HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "Appreciate you being here. [It was a] good day; hot day out here today. Guys did a good job with practice and we're looking forward to getting ready for the game. What questions do you have?"
You're pretty familiar with Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. With his pressure package, what's the thing that you guys have to account for; is there something he does that's different than some other teams? (Jamison Hensley) "No. Everybody's different than every other team, so it's a kind of tough question to answer. [Steve Spagnuolo]'s unique in what he does. [There are a] lot of things that he does, we do, [and] we do that he does, other teams do. And other things that are unique. It's kind of the way it's all put together, probably for any coach, when certain blitzes show up, or when coverages show up. He'll keep it moving on you. He'll keep you guessing for sure, and that's one of the great strengths of what Steve does as a defensive play-caller, so yes, they do a great job."
Are you finding that you have to balance the emotions of Week 1? With last season's end with this being the Chiefs, is that anything that's coming into play, and how do you as a coach handle that? (Kyle Phoenix) "Sure. Those things are always in play. It's an emotional game. It's an emotional sport. It's an emotional life, isn't it? The things that you have in your life that you care about that are important to you, and you want to do well, and you want to be successful. Those are all things that matter to all of us. It's no different for our guys, so we talk about the things that we need to do in terms of being successful – that's what we talk about with guys all the time. The things that you're talking about are certainly part of that."
We haven't had the chance to talk to you since you guys brought in QB Tyler Huntley again. What do you like about having him coming back? (Jeff Zrebiec) "Yes, it's good to have Tyler [Huntley] back. He's working off the practice squad. He'll be in as our third quarterback at this time right here. He kind of knows the offense; it's a lot different, maybe, in some ways than it was when he was here, but a lot the same, too. He'll have to re-learn a lot of things and see where we're at since he's been gone, but he's been doing a good job of that – [he's been] very diligent. We're happy to have him back."
Regarding WR Tylan Wallace, the impact he has had in training camp, especially on special teams. How do you see his development to be an asset in the offense? (David Andrade) "To me, Tylan [Wallace] has been a very steady grower as a football player. He's developed into a very good player for us. He won us a game last year. He's made catches on offense; he's blocked people. I expect him to take another step, maybe the biggest step of his career so far this year."
You've been through it before, but is it a unique and strange situation when you enter a game not seeing your players in a live situation? Whereas with Week 3, you've seen what these guys look like. Some of these guys haven't played since the AFC Championship in a live setting. (Jerry Coleman) "For sure, it's the first game. It's the opener – the real opener. It wouldn't be any different even if they had played in the game a little bit because it's still different. But it probably enhances that whole situation more than it would. It's a lot of unknowns that you go in and you learn a lot. You certainly have a better understanding where your team is at on Friday than you do on Wednesday, so we'll be looking forward to that part of it, too."
With some of the inexperience you have along the offensive line this year, are you asking for something different from T Ronnie Stanley in terms of being now one of the oldest guys in the room? (Kyle Goon) "[Ronnie Stanley]'s been one of the oldest guys for a while I feel like. Ronnie's doing a great job. He's working hard. He's looked good in practice – you see him out there doing extra right now. Looking forward to seeing how he plays Thursday night."
There's only one team that you get to prepare for for months when you know ahead that's your next opponent. What have you learned over the years about getting ready for that opener, and how's that evolved? (Pete Gilbert) "It's a lot of things you learn about a lot of things, and [you] certainly take it all into account [with] how you run training camp [and] how you run the practices up until that game [and] how you organize the reps; all those different kinds of things. One of the big lessons to have is that you have to remember it's the first game, but it's not the only game. We're going to have another game after that, and we're going to have 17 regular season games and as many postseason games as we earn. We have to keep that in mind and keep it in perspective that way."
