HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "It's good to see you guys here. [We] appreciate you. It heated up again today, and it was good for us. Everybody handled the heat very well. There's an acclimation element to that; our guys are doing a good job getting in football shape in the heat. And then we have TAPS here – one of the great programs – [it's] military-related for military families that have made that sacrifice, and we really appreciate it when they come out. That's a great group of people; [it's] a family-oriented organization."
It was another strong day for OLB Odafe Oweh out there. I did see you have a little chat with him. Could you share a little bit about that? (Jamison Hensley) "I had to pull the reigns in on him a little bit. He understands, because we have to stay away from the quarterback as much as possible. We don't want to have any car crashes out there, but he's doing a great job. He's bringing it; he's pretty much been in the backfield every play, so we appreciate it."
T Daniel Faalele is someone that you guys have talked about moving to guard in the past, but he hasn't done it a lot. In the spring and now the start of camp he's worked there a lot. How does he look there? And what do you like about him that tells you that maybe now is the time for him to play more there? (Luke Jones) "That's a great point, and we do – we're going to give it a shot and see how it looks. Daniel [Faalele] has very good feet for his size. He's a big man, but he can move his feet; he can also bend and create leverage. When you've got that kind of size when you're coming off the ball and some of those combination blocks, we feel like he's got a chance with Tyler [Linderbaum] to move people in there, so all of those things. He keeps working on using his hands. [When] things happen quicker, you have to get your hands up quicker, you have to get your hands on people a little quicker – he's working on that part of it, too – so we'll see how he adapts."
Do you plan to rotate a bunch of guys in those offensive line spots during the next couple of weeks of camp? (Jeff Zrebiec) "We're going to try. We have certain guys that are moving in certain positions. Pat Mekari [is] mostly [at] right tackle right now, but also, he's going to be center, backup center, so he'll get some backup center reps. They'll work their primary spots or secondary spot; some guys work both guards, some guys stay on the left side. [For] different guys, [we have] different situations."
We've seen a number of different people play snaps at center over the last three days. Is that just a function of having two 11-on-11 fields, or do you want to get a look at some people just in case? (Ken McKusick) "It's a function of those two things plus the fact that – the more you can do, the better you are, and you always have to have a center that is capable of snapping [and] making the calls. If you get into a game, and you have a center, you don't have a center, you get two injuries, and you're out of business, that's a problem. If you can develop your guards to be a backup or a third center, that just gives you peace of mind when the time comes. Sometimes you don't want to give up the reps here but, I think it's worth it for those guys going in there and getting those reps."
Is there a QB Lamar Jackson update? Is he closer to getting out there? (Pete Gilbert) "I'm sure he's closer to getting out there than he was. It's just a matter of when the doctors are going to clear him, and he's going to feel good enough."
The NFLPA talked about how an 18-game schedule is likely. I'm curious to hear your thoughts about an 18-game schedule, and how you see that coming together? (Brian Wacker) "Right. It's not something in training camp, as a coach, that you give much thought to right now because we're immersed in our team. But I think it's good to see the NFL and the NFLPA work together on these things. You like to see everybody come together for what's best for all parties, including the fans. The fans are kind of the main driver of all of it. We'll see where it goes, but we're focused on what we're doing."
We know how versatile S Kyle Hamilton is, but as his career progresses, how much do you think he might give you guys input about where he can do the most damage? As he gets older and gets more experienced, do you see him doing even more? (Cliff Brown) "The more you can do, you move guys around. You always try to have players do primarily as much as possible what they do well and minimize the things they don't do quite as well. So, when you have a player like Kyle Hamilton, who does so many things so well, you want to get him in position to do all of those things."
Last year, your defense played almost exclusively nickel because you had Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen. With Queen leaving, and the depth in your secondary, could you play more dime this year, and what would that do for your defense? (Jonas Shaffer) "I think we could see more of that. We've certainly got the guys for it back there that they can play it. We've got a younger version of P.Q. [Patrick Queen] now, so that's probably where we're at with it."
