SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR CHRIS HORTON
Opening Statement: "Good to see everyone today. Hope you guys are doing well. What do you have for me today?"
Has your approach to returning kickoffs changed since learning this new kickoff and what it requires? What has been your structure on that as the season's progressed? (Kyle Phoenix) "I think looking forward to what we did earlier on the year, I don't think the approach has changed as much as what we would've initially thought. I think if teams give us a ball, our philosophy still is, 'Hey we want to return that ball,' depending on how deep the ball is in the end zone and things like that. I think, again, I still don't see any benefit of a ball that's two-to-three-yards deep in the end zone for us to bring that ball out right now, no. As we continue to study the play – here we are with four games left – we're starting to see some things. I think we're doing the things a lot better than what we did earlier in the year from learning from the play, but I don't think the approach has changed much at all."
As it gets colder, generally, the ability to just kick the ball deep in the end zone or out of it may not be there as much as it had been earlier in the season. What have you learned about returning and also covering in this new format? (Pete Gilbert) "It's one of the things that, again, we're still continuing to look at. We still don't have a lot of plays from our standpoint. I think we tend to do things a little bit differently than what I've seen from across the league from as far as how we want to set up on the ball [and] how we want to block. I think as we continue to go through the practices, we continue to force ourselves while we're out here – we don't put the ball in the end zone [in practice]; we're returning the ball. So it gives us a little bit of tape to watch to kind of see how these things work out. As the weather changes, yes, we are going to get more kicks, and I think our guys are doing a pretty good job of blocking now and putting ourselves in positions to hit big returns, and I like the two guys that we have back there."
I haven't seen the numbers league wide, but from your standpoint, do you feel like it's any harder to break a long return than it was under the previous system? (Childs Walker) "I wouldn't necessarily think it's a lot harder. I think the angles have changed a little bit and kind of how you're setting up on the play. I think the play happens a lot faster. The coverage guys get on you a lot quicker, which closes the lanes a little bit faster. I don't necessarily think that you can't hit big returns, because we've seen across this league, there [have] been touchdowns, [and] there [have] been 40-plus-yard returns – those things are showing up weekly. But again, I think it all goes back to how the coverage team plays that play, because there is a defense on the other side of it."
How has K Justin Tucker been in practice this week? You seeing what you want to see out of him? (Pete Gilbert) "I've seen what I want to see, [and] I see what I've seen out of [Justin Tucker] every week in practice. He's been doing awesome in practice. He's in a good place, and I know he's ready to get out there and go play."
Is there something you can do to kind of simulate the game-like pressures during practice, or is it just basically when the lights come on, you've got to be ready? (Jonas Shaffer) "We try to get out there, [and] we say we want to go out there and practice how we're going to play. Obviously, we can't be out there knocking each other around and things like that, but we do do a good job of sending edge pressure of the edges and things like that to get guys in [Justin Tucker's] face. Again, you just got to go out there and you got to go play – it's gameday."
I think K Justin Tucker was kicking in a pretty strong rainstorm yesterday. Did he want to go out there and do that in the elements just to get that work or what? (Ryan Mink) "I don't necessarily think it was the elements. I think once we were done with our special teams practice, this indoor [facility] isn't big enough for us to kick on both ends of the field – you've got an offense and a defense. It was a part of, 'Hey we can go outside, and we can get some work.' What a great day to go out there and do it, because the guys [weren't] done yet. That's all I think it was."
I just saw at the league meetings executive vice president of football operations for the NFL, Troy Vincent, was talking about the onside kick and it being a dead play, as he said. Just curious your perceptive on onside kicks and whether you feel like that's a part of the game that should continue or what? (Ryan Mink) "I haven't really thought that much into it. Obviously, when you're on the hands team [and] your hands team is out there, it's important that you recover the football, right. Obviously, there's what, been three [recoveries, and] we've been on the other end of it. Two of them happened against us. You know what, you go out there, [and] it's a hard play; it's a hard play to get that ball. You really can't do a lot. You got to be stationary. You can't move guys around and things like that. Whatever they decide to do, they do, but we're just going to roll with it."
