HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "[It's] good seeing everybody. I appreciate you being here. [It] was another great day and a good camp practice. Our guys really got locked in and focused on trying to improve, and [they] competed. [There was] a lot of ones against ones today, and it was good to see the competition, and that's how you get better."
Having OLB Kyle Van Noy from the beginning this year – what kind of a difference does that bring as far as leadership in a position group where he's definitely the veteran there? (Pete Gilbert) "No question. I think Kyle [Van Noy] has enjoyed being here from the beginning. You come in once the season has begun, and you're just kind of trying to play catch up with the defensive scheme, but also with the relationships. Now, he's one of the guys. Everybody knows him, respects him; he's definitely a leader. [He] knows the defense very well, and he's practicing hard every day, so it should be a plus for us."
In regards to pass rush coach Chuck Smith, having him last season definitely improved your pass rush. You have him here in a position as pass rush coach more specifically. With his specialty being in that avenue, just how much is that beneficial for you? (Kyle Phoenix) "It's kind of a unique way to do it, and Chuck [Smith] is an all-around football coach. He coaches every part of the position. He was a pass rusher as a player, one of the all-time great pass rushers, and then kind of took that on, kind of as an obsession almost, I would say. He's become maybe the best foremost pass rushing coach in the business – I feel that way about him. To have him here with our guys, that speaks a lot to the way the guys are building into his style and what he teaches, and I know they love it. They love learning from him, so let's see where it takes us. It was good last year."
Along those lines, how much did pass rush coach Chuck Smith contribute to the decision to get OLB Adisa Isaac in this draft? (Ken McKusick) "Chuck [Smith] was a part of that for sure. He's looking at all of the pass rushers and all of the traits of those outside 'backers' generally, so he had a big influence on that."
CB T.J. Tampa Jr. and WR Rashod Bateman were back at practice today. Are you sort of easing them in back into the flow of things? (Todd Karpovich) "Yes. They always have sort of a ramp-up plan that we try to abide by and follow, and those guys are on that path, but it was good to see them back out there."
We saw S Kyle Hamilton at the very beginning do a little work on with the trainer. Do you have an update on him? And what's kind of your plan for him in the next few weeks? (Bo Smolka) "[Kyle Hamilton] will be kind of ramping back [up] a little bit. He's good. It's kind of a minor, I'd say, a sprain, and so he got out there and moved around a little bit today, and [he'll] just kind of progress each day a little more [and] get going."
We saw WR Rashod Bateman just take that one rep in one-on-ones. Is it just a matter of a pain issue more than an injury thing? (Brian Wacker) "[Rashod Bateman] is going to be OK. He'll be fine. He's trying to get himself out there as much as he can, and he'll be out there soon."
S Ar'Darius Washington has had a couple of really good practices in a row. Coaches have spoken very highly of him over the last season and a half or so. Talk about what you've seen in his development over the last little bit. (Kevin McNelis) "It's funny, Ar'Darius [Washington] and I had a conversation today in my office, and it was a good one. He wasn't called into the principal's office; it was just to kind of talk about his vision for the season and what he thought he could accomplish. He's playing at a high level; you saw it today. He's playing both safety positions, [and] he's playing the nickel. And he can play either corner outside, if he had to, to get you out of a game, and he can go in a dime if he had to – he knows the defense that well. His style is pretty much patented, that's his style [and] the way he plays. I think it's a style worthy of emulating, so [I'm] very glad he's on our team."
Can you boil down about what it is about QB Josh Johnson and what's kind of earned your confidence over the years. What is it? (Childs Walker) "Josh Johnson is a veteran; he's a pro. When he's played in games, he's played good football in games; it hasn't been a lot, but he's played in good football in games. He's going to run our offense well. We love Josh."
With CB T.J. Tampa Jr., what does that ramp-up plan look like. Would you like to see him in preseason? (Alex Glaze) "I would love to see [T.J.Tampa Jr.], it's just going to depend on his ability to do it with the recovery from bilateral sports hernia surgery. I think he's got a good shot; we just have to see how it comes along in the next week or so."
