HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "I really appreciate you all being here. [It was] hot and crisp; that's a good conversation for fried chicken and for this practice today. That just came to me right there. Is that alright?" (laughter) "It was tough, and our guys responded, and it was a very good practice. I'm very happy with the guys."
I know you want to be smart about things. Is that one of the reasons why you had special teams indoors today? (Jamison Hensley) "It is. We decided we wanted to shorten up a little bit of the time that they were out here with the humidity and everything. So, I think it helped."
With you guys having the lighter day tomorrow, and obviously opening the season on a Thursday, is it far out that you guys are preparing your bodies to play on a Thursday, or has that process not entered your mind? (Jonas Shaffer) "It's a good question. I would say both. It's not really entered our mind per se, but it's in the back of our minds, certainly. And we are trying to prepare for the first game, because that's the first game that matters. So, we're not preparing for the preseason games. With that, there's a lot of things that we need to do in between there to build our team. So, [it's] both."
Will you be watching tonight more so, just to see the kickoff rule, if we get it more than once or twice? (Morgan Adsit) "I'm going to be glued to that television on kickoff and kickoff return; I want to see what happens. We had a kickoff [and] kickoff return practice today, which you guys saw. We had the NFL officials here; we'll look at it tonight with our coaches, and tomorrow morning, we'll look at with the officials in there with our players, and [we'll] see what they see. It's going to be very interesting."
We saw a glimpse of what RB Derrick Henry can do with a little more carries. What kind of challenge is he going to pose to teams when he gets downhill to that second level? (Todd Karpovich) "I think everybody that knows football knows the challenge that Derrick Henry poses when he gets going downhill with the football. So, our goal is going to be to get him going downhill with the football – that's what we want. Derrick did a nice job today. I thought all of the [running] backs did a nice job with that today."
It's obviously a new test when the pads have come on over the last week, so with that being said, what are you seeing from G Andrew Vorhees and T Roger Rosengarten now as they are competing on the offensive line? (Luke Jones) "I would say they have been steadily improving. It's steadily improving, and then something will happen. I think Andrew [Vorhees] will be mad about the play today where Travis Jones had the great pass rush on him, but he had numerous other very good plays. I thought Roger [Rosengarten] has been doing well. I thought he deserved a shot with the ones, you saw him get a shot with the ones today. So, we'll just keep working through that and let it play out."
In the past, you've talked about playing the best five – you want to get the best five offensive linemen. How tough is it in the situation with OL Patrick Mekari, balancing how much he means as a swing guy, inside with that sixth offensive lineman and the importance of that with trying to get the best five on the field? (Jeff Zrebiec) "It's certainly part of the challenge. That's part of it. [Patrick Mekari]'s greatest strength is his versatility. It's also probably the greatest ... [It's a] thorn in his side a little bit. He doesn't get the chance always to lock down at one position, but that's a good problem to have, and we're trying work through that too."
Going off of that, you have been rotating T Roger Rosengarten a bunch. Do you think that's something you guys would want to do with Roger Rosengarten if he wins the job to keep him in the mix? (Giana Han) "It's certainly something we've done before. We have rotated offensive linemen before, which we're probably the first team to do it, that I can remember. We have a track record of that."
Was G Ben Cleveland's early absence heat related? (Jeff Zrebiec) "No. He got his head banged a little bit. They'll be evaluating that tonight."
We saw LB Malik Harrison have a nice interception today. He's a guy that you used inside, you used outside, you've kind of used him in a lot of different places. How have you seen him develop? And what do you see his role being, ideally? (Bo Smolka) "Malik [Harrison] is that guy, almost like 'Pat' [Patrick Mekari] on the [offensive] side. He plays inside 'backer,' both of them. He plays outside 'backer' in our base package. He plays defensive end also in our subpackages. He plays every special team. [He's] a very valuable player, and I see him playing all of those positions during the season as it comes up. He's done a great job. [I'm] really, really proud of Malik."
We talked a lot about how TE Mark Andrews and QB Lamar Jackson got that instant chemistry early on. With WR Zay Flowers, do you feel like that chemistry has been built pretty instant with him and Lamar Jackson? (Jamison Hensley) "I do. I feel like he and Zay [Flowers] have had it from the first day. That tends to be the case with good players and great players and great athletes. They figure each other out pretty quickly. Guys like you and me go out there, and there's no chemistry." (laughter)
What is it going to take for WR Zay Flowers to take it to the next level? (Mike Jones) "I think it's going to take exactly what [Zay Flowers is] doing. He's a guy that every day comes in with enthusiasm unknown to mankind, and he gives it everything he's got with a great attitude and a high work ethic – [he's] always talking ball. To me, that process pays off, and when does it pay off? I guess when the opportunity comes. I'm looking forward to seeing him."