This team signed WR/RS Deonte Harty in the offseason. There was a lot of excitement about having a returner of his level. How disappointing has it been just for him to not be able to see the field due to injury and not being able to be out here? (Kyle Phoenix) "Yes, I really can't speak to how [Deonte Harty] feels. I know it's probably got to be frustrating for him. But for us, it's just, 'Hey, let's coach the guys that are out there, [and] let's get the most out of the guys that are out there, and let's be as productive as we can.' I think for him, I don't know. I don't know how he feels and things like that. I've had conversations with him, but he's doing good."
RB Rasheen Ali had a larger role returning kicks prior to the bye. What did you see from him, and what did you like? (Carita Parks) "Rasheen [Ali]'s just a ball player. He's good with the ball in his hands; he's got good bursts; he's fast [and] he's physical. Again, to the question that was asked earlier about just [the] ability to hit big returns – that hole opens up, and it closes pretty quickly now. It doesn't stay as open as long, so I think what Rasheen sees, and what the backs give us, is an opportunity – they see that all the time. I just think the more touches he gets, [then] the more yards we're going to be getting on kickoff returns."
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TODD MONKEN
Obviously, this week, your focus is on the New York Giants. During the bye week, how did you split up your time, knowing that you had three games in 11 days? (Jamison Hensley) "We spent a decent amount [of time] on us, spent some time on the future opponents, and then, the back end of the week, we turned our focus to the Giants."
When you go back and look at that week, how much value do you find in the self-scouting and self-reflection to get that little extra time to do that? Did you find it particularly beneficial this year? (Pete Gilbert) "You find a few nuggets. Our coaches do a great job each week trying to self-scout ourselves, but there are a few things that come up that, when you have a little bit more extended time, that you're able to look at and say, 'OK, we can be better here,' whether it's calling it, preparation, concepts [or] whatever it might be."
Do you feel that the bye week was necessary at this point? This team started earlier than just everybody but the Kansas City Chiefs. You had the latest bye week, and now you have three games in 11 days. Time-wise, how challenging has that been, and what were the benefits of the bye week? (Kyle Phoenix) "The benefits were, again, the things we talked about, in terms of looking ourselves and at future opponents. You can see it in terms of our injury report. You can see it in terms of having the week for our guys. To me, it's more for our players and their bodies more than it is [for] us. It's what we do. We came in, we worked, just like we would as if we was a game week, so it came at ... You always say it comes at the right time, but I think it did."
TE Mark Andrews is one touchdown shy of breaking the organization's record. In your perspective, what makes him so special? (Sam Cohn) "[Mark Andrews'] competitiveness. He's an elite competitor. I think that's the best way to put it. Football is important to him. Everything we do is important to him; meetings are important to him, his body is important to him, how he plays, so he's a top, top level competitor – one of the top competitors I've ever been around."
Do you ever have to dial TE Mark Andrews back in training camp or in July? Is he so intense that ... (Jeff Zrebiec) "[Mark Andrews] does a pretty good job of monitoring himself. You'd have to ask him that. I haven't ever ... I [don't] think we've had to do that with any of our players that go as hard as he goes. He probably would run himself in the ground, but you'd have to ask him that. It doesn't feel like we've ever monitored that, other than when he's been nicked up a little bit, because he doesn't want to be out. He really wants to be in there. He loves playing the game."
Army and Navy are playing here in this area this week. I know you're not a disinterested observer of that. Do you think you'll be able to see your cousin and Army head football coach Jeff Monken at all? (Noah Trister) "I would doubt it, but go Army."
The Giants have lost some guys up front for their pass rush, and the bye was an opportunity for the offensive line to regroup and get healthy. How do you see that matchup shaping up? What are you hoping to see from the offensive line over the next four weeks? (Jonas Shaffer) "Well, I thought the guys that [the Giants] played last week played pretty well. I didn't see a significant dropoff. They're pros. They've been waiting for their opportunity, so we're going to have to play well. We're going to have to play a lot better than we did a couple of weeks ago, and our guys are up to that challenge. I think the bye week is going to help, and we have to be ready to go. Not only their guys up front, but five of their last six games they've played have been one-score games. Let's say it like it is; they are certainly more than capable, and they do a good job on defense schematically. They have good players. We're going to have to play our butts off."
As you get into these December and January games, how much does weather affect game play? (Ryan Mink) "I guess it could if you knew in advance what you're getting. We don't always know in advance what we're getting. I do think your ability to run the ball, play with physicality, control the game that way, certainly carries you maybe more with wind than it does rain, but it hasn't come up yet this year, to where I've thought about that part of it."
