HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "Good seeing everybody out here on this beautiful Wednesday afternoon in Owings Mills, Maryland. Perfect conditions for football. Perfect conditions to work on the things that we can work on in terms of the wet balls and all those kinds of things – the slippery field [and] the footing. I'm really grateful for that opportunity to do that. I thought the guys handled it really well. We had a good practice, and we're moving toward our Buffalo game on Sunday night; we're very excited about it. Obviously, [the Bills are] probably right now the top football team in the National Football League – that's what everybody says, and you sure see it on tape. [They are] very well coached [and] very tough [in] all three phases. [They have been] very efficient so far this season in everything they've been doing – that's why they've been having the results they've had. We're looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity. What questions do you have?"
Going against the Buffalo Bills, a lot of people's first thing that pops to mind is QB Josh Allen. What's the challenge in facing QB Josh Allen? (Jamison Hensley) "Well I mean Josh Allen – pretty much everybody that watches football in this league understands those challenges that he poses. He's one of the very best in the business at what he does. He's unique; he plays his style; he does it his way. They build the offense certainly around him [and] all the attributes that he has – throwing, running, running the offense, the read stuff [and] reading things out in terms of the passing game – he throws it to every level. And he has a really good cast around him, so [it'll be a] big challenge."
Can you tell us about FB Patrick Ricard and the asset he has been for RB Derrick Henry's success the first two weeks? (David Andrade) "Patrick Ricard [has been] probably just doing what he always does. He's stepped it up another notch in terms of how he played in this [most recent] game. He's been playing well, but he did rise up even more and continued to improve this week, and it showed up in terms of the lead blocks and those things in front of Derrick [Henry] – it's a big part of what we do."
RB Justice Hill is giving RB Derrick Henry a good one-two punch. What have you seen with Justice and how he's been able to contribute? (Todd Karpovich) "Justice [Hill] is a guy that people forget about sometimes, right? [Executive vice president & general manager] Eric [DeCosta] didn't forget about him – he signed him to a new contract last week, right? So that was good, and you can see why. [Hill and Derrick Henry] are kind of a good one-two punch. They play off each other really well; they run the same plays too, but they also run different plays at times. I just think it's a good change of pace for the defense."
You guys have been so good at stopping the run so far this year. Buffalo likes to run the ball between QB Josh Allen and RB James Cook running it really well right now. What type of challenges do you see them presenting for you on Sunday? (Cordell Woodland) "They're one of the top rushing teams in football right now. They've kind of committed to the run game; they've committed to all things that go with that. They have all the RPOs; they have the read options; they have the play-action passes that go off of it – the quick-play actions where they get behind the backers, and they start bringing in the linebackers and the safeties down with the run game. [Josh Allen] reads it out really well with the RPOs. It's going to be a big challenge. We're going to have to defend the whole defense. We're going to have to defend the entire offense – full width of the field. It's not just the run game; they'll throw it deep on you; they'll throw it to the sideline on the screens. They're pretty complete in what they do."
You brought OLB Yannick Ngakoue back – you had him here once before. What went into that move? (Bo Smolka) "Yes, that's kind of exciting. It's a situation where opportunity kind of met there, and [Yannick Ngakoue] was in a situation where he's ready to get back; he's healthy, and he wants to start playing. He was available, and he was here close, and he was here one time recently and liked it here and wanted to be back. His agent and [executive vice president & general manager] Eric [DeCosta] worked it out to come back on the practice squad. He says he's in great shape, but will work his way into football shape again and be another piece. It's good to have another legitimate pass rusher on campus – that's a valuable thing."
With RB Derrick Henry, he's one of the older running backs in the league, but he's also in incredible shape and a physical outlier. You probably want to exploit how he can wear down a defense, but you're also trying to save him for the year. How do you approach managing his workload for a guy with so many unique elements? (Adam Kilgore) "That's a good question – it's one that we have talked a lot about in this [media] circle over the course of the last few months. Really, it's something that's part of the big picture of all the guys that we have. Derrick [Henry]'s workload, so to speak, is managed by the fact that we have Lamar [Jackson] playing the way ... The offense is built around Lamar. You have guys like Justice [Hill], you have guys like Mark [Andrews], you have Isaiah [Likely], you have Zay [Flowers], you have 'Bate' [Rashod Bateman], you have Nelson [Agholor]; all those guys kind of spread the workload out naturally. That's kind of the way we built the offense."