What do you see as the trajectory for CB Jalyn Armour-Davis and CB Damarion Williams? They were in the same draft year and struggled with some injuries. What do you see as their trajectory for this season? (*Nikhil Mehta)* "Yes. It's a big year for both of those guys. 'Pepe' [Damarion Williams] and Jalyn [Armour-Davis], and they're both practicing so well right now, that's the thing. I'm excited. [The] first three days in, they've both been excellent. Jalyn has made numerous plays on the ball, 'Pepe' hasn't had those chances, but he's been in the right spots all the time, moving well. 'Pepe' is finally healthy. Jalyn is finally healthy. We'll see what they can do, but I'm very confident that they're going to do well."
What have you seen out of OLB Malik Hamm now that he's back healthy? (Alex Glaze) "Malik Hamm – I can't wait to see him out there in games. He's a guy that we really liked last year. He's healthy; he looks strong to me. [He's] another guy that we're excited to see. He looks good."
Does TE Mark Andrews look like a full go to you? Is he fully back now for you? (*Jamison Hensley)* "[Mark Andrews] does. He even told me that. He's finally back and he's right, and he looks right. So, that's a good thing."
S KYLE HAMILTON
Opening statement: "How are we doing? How was summer? Good to be back."
On if he's looking to add to his game or refine it: "I think it's a yes to both of those. I think there's a lot of stuff that you guys may not notice, [and] that my coaches may not notice that I know I can improve on and do better at. I think there's a lot of plays that I left out there last year. [This] gives me something to kind of work on. In terms of that including, in addition to leading, being more vocal – stuff like that – and step into a role now that I've had a good year - it's time to build on that not only with my play but also as a leader."
On if he envisioned himself in his current flexible role on defense: "Yes I think at Notre Dame, I did a little bit of everything, but coming into the league, I really didn't expect to. I think I more expected to just play both safety spots. That was going to be the extent of my flexibility – but it's been awesome just being able to move around and learn more about the defense, stuff like that. I just said something to somebody else over there – I just go to week-to-week. [When] Monday meetings come in, whatever they need me to do – if that's play deep, play in the half, play down in the box [or] cover – whatever they need me to do, I'm here for it. [I] just want to get better at everything."
On if he notices how fast the Ravens secondary is: "Yes it does look fast to me as well. It's kind of funny – you look around the room – Nate [Wiggins] obviously ran a 4.2 [40-yard dash at the NFL Combine]. I'm probably the slowest guy in there, at least [from times] at the Combine. But yes, we've got Marlon [Humphrey] in there, Marcus [Williams] is running; everybody is running in that room. I think that's a big thing, along with us conditioning and being out here getting a lot of reps. Running fast for a long time [and] not getting tired is a huge advantage, especially going into the later parts of the season. Let's just say we can't get off the field in a series, and we're going into play 13 in the high red zone, and we need a stop – that's something that we might've given up a touchdown on last year, so we're just building on conditioning and adding more speed to the room."
On if offseason was any different as a 'star player,' and if he enjoys the status: "Yes and no. I think it's kind of funny to see, I guess for lack of a better word, the notoriety that I've gotten just from playing well. It kind of almost feels expected – like this was supposed to happen. In my household – my mom and my dad and everybody was like, 'Yes, you're supposed to get better [in] Year Two and do well and get accolades.' That's just kind of what the norm was. Obviously, I'm super grateful for it [and] everything that has come with it. I've always said I want to be rich, I don't want to be famous, so I think I'm cool where I'm at on the level of fame – maybe it could get even lower. But, it's super exciting to just have the opportunities as well and be a part of this."