I don't know if you follow, but what are your reactions to Bill Belichick taking the UNC job? (Sam Cohn) "I don't know how to react. Good for him. If that's what he wants to do, good for anybody that has an opportunity to be a head coach again, whatever level that might be, I'm sure it's an exciting time for him, those that go with him there and for the University of North Carolina. Good for him."
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR ZACH ORR
I know the focus is going to be on the Giants all week, but you do have three games in 11 days. What's the biggest challenge, just as far as a coaching staff, when you have that many games in a short amount of period? (Jamison Hensley) "I think [it's] just making sure you guys are prepared [and] making sure they go out and execute what you're asking them to do and put them in the best position to succeed. I know me personally, and us personally, I'm all on the Giants. I haven't even worried about anybody else. I'll stay up late or get up early when those guys show up [on the schedule], but I'll focus on the Giants. So, we're just preparing that way, and whatever challenges the other teams may present or however many days we have to prepare for them, we'll make sure we get the work done and be in the best position to succeed."
There is a randomness to turnovers to some degree. They come in bunches and then how the ball bounces some, but for the numbers to be down where they are, as you've had the bye week, did you go back and look and see how much are you creating the plays you want to create to try and force them? Is that not matching the results, or are you not creating enough of those kinds of plays? (Pete Gilbert) "I think that it's a combination. I think we've had opportunities that we didn't take advantage of, whether it's dropped interceptions or we get a sack, but we're not stripping at the ball. And then, also, with some of the plays, obviously, blitzes that stuff causes more turnovers, so we looked at all of that throughout the bye week. So, I'm excited. Our guys are aware of it; we made it a big emphasis. Coming out of the last four games, we want to be able to generate takeaways and play red zone defense. So, our guys are aware of it. They practice that, and we did a good job of getting the ball out today in practice, did a good job of getting the ball out on Monday and yesterday as well. I'm excited to go out there and see what these guys do Sunday."
Along those lines, S Kyle Hamilton yesterday was kind of asked, "What was the next step?" And he said you guys did a good job of eliminating the big plays the last few games before the bye, but he said, "It's time to start attacking people." Do you feel a growing sense of confidence in these guys in eliminating those big plays, but getting to a point now where you can start playing downhill a little bit more? (Luke Jones) "I definitely think so. I think the when the guys were eliminating the explosives, you definitely build confidence just [in] the defense and just with the guys out there playing along with each other. So, it was something that we didn't want to have happen early, and you can lose a little bit of confidence, and you kind of play a little bit on your heels when you start giving up a lot of explosives every single game, like we were doing for a good bit. I think now that that's calmed down a little bit, guys are trusting each other more, trusting the scheme more and just feeling like they can go out there go play and know that, 'If I do my job, the person next to me is going to be where they're supposed to be at.'"
Assistant head coach/pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt said last week that the defense had been simplified somewhat on the back end. Does being more aggressive and being more exotic kind of go hand-in-hand, or are those two separate notions? (Jonas Shaffer) "I think you can still be aggressive and exotic and still keep it simple. A lot of times, you can try to do a lot of stuff or have a lot of different play calls in, and I think we've done a good job of just simplifying the verbiage and just trusting our guys that it might not be the perfect play call for the perfect situation, but just trust them that if they go out there and play their fundamentals and play their technique, that they'll be fine. So, I think that's what we kind of got more to. I think we're definitely still exotic, definitely still want to get to a lot of our stuff that we want to get to and attack protections, attack offenses, but just simplifying a lot of the verbiage and a lot of the checks, I think will help us out a lot."
Sometimes in a bye week, a team will really make a substantive change to something, and your team kind of did it on the fly before you ever got to the bye week. Specifically, what did you take care of in terms of self-scouting? What was your focus in self-scouting over the bye week? (Bo Smolka) "[I was] just really looking at what the issues were – what we did well, and then where we struggled at, and why were we struggling and what we can build on and what we can do going on in these last four weeks. I think we looked at everything; it was a real productive week. I feel like we got a lot done as a coaching staff, but I specifically looked at the plays we were giving up, why were we giving them up? Was it certain calls or certain opponents we were going against? Certain coverages, certain blitzes, certain players – we looked at all of that. And then, [we] looked at what are guys are doing well, and then how can build on that, how we can continue that and how we can complement that with other things and new things that the offense might not see and just really put our guys in the best position. I think it was real productive. I'm excited about what we got done in the bye week and excited about what we're going to be able to do going forward."