Is trying to clamp down in the fourth quarter ... Is that something that's a mental aspect or something you guys can practice and work on? (Jerry Coleman) "That's a great question. It's both. It definitely is a mental thing in terms of just playing the defense the same way you play it for the first three quarters. The calls really aren't any different, so we're fully capable of doing that. You're going to want to be in the right mental space to do that, and also, being intentional about it at practice – putting yourself in that kind of a situation in terms of the plays that we run and the things you have to stop and then making the plays. It's a playmaking business. These guys are the best in the world at it. I love our guys – we have so many playmakers. I'm confident that we'll be able to do that."
Beyond just the message of, "Hey we can't commit penalties." How do you go about getting to that – is it a technique thing? What's the message there? (Brian Wacker) "It is really technique. Honestly, it's 95% technique. There is part of it that is awareness and those kind of things and mindset. There are cadence issues; there are formation things that are more the mental things sometimes – you work on those, too. But the technique is really what it boils down to, and we do try to chase good technique. We don't coach holding to the edge; we don't coach anything to the edge. We coach within the proper technique; we're never trying to get an advantage on the rule. We don't think it's good technique to do that. We want to have our hands inside; we want to be driving people off the ball. We want to be covering with our feet – those kinds of things. In that sense, we're able to just keep coaching our technique – the good technique – because that's what we start with. We just have to do a better job with it."
Your team has a really good record on primetime home games over the years since 2008. In these home primetime games do you see something different from your team? Why have they been so good in that situation? (Ryan Mink) "We've had good teams, and we have a great stadium at night, especially [when] the crowd's into it. I thought you were going to go with the fact that we don't get as many primetime home games as everybody else. Is that part of the question? No?" (laughter) "I'm going to leave it alone. I'm going to leave it alone today. We're looking forward to it. Our guys love to play. I tell you, the only way I can answer that question is, 'Go to the stadium and experience it, because there's nothing like it – there's nothing like a primetime game at M&T Bank Stadium.' That's really what it's all about. I know the fans who've been there, they know, because they make it that way. So, anybody who hasn't been there, I strongly encourage you to get a ticket and show up."
Is there anything you reflect on about QB Lamar Jackson in matchups where it's two of the great quarterbacks in the league going head to head? (Kyle Goon) "You will have to ask Lamar [Jackson] that question, because I'm not an elite quarterback – I'm not an elite player in any sense of the word. I don't know what it's like to be in that matchup, so to speak. I am just grateful to be a part of it and to be around it, because these are the things that you're going to look back on, and you're going to say, 'Wow, wasn't that cool to be there for that.' That's why we do all of this – it's why all of us in this [media] circle do this – why the fans watch. That's part [of why] I love football, because you get to join in with that. For two guys like Lamar and Josh [Allen] to kind of have that and to be those guys is a pretty amazing, cool thing. I'm just glad to be next to it."
Can you talk about the unique aspect of being able to add veterans to practice squads and how that's a new dimension? Is it fruitful for you, or how is that fruitful for the NFL? (Kyle Phoenix) "I think it's really good for the teams, and it's really good for the NFL, and it's good for the fans, and it's good for the players on the teams. Because you have more players out here at practice, one thing. The players are going to stay healthier, because the workload gets split up a little bit. You can actually, with the new rules, you can split the workload during the longer season now more, which helps keep guys healthy over the long season. Some guys that might have been forced to play 10 years ago – even five years ago – do some things you can back down, get them really healthy; get them healthy, and then play another guy up off the practice squad. It's prolonged careers, because you wouldn't have a spot for him maybe on your team before, because of how much it costs, or you just wouldn't have room, because those guys need to actually practice. Now you have more practice squad guys, [and] you can bring a guy in like [Yannick Ngakoue], and he can practice and get ready for the opportunity when it does come up to fill the role that we just talked about. I think it's a win, win, win for everybody."
The Bills obviously have a good defensive front. Is there any concern about not having three starting offensive linemen out here today, or do you not think that's anything significant? (Jeff Zrebiec) "What happens in the course of the season is [that] it's a very physical sport. You have guys that are going to be working through things pretty much every week. If you look around the league, you'll see that pretty much with every team. We have to deal with those things just like everybody else."