Have you felt that you've had less interaction with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid over the summer because this is the first game? (Jamison Hensley) "We never talk over the summer anyway. [Andy Reid] is too busy – he's out there in Huntington Beach in his beautiful beach home out there, so I never hear from him in the summer." (laughter)
Didn't Chiefs head coach Andy Reid do the Harbaugh Coaching Academy interview? (Jonas Shaffer) "He did that a few years ago actually. We'll be looking for another one here soon – I'll have to let him know we're expecting a new interview. Did you watch it?" (laughter)
I think there was a practice pretty early in the summer where you guys called a lot of heavy blitzes at QB Lamar Jackson. He was really, really good against it in training camp. Obviously, the Chiefs blitzed you with six-man pressures and seven-man pressures pretty often in that AFC Championship game. What does it take for you to be successful against that kind of pressure? (Jonas Shaffer) "That's going to take IDing those pressures when they're coming; IDing how to pick them up or to block them or to throw off them with the hots and the different things and then executing. That's what it takes. When a team comes after you and blitzes, you have to meet them. You have to meet them where you stand. Stand your ground and then attack them. That's what you have to do. We've been working hard at that – we always have. [I'm] looking forward to seeing how we do."
Looking over film for preseason, can you take away a whole lot from watching the Chiefs preseason tape, or really any teams tape for Week 1, or is it a lot of vanilla-style plays that they're working on with not even their starters sometimes? (Kyle Phoenix) "You watch it; you get a few notes, and you kind of see where they're at style-wise, I guess. But you don't get a lot from it, no."
S KYLE HAMILTON
On what this game feels like to him: "We're all just excited. We've been talking about it all offseason that last year didn't end how we want it to, but it gives us perspective on what we need to do to get back to what we did last year and win that game."
On the lesson he took from battling against TE Travis Kelce: "It's just a patience thing. It's the same with anybody, it's just being patient [and] trusting your game. [It's] nothing really crazy, but I'm excited to play against everybody on that team. I think our defense, as a whole, is prepared and excited to go into Arrowhead [Stadium] and have a good game."
On his expectations for the secondary going into this year: "We're deep as a group, I would say. Everybody is talented, everybody is hungry. There are a lot of new faces in the room, but there's a lot of guys who's been here, obviously. We meet after our mandatory meetings and practice and stuff like that. We're all just focused on the same goal, and we're all excited to get the season going."
On how he views going up against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday: "You can't ignore the situation [of] who you're playing against, and you have to respect them at the same time, but I feel like what keeps me playing at my best is going into it like it's just another game – not getting too high, not getting too low, staying even keeled and just going out there and playing my game."
On if he thinks QB Lamar Jackson is motivated by his 1-4 record against QB Patrick Mahomes: "Yes and no. I mean, whenever anybody loses to anybody – it doesn't matter who it is – you kind of want to get back at that person and want to prove [that], 'We can beat them, too.' I think Lamar [Jackson] has the same mindset that I have [and] that everybody in the building has – we're trying to go in there on Thursday and get a win."
On if Kansas City's desire to run more trick plays than other teams force the defense to stay on point as a unit: "Definitely with them. They've shown it in the past, and they've had success with it for the past however many years. [We] definitely have to be on our P's and Q's in that sense, but I think it comes down to that every game. Anybody can rip draws or mess with somebody's eyes or moves or stuff like that. We just have to stay disciplined."
On if he likes starting the season against the defending Super Bowl Champions in their place: "Yes. Having such a big game like this – everybody is going to be watching – and us having the poise to go out there and hopefully get a win I think will propel us during the year [and] give us a sense of what we need to do to win a game, what our preparation looks like, what we did right, what we did wrong and from then on, just kind of hit the ground rolling."
On what defensive coordinator Zach Orr's stamp is going to be like: "Just run and hit – just keep it simple. Run and hit."
On if he's a guy who judges the season based on how it ends: "I think I'm more result oriented in a way that, you know, we lost at the end of the year. Nobody remembers the AFC Championship runner up from 10 years ago. We're trying to be that team that everybody remembers won the Super Bowl. So, we lost – it is what it is – [we] had a good year, but we have to do it again."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On how hard it is to get through training camp to be at game week: "This is what you've been anticipating [and] waiting for. Week 1 is finally here. It feels like it's been a long time coming. [I'm] excited to get to work and to Thursday."
On if he's curious on how the game is going to go because he's on a new team: "No, [I'm] not really curious on how it's going to go. [I'm] just focusing on me doing my job and preparing the right way – preparing as a team, preparing individually and being locked in this whole week, just so when you get in the game, you're ready to go."
On if he's noticed any energy coming from the Ravens who were here last year and if he senses a deeper meaning to the season opener for some players: "Yes. Of course it's going to be that. That was who they lost to to get to the big one, so I'm sure that's in the back of their minds. [They'll] want to come out and play Ravens style of football [and] execute so that we get a 'W,' but yes, I'm sure that's in the back of their minds, and I'm sure everybody is locked in and going to be ready to go."