What stands out to you about Giants WR Malik Nabers? (Ryan Mink) "I remember watching crossover tape. Just a lot of guys in the SEC – DBs – and [Malik Nabers] sticking out. He's an explosive player. He's not there yet, but he kind of reminds me – from just his college tape – kind of like a Ja'Marr Chase, from a sense of he's explosive, he can contested catches, [and when] he gets the ball in his hands, he's a good RAC [run after catch] guy. He's a good player. They feature him; they trust him a lot. He's one of their leading receivers, one of their leading targets – him and Wan'Dale Robinson. He's a good player. We definitely have to know where he's at and make sure we take care of him and not let him wreck the game."
OLB Tavius Robinson has carved out a bigger role without necessarily getting a lot of attention on the outside. From your standpoint, where has he grown the most this year (Childs Walker) "I think in all aspects. 'T-Rob' [Tavius Robinson] has always been a hard worker and a physical player. I think now that the game has kind of just slowed down for him, and you're able to see him just play even faster, play more aggressive and play more even more physical, and I think he's even developed better as a rusher as well. So, 'T-Rob' is one of those guys who [is] a Raven through and through. He's a guy that we love. [He's] not talked about a lot, but [he] just does his job consistently. He might not get the praise on the outside, but he gets the praise in our meeting room and our building because he does everything the right way. If he doesn't do it right, then he's trying to do it right and he's going to correct it. I'm happy with 'T-Rob.' I think he's only going to continue to grow and get better, and he's going to be very important for us down in these last four games."
Just knowing these last four games are, how big they are for you, it's an unusual schedule to it. Do you have to hit them more one at a time with the guys? And then when you played, was it hard not to peek ahead and think what if? (Morgan Adsit) "I think you definitely know what's on the horizon, but I think we do a good job here – even when I was a player – expressing, 'You have to stay singular focused on what's going on.' We know this is a day-to-day game, a week-to-week league, and before you get down the line, you have to handle what's in front of you. So, that's what we've focused on, and we understand that everything out there is going to be for us, but we have to make sure we have to handle our business first with whoever we're going against. And I just love the mindset that, since I've been here that the Ravens have, it doesn't matter who we're playing, where we're playing, when we're playing at, we have to show up, and we have to go play our best brand of football if we want to get accomplished what we want to get accomplished."
Have you made that an emphasis though? The Giants are 2-11, they're missing a bunch of guys, they're down to their third-string quarterback, and with Pittsburgh and KC, right there to follow to make sure that they do stay here in this moment and this week? (Pete Gilbert) "Truth be told, we haven't talked nothing about the [Giants'] record; we haven't talked about anything about the other opponents on the horizon. We're playing a little bit better, but we're not where we want to be at, especially as a defense, [and] I know we're not where we want to be at as a team. The mindset coming out of the bye was good for us to reload [and] refocus. When we got back, we said, 'I don't care who is on the schedule, we have business to handle,' so that's what we have to go out there and go do. We're not really looking at that. I don't care who it is. It could be one of the greatest teams ever that everybody is saying we're going against – we have to prepare the right way and make sure we have our stuff ready to roll."
With the bulk of the season behind you, as you navigate this role as coordinator, what are some of the adjustments you've had to make to continue to learn and grow? (Carita Parks) "That's a good question; I have to think about that for a second. I think a lot of it [is to] trust your instincts. You're in the position for a reason, and I would probably honestly say that. Trust your instincts. I think that and also trust the players. Let them go out there and go do their thing, not that I haven't, but just even more. The players are the ones who make the plays. It's a great call when a player makes a great play, even if they didn't do the right thing that you wanted them to do. It could be a bad call if they did everything right and somebody made a great play, so just let them go out there, don't overthink it, just trust your instincts and let the chips fall where they may."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On how key the bye week was: "I think it's key for everybody. [It allowed us to] get [our] minds and bodies right and get away for a little bit, reset, and then come back ready to work."
On how guys avoid viewing this game against the Giants as a "trap game:" "I think you just take it one game at a time, focus on what we need to do, execution-wise, on all three phases, and go out there and practice that and let it [translate] into the game. [We'll] just focus on what we need to do – not so much the opponent – and not killing ourselves and just go out there and play our style of football to give ourselves the best chance to win."