Buffalo's obviously without LBs Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard. I guess they ruled out CB Taron Johnson. What makes their defense still so good without those big-time guys? (Jonas Shaffer) "They're a chemistry defense. They play together really well. First of all, they have a really good team, and they have a lot of depth. They've done a great job; [Bills general manager] Brandon Beane and [Bills head coach] Sean McDermott have done a great job building that team. They drafted well, and they have a lot of good young players. They can bring guys in, and they play at a high level. They're put together really well. They've been running this system; guys know the system [when] they step in, they've had a lot of reps, and they play well together as a result."
Along those lines, is this a game where you just don't expect them at all to come out of that nickel? Did you expect to get them to play in base at all considering how well you guys ran? (Jonas Shaffer) "That's a good question. I really wish someone would ask that question to Sean [McDermott] and then find out whether that's a possibility or not." (Laughter) "I expect them to get in dime a little bit, they've done that recently. But whether they'll get into base or not, I don't know."
With RB Derrick Henry, you don't see a lot of running backs even make it to age 30 or Year nine in the NFL. Are there ways that you've seen that experience show itself on the field with all the football that he's played? (Adam Kilgore) "Yes. I've seen this guy do it, because we've been his opponent so many times. I just appreciate being on the other sideline the last few games. But an example would be the play where we ran a drill play, which is a downhill gap-scheme A-gap play that can bounce. He took it, and then right away, he took it to the edge and got around the corner [and] got the first down. I think he gained about 11 yards to the left side on that play. I don't think too many [running] backs would have seen that develop as quickly as he did. He's run that play a lot in his career, and for to him to take the handoff, take about a step and take it right outside and know that he was going to get it, [that is] probably an example of what you're talking about right there."
S KYLE HAMILTON
On the Bills offense: "Yes, like you said, Josh Allen is an incredible talent. [He has] great arm talent and a great feel for the game. [He] knows how to utilize his guys and makes a ton of plays. They have a bunch of guys on the offense that do a lot of stuff for them. Formation-wise, they can get a little tricky at times. I think their OC and coaches do a good job of scheming up gameplans for them, so it will be a good challenge."
On what challenges QB Josh Allen presents because he can do it with his arms and his legs: "Yes. You just said it. If you cover everything, he can escape the pocket and get a first down. [He's] strong in the pocket [and] doesn't get sacked a ton, because he's a big guy. He's mobile and also has an incredible arm to go with it. [There are] not a lot of quarterbacks in our league like him. It will be fun to go against him and the Bills this week."
On what's been the issue, defensively, in the fourth quarter in recent games: "Yes, 28 points should be enough to win us every game, in my opinion. As a defensive guy, I think we need to just lock back in. I think we've come in so strong, and it's hard to keep that up for 60 minutes straight, but I think we have the people to do it. [We need to] reset [and] refocus in the fourth quarter. If they do end up scoring and cutting the lead down, then again, [we need to] reset and refocus and focus on the next drive. 'How are we going to get off the field this drive?' I think that's something we can work on, and hopefully we have the opportunity to in the future."
On if it's tough to fight the mental side of losing the lead in the fourth quarter: "Yes and no. Obviously, we've been through it more times than we have wanted to, but every game is mutually exclusive to each other. This is a different game than the previous one. There have been numerous games where we won 40-3, and this isn't talked about, because it was like, 'Oh, this was supposed to happen.' Like last year, the Seahawks [game and] the Lions [game], we did our job, and it only gets talked about when we don't. So, I think it's something that does happen in the league. We're just trying to minimize it."
On the conversation between guys about eliminating penalties: "I think it's just [about] trying to play as clean as possible. You're not going to get every call. Sometimes, you might have a call go your way that probably is a bad call for another team. It all works itself out in the end, and it's kind of like arguing balls and strikes with the ump. It is what it is. You just have to do your job."
On if playing against Bills QB Josh Allen in primetime is an opportunity for the secondary to show what they're made of: "Yes, I think this week is a great week to prove ourselves, but it's also every week in this league. Everybody is good, and everybody can throw for 300-plus yards on you if you allow them to. I think it's [about] us more so being consistent out here in practice and carrying over to the field with communication, execution [and] all that stuff, which I know we're more than capable of."