At the tight end position, how do you see TE Qadir Ismail evolving in the passing and blocking game? (David Andrade) "[Qadir Ismail] is kind of a surprise as a blocker and the physicality of it; you saw it out there today. He's definitely an NFL player's and coach's kid. He's tough, he's not afraid. He throws it in there and plays bigger than his size. I think he's doing a good job."
How have you seen the team come together around the vision that you set out at the start? (Garrett Downing) "I would say, very well. I think the vision [and] what you become as a football team, is a product of the people who do it and what they do, and what happens every day. The challenges that you have, the obstacles that you have to overcome, and how you approach those things. If you're willing to keep fighting, and keep getting back up, and never quit, then the fight's not over until you say it is, no matter what happens. That's a big statement, but [training] camp is a little bit like that. You have to keep coming back every day, and come out, grind, and try to become better – become a better player and a better team every day, and I think our guys are doing that, and that's really the task at hand right now."
How significant is it having S Ar'Darius Washington out there and seeing him making plays? (Brian Wacker) "It's very signifcant. [Ar'Darius Washington] is playing very well, and I'll just tell you this – it's great to have him out there; he's been hurt a couple of years, and he's not [now], he's healthy. He's fulfilling what we've always hoped he would do, and I really expect him to have a big year, and I think he's going to play good football for us. It's a big deal. Yes, absolutely."
Did QB Lamar Jackson get the answer he wanted when he showed the referees the iPad? (Jonas Shaffer) "It's a good question. I don't know." (Laughter) "It's a great question. Now that's the best question of the day right there." (Laughter)
PASS RUSH COACH CHUCK SMITH
You obviously had a big impact on DT Justin Madubuike last year. Can you talk just a little about how you coach? Are there any differences and similarities you see coaching interior guys versus edge pass rushing? (Nikhil Mehta)"The first thing is making the inside guys understand that they're more than just big guys. You let them know – 'Beeks' [Justin Madubuike] know – the understanding that you're more than just a two-gapper. In the modern era now [with] pass rush, the big guys are getting double-digit sacks if you look around the NFL, so the mindset of the traditional 3-4 team was that the big guys got to be – what – space eaters. Now, as you see from a guy like Madubuike and some of our other guys that can really rush the passer, and around the league, you try to explain to them [that] it's a mindset initially about, 'How do I see myself,' because if you pigeonhole yourself that, 'I'm just a big guy, two-gapper,' then you'll always be that way. So, in giving the player a lot of credit, 'Beek' [Justin Madubuike] put in a lot of work training and continues to be on the same regimen, and he works hard, and he believes in himself."
What are the differences and similarities to edge rushing? (Nikhil Mehta)"The bodies inside are a little more compact together. The guys outside are more streamlined, and I call it the 'one-second rule.' For guys inside, you have to execute your move at one second, because the offensive linemen are going to have their hands at one second. Outside, it's somewhere around two seconds. So, when you understand that, it's the difference really between a fastball and a curveball. So, inside is going to be fastball; outside is more of a curveball."
What's special about OLB Kyle Van Noy as a pass rusher? (Pete Gilbert)"[Kyle Van Noy] wants to be a great pass rusher. I think what's really special is that after all these years – he's been with multiple teams – now he says, 'Man, I've never had a chance to just focus on all pass rush.' I mean he's a nickel rusher, and in all the other places, he was off the ball, [and] he was on the ball, so the thing that's cool is he really understands how the games work inside, because he's done those kinds of things, and he just loves it. And we talk about pass rush all the time. When he comes off the field, [and] when we [are] walking by each other, we talk about pass rush. In the offseason, he'll send me some videos, because he put in a lot of work this offseason, as well as last offseason, and he really just loves pass rush. It's pretty awesome when you get a guy at this stage that says, 'You know what, I'm cool to basically come off the bench,' so to speak – not as a starter, not traditionally. Benched sounds kind of harsh, but you know what I mean." (Laughter) "To come off and accept [his] role and thrive at it ... And he's always just talking and has great ideas, and as everybody here might have noticed, the dude is super smart. I mean, he's really ... He played for [former New England Patriots head coach Bill] Belichick, [and] he played for a lot of great guys, so that does give you some credibility [with] understanding defense."