On his first impressions of S Eddie Jackson: "Oh, 'Bo-Jack [Eddie Jackson]. Well [in his] first practice, he went out there and got a pick-six, which was fire. He's a really cool dude. It's always fun to hear him tell stories about college [at the University of Alabama] – [about] Marlon [Humphrey] and how wild he was; he's kind of toned it down a little bit now. He's another vet – we seem to do this all the time – just get these vets that come here and do so much for us during the season. It's going to be so big for us to have him as a part of the team. With the other guys in the DB room – we're just so deep in that room – we can never get tired, we can never have somebody that's on the field that's a liability. It's just such a disadvantage for the offense to trot out the same people and have us rotating guys. I think it's really special to have him here."
On CB Marlon Humphrey slimming down: "I mean, yes, I actually did notice it a little bit. He was getting a little gut last year." (laughter) "He wasn't playing a lot – he just had a little chunkiness, but he dropped it. He's at his property in [Alabama] doing the workouts, and he's looking good. He's got the abs back – he's looking good out there. He's running, he's covering very well right now, and I'm excited to see him this year."
On if he often goes to coaches to give his own input: "Not really. Honestly, I kind of let them do their job in that area. Also, I was in Year Two last year even though I was playing well, it's like, you kind of have to earn your stripes before you start doing that. They did a great job putting me where I needed to be and putting everybody in a position to be successful last year, so I really didn't feel the need to say that going into a game. If there were any disputes or confusion out on the practice field during a game week, they're all for us saying something like, 'We don't see it playing like this, we see it playing like that,' and we'll change over the gameplan. I appreciate them, and that's top-to-bottom with the offense as well [as] special teams. It's a symbiotic relationship between us and the coaches for sure."
On if he sensed CB Marlon Humphrey being frustrated due to injuries last season: "Yes, I think he came in super young, I think he came in at [age] 20. He's going into Year Eight; he just turned 28 and he's still moving really fast. He's one of the fastest guys on the team. He hasn't had a ton of injuries besides the [pectoral] a few years ago. It's tough to see a guy work so hard and not be able to reap the benefits of it. He's one of those guys where he's the same guy every day – you don't get a lot of them in the league that's the same guy no matter what's going on [and] what his situation is. It's always about the team. [He's] super fun to be around, and I don't think the Ravens are what the Ravens are right now without Marlon [Humphrey] the past eight years. Losing a guy like that, in and out [of games] last year can be tough on a team, but for him it didn't affect him at all in terms of his support for us. He was always there whether he was on the field or not, trying as much as he [could] to help – whether that's making us laugh or actually helping with the coverage – I think he does a great job at both of those. Like I said, I'm excited for him to get back to who he is."
On what jumps out with defensive coordinator Zach Orr's vision for the Ravens defense: "I would say just letting us go out there and play. I think that's such a big thing that can get lost sometimes in defenses because it's a very ego-filled business sometimes. Not saying that within the Ravens – with stuff I've heard [around the league] it's just like, 'We're going to do our defense this way, and this is how you're going to play, and this is the leverage you're going to play, and that's it, no ifs, ands or buts.' I think 'Z.O.' [Zach Orr] and everybody in the room has done a great job of just saying, 'What do you see this as? I want you guys to play fast if I can simplify it for [you all]. Not trying to dress up everything, to cover every single play that the offense has and just let [you all] play fast, you [guys] are good enough athletes to go take care of it.' I think that's something he's done really well with, and he just does a great job of just managing everything, and I'm super excited for him."
CB MARLON HUMPHREY
On if he slimmed down: "Yes, I slimmed down a little bit. It was kind of by design. I looked at the past, I looked at my better seasons, and I was a little bit lighter those years, so I decided to get around a little bit lower of a weight. I've been feeling [and] moving pretty well at it, so we'll kind of see how it wiggles around with training camp. I've really been talking advantage of Sarah [Snyder], our [director of sports nutrition]. I've been really trying to lean on the resources the Ravens offer, do things the right way instead of my usual, which is just don't eat – which is not the best route – so I've really, really been trying to slim up a little bit and go with the plan that she's put out for me."