On what has impressed him most about Bills QB Josh Allen on film: "Probably just his belief in himself, just not even throwing the ball, that [is] included obviously, but just his belief that he's going to make a play out of nothing. If somebody misses a block, he can escape out of a sack. It doesn't matter who's rushing him. He can escape a DB or a D-Lineman, and then roll to his left and fire the ball 60 yards downfield on a rope. That's obviously impressive, and in addition to that, the confidence he plays with, and the confidence is contagious for that team. It's impressive to watch. He's a good player."
On if it's frustrating when the defense is playing a play well and still doesn't have success: "Yes, it happens. We're in a league where guys on the other side are getting paid millions of dollars, too. So, they're good, [and] we're good, and you're going to have bang-bang plays like that sometimes. Sometimes they go your way, [and] sometimes they don't; it's just part of the league."
On what he likes the most about the night game atmosphere: "Sleeping in is nice. [I] sleep in and kind of just chill during the day. You have plenty of time to get your mind focused for the game. It is a lot cool when we run out of the tunnel – and honestly, when Lamar [Jackson] runs out of the tunnel – and it's a night game. He [is waving] the towel in his hands. It's pretty cool to see the crowd getting hype. Under the lights with the black jerseys kind of feels different."
QB LAMAR JACKSON
On if beating the Dallas Cowboys was the confidence boost that they team needed: "I believe we just did what we were supposed to do. We're always trying to get a win, especially in this league, it's any given Sunday. You could say that. I believe you could say that it gave us a boost to get the ball rolling."
On if it was frustrating to have the Cowboys come back in the fourth quarter: "I believe when another team is scoring, and we're just getting off the field and not helping our defense out, that's the frustrating part. It's like, 'We have to do something, too.' We can't just let another team look like they're steamrolling to make a comeback, because it's happening in the past, and we weren't trying to let that happen again."
On how to prevent blowing fourth-quarter leads: "[We have to] continue to put points on the board [and] continue to move the ball. I don't really try to look at it like we're trying to keep the clock rolling, but if anything, try to make that happen, too. We're trying to put points on the board."
On what he enjoys about playing at home in primetime: "Just the crowd and the atmosphere. Just hearing the [Ravens] Flock [and] seeing all black throughout the crowd, and it's hard to escape. It's something about it. I can't really describe it. It's like the dark side." (Laughter)
On his favorite game that he's won on primetime: "All of them. I love winning."
On his appearance during CB Marlon Humphrey's Instagram live after the game on Sunday: "Marlo' [Marlon Humphrey] is going to be 'Marlo.' I just didn't want the camera on me at the time. He knows this, I'm all about winning. I don't want to say winning style, but when we're up, I just want to punish people. I just want to get out of there with a dub – clear-minded. We have things to work on. There's always going to be things to work on, no matter if you beat a team 40 to nothing or 28-26, but I didn't want the camera on me. That's my brother – I know he's going to do what he does, but it's like, 'Not right now. I'm a little ticked off on how the game went.' That's all."
On what he means when he says the teams needs to "get right": "Just playing Raven football. Putting points on the board. Those guys on the other side, our defense just stopping people. And it's like, 'The Ravens didn't take their foot off their necks.' That's pretty much how I look at games with us."
On former QB Tom Brady giving another compliment and calling him "The Eraser": "That's the G.O.A.T. That's the only guy with seven Super Bowls. [He's] one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game with seven Super Bowls, and for him to give me the nickname 'The Eraser' and how he judges my game is dope for me to hear."
On if he relishes matchups against elite-level players like QB Josh Allen: "To be honest, I really don't care who's out there playing [against us]. I'm just trying to get a win. That's all I'm doing, is just doing what I can do with my ability to help my team get in the win column. So, I approach those games just like any other game, just like I always say."
On what he saw from the Bills defense on Monday night: "I didn't watch that game, so I don't really have an answer for you. But from watching film, those guys [are doing] what I've always seen, [they're] flying around, [they have] a great secondary, a great front, great 'backers. They just play smashmouth football. That's what I do see on film."