What have you seen over the last few years, the evolution of RB Justice Hill as a player? And then what are you looking for from him this year behind RB Derrick Henry? (Shawn Stepner) "The evolution of Justice [Hill] as a player is that this guy has become a starting [running] back in the National Football League. If you watch him play – look at the [AFC] Championship game. He is a high caliber running back. So, to have him along Derrick [Henry], along with the young guys, it's really great. He's going to give us a little different style than Derrick Henry. I see him as a starter. I think he's going to play a lot and kind of do it his way."
A guy that kind of popped at practice today was S Sanoussi Kane. How have you seen the rookie settle in both on defense and in special teams drills? (Kyle Phoenix) "Sanoussi [Kane] is another guy, [he's] a steady guy, [he's] grinding every day, and then comes out today when the pads come on, it's a physical practice, and he shows up. It's kind of what we expected. I'm looking forward to seeing him [play] in the games. [He's] very steady [and] very conscientious player."
You replaced OLB Malik Hamm's roster spot with OLB Quincy Roche. Are you good with outside linebacker depth, or do you think it's something you think you're going to have to continue to evaluate whether you need other bodies here? (Jeff Zrebiec) "We'll definitely continue to evaluate every spot, including the outside 'backer' spot, because you just never know from one day to the next, especially in camp, because you want to have enough guys to practice at a high level. But Adisa [Isaac] is going to get back here at some point in time soon. It's been nagging him, but I do think he'll be back sometime soon. That's another depth piece [and] a guy that we're counting on, so we'll have to see where it goes."
I saw that you dropped a practice script and ILB Roquan Smith scooped it up. What do you do when a player steals the script? (Ryan Mink) "Well, [Roquan Smith] knocked it out of my hands, so my script security was wanting there, very badly, and I was embarrassed by it." (laughter) "He scooped and scored, but then he handed it back to me, which I appreciated, so that's where we're at. And he gave me a look. He was disappointed in me, and I felt that."
Do you have an injury update on WR/RS Deonte Harty? (Morgan Adsit) "A minor soft-tissue deal that [Deonte Harty] should be fine with soon – very soon."
It seems like QB Lamar Jackson and the quarterbacks have been throwing the ball more in the flat during practice. Is that an emphasis at all? (Jonas Shaffer) "I don't know if it's really ... I wouldn't say it's an emphasis, per se. I think [the quarterbacks] are doing a good job of going through their progressions. We spend a lot of time ... We spend – as you watch in practice – all kinds of time on passing game progressions, defensive concepts, how we play out the defense against all the routes, and I just think they're getting really good at reading stuff out and making quick decisions."
RB JUSTICE HILL
On his working relationship with RB Derrick Henry: "We're just having fun, and we're working; we're trying to get better every single day, and that's what [Derrick Henry] brings to the room, too. He's just serious, making sure we're working and getting better every day, and that just feeds throughout the whole room. And then, when we're out here, we're just having fun; I mean, it's a game, and we just try to have fun with it. It's easy to get caught up in all the business side of stuff, but we're just having fun, too."
On his reaction to hearing that RB Derrick Henry was signing with the Ravens: "[Derrick Henry] is one of the best running backs to ever play in the game, and just to be able to play alongside of him and learn from him, watch how he approaches each and every day, I mean, I was ecstatic. I've been lucky to have some good vets around here – from Mark Ingram [II] to Gus [Edwards] – and I've learned so much from all of those guys. So, just being here with Derrick the last couple of months, I've already learned so much. And so, it's just going to be exciting to see what we do throughout the year, and we're going to have fun."
On head coach John Harbaugh saying that he's developed into a starting caliber running back: "It means a lot. You just work hard, you just enjoy the process, and that's what I've been doing since I've been here. I mean, obviously, everybody would want to come in and be a starter right off the bat, but everybody has a different journey, and I've just been enjoying my journey. I'm getting better every year, and I've just been enjoying just doing that. And so, just to hear that, that means a lot, but we've still got a lot more to do, and I just want to go out there and prove everybody right."