With OLB Odafe Oweh, what does he need to do to take that next step? (Brian Wacker)"Well, let me explain something first about Odafe [Oweh]. For everyone here that looked at last year, first things first, Odafe came out smoking. Odafe ended up having five sacks. He missed – what – four or five games. He missed four and then he went out at [the] half on another; that's five games. He ends up being on a team that brings in two veterans that get over 250 snaps, easy. So, when you look at the big picture, if Odafe is healthy ... And remember, we gave 'J.D.' [Jadeveon Clowney] and 'K.V.' [Kyle Van Noy] almost 500 [snaps]; it might be more than that, because I think 'J.D.' had over 300-something snaps. So, from all fairness to Odafe – and I know it's all about production, and I do understand that – when you look at it from a pass rush standpoint, the numbers just didn't equate, because the guys absorbed a lot of his reps, too. And that's not making an excuse for him, but that's just being truthful about it from the situation. Now, what he needs to do first and foremost, [is] he just needs to have those reps. He needs to be on the field and continue to get those reps. He needs to continue to do as he's doing now – playing fast, executing his moves and things like that. And if he gets those five games and those other, arguably, 400-500 reps, he's a double-digit sacker. And again, he missed four-and-a-half, five games – go count. I always hear the little jokes sometimes about him missing sacks. He did miss seven, eight, nine sacks in a season. So again, he's getting there. He's going to be an A-list rusher, and I'm just excited for him. He's buying in as he always has, he's a good dude, and no one deserves to finally reach that pinnacle [more] than Odafe, and I think he's going to go 100% to reach that goal."
Last year, you guys led the league in sacks. Before the season, though, people weren't looking at you guys that way. This year, after losing OLB Jadeveon Clowney, some people are saying, "Where is the pass rush?" How much do you guys – players and even yourself – take that as a challenge? (Cliff Brown)"I really don't even care what people think [to be] honest with you, because at the end of the day, we're going to go out and do our best. If we don't reach the goal that we want ... Everybody wants to be the best pass rush in the league, but from my standpoint and the guys,' if it doesn't happen, we're not going to be like, 'Aw man.' We're going to get back to the drawing board and see what happens moving forward. But It's not one of those things ... And as it relates to 'J.D.' [Jadeveon Clowney], when 'J.D.' came in ... I taught 'J.D.' He came in here and got taught; he was already being taught. So, 'J.D.' wasn't some – what do they say – guy who came in and saved the day. No, we had already trained him, so he was really already under, kind of, the Ravens,' somewhat, window, because I've been training him for years. But no, I don't even think about that. I couldn't care less. All I want to do ... My goal is to really impact quarterbacks by beating them up – simple as that. If we beat up the quarterbacks, and his ending is not always the way he wants, then we had an impact, and the numbers will come."
When did you first hear about OLB Adisa Isaac, and what did you like about him that made you want him on the team – and now since then, what have you learned about him? (Giana Han)"Well, the first time I saw [Adisa Isaac] – [I was] just watching [the] Penn State-Auburn [game], I don't know if that was last year [or] two years ago. Penn State-Auburn, and they beat the breaks out of Auburn. Now I don't know any [Auburn] War Eagles around here, but I'm a [Tennessee] Vol, but that's a whole other story. But I watched him, he was fantastic, and when I watched his film, he was explosive, had power, had the ability to chase direction and those other little things, and he was super smart. You know he had good length, and I'm not a person that caught up in, 'He's tall and long' – I could care less, but he's tall and long, and he has a lot of strength, and he was a good dude. I got a chance to talk to him, and I thought he would fit in, and we were in the market for someone, but also wanted someone that can fit in, has the right mindset that can work in a team, because the team is kind of like a puzzle. All the pieces have got to fit, and our room has got to be like that as well. I like Adisa. He's out there just getting started. It's exciting to see him do some good things."
Obviously, health is the big thing for OLB David Ojabo, just getting those reps on the field. What do you see in his game? Where does he need to make his strides to have a breakout season? (Ryan Mink) "Number one, I'm sure [John Harbaugh] has talked about it, I can't get into the medical stuff, but I know he's working hard. I know he's had a good spin today; I know he's running to the ball; I know he's striking blocks; I know he's showing signs that he's improving. I've had a torn ACL, and anybody that has ever had one knows it takes time to come back, but he's out there fighting, [and] he's out there scraping, and I just think that if he continues the way that he's going, he's going to have success. Because he's got moves, now we just have to give him the opportunity for him to be able to be healthy to be able to execute those moves."