On the weight he's around: "I'm around 190 [pounds]. I came in [at] 195. I've been playing the past couple of seasons around 200 or so, so basically, ever since I tore my [pectoral] – around 25 [years] old – I got my grown-man weight on me, and it just never went off. It's a young man's game, so I decided to get a little lower."
On if he mentored S Kyle Hamilton on his versatility: "I wish I could say that, but Kyle [Hamilton], he's a man of his own. How's he's able to go from safety to nickel to really play wherever, I always tell people, if it had to be, Kyle could play every position on the defense – except nose guard, because he can't put on that much weight as Michael Pierce – but, I think with his ability to move around [and] my ability to move around, it will work really well for this secondary, that you can get me, 'B-Steve' [Brandon Stephens and] Nate [Wiggins] on the field, all at the same time. Brandon has played inside in the past. He's played safety in the past, so I just think with what Nate's already showed, and if he continues to keep building those days, it will be just a lot of plays being made for this secondary, with Eddie [Jackson] included. There are so many different packages. Teams just won't know what we're doing [or] who's playing what. Anybody can line up anywhere, and that's kind of the exciting thing about being in this secondary, is we just have to keep working day by day. [Assistant head coach/pass game coordinator] Coach Chris [Hewitt] always says, and I don't even know if this is true. I'm assuming it's true: Some guy came up with the cotton gin, and he made one that you can move all the pieces and can put [them] wherever, and he uses that analogy [to talk] of our secondary. I don't know who that guy is, but long story short, he basically says, 'Learn every position, so in a game, the best six DBs can play.' You don't ever want to be in a position where you have a guy that should be playing, but he can only play at one position. So, that's the biggest thing I think we'll see a lot from this secondary just because 'EDC' [executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta] and the scouting department has put the star players [on the field]. We have enough depth to do that."
On what CB Eddie Jackson has brought to the group in the few days he's been here: "It seems like we've got a really Florida team, so he's really fit right in. It kind of seemed like he didn't need to make any new friends, honestly, which was rare, but I loved Eddie [Jackson] when I played with him at Alabama. Obviously, he's a ball hawk. [He] already had a pix-six, I think, yesterday. So, what he's going to bring to the team is kind of filling in [for] that role that Geno [Stone] played last year, where he was able to be really successful. Then, [there are] different other pieces he can do, so he was definitely a piece we needed to [have]. We got that depth at the corner position in the Draft, so we just kind of needed that one more safety [and] a couple other additions that I'm sure we'll probably add. We always love a late, end-of-camp signing, so I'm sure there are more pieces to come, but I love the team we [have]. I love the guys we [have]. I think if we could start the season right now, we'd be good to go, but if they feel we need to add guys, it's never a bad thing."
On if there has been any conversation about him moving to safety over the last few years or this year because of the Ravens' corner-heavy Draft: "No, there hasn't been. That's something I've always seen myself doing though. How I kind of envisioned my career, honestly is kind of ... [My experience] coming in the league was not how [I thought] it should be. I always had this weird thing that I wanted to play for like six teams, and then, I realized that's not cool at all to play for a lot of teams, but safety is something that I still think I'd end up doing one of these years. There haven't been any talks of that, but I know there have definitely been talks of me or 'B-Steve' [Brandon Stephens] bumping in at nickel, just like I said, just to be able to [have it] where we could move around in any way."
On if he felt healthy at any point last season and how he feels now from a health perspective: "Yes, man. Last year was a unique year. It was a lot of firsts, I would say. Mentally, I always felt ... I don't know. I'm a mental guy, so I always go into any game thinking I'm ready to go. The first game [last year], I sprinted one time before I played in the first game, on that Friday, so there were a lot of things. Every time I thought I was pretty healthy, it seemed like I got hurt the next game. [I'm] not really making the excuses, but basically, what I've tried to do this offseason is to prepare a little better for even when you're hurt, getting whatever ... You've got to prepare for the worst. So, even if your leg is hurt, what can you do to still get mental reps? And also, just breathing as much as you can; doing anything with your arms and getting whatever you can. I think [those] were kind of some of the things I regret last year, is attacking the rehab, but also what can you do to stay in it for when you're ready to go? So, that was probably one of the things I was trying to ... I had certain injuries where you needed rest, and I think I overtook some of the rest time, and then just thought I could just play in the game Sunday and be my usual self. So, [those] were probably some of the things I regret. But mainly, it's such a long season, [and] I wasn't really used to being hurt a lot. So, it was just something I wasn't used to. I know a lot of guys go into games hurt – every single game. I've done that a ton in my past, as well, but last year just was a little different for me, but I'm kind of ready for whatever this year."