On his great track record in December and January and the keys to performing well late in the season: "I don't know. The players I've played with [have done] a great job, and [they've made] my job easier. For me to do my job, the guys up front have to do a great job, and [I give] credit to [them]. That's happened in the past, but [I'm] just focused on the 'right now.' I know there's this December history, but I'm just focused on me playing better, being better and being the best player I can [be] to help this team."
On how he would describe the team's mindset going into these final four games of the regular season: "Everybody is energized. Everybody is glad to be back. [We] had a great bye week – just [being] able to reset – and I know we definitely miss playing football, but [it's] great to be back flying around and [we're] ready to play this week."
On what it would mean to him to break the Ravens' single-season record for touchdowns in his first season with the team: "I just try to leave the individual stuff out of it and try to focus on the team. That is ... Like I said, give the credit to all the guys that [have] made it possible for me to get to the end zone, and [I'm] just thankful for this whole journey and this organization and everybody who's been a part of it."
On what went into his new hairstyle: "I just wanted to change something. I've been wanting to do it, and I finally did it."
On if he feels lighter with the shorter hair: "Yes, for sure." (laughter)
On RB Ashton Jeanty and if he should win the Heisman Trophy: "[Ashton Jeanty] is incredible. [He's] a player [who] is the whole gameplan. Defenses know what's going to happen, and they still can't stop it. [We haven't] seen [someone] like that for a long time. I know he's close to getting to the [rushing yards] record; I hope he gets it. And yes, running backs, I've got a special place for running backs in my heart, so hopefully, he gets to win it. But him and Travis [Hunter], they've both had a great year. They can go either way, and I feel like, [with] the close ones, it always happens that way; it can get either side. But they've definitely been balling out, and I'm ready to see [Boise State] in the playoffs [to] see what he does."
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On takeaways from the bye week and how it served the team: "The bye week was great. It's a long season for a reason, and yes, it was really good. And being able to just get away, have that reset – even just mentally ... Like, getting back here on Monday, it was just like 'Wow.' I felt like a brand-new person, in a sense. The game is definitely stressful, but we're excited about this run we're about to make, and it starts this week with New York. So, [we're] excited about the opportunity."
On his view of the final four-game stretch of the regular season: "Treat it like the playoffs. Treat it like the playoffs – each and every game, each and every play. Treat it like it's your last, because it very well could be, regardless of how you want to approach it, knowing that there are other games that are guaranteed, but you're not guaranteed another play; anything can happen. So, just having that type of mindset and [playing] with no governor, no ceiling on yourself – each and every guy – and the sky is the limit."
On playing in three games over 11 days: "Line it up – chin up, chest out, like I always live by. I don't really care too much about that, just because, at the end of the day, when there's an opponent out there, that individual is trying to provide for their family So, regardless of how bad someone is hurting, or what they're thinking mentally, you've got to go put it all on the line, because that's your job, and you're trying to provide for your family, as well [as] for yourself."
On how the defense forces more turnovers while still not allowing the big play: "Yes, absolutely. And it just goes back to doing your job. Like, it's hard for our offense to just continue, play in and play out, [playing] mistake-free football. So, when those opportunities come, those takeaways come, they come in bunches, and we believe in that, and we can't press at all. We've just got to keep doing our job. Each and every guy, do your job, including myself, and if we do that, this stuff [and] everything else will take care of itself."
On how important it is to get out to a quick start against a struggling opponent, as to avoid giving a team like that confidence at home: "Yes, I think the main message this week is setting a tone early, as far as a defensive perspective with [defensive coordinator Zach] Orr. But I don't think about it as like, 'Oh, these guys [have] won – what – two, three games or whatever the case may be.' At the end of the day, each and every one of those guys [on the Giants] has a job, and they're trying to audition for a job for next year. Those guys have a family at home – some have [a] wife, kids. So, at the end of the day, a man is going to give everything he's got to provide for that and [is] willing to put his life on the line – I'm speaking from my perspective – and I know guys over there on that side of the ball [and] on that team, as well, who are willing to do the same thing. So, I don't look at it as like, 'Oh, these guys are hurt ...' And a hurt individual is the most dangerous, just like [if] you're backed up in a corner, you're going to go for what you know, and that's what those guys are going to do. But it's up to us [and] doing what we're going to do, and that's imposing our will, and we've got to do that from the first snap to the last."
