them, not literally play against each other, but coaching against each other for the Super Bowl game. I remember watching that. I thought that was dope, but I don't think about it right now."
On if players think about all the former Ravens players like RBs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards now on the Chargers: "Yes, absolutely, man. I know [J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards] are going to try to get after it. Those guys are going to get after it, but I don't have to try to stop those guys, so I'm not worried about it. I'm going to be worried about putting points on the board, but it's going to be great to see those guys. I just don't want them to have good games against us. That's all."
On if there is something he embraces when playing on Monday Night Football and if he's aware of the success he's had: "No, I'm not aware at all. I'm just playing football, something I love, just trying to win. That's all."
On if having former Ravens coaches in Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter gives them a leg up: "I don't know. I can't call it. I'm not over there in those guys' meeting rooms. I don't really know what they're going to bring to the table for those guys. I don't know. I really don't know."
On what is holding the offense back: "Just [not] being consistent. When we're doing things out there on that field, we have to be consistent, and that's what we're chasing. We're not doing a good job of being consistent. We have our moments where we go into the game [and] score on the first drive. Then, there's been a couple of weeks we haven't scored on the first drive, and it's just been taking us a little while to get [into] our groove. We have to work on that; that's the biggest thing for us right now, just being consistent and, like I said earlier, just putting points on the board, because that's our job."
On what makes the Chargers defense so good: "They're just flying around, creating chaos, getting turnovers, stuff like that. That's a huge, huge job for the defense to do. For those guys to keep the offense [on] the field, create turnovers [for a unit] that's possibly holding teams to 14 points or lower. That's all."
On how the team goes about recapturing the consistency from a practice standpoint: "It starts in practice, us just being locked in in practice at every little detail or the smallest details. Things from the game that we probably made a mistake on, we're cleaning that up. [It's] small things like that, and I feel like we'll be on our way to being consistent."
On what he likes about the Monday Night Football atmosphere: "We're the only show. Everybody is watching. That's probably the biggest thing about it, and we just have to get after it."
On what he's thankful for: "Great health, my family, being in the National Football League. Thank God. God's first. That's a no-brainer, but [I'm thankful for] you guys, man. I appreciate you all, man. I just love life. I'm thankful for life."
On how he looks back on his time with former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman: "It was good. We had a lot of success. I won my first MVP with 'G-Ro' [Greg Roman]'s system. We had a lot of great seasons. I believe it was just short. It was just short; that's all."
S AR'DARIUS WASHINGTON
On what it meant to start at safety against Pittsburgh last week: "It meant a lot. All the hard work that I put in, it finally comes into play this year."
On playing against the Steelers last week: "It meant a lot. That's a rival team. We stepped up, and we had made a huge step. But we lost the game, at the end of the day, so we're trying to come out on the other side of that, for sure."
On his journey through injuries and up the depth chart: "Just having faith in myself, trusting in God, having that faith and that confidence within myself, knowing that once I get my opportunity, I was going to make some plays, for sure."
On the defense building off its performance from last week: "Just keep stacking, paying attention to the details and little things."
On if the secondary took a big step in the right direction last week: "Of course. We gave up no touchdowns, so I definitely think it's a step in the right direction, for sure. It's a week-by-week [league]; we've got to do that this week and next week and the week after that."
On the difficult process of battling through injuries his first few seasons after being undrafted: "There were parts of it that were tough, but like I said, I just kept that confidence within myself, knowing that I was going to come back and be the same exact player that I was when I got those injuries. So, all I needed was the opportunity, and it shows."
