HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "I appreciate everybody being here. We're back at it after a few days away since our last game. [We're] focused and locked in on the Browns. This our start. [It's a] tough opponent [and a] division game. We understand the kind of team they are and how physical this game is going to be, and we're preparing for that challenge. What questions do you have?"
Was there any difficulty when you found out last night you would be playing on a short week? (Jamison Hensley) "No, we knew there was a chance – it could have gone either way. So, we were planning on being here today either way and then the next few days would be adjustable. So, tomorrow we'll get back into it, and it'll be like a Wednesday, and we'll be on our normal week schedule that way."
How are you guys feeling? Obviously, there was a lot made of the three games in 11 days, but you come off the bye, you win all three of those games decisively as well and for the most part intact health-wise. How do you feel about just making it out of that stretch right now? (Cordell Woodland) "We feel good about it. It was an accomplishment. It was the goal. Going into it was that kind of an outcome, so I felt like we got the outcome we wanted, but we also within that, we accomplished a lot in terms of improvement, obviously, pointing toward the opportunity in this game and then into the playoffs to be the best team we could be. And we made steps in that direction, too, and now, we just have to maximize that and play our best football."
Obviously, the defense has vastly improved from the start of the year. What do you feel like are some of the things that you guys have been able to do defensively here in the back end in the season going into the postseason? (Cordell Woodland) "We're playing solid football. We're top down – we're not giving up as many big plays. The run defense has been pretty consistent. We're getting the quarterback a little bit better, but the bottom line is the pass defense overall has been a lot better."
TE Charlie Kolar is now designated to return. How much does that help you guys, given his blocking ability? (*Brian Wacker)* "Yes, having Charlie [Kolar] back is good. This was kind of the target game. Usually, when you have a break like that, it's pretty predictable. So, they were telling us that he had a good chance to be back for the Cleveland game, so we'll see how he looks this week. Hopefully, he's feeling good and ready to go."
The AFC North is one of the toughest divisions in football. How significant is to be in a situation where you know if you win this week, you win the division? (Garrett Downing) "Very significant. It's definitely a goal. It's one of our five main goals – to win the division. From a team perspective, it's a big deal. It's a tough division; we respect these teams tremendously. You saw the games this last weekend. You saw the Bengals – they're still in it. It tells you a lot about the character of the teams in this division, so we know we're going to have a tough game. We always do. We always do against every team in the division. [Against] the Browns, we always have these knockdown, drag outs with [them]. But, if we could get it done, it would be a great accomplishment."
CB Marlon Humphrey was very complimentary of S Ar'Darius Washington saying, "Hey, if you ask the players, training camp after training camp, they'll say he was always one of the best guys in training camp." He's been on the roster bubble for a long time, but do you recall him as an undrafted guy being on the radar, or when he first came in that first year? What do you remember about him? (Bo Smolka) "[Ar'Darius Washington] was a highly-recruited undrafted free agent. He was a guy that was on the bubble to be drafted – he was a draftable player on our board. So, we worked really hard to convince him to come in, and he did. And I think right from the get-go, he showed that he was a good player. He's always been one of those guys that, 'It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog,' kind of guy, and he's always had that fight. Really, it's been injuries that's set him back over the years. For him to be healthy now, and to get a chance to get in there and show what he can do, it's been great to see."
CB Marlon Humphrey says he feels like S Ar'Darius Washington maybe has the most difficult job in the secondary because he's had to really make the team every year. Do you feel like he's a guy who's sort of turned that difficulty into a positive in his career? (Childs Walker) "I definitely think that. That's exactly right. [Ar'Darius Washington] has probably had to overcome that his whole career – high school, college and now the pros, and it's made him who he is. He's been forged by all of those experiences."
With QB Lamar Jackson, ever since he got into the league, there's been talk about the sustainability of his style of play. We're now in Year Seven, and he's playing better than he ever has. What do you think has been the key to his sustainability? (Jamison Hensley) "I don't even know why I have to answer that, because I was never proposing that theory. I think the people that were proposing that theory should have to answer it. But [Lamar Jackson] is what we always thought. He's a smart player, and he knows how to take care of himself. He always said that. He always said, 'I know how to take care of myself. I know how to protect myself.' Not that he hasn't been injured here and there like every player. He's the ultimate competitor. I think he's playing his best football like you said. He's playing the position at the highest level – every aspect of the position, he continues to take to another level [and] take his game to a higher level, and hopefully that continues. I know it will. I'm counting on it getting even better."
How important was it to get RB Keaton Mitchell some work like the amount of work he got against Houston? And with two of those guys knocked down and sidelined, does that become a position that you might have to look at and get some guys in this week? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I think I'm just going to refrain from all the speculation about [the] roster and all that. But the answer is no. [Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali] are fine. Justice is just sick, so he'll play. And it's great that Keaton [Mitchell] got the time."
I know you guys, as a franchise, pour a lot of resources into injury prevention. To be where you guys are at right now and have as small of injury report as you do, how gratifying is that? And just how much of that experience every year is just dumb luck in how it falls? (Jonas Shaffer) "Yes, that's a great question. [It's] probably a better conversation for the end of the season. Up to this point, we're really happy [with] where we're at with that. I do think a lot of work has gone into it. You have to give the players a lot of credit, too, for the work they've put in, and then all of the people involved in that have done a great job, but it's definitely fueled our success for sure. It's something that's a big deal in the National Football League. So, we're happy with it, but hopefully we can keep it going here."
