TE MARK ANDREWS
On if it feels like he's entering Year Seven in the NFL: "Time flies when you're having fun. It doesn't feel like Year Seven; it feels like just yesterday, [when I] was coming here as a rookie. But [I'm] so excited. A lot of work has been put in, and [I'm] excited to see where this team goes during training camp."
On how he feels at the moment: "Great. Yes, I feel awesome. Like I said, I spent a lot of [time] in the offseason – to work on myself. And again, after OTAs [organized team activities], I just put in that work, and I'm excited to go out there and help this team and continue to grow in this offense and get better together. I feel 100% – if not better than I ever have."
On working and training to get stronger versus rehabilitation: "I think it's a delicate balance, and I think that's one of those things when your body knows, it knows. There was a point in this offseason, where I was ... It's like, you go to bed one day, and you wake up the next day, and you start going, and you're working on your strength, you start working on the football stuff instead of the rehab stuff. And thankfully, pretty early on in my training sessions in the offseason, that happened."
On something he did this offseason that he didn't do when he was younger: "For me, [it was] a lot of balancing [and working] different little muscles. I started doing a little bit of Pilates – stuff like that. But I ran a ton this offseason. I think everybody knows [that] I like to work hard, I like to ... The only way to get better at football is playing football, so we spent the time – me and my family and everybody involved – to run a lot of routes, catch a lot of balls, and I'm excited to show that off."
On whom within his family was covering him and throwing to him: (laughter) "My brother was covering me, and my dad ... We have the ball machine, so he's the quarterback on the thing; he's a sniper on it." (laughter)
On entering Year Two in offensive coordinator Todd Monken's offense: "It's great. It's only going to evolve more and more, I think, as guys get more comfortable – as always, in Year Two, after having an offense and learning it. Things are new, you're trying to figure out who you are as an identity. And I think right now, we've got a really clear picture of what we want to be, how we want to operate and be efficient and give the tools to Lamar [Jackson] and Coach 'Monk' [offensive coordinator Todd Monken] to be in the best play at all times. And yes, it's going to evolve, it's going to look a little bit different, but I think it's going to be really well polished."
On if it feels like he's starting training camp with a much higher baseline entering Year Two of this offense: "A hundred percent. Just the knowledge and understanding of what we know of the offense, terminology – all that stuff ... Having a year in the offense, you're able to see what works, where you're dangerous at, mostly, and what plays [you like] in certain instances. So, we're taking all that information, applying it and growing off that."
On how good this secondary he'll face in training camp is: "Yes, we've got an incredible defense. Iron sharpens iron, and we're going to have our hands full with going against those guys, and [I'm] excited about those competitions. It's going to make us better – make our receivers better, make the tight ends better – and we're going to be flying around. We're going to be competitive, but at the same time, we love each other."
On if training camp has a different edge knowing that he'll face the Chiefs in Week 1: "It's fun to be able to look forward to that. It's a big game; it's the first game of the year. I'm someone that ... I take one game at a time. So, right now, it's one practice at a time, and I'm focused on that right now. Obviously, it's an exciting thing, and if it gets you going, it gets you going. But for me, it's just day by day, getting better, helping this team get better and taking each practice to work on something to make us as well rounded as we can be."
On how excited he is for what RB Derrick Henry can bring to this offense: "It's incredible, man. When you have a guy like Derrick [Henry], and then you've got No. 8 [Lamar Jackson] in the backfield, it's ... We've been against Derrick so many times in the last seven years I've been playing here, so just knowing the type of player that he is, how tough he is and the type of gameplans you have to have for a guy like
Derrick ... It's going to be all eyes on him and [No.] 8. So, for us, being around those guys, it's making the plays that are going to open things up for some really good things, which I'm excited about."