On how different it feels this year, knowing how much he was relied on at the end of last season, but also with the Ravens having RB Derrick Henry: "It doesn't feel any different. We come to work every day, and everybody in the room – every single person, every running back in the room – has that mindset, to where if their name is called, they're going to be ready to go, and that's [been] my mindset since I've been here. I've always been ready to go, and so, just being able to get those opportunities and take advantage of those opportunities, it's been great. So, I just want to continue to do that and just have a great year and have a fun year and go win."
On running behind two young linemen in T Roger Rosengarten and G Andrew Vorhees: "Those guys [Roger Rosengarten and Andrew Vorhees], they come and work. They're young guys, but they have pro mindsets, and that's really what you need – just to be able to come in and work through the ups and downs of the injuries or whatever situation you're going through. And I know, definitely with Vorhees, [with] just the injury, just fighting through that and being strong mentally, it's been awesome to see how he approaches each and every day, and he's just going to continue to get better. We've got one of the best D-Lines [defensive lines] in the league, and being able to go up against that in practice is going to make the games so much easier. So, he's been doing well. They've both been doing well, and just to see their progression from springtime to now getting the pads on, it's going to be exciting to see when we get to the season."
On how he envisions the Ravens using practice and preseason games to land on the starting offensive line group: "I think just the mentality. 'Joe. D' [offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris] – the O-Line [offensive line] coach, he brings a certain mentality, to where they're going to work hard every day. Like, they're going to work, and they're not going to let anybody slack off. And so, with that kind of leader at the front – [with] the coach – at the coaching spot, it's kind of hard to even see any type of downturn [on the] offensive line no matter who is in there. Every single day, they come in here, they're flying off the ball, working, working on pad level, getting strong. And it's going to be exciting to see, because those guys always know how to move people off the ball, and they're just going to continue to do that. So, [I have] no worries with those guys. They're just going to continue to do their thing."
On RB Derrick Henry getting going downhill and being a part of a more physical practice today: "That's football. That's the fun stuff. Like, when we're out here in the spring, and we're out here with no pads ... Obviously, it's fun to be out here doing the plays, but once you actually get the pads on rocking and rolling, I mean, there's nothing better than that, because that's football. And so, it's definitely ... It's just fun. It's just fun; I'll say that. At the end of it, I just love coming out here and having fun."
On what he focused on improving during the offseason: "Every part of my game I want to improve on, so [there's] not just one single area I can point out. But everything from running to blocking to receiving, I've been working on all those things, tirelessly. So, it's fun to see how the progression goes each year [and] how I feel more confident, just because I've been putting in that work, and the more work you put in, the more confident you get. So, it's going to be a fun year."
On if there's anything he can learn from RB Derrick Henry, and what tips Henry has shared with him: "Yes, I've got some stuff, but I can't tell it. [Derrick Henry] is definitely giving me some gems and stuff that I'm going to apply, but I'll just keep that under wraps until you all see it. But when you all see it, 'OK, that might have been something Derrick might have taught him.' Yes, he's definitely given me some wisdom."
On how much the Ravens emphasize how you can elongate your playing career by being a special teams contributor: "I really think it's actually a special thing to do when you come in [to the league], because it teaches you the game. I mean, before, I had never played special teams before I got here, and so, I never even realized it was a part of the game. You obviously know it's a part of the game, but you don't realize how important it is to the game. It teaches you so much technique, [and] it teaches you things that you can apply to offense, you can apply to defense. And even though you're not getting those reps on offense and defense, doing things on special teams helps you improve as an offensive and defensive player. The thing that [the Ravens] do [with] allowing people to go in and start on special teams and cultivate careers that way, it prolongs everybody's career – offensively and even if you just stay on special teams. So, it's definitely a great skill set that I'm glad I got the opportunity to develop."
OL PATRICK MEKARI
On if he's been able to focus on the right tackle position: "It's been good to stack days, focus on one position and get better every day. [I'm] seeing what I need to work on and just continuing to improve; it's been good."
On if he has a preference of what position along the O-line he would like to play: "I just want to play, and I want to help the team. In whatever way that looks like, that's up to the coaches and front office. But like I said, I just want to play and help the team, and that's for them to decide."