On what he's noticed about working with QB Lamar Jackson and seeing his preparation for the season: "The way he comes to work every day, you see why he is great. You see how he approaches each and every practice, being a leader out here [and] communicating with the guys – everybody being on the same page. His work ethic shows why he's so productive when the season comes, being the MVP."
On if he was thinking about the Ravens and their possible trade when he watched the AFC Championship game: "Hell yes. I was wishing I could suit up that day [when I was] watching that game. But yes, now it's my turn, so [I have] to take advantage of it. It's going to be a hell of a game. The Chiefs are always tough, [and] they're solid on all three [phases], so we've got to be locked in this week to be able to execute on Thursday."
On if there is something specific that he's found success with when playing against the Chiefs: "I don't know. I think it's just ... They are a great team [and] have been a great team for a while now. Their defense is solid. I think they are solid from top to bottom, have willing tacklers, [and] they are disruptive, so you just have to bring your A-game when you're going up against those guys. I've been fortunate enough to have success when we've played them."
On how important the offensive line is to do his job and what are his expectations for the offensive line this year: "Yes, I'm excited for them to go and showcase them as a group and us as a whole. [We're] going to do our job and executing. It's all tied in together, [and] we all trust one another, [so we'll] just go out there and put it all together."
On how his body feels entering this season compared to previous years: "My body feels the same. It hasn't changed much. I know [about] the age difference, but my body still feels good."
On who impresses him from the Kansas City Chiefs defense: "Of course [No.] 95 [Chris Jones]; we all know who he is [and] the type of player he is. [He's] disruptive [and] a game wrecker. [No.] 56 [George Karlaftis], he does a great job for them, as well. [No.] 54 [Leo Chenal], they use him at backer, and they put him on the outside. I think they're just solid top to bottom, with Nick [Bolton, No.] 32, Drue [Tranquill, No.] 23 [and Trent] McDuffie on the outside. They have some other guys they [had] to replace with trades and free agency, but I think they still have the same scheme and guys who are working well with it. They do a great job of running their scheme, as well."
On how he views this game against defending Super Bowl Champions in primetime and if he views this game any differently compared to most games: "No, not at all. At the end of the day, it's just football, what I've been playing since I was 5 years old. But, the atmosphere, and it being the first game, at night, [with] them coming off a Super Bowl [victory], it being at home at Arrowhead – which you know the environment is going to be loud, [and] it's going to be hostile – but that's what you want, especially on opening night with everybody watching the first game of the year to kick off the 2024 season, so I'm excited. It's going to be fun, so I'm looking forward to it."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On why TE Mark Andrews has been such a reliable target in the red zone and end zone: "[In the] end zone, [the] red zone, down the field, on the sideline making catches, just all around, [Mark Andrews has] a great feel for the game, and he makes my job a lot easier. I could say a lot about Mark and what he does for this game, but he's just a great all-around tight end."
On how it feels to have QB Tyler Huntley back in the building: "'Lil Snoop' [Tyler Huntley]. It's great to have my brother back in the building. It's great to see him. [He] cut his hair, [he has] a different approach, [and he's] looking mature. But it's great to have my brother back, definitely."
On his relationship with Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and what makes him unique: "I don't have a relationship with [Patrick Mahomes]. I don't think I have a relationship with any quarterback in the league. I don't take anything from [Patrick Mahomes], I just play my game. But, he's a great quarterback. I'm going to say that. He's a great quarterback. He has the accolades to prove it, and he's made things happen on the field that makes his team successful."
On the toughest part about playing in Arrowhead Stadium: "We're just not in front of our crowd. It's not like the Ravens Flock is there, but I know our whole fanbase is always traveling with us, but it's just not our crowd. That's all. That's the biggest difference."
On how he handles all of the crowd noise: "[It's] just like any other environment. [I've] just got to stay poised, stay locked in, listen to the calls, walk up to the line when I make my checks, [and] let my [offensive] line know what we're doing – stuff like that."
On his reaction when he saw the Ravens were going to playing the Chiefs in Week 1: "I'm approaching it like any other game, but it's the start of the season, so we have to make a great impression for the first game of the season."