On when he felt 100% this offseason and how it felt to get there: "It was probably about March [or] April – about a month after the season ended. Yes, I put in some work – stabilization stuff. But it felt incredible. Being able to go out there and run a route; I know what it had felt ... We worked really hard right after I got the surgery, because it was a quick turnaround. [With] the pain thresholds and all that stuff, I had to go through a lot, so for me to be able to go through the offseason and go through a training session and feel incredible – be flying around – and have the next day and be able to do it again, that was a great feeling."
On something that has impressed him the most about QB Lamar Jackson's recent progression: "I think Lamar [Jackson] is just like everybody else. One, he's the most special player in the world. There is no one else like him. He's the best quarterback in the NFL, and he continues to show why he's labeled that. And for me, in my head, it's just [him] constantly making the big plays, constantly making the right decisions and leading us guys. He's our captain, our leader, and we all look to him. He's got a heavy burden on his shoulders, but he comes to work every day, has fun [and] enjoys it. Just year after year, he's impressive, he grows, and that's not easy to say, because he's already at the very top."
On how QB Lamar Jackson is able to handle receiving the brunt of criticism when the team falls short: "I think that's part of the position and part of being Lamar [Jackson]. He's grown up and had to deal with things like this his whole life. And the thing that stands out about him is he's got an incredible faith and belief in God and in himself and his teammates. And when you have belief in something else, it's easy to get through things; it's easy to help other people carry that weight. He does a great job of just being himself and not letting the outside noise affect him."
DT JUSTIN MADUBUIKE
On how we spent his time away the past few weeks: "I was here the majority of the time. Other than that, I was in Atlanta training, getting better, polishing up [and] getting ready for the season. Usually I was just chilling, hanging out [or] working out. [I was] just trying to stay cool [and] get ready for the season."
On who he was training with in Atlanta: "I was with [David] Ojabo, 'Dafe [Odafe Oweh], 'T-Rob' [Tavius Robinson and] my man, [pass rush specialist] Dez Walker, that I've been training with the past three offseasons. I definitely told Ojabo and 'Daf' about it, and 'T-Rob' kind of tagged along as well. It was cool to have my boys with me out there training and just getting better."
On how different defense will be under Zach Orr: "I think it will be great under Zach [Orr]. Zach is a defensive mastermind. He knows where to put us in positions to be successful. He knows our weaknesses. He knows our strengths. He knows how he can utilize us to play great on defense. I feel like our defense is going to be even better than last year. I just feel like guys are being accustomed to each other and just growing, as just not only as players, [but] as brothers. I think we just create strength and growth and trust in each other. I think it's going to be a testament to how good we're going to be this year."
On how he will look to get better this year: "I just stay present. I just stay in the moment. I always have to understand that. I always have to put the work in to get the results that I want to get. I try to stay true to that and just focus on the little things like sleep, diet [and] nutrition. Little things that I can ... just as little pebbles that just add up over time. I try to focus on those things, and I know putting in the work that will check that list off. Just doing the little things well throughout camp and throughout the season and just adding up at the end goal."
On if his sack goal is higher than what he finished with last year (13 sacks): "It might be. It might not be. It's definitely double digits for sure. I know I'm that type of player. I know I expect highly of myself and I have to hold myself to that standard. Just taking it one day at a time. Staying present and put the work in."
On if Aaron Donald helps him model expectations: "Yeah for sure. He's one of the greats – one of the greats of all time to play. Honestly when I came in as a rookie, I wanted to be not 'like him,' but play like him in the sense of just being great and being a known player in this league. It added that focus. I guess you could say year after year after year, I've gotten better, and it's been working. I have a long way to go to even be mentioned in the same sentence as him in terms of play, but I'm determined and willing and just going to take it one day at a time."
On if he feels added pressure from signing an extension: "I wouldn't say pressure; I would say expectations from people. Teams are definitely going to be maybe blocking me different. [I'm] expecting different ways that they're going to try to slow me down. I guess you could say pressure in terms of pressuring myself to stay polished and stay focused and stay better than I was last year. That's the only pressure I feel. Outside of that it's just expectations, and the world will keep working."