On if he feels his leadership role has grown: "Yes; Kevin [Zeitler] and [Morgan Moses] were great leaders, and John [Simpson] was awesome, too, to have in the room. As the years go on, I continue to be the older and older guy in the room and take more of a leadership role; and that's good. The younger guys, I feel like, look up to me and Ronnie [Stanley] and Tyler [Linderbaum] and some of the other guys. It's good to be in a mentorship role and really guide these guys up; and they are doing a great job, so yes."
On his impression of T Roger Rosengarten: "Roger [Rosengarten]'s been great; he's really immersed in the meetings, [and he's] really locked in at practice. He's a pro, [and he is] working to get better every day. I like what I'm seeing, so he's going to get it done; he has a chance."
On if he needs a certain number of reps to get acclimated in a position: "I do need the reps. Right now, they have me at right tackle, and that's what I'm focusing on day-to-day. But, when the time comes, and they ask me to move around and do other things, I've got to lock in on that position and get better there. But, [I'm just taking it] one day at a time; it's [still] early in camp, so just one day at a time."
On if he sees improvement from Year Two to Year Three in C Tyler Linderbaum: "[Tyler Linderbaum's] an incredible center. [He was] a Pro Bowler last year, [and we're] planning on him being an All-Pro this year. He just has all the talent [and] all the skills; [he is] taking a bigger leadership role this year [and is] taking more control of the offense and focusing on his small tweaks to get better. He's really working at it. I mean, early in camp, he's already looking 'season ready.' He's going to be great."
On C Tyler Linderbaum's leadership style on the field: "[He is] taking command of the offensive line [and] taking command of the offense. [He's also] really controlling the play calls – the defensive calls from the offensive line point of view and just making sure everyone is accountable. [He's] being on everyone and making sure everyone is in the right spot [and] having the right calls. He's killing it. He's doing great."
On how critical C Tyler Linderbaum has been for the offensive line: "Yes, very critical – just with [Tyler Linderbaum's] calls and consistency with that – having two new guys next to him – it helps them a lot to have a guy like Tyler in the middle. It's very helpful."
On where he sees the development of the offensive line during training camp: "We're getting better every day. It's early in camp, [and] there are guys shining and there is work being done – it's so early, [but] I think we're heading in the right direction, and there's only up to go. I think we are going to be pretty damn good."
On the benefit of being under offensive coordinator Todd Monken for Year Two: "Being comfortable with the scheme again – for now the second year – it helps through OTAs [Organized Team Activities] and through the start of [training] camp. [We are] understanding the calls [and] understanding the looks we want on defense. [It's important to keep] installing it and installing it early and having a better understanding of it is really helpful, [and] it allows us to play faster; it's beneficial."
On what he, C Tyler Linderbaum and T Ronnie Stanley do in the offensive line room to mentor the young players and hold them accountable: "We work with them after practice, talk with them after meetings [and say], 'What do you have questions on? What do you need help with?' Coming from college to the pros, it's a bigger playbook, [and] the technique is more important, so [we're] just clarifying with them and letting them know that we are here with whatever [they] need. [We] just help them out. If they have a good rep, [we're] cheering them on. If they have a bad rep, [we're] coaching them up on it. But it's all a part of it; it's all a part of camp; it's a part of the process."
On the impact of G Andrew Vorhees, and how it is helping him in training camp: "Andrew [Vorhees] was really locked in last year in all [of] the meetings. Even though he was hurt, [and] he knew he wasn't going to play. He was locked in all the meetings [and] taking notes in every meeting. So, I think picking up the offensive calls has been easier for him because of how locked in he was last year; and now it's just getting back to him. He's been out of football for a year, [and] he's getting better every day. He's a great football player, and he's going to get it done."
On if he has a timeframe and his expectation for the shape of the offensive line during training camp: "[I just] want the best five to go out there and play and be great. When that shapes up, is when it shapes up. Like I said, [it's] so early in camp, but we're getting better every day, and come preseason games, I think [it] will be telling a lot of how it's going to shape up; but [we're] just [taking it] one day at a time."
G ANDREW VORHEES
On how being in team meetings throughout his injury rehab has helped him prepare for this season:"Yes, I mean, just [the] last 18 months, I had the opportunity to build a solid foundation and a foundation [built] on rock. It's been great, being in the room all last year – having that opportunity [is] such a privilege. Not a lot of guys get the opportunity to 'redshirt' – like a lot of us kind of called my last year; so yes, it really felt like I put myself in a great position, and it's paid off huge dividends so far."