On having dunk contests with Donovan Mitchell at Louisville: "I used to know how to dunk. I used to be alright. I'm not going to say I was Donovan Mitchell with the dunks, I wasn't winning [dunk] contests or anything like that. Because, freshman year, I saw him throwing alley-[oops] to himself. I'm just going off momentum. I'm just hyped just seeing it. [It was] my first time meeting him and the basketball players. I just threw one off the wall, and I caught it. I was just pumped, I was like, 'OK. I have a little bounce and stuff like that.' Just seeing [Donovan Mitchell] and all the success he's had is dope to see. From us just being freshmen, and not just him, it was Asia [Durr] and a lot of guys and girls who came in together, and we made something out of Louisville. Louisville had been had a name, but we just made our place in Louisville, so it's dope. It was dope for him to tell that story, too."
On the last time he dunked: "I don't know. [it was] probably a couple of years ago. Anthony [Watson], one of our [strength coaches], has been telling me, 'Go in there and dunk.' He remembers I used to slam it, but I haven't done it in a while. I might try. Last time I tried, I got rim stuffed – probably because of the weight." (Laughter)
On if he dunks with one or two hands: "I'm a one-handed dunker. I dunk left- or right-handed."
On if being compared to other QBs like QB Josh Allen is annoying to him: "It's always going to be that way as long as we are in the league. I really don't know how people will judge it or what people will say, I'm just going out there trying to get a dub."
On if Derrick Henry's experience shows up on the field: "I believe [there is a story] going around with how [Derrick Henry] eats, so I believe that's playing a part and how the guy works. I believe I said it before, but he doesn't like to mess up. It could be my fault, and he would be like, 'No. I have to do this better.' That's great to see from a guy like him and all that he's established in the league. That's a guy who wants to be great, and he's proving that, so that's dope."
On if he was frustrated with the refs on Sunday: "No. I wasn't mad. The refs are going to do their job. They're doing their job, whatever they see, they're going to call it. They only have two eyes – they can't see everything. There's probably holding [and] all types of things every play. I was like, 'Man, stop cheating us,' but I was talking to them, I'm just talking out in the world. I'm playing football, [and] I'm trying to win. That's all."
On being on the cover of GQ Magazine: "That was dope. I never thought I would be on GQ modeling at all, but it was dope. It was a dope experience, and I appreciate GQ for just having me be a part of it. It was dope."
OLB YANNICK NGAKOUE
On joining the Ravens: "I'm just happy to be here [and] happy to be home. A big factor [in] coming here was [that] I have a lot of trust with our head coach [John Harbaugh], and my position coach [assistant defensive line coach/outside linebackers Matt Robinson] – I actually played with him at the University of Maryland, as well, and me and [pass rush coach] Chuck Smith go way, way back. So, it just sounded like a great fit for me."
On if his last stint here with Baltimore in 2020 soured him on the idea of coming back here: "No, I believe in God, and I believe that everything happens for a reason, and it was meant for me to come back. I went through peaks and valleys, just going [to] different spots and places, but I feel like, ultimately, it was meant for me to come back here to give my best football."
On if he's spoken to OLB Kyle Van Noy about this process of getting acclimated after joining the Ravens at this point of a season, given Van Noy's similar experience last year: "No, not yet. [Kyle Van Noy] is a good dude, a hard worker, and I just can't wait to go out there and get after it with him. I love what I see on tape. I stayed up until probably about 11 p.m. last night just watching the last game and the game before that and just seeing how guys get after it. So, I can't wait to play with him."
On how he feels from a physical standpoint: "I feel great. I feel like I had a great day today. I feel like I could contribute now, [but] it's not my decision; it's the guys' upstairs – it's decision to see if I can play or not. But I feel like I'm in great shape – the benefits of being able to train in Florida."
On the process of signing here and when the conversations picked up: "Me and Coach 'Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh], we talked even before that Miami and Carolina visit. We've been [speaking], but we kind of lost a little bit of communication – of course, it was training camp and things like that. And then, ultimately, the opportunity came, and my agent reached out to me and told me there was an opportunity here, so I didn't hesitate to come."
On why joining Baltimore is a good fit: "This is where I started from. I'm a Maryland guy through and through – born and raised here. I love the locker room, [and] I love the guys here. We have a great quarterback, and I just want to be able to help get the ball back to the offense."
On how beneficial it is for a veteran to join the practice squad: "I feel like it's good for players – just to be able to get your feet back wet and just to be able to get back in the motion and get your rhythm back. So, I feel like, today – like I said, me, personally – it was a great experience [to] just [be] able to sharpen my tools again and just get back into game speed."