On how it's been working with new defensive line coach Dennis Johnson: "Dennis is great. Dennis is cool. He came from Texas and Baylor [University]. I'm from Texas so we had that connection. Outside of that, he's just a good guy. [He's] somebody that has very good insight about the game and [is] trying to find ways to get better. [He] brings a good energy, too, I like that. He's good."
On if he will be preparing any differently when expecting more double teams: "Yes. Overall the most important thing for me is just staying in shape. Staying in great shape. Having a high motor. Focusing on ways to not get tired. That's what I was talking about earlier about the nutrition and just the sleep and all those little things that add up. It will help me stay on point [doing] those things"
On his biggest focus for technique improvement: "This offseason, I worked on everything, [from] strength to technique, pass rush moves; I would just say everything – just getting better at everything, every aspect of the game [and] just being a whole well-rounded player. I think that will just be great for our defense."
On if last year was the best he's ever played: "Yes, I always feel like I can do better. I just feel like after those performances, even though I played well, in my head, I'm like, 'Nah, they haven't seen [anything] yet.' I can even be better. I can even be stronger. I can be faster. That's just a mentality I come into work with, and I try to put it into fruition through the hard work and just staying focused. We'll let the chips fall where they may."
On what this team will have to do for a Super Bowl win: "Everybody just being dialed in, focused and locked in every day. Control what you can control – that's really all you can do and just put on your hard-working hat every single day. Just leave it all out there on the field – that's all you can do. If everybody does that from coaches to training staff to players to everybody, I think we're going to get to where we want to get to and win."
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On where he went in the offseason: "I was fortunate enough to get over to Paris. Paris was really cool. [I] got to hang out with a good bit of my guys and other guys around the league. I did Spain as well. Spain is pretty cool. I've been before; I just did Barcelona this time, and then [I] got over to Germany, which was a random spot for me, but I was over there in Europe, so I'm like 'Why not try something new?' It was cool. It was interesting."
On the Ravens agreeing to terms with his former Bears teammate S Eddie Jackson: "I'm very happy to have Eddie [Jackson] here. He'll be a great asset to our team. [He has] a lot of playmaking ability; he's proved it before, so I think with the group of guys that we already have here, him coming along, it will be really good for him and then really good for us as well."
On if he put in a good word to executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta about S Eddie Jackson: "Yes, I always tell the truth. I have great respect for Eddie [Jackson] and [I've] known Eddie since I came into the league. Like I said earlier, I think he's a great asset for our team. [He's] obviously been making plays in this league for a very long time, and with the pieces that we have here, and then with his talent, and having him in his role, I think it will go well for us."
On if the defense can be as good as last year's squad: "I think we can be better, honestly, and I know we can, not just more so think. But I have a great deal of respect for the guys that were here before. Good luck to those guys in the places that they are, but I have the utmost respect for each and every guy that's in here, and I know the potential that each and every guy has, so it's all about going out and proving it week-in and week-out, and I think it starts in training camp, day-in and day-out. Everybody is excited early on, and I know we have the mindset of guys pushing through adversity when we face that, but I love the pieces that we have here, and we'll be able to show that to the world soon enough, and maybe we'll come back to this conversation at the end of the year, and we'll be like, 'Wow, can we be better than that?'"
On how different the defense will look with defensive coordinator Zach Orr calling the plays: "I think are very similar that's here, and I have a great deal of respect for [defensive coordinator] Zach [Orr and] his mindset. He's been out there on the field, and believe it or not, obviously him and Mike [Macdonald] are two totally different people, and they're unique in their own way, but through the headset, they actually sound the same. Every voice I've heard through a headset all sounds the same. I'm like, 'Is that Mike or something?' I told 'Z.O.' one day during OTAs, so it's pretty funny. I'm excited for 'Z.O.,' for him to showcase what he's able to do with the pieces that we have here and showcase it to the world. We've all been doubted before, [how] things may not be as good as this, that or the third, but the game gives us the opportunity to prove that. I have a great deal of respect for 'Z.O.,' and that he'll prove it week-in and week-out, and it's going to start here in training camp, preparing for the year."