On his feelings and the possibility of playing at nickel a little bit more: "Yes, I like playing nickel. [In] nickel, you kind of ... I like hitting people, and you can get pretty aggressive at corner, but you just can't get too aggressive. So, playing nickel is ... The first time I ever played nickel was with 'Wink' [former defensive coordinator Don Martindale], and I think we had two ... Our first two games, [there] was a top receiver at slot receiver, and he was like, 'Why don't you just matchup and follow the guy in there?' I wasn't very comfortable with it, [and] I didn't really want to do it, but I'm just a team guy, so I went with it, and then I really kind of started enjoying it. I made my first two Pro Bowls kind of predominantly playing inside there. So, it's a place I'm comfortable in, but whichever way it goes, whatever week the gameplan is ... I know Kyle [Hamilton] is a Swiss Army knife, so what he can do at nickel and safety and everything is whatever, so I'm kind of down for whatever."
CB NATE WIGGINS
On if he feels a shift in his ability to make plays on the ball after being targeted more frequently: "I feel like, it's a good job ... It's a good thing that the ball is getting passed my way. I can better work on my technique, getting my eyes right in front of the ball [and] playing the ball better. I feel like it's a good thing."
On the difference between preparing in college and preparing in the NFL: "[It's] really meetings ... longer meetings. Football is just going [to] be football. It's really not different than college; it's just probably being in the building all day. It's really a job now."
On if he feels pressure in the NFL to get more "grabby" with the receivers: "No I really don't feel like I'm getting 'grabby.' I just feel I'm better ... I'm trying to work better [by] not using my catch-up speed more, using my hands better at the line of scrimmage now. I'm not trying to use my speed. I feel like that's what I need to change."
On if he's a talker on the field: "Yes, I talk a lot. That's just [a] part of my game. I feel like that brings me more confidence in my game, just talking to the reciever and getting into his head."
On what the reaction is when he talks on the field: "Some [of] the receivers don't talk; some receivers try to talk back. It all depends [on] who the receiver is."
On which receivers he's engaged with during training camp: "All the receivers – 'Tez' [Devontez Walker] – me and 'Tez' go all the way back to college – Zay Flowers, [Rashod] Bateman, all the receivers, 'Nelly' [Nelson Agholor]. It's just good competition, so we're getting each other better."
On CB Marlon Humphrey's nickname for him: "OK, it's not my nickname, [Marlon Humphrey] gave it to me. He called me 'Nasty Nate.' I guess I play nasty defense, I guess. That's his nickname for me. He wanted me to tell you all that's my nickname. I am not ... It's not official for me yet, I don't know. It might [become] get official. We don't know yet."
On if he takes the nickname as a compliment: "I'll take it as a compliment, yes – definitely from Marlon [Humphrey]."
On S Kyle Hamilton's leadership: "[Kyle Hamilton] brings a lot of leadership to the room. [With him] just being there. He knows the whole defense. I ask him questions, and he just put me in [to] where I need to be."
On playing in an experienced secondary: "I feel like that's going to help me a lot. Like you said, I could just go to anybody in the DB [defensive backs] room, asking them questions. I feel like that is going to help me in the long run."
On if he feels that the secondary has mentored him: "Yes. I feel like everybody – like all [of] the 'vets [veteran players] in the room [are] taking a lot of young kids, guiding them through the coverages [and] through the practices."