On what the first day of practice in pads felt like: "I think I was mostly excited – if I could describe my emotions, if you will – just excitement. It had been a long time since I put the pads on; been a long time since I hit somebody, so I was really thrilled to be back out there, and [I'm] thankful at the end of the day. Again, [it] just felt like I built a strong foundation this past year to 18 months, so it was exciting to get back out there again and go remember the reason why I play the game."
On what the Ravens' long-term investment in him on Draft Night means to him: "It was an investment for sure. Just not knowing, with my injury, and it being so late in the process – in reference to the whole draft process. So yes, I was beyond grateful when I got the call from [executive vice president and general manager] Mr. [Eric] DeCosta, and the Baltimore Ravens decided to select me as one of their choices. Again, they poured into me all last year, and I gave them everything I had. [It] just felt like the foundation that I built for myself and the belief and the work ethic I had with everyone on staff in our weight room, our training room, and even our position coaches and stuff – [it] just felt like it all has paid dividends, and I'm forever indebted and grateful to this organization for believing in me and giving me a shot, given my circumstances."
On when he felt physically back to normal, and how the game speed felt when he first put on pads: "I mean, [it's] kind of hard to say exactly when I felt like my [old] 'self' again, just because how tedious the process is, and how long it is coming back from a major ligament reconstruction like I had. But once I got back out there [it] definitely was speedy for me – just adapting to NFL speed, and then doubling down with being off of football for a year; so once the helmets came on, [and the] pads came on, it was definitely quick at first, but I felt like I adapted fairly well and quickly, so I've been thankful for that."
On what he did in his down time while recovering from injury: "You're absolutely correct in the sense [that] I did have a lot of down time. So, my wife and I – we were both California born-and-raised – so [it was] our first opportunity being out here on the East Coast. [We] just explored and spent time all throughout the East Coast – and just enjoyed a lot of the history. [We enjoyed] a lot of food restaurants – I guess the 'food tours' [as] we like to call them. But [I] definitely kept busy during the down time."
On how important preseason snaps will be for him: "I think any time you have an opportunity to go out there and play football, and they're keeping score, it's important. It doesn't matter if you're on the 'Mighty Mites' or any level football – if they're keeping score, it matters at the end of the day; so any time you have the opportunity to go out there and compete and show who you are as a football player, it's important. So, I'm just looking forward to the opportunity to get back out there and be able to compete against somebody that's not a teammate – and I can rightfully say so about the rest of the offensive line room."
On what it's like being teammates with RB Derrick Henry: "It's exciting. I remember watching him in his college career and then early on in his professional career – [he's] just as big in person as he seems [on TV]. So, [I'm] thrilled to have him, and you talk about an absolute workhorse. So [I'm] excited to see what he does for this team this year."
On how he can model his game off former Raven G Kevin Zeitler: "Kevin Zeitler will always hold a special place in my heart – given my circumstances last year, and given he is, or was, one of the most veteran … was the most veteran guy in the [offensive line] room. He was just somebody you could count on and [I] really had the opportunity to lean on him, and he poured into me. So, just being the rookie that I was, I just tried to always see what he was doing, whatever it might have been – take care of his body, what he was eating – just kind of what he was doing. [I was always] just watching him; just always having a set of eyes on him, seeing what he did. But Kevin Zeitler, he's dearly missed by me for sure. [I] built a good relationship with him over the last year, and I think one thing that really sticks out about his play is just his physicality and consistency. You talk about a guy who's just so disciplined, and it's brought him so far in this game, and it's brought him so much success – so I feel like if I can even copy that to a percentage of what he was able to do, I feel like I'll have success."
On how hard it is to block DT Travis Jones in practice: "He's a load for sure. He's a big boy – it's like a full-grown bull just running right at you, but you're grateful for that. You want everything to be hard during practice, so when it comes time for competition, you're prepared and ready; so, I'm just grateful for him and excited to watch him this year. I think he's going to have a special year, and [he's] just a tremendous person at the end of the day."
On going up against DT Travis Jones and NT Michael Pierce and on the difference between strength in the NFL and college is: "It's definitely different – you know the Pac-12 [Conference] gets a reputation of being smaller – linemen in general – so sure, [there] might be some merit to it. We'll find out with USC joining the Big Ten [Conference], so we'll see. [Travis Jones and Michael Pierce] are both big boys, and they're great athletes, and they can move, and they're really strong; so definitely they're up there, if not the strongest people I've ever had to compete against."