On if defensive coordinator Zach Orr will blitz more than former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald: "I think they're all unique in their own ways, so come Week 1 and throughout the season, we'll all see for ourselves and not just [have it be] word of mouth."
On what he's seen from LB Trenton Simpson that instills confidence that he's fit for a starting role: "'Trent' [Simpson], the guy works his tail off like no other. [He's] always trying to find ways to get better, and you can see in day-in and day-out, his approach to the game, his extra meeting time, and the guy is probably one of the most athletic people on the team, if not [the most]. [He] jumps out of the gym, [has] 4.3 [40-yard dash] speed; [he] can do everything. With more reps and him putting it all together, I think the guy really has a chance to special, and he has that hungry attitude, so I'm just excited to go to work with him, and I know we'll be complementary to each other out on the field. I'm excited for it."
On if he went on a trip with LB Trenton Simpson this offseason: "We actually weren't able to make it [work] out. We tried to make some last-minute adjustments, but at the end of the day, we all have lives outside, so he had some things he had to do, but I still got me a few trips in. He got out on trip as well, so I was excited for him, and I try to tell him it's about getting out and experiencing life outside of America and understanding other cultures and things that just bring you joy, and can learn a lot. I think he's taking all that in, and he got out and enjoyed himself a little bit, and that's what it's all about – enjoying yourself – but now [we're] back [and it's] time to work."
On his new music and restaurant venue in Chicago: "It was pretty cool. It was just a little sneak peek weekend – the July 16th weekend, I think that was. It'll officially open up in August, so I'm excited about that. It should be pretty cool."
On what the team needs to do in order to get over the hump and get to the Super Bowl: "I think it starts right now, and it starts with each and every person looking themselves in the mirror, day-in and day-out, and when times get tough, taking that extra step saying, 'Hey, this is what is going to get us over the hump,' and every person raising their standard, even myself. There are things I can do better, there are things every single person on the team can do better, and it's about if you hold yourself to that high standard, which I know each and every guy felt the pain last year, and having that drive and that pain feeling all throughout the offseason and throughout camp when times get tough, just going back to that moment and not forgetting why you're doing it, and who you're doing it for, outside the name on the back of your jersey, but for the guys that's in the locker room, for everyone that's paying their hard-earned money, for the sick kids who are huge fans of us that would do anything in the world to be in our position. When you think about all of those things, it just truly gives you an extra drive, and when you look at each and every guy in the locker room, I think that's the attitude that we have, and I'm just excited for us to showcase that starting out in training camp getting better against each other, and it will always be about competing against each other, because that's what it will be out on the game field as well."
On what feeds into his mindset about the defense being better this year, compared to last year: "Mentality is definitely a part of it, but I think also with the guys, more experience playing with each other. There are a couple pieces that are gone, but I think the more time that we have together, understanding each other, just bonding throughout camp and [being] willing to put everything on the line just a bit more for one another and knowing what the ultimate goal is to get where we want to go – and we all know where that's at – but it's going to start one game at a time and one day at a time honestly, and I'm excited for it."
On what areas he wants to improve on during training camp: "There's a lot of things that I want to focus on, but talking with [linebackers] Coach [Mark] DeLeone, [who] I think is a great asset for us as well, there's something that we're going to do as a linebackers each and every day, where [we will be] writing things down – things I want to focus on and getting better. I think there's so many things I can get better at – whether that's disengaging off of blocks quicker, because you can never be quick enough, [or] whether that's route recognition, matching routes better, catching more interceptions – I dropped a few last year – and getting on the jugs even more. Things like that and causing more havoc and forcing more turnovers. That's definitely a thing I want to do; get a lot more punches on the ball. [You can] expect that a little more – a lot of big hits. People curl up sometimes when I'm coming, but the fist is coming as well, so I'm excited about that and being able to showcase that and try to take my game to a new level."