K JUSTIN TUCKER
On when he pinpointed the technique issue that he's been working through: "It's definitely fair to say that more recently, I've been working through a technique thing. For the most part, we – and I emphasize we – have been striking the ball really, really well, not just in practice, not just in pre-game warmups, but for the most part, throughout the course of the game. Then, I have let three kicks get away from me early this season, but today, we had another really good day at practice. We plan on having another one tomorrow and on Friday and then coming into Sunday Night Football ready to roll like we always do. I'm confident in what Nick [Moore] has been doing and what Jordan [Stout] has been doing, from a snapping and a holding perspective. The guys blocking up front, they have all been consistent. Anytime our defense gets a stop, [and] our offense moves the ball down the field, it's my job to reward the rest of the team and their hard work with points on the board. That's something I take a lot of pride in and something I will continue to be working at, so I'll leave it at that."
On if it's a unit technique issue or an individual technique issue: "There are always things for us as a unit to clean up. That's no different from one week to the next. Whether we're making everything from the logo, 6-for-6 or 7-for-7 throughout the course of the game or a couple of games, we're still going to come in, regardless, and we're going to nitpick at every little thing that we can, because we feel like that's important. That's part of our mindset; you can never let yourself feel too good about the highs, and you can never let yourself feel too bad about the lows. It's about coming in and being persistent and consistent with the way that we approach each and every kick, and that's with the plan that we're going to strike the ball cleanly, and we're going to put it right down the middle of the uprights."
On how he emotionally handles this: "I think it goes back to what I was just saying; you can never let the highs feel too high or the lows feel too low. In the times when it seems easy, when we're just making everything right down the middle, and it looks like a piece of cake, I promise you, it's not. We're always working on something. I do want to emphasize when the highs are high, [and] we are making kicks the way that we expect to, it's not something that we necessarily celebrate. It's what we expect of ourselves. At the same time, when I am leaving a couple out there from time to time, it's not because of anybody else. Everybody else is doing exactly what they're supposed to be doing. It's because that's on me. I have to control what I can control, address whatever fixes ... make whatever changes I need to in my technique from one week to the next and then just continue to work, while also not letting myself get to a place where I'm moping around. That's not going to do anybody any good, so continuing to come in and see my teammates and see my coaches and be in a great football culture – that's a part of why I know I'm able to keep myself in a good place."
On if his range has changed at all since the season began: "I feel like I'm striking the ball still as well as I ever have. Going back 12 years, when I first came into the league, until right now, I feel just as good as I've ever felt. It's just a matter of a little thing here or a little thing there that I know I can clean up. We had a great day at practice today [and] we're going to have another one tomorrow and have another one Friday. We'll be in a really good place."
OLB KYLE VAN NOY
On the challenges of facing QB Josh Allen: "I mean, we could be here all day talking about it." (laughter) "[Josh Allen is] just an incredible player [who's] playing at such an extremely high level. I think [he] and [Joe] Brady, the [Bills] 'O.C.' [offensive coordinator], calling the plays, they're in sync right now, and they have a great pulse of their offense, with their identity, and they're doing an extremely good job of just getting everybody involved. That's kind of the biggest difference that I've seen – is there's not one person who you could be like, 'Oh, you've got to stop this person or that person.' It's, 'Oh, you've got to have all 11 guys be locked in every single play,' because the quarterback is playing really, really well, and the guys that he has empowered around him are playing really, really good football. They're just a really good football team. Their O-line is extremely disciplined and play as a unit – one of the best in the league. Coach [Sean] McDermott does a really good job as a head coach, and they're just playing really good. And that's why they're 3-0."
On if there's added pressure knowing that QB Josh Allen plays so well against the blitz: "Yes, that's a good question. Whatever the call is, you've got to do your job, at the end of the day. Obviously, I can't sit up here and say the gameplan, but if your number is called when it's a blitz, you've got to get home, and if it's to be [on] rush four, rush three or whatever is, you've got to do your job to be able to get back there and affect the quarterback. Guys just have to be sticky on their coverage and rush and cover together, and hopefully find some success with that."