On if revenge will be on his mind during Thursday's game: "Any game I play in, I feel like it's a revenge game. So, I'm not going just going to look at this game like it's a revenge game. Anybody we've played, no matter if we've beat them or lost to them in previous years, I just want to win."
On QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' 4-1 record against him serves as motivation: "Like I just said, I'm approaching every game the same way. I want to win regardless of win, lose or draw the previous time. Every game is motivation to me."
On his emotions with the season kicking off in four days: "[I'm] ready to go. I've been going against my guys for weeks. It's time to go against someone else."
On if there's anything he took away from last season's run to the AFC Championship game: "We were close. We have to get back where we were, but like I always say, '[We have to] finish.' It's Week 1 – it starts Thursday night."
On what he took away from the Chiefs blitzing him in the AFC Championship: "There were all types of things that went on in the game that could have worked for us and went our way [like] getting the ball out. [There were] certain things that went on. We missed certain things throughout that game. There were all types of things, I just can't pinpoint them blitzing us, because we picked them up here and there. [There were] all types of things we could've done better in that game."
On what he wants to get out of the regular season: "We want to win. We have to win regular season games [in order] to get to January. We can't just go into the season and go 5-12, because then we're not going to be in the playoffs. We have to go into every game trying to make the playoffs. Playoffs are on our mind, but at the same time, we have to win this game that's ahead of us."
On how much more comfortable he's felt at the line of scrimmage pre-snap: "I felt like I'm way ahead than when I first got in the system last year. [I'm] very comfortable. We have young guys on the offense – those guys are getting a lot [more] comfortable. We're way ahead of where we were prior to minicamp."
On how confident he is in the offensive line following the turnover along the line: "I'm very confident in our guys. They've been busting their behinds each and every practice. [In the] preseason, they've been battling. I believe our guys [are] ready."
On people saying that he and Patrick Mahomes could be the "next great quarterback rivalry": "To be honest, I don't really pay attention to it. I see a lot of stuff on social media, but I try to shy away from the sports stuff, because I know they're going to be talking about the Ravens a lot. I really don't pay it no mind, because I just want to play football. It really doesn't matter."
On his expectations for WR Rashod Bateman: "I believe [Rashod Bateman] is going to have a great year, a sneaky year. A lot of people are sleeping on him, but I believe he's going to have a great year."
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On the biggest challenge when facing QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense: "First and foremost, just eliminating the run [and] making the guys one dimensional, just like any other game. Once you make a team one dimensional, and [know] exactly what they'll do in [a] given situation, it gives us a chance, as a defense, to really pin our ears back and do exactly what we would like to do."
On if the defense believes it will show something largely different than what it showed in the AFC Championship: "Honestly, I think every year is different, and every year, each and every team is unique, and this defense is unique in its own way. [We're] not focused on last year [or] how [former defensive coordinator] Mike [Macdonald] did things, but I'm very excited with 'Z.O.' [defensive coordinator Zach Orr] at the helm and the way he's going to call the game. I have a lot of faith in him, and we're just going to get out there and play our brand of football. That's what we're going to do, and at the end of the day, we'll let the chips lay where they lay."
On if there are any emotions he carries over for motivation from losing to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship last season: "Well, obviously, the guys that were here last year are definitely going to carry that over into the season, so it's about having that and putting that in your back pocket and just using that as motivation on top of the motivation that's already there [from] being able to do exactly what we do and knowing that this is the first game on the schedule, and [the Chiefs] are in our way of what we want for ourselves. So, it's just about going out there and handling business as business should be handled."
On how he's seen ILB Trenton Simpson grow throughout training camp: "'Trent' [Simpson] is unique in his own way. 'P.Q.' [Patrick Queen], hats off to him. [I have an] immense amount of respect for him, [and he] always will be my brother, so [there's] no bad blood there at all. But with 'Trent,' yes, I'm very excited for him [and] the steps that he's made throughout OTAs [organized team activities], as well as into training camp. I'm very excited about him and [for him to] showcase to the world exactly what he can do. And I like Malik Harrison, as well, so I'm very excited about all the guys in the room – Chris Board, Josh Ross – whoever the case may be. So, I'm excited, and I know those guys are going to show exactly why they've been busting their tails all offseason."