Earlier in the season, a lot of was made of you saying you thought QB Lamar Jackson was the best player in football at the time. When we look at his development over the years, a lot of people are saying this is the best he's played. When you go back to him in his rookie year, I'm sure you were always on his side, but did you think we'd be here in Year Seven that we're still talking about him continuously ascending? (Cordell Woodland) "Well, yes, I did. That was the idea. You hope so, [but] you don't know for sure. Nobody knows the future, but that was the idea when we drafted him, and that was the idea when we played him in the first year, and it's been the idea ever since. I'd say we're on schedule, but we have a lot to accomplish. All of that is a part of it – all of that is the history. People that study football history in the National Football League I'm sure will have these conversations and write about all of these things and all that, but right now, it's just a matter of trying to make that history. [We're] trying to do what we can do to try to do what we do and try to win the next game and carry it forward from there."
Is QB Lamar Jackson the MVP in your mind? (Morgan Adsit) "[Lamar Jackson] is my MVP. He'll always be my MVP – I promise you that. Yes, as far as I'm concerned, he's our MVP, [and] he's our guy. But you know what? That's really not what we're thinking about. I haven't heard anybody talk about that. I haven't heard Lamar talk about it. We're just trying to win the next game."
With three games in 11 days and playing on Wednesday, this is not a roadmap that the league has used before. Who don't we see in your organization that should really get credit for making all that happen and helping you go 3-0? (Bo Smolka) "Just everybody. Everybody is involved in that. It's a team effort, for sure. I think a lot of people do a great job. Even the travel logistics and all that, with [vice president of team travel] Joan [Fennekohl], [senior manager, team operations] Dan Parsons, [senior director of football information] Megan [McLaughlin] and everybody ... It's everybody."
Did you hear from anyone around the league after they saw your workout montage on Hard Knocks? (Jonas Shaffer) "I did. I got a couple of nods. I didn't hear from my brother though; I was kind of disappointed." (laughter) "Yes, I think he took it as a challenge of some kind." (laughter)
We didn't see T Ronnie Stanley and OL Patrick Mekari out there today. Any concern? (Brian Wacker) "Yes, they're dealing with some flu-like symptoms and sickness-type stuff. They should be back tomorrow."
Do you have any New Years resolutions this year? (Kevin Richardson) "I don't do New Years resolutions. I try to stay consistent."
With the uncertainty at quarterback for the Browns and the different styles of quarterback that they could throw in there, how much added work does that create for the coaching staff – when they can go one of three different directions? (Jamison Hensley) "Well, we'll have to build some tape on the guy that we don't have tape on right now – [Bailey] Zappe. We'll go back and pull some tape from New England and different places, but we won't probably go back to Western Kentucky on him; we won't go back quite that far. But [Jameis] Winston we know, 'DTR' [Dorian Thompson-Robinson] we know, and then [Zappe] we'll have to prepare for. I do think we'll probably know tomorrow or the next day – I would think – but we'll see. Maybe they'll try to keep it under wraps, but whichever way it goes, we're playing the Browns, the Browns are playing the Ravens, and we'll be ready to go."
There are several running backs who are going to the playoffs that have made big impacts with new teams this year. What has made RB Derrick Henry such a seamless fit for what you guys like to do? (Noah Trister) "That's a great question. I think it's just Derrick [Henry] being Derrick. Derrick Henry, all he had to do is come in here and do what he does and be who he is, and he fit right in – fit like a glove – like it was always meant to be that way."
TE ISAIAH LIKELY
On the potential to play at least one playoff game at home if the team beats the Browns: "I mean, that's big. 'The Bank' helps us a lot from a defensive standpoint, and from the offense, just hearing the crowd roar [and] the fans being into it; you always love to get a home game."
On TE Charlie Kolar getting back out on the practice field: "That's love. You finally get your brother back out there with you. I know [Charlie Kolar]'s been eager to get back out there [to] finally getting to make plays again. I mean that's just a blessing of how hard he's been working."
On what it means to have the division title in their hands: "I mean, that's just a testament to everybody putting their head down and really just blocking out the media and really just focusing on [having a] 1-0 mentality that [would] put us back in the possibility of being able to win the division."
On the success that he and TE Mark Andrews have had this year: "I mean, it's great. Watching Mark [Andrews] day-in and day-out in practice makes me go harder, and that's not really just only Mark, but that's the whole tight end room. I mean, [it's] a testament to [the] O-line, a testament to 'L' [Lamar Jackson], Derrick [Henry] and the receivers. That's just everybody trying to get better. And then me and Mark just finally [having] the tandem that we wanted [and] being out there making plays, smiling [and] headbutting each other – I mean that's just always a blessing."
On his reaction to his receiving touchdown from QB Lamar Jackson at Houston: "I mean, I didn't even see [Lamar Jackson] doing the three-pointer shot that he did with 'Bate' [Rashod Bateman] last time, but that's just 'L' [Lamar Jackson] being in his element. I feel like when he's at that height right there in the middle of games, he's untouchable. He's just a magician back there, so I feel like when 'L's being 'L' back there, [it] feels like anything's [possible] for him. That's the 'L' that's real scary in my eyes, and it just made it easier for me to just catch the open pass."
On how he practices plays like his touchdown reception: "Really just knowing the play is never over until [No.] 8 [Lamar Jackson]'s on the ground. I feel like having him back there, any play [can be] a touchdown. I feel like when he's running around, at that point, it's just you trying to get open because it [doesn't] matter where you are – sometimes he will throw it across the body [or] across the field. As long as you're open, and you show him that you can make the play, he'll do it 10 times out of 10."
On QB Lamar Jackson celebrating before he had even caught his touchdown: "Yes, I mean that was crazy. That was just like Mark [Andrews] says, 'That's street ball.' That's just [Lamar Jackson] having fun; [it's] backyard football. [It's him] just celebrating when the play is made."