On what's working for him this year, having four sacks in three games: (laughter) "Honestly, I'm going to go back to what I always say: I take it very personal that I wasn't on a football team last year. I'm always trying to prove that I can play – each and every year – at a high level. I have goals and dreams that I'm always chasing, and I felt like I've been underrated my whole career, and I'm just going to continue to work. I feel like I've done that in the offseason, [and] I've done that while I'm here. [Head coach John] Harbaugh has done a great job – and 'Z.O.' [defensive coordinator Zach Orr] – of helping me continue to develop as a leader and empowering me to be more of a leader. So, I just appreciate everything they've done [for] me since I've been here, and just continue to, [to] help the team win. But I just have this chip on my shoulder that's probably never going to go away."
On if the conversations have been more positive after last week, or if the focus has been on the shortcomings and areas of improvement: "Yes, that's a good question. When we talked about it early in the week, you want to go through those things, but we're already on Wednesday, and we're focused on Buffalo. So, that chapter is closed, and we're onto another chapter of [the] Buffalo Bills, who are an extremely good team. We prepare all week to correct those mistakes to make sure they don't happen again, and we're going to continue to look at it, grind it out on the football field and the film room and continue to try to put the best version of our team out on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays – whatever day we play." (laughter)
On the challenges of picking up the defense and making sure you're in game shape, drawing from his own experience last year and what OLB Yannick Ngakoue might be experiencing as a newly-signed practice squad player: "You guys are asking good questions today – another good question. I think, for [Yannick Ngakoue], he probably has a little more ... He has a little advantage, because he's been here [before in 2020]. He knows the building, the people; obviously, some people change, and players change, and defensively ... I'm not positive, but I feel like there's a little bit of a [positive feeling since] he's been here before, so I think knowing that helps out a lot. Just him [being] focused and being ready to go – and it seems like he is that way already ... He's looking good out there, and I think he's just going to continue to put his head down and work, and if he gets that opportunity, I think he's going to make the most of it."
On the challenge of bringing QB Josh Allen to the ground and what the defense focuses on to make sure they do: "I think it's similar to [trying to tackle] Derrick Henry." (laughter) "You've kind of heard around the league that [Henry] is very difficult [to bring down], and I think [with Josh Allen], it's kind of similar to that. You've got to scratch, crawl, fight – do anything you can – to get him on the ground. He's tough to [bring down]. I think they're one of the best teams at pass [protection]. I believe they're Top 1 or Top 2 [in pass protection], and you've just got to do everything you can to get him on the ground, and it just takes a team effort – like I said earlier about the rush and coverage – to be able to hold disguises and all that goes into play of getting him down. So, it takes all 11."
On posting two sacks in back-to-back games and if he's ever been on a heater like this: "I always feel like I'm on a heater." (laughter) "Honestly, I'm not even worried about that. That's all going to come. I feel like I just want to be disruptive, be a game wrecker, and like I said earlier, Coach 'Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh], 'Z.O' [defensive coordinator Zach Orr], [pass rush coach] Chuck Smith [and assistant defensive line coach/outside linebackers] Matt [Robinson] all just empower me to just continue to play my game, and I really appreciate 'Harbs' doing that; I do, just because everywhere is different, and he's done a great job with continuing to empower me to play my game. [And I appreciate] Chuck Smith and Matt and 'Z.O.' [for] just kind of just letting me loose and [allowing me to do] my job, but [I] just continue to [try] to make plays. So, it's been fun, and I appreciate having coaches doing that for me."
On if he's ever felt a special energy leading up to a game with two special quarterbacks going head to head, or if he's felt that more after a game: (laughter) "I mean, I always respect matchups. I've been very fortunate ... I think I'm five games off of 150 games played, and I'm very excited; hopefully, that happens." (Reporter: "I feel like you're pitching a story right now.") "I'm not at all. I'm just looking at it [from a place] where I've been able to see a lot of these cool matchups, and I got to be on the field with Tom [Brady] as my quarterback and going against Aaron Rodgers; like, that was a special one. So, yes, it does ... I love football. I'm kind of like you guys in a way, media, as well as fans, so I enjoy that kind of nostalgia – I hope that's the right word – and I think it's an awesome opportunity. I think the young guys will look back on it when they're done playing, kind of like I will, and be like, 'Man, I got to play with those two young guys,' because they're still young – Josh [Allen] and Lamar [Jackson] are still young – and see where they're at 10 years from now or five years from now and see what they're doing. I think it's awesome, and it's going to be special to be there Sunday night at 'The Bank' [M&T Bank Stadium]."