On handling emotions in Week 1 and if he has to talk to other players about keeping their emotions in check: "Yes, I think that's critical – being able to just keep your composure throughout the game. Yes, there were different calls [from the AFC Championship] that probably should have [gone] the other way, but hey, we can't ask refs for anything at any point throughout the game. We know how to line up and kick the man's tail across from you, and I think once you do that, that's all what it boils down to – beat the man between the whistle – so [if] guys want to do cheap shots, 'Hey, I'll see you next play.' That's what truly matters, and that reveals who you are as a person and as a football player. So, we stand on that, and we stand on business. We have a great veteran presence on the team, so I'm not worried about any of the guys buying into that stuff. So, we'll see them when we see them."
On if he thinks about the Super Bowl throughout the year and uses the Super Bowl as the primary way to measure success: "No, I think each and every guy's goal – and as a team – should be to make the Super Bowl, but there is a process in place, and you have to respect the process, and I'm a firm believer in respecting the process. So, it starts with Week 1, [and] Kansas City is in our way for what exactly we want to do, and I'm sure, from their eyes, we're in their way. So, at the end of the day, it's going to be a clash, and hey, may the best man win, but I like us."
On if this matchup and all the hype surrounding it is an ideal way to start the season: "Hey, honestly, man, what way to have a bigger show than when the whole entire world is watching you, regardless of what happened last year? Hey, that's last year. This is a completely new season, and hey, the whole world is going to be watching – people from all over. So, I'm very excited about our defense and our offense [and] special teams, as well, [and] to put a show on in front of the entire world and look good while we're doing it."
On the challenge of going from zero to 100 immediately and avoiding rust after most of the defense not appearing in the preseason: "Yes, you definitely hear those things, but [there's] a lot of veteran presence in this room. And hey, last year, [I] didn't play in the preseason, but this year is a totally new year. I have an immense amount of respect for each and every guy I go out on the field with, and if you watch practice at all throughout training camp, I think some of those practices were harder than a lot of those games we played in last season, so we'll definitely be ready. I trust the process from up top to down bottom [with] our work habits throughout the week, so I'm very excited, and we'll show exactly to the world exactly how not rusty we are."
On how much beating the Chiefs serves as motivation for QB Lamar Jackson: "I'm sure [that] any time you lose against anyone, there's going to be extra motivation and whatnot, but it's football, at the end of the day. We know [that] I have all my faith in Lamar [Jackson]. He's the leader of this team, and [we know] that he's going to lead us exactly where we want to go, at the end of the day, and all we can do is continue to support him. So, it's not about the past or anything like that; it's about right now, and it's the moment. There's nothing better than the moment. So, whatever happened in the past happened – we can't change that – but what we can change is what's coming up, and that's Thursday night."
On how different QB Lamar Jackson physically appears this season and how that's affected what he's done on the field throughout training camp and practice: "Yes, no, the guy [Lamar Jackson] looks electric. He looks like he's back at Louisville, in a sense, [with] me watching him take it 80, 90 [yards], but [he can] also zip it down the field, as well. I need to get on that diet plan, maybe." (laughter) "So, yes. But no, he looks great."
On how he's seen defensive coordinator Zach Orr adapt to his new role but also stay true to form from his days as a position coach: "Honestly – which I respect – as a person, when you respect someone, it never changes, regardless of what comes their way, and when a guy stands 10 toes [down] on what he believes in [and] who he is as a person, you always have to respect that, and [defensive coordinator Zach Orr] has been that [ever] since. He's still himself [and the] same energetic guy; it's just, he has a different title by his name, and he carries that very well. I don't look at him any different, but I'm very excited for him to showcase [it] to the world, as well. He's been counted out many times throughout his life, as we all know, so he'll have the perfect opportunity this season and a perfect opportunity Thursday night – us as a team – to go out and show exactly what we've been busting our tail for, day in and day out."
On QB Lamar Jackson's pre-snap communication and vocal leadership: "Yes, absolutely. Like I said, the head of this horse is Lamar [Jackson], so we all know that, and as he goes, we go as a team, so I'm very excited. He definitely has been more vocal, and obviously, he's a lot slimmer – a lot quicker, too – so I was like, 'Wow.' So, I'm just very excited for him to showcase to the world exactly how he's grown each and every year, as well, because we all change, year in and year out, and we grow in different ways. So, there is a lot of growth there, and I'm very excited about Lamar and how he's going to lead our team this season."
