head coach john harbaugh
Opening statement:"OK, I appreciate you guys coming out. We just concluded the main part of the preparation for the week, and we're going to get on a plane here at 4 o'clock, head out west, and we're excited to go play against the 49ers."
Can you fill us in on what happened with RB Lorenzo Taliaferro? He was probable last week with the foot issue, but he landed on IR. (Luke Jones)"It kind of took us by surprise there a little bit, but the foot had been bothering him. He tweaked it – maybe it was Oakland, or one of those weeks in there – and sat out that week, then came back the next week and just wasn't getting much better. So, we sent him to see the foot specialist; I believe it was Dr. Anderson, and he just felt like the Lisfranc had reemerged from last year. They decided not to do surgery on it last year and just let it heal, and in some way, it kind of happened again, I guess. So, they decided to do the surgery right there. When he went there, they looked at it and they stayed and did the surgery. That's what happened."
John, there have been rumors that you're on the short list for the USC coaching job. A) Have they reached out to you? B) Would that be something you'd be interested in? (Jamison Hensley)"I just told [senior vice president of public and community relations] Kevin [Byrne], I've been on a lot of short lists in my life. *(laughter) *So, no. Obviously, no. This is what I'm doing. I love the Ravens, love being here, and that's not a consideration."
John, are you happy with the progress of a couple of your key players – RB Justin Forsett and OLB Elvis Dumervil – have made this week, and what about their chances of playing Sunday? (Jeff Zrebiec)"We'll see. I'm happy with the way they worked to prepare to get ready and get themselves as healthy as they can be. We'll see. Those guys were out here practicing to some degree today, and we'll just have to see how they did and how they feel tomorrow after practicing." *(Reporter: "So, true game-time decisions?") *"Yes, I'd say so."
Does it help at all that those are veteran guys who know the scheme and might only need one day out here to [prepare] as opposed to a younger guy might need a little more time? (Jon Meoli)"Absolutely. Those guys, they know what they're doing. They can plug right in and play. But it's good for the other guys. The young guys got more reps, which is a good thing as well."
Can you talk about CB Shareece Wright and a few of the things you've seen of where he might be as far as getting up to speed with the guys? (Cliff Brown)"We'll just have to make that decision right now, probably, in the next 24 hours. We'll sit down as a staff and just deicide where he's at. Is he ready? Physically, he's ready. He's been practicing right through. He hasn't missed any practice at all. So, he's moving very well. Obviously, he's a good player. I'm pleased with what we've seen that way. Whether he's enough up to speed, we'll have to make that decision. Obviously, that won't be known until game time."