There was some turnover from the pass rushing group from last year to this year. You mentioned not really caring about the sack totals and that they will come; what is it at this point in camp that excites you the most about group? (Sam Cohn) "We're in Year 2 of guys who we've developed the guys inside. Everybody in our unit has a skilled move. Everybody in the unit understands the language [in which] we talk. We have a specific language that we talk [with]. We certain moves, how we say it, certain approaches, certain things that we wanted to kind of implement last year, where everybody on the front can be a threat at some point, whether we're in our Raven group with three bigs. 'Mike P.' [Michael Pierce], you all watched 'Mike P.' – he was rushing last year. 'Broddy' [Broderick Washington] got sacks, Travis [Jones] got sacks, 'Urb' [Brent Urban] had three sacks last year. You want everyone to be able to do that, and that's kind a good thing, we want everyone to be a threat."
You talked a little bit about bod*y composition* with pass rushers. OLB Tavius Robinson is kind of a unique build in a guy, and he's had time to develop in the system now. What are you seeing from him? (Kevin McNelis) "He's a glass eater. Tavius Robinson has never turned down one rep since he's been here – that's the best way to describe this dude. Every play, and I'm not exaggerating, he has given effort. Every day, Tavius Robinson listens to the coach. Every day, he works out hard, [and] he's early. Every day, when he gets in those drills, he puts [his] hands on people in the run. He continues to work hard to continue to develop as a pass rusher, [and] in his main responsibility for us – because remember, Tavius played last year, Tavius was in big games early on. He's not like a second-year guy who's never played, he went out there and smashed with some of the great teams that we've faced. But, I really can't say enough about him, as far as who he is and how physical he is, and he shows no mercy. Tavius Robinson is everything you look for, and like [head] Coach [John] Harbaugh says, a Raven ... Tavius, I'm going to tell you, he has never turned down a rep. He has never not run to the ball, and that's saying a lot about a player. It's all the truth. I'm just telling you who he really is, and everybody here will say that."
OLB KYLE VAN NOY
On the difference between having a full year with a team instead of coming in later: "[There are] a lot of differences. I know the playbook – that helps – I know [my] teammates, and then just ... a lot of different things [including] expectations and standards. [I know the] people on staff [and can] kind of just come in and flow, and it's been awesome. It's fun to see young guys compete, and [with] myself being young competing out there with them; it's been good."
On if he still thinks training camp is overrated: (laughter) "That's good. You're good [and you have a] good memory. Yes, for me, I'm here, so I'm going to do what I have to do to get better, right? That was then, [and] this is now. We're getting better as a unit; just the growth from the first day on the field to where we are at now offensively, defensively and special teams with the new schemes and new rules that are in place. [With] everybody getting comfortable, you can see a huge difference. We're just getting better, and I know it's cliché to say, but after being on the first day to where we're at now, it's like a sigh of relief because everybody's finally feeling comfortable and learning kind of what is expected [from] the younger guys, and then the older guys [are] trying to continue that standard that's been in place."
On what the draw is working under pass rush coach Chuck Smith as a pass rusher: "Yes, that's a really good question. I think it's a big draw right now because not many teams have somebody that's like [pass rush coach Chuck Smith] that has played in the NFL for a long time and was successful and is a high-level coach that is teaching technique. A lot of places worry about scheme; this place worries about scheme and technique, and he's a pass rush technician, and he's very good. He's helped me a lot in my career, and he's helped other players, and I'm excited to get back to work with him again."
On what he talked to OLB Joe Evans about on the sideline at the preseason game: "Yes, big Joe [Evans]. That's Mr. Iowa right there. He's an Iowa Hawkeye if I've ever seen one. Big Joe – I just love his passion for the game. I love that he didn't complain one bit. I mean, not only is it an interview for this place, it's an interview for 31 other teams. He did a really good job. Obviously, he wasn't perfect, but to play as many snaps as he did, and his pass rush, and just being all over the place; I was proud of him. I try to stay back, and [I will talk with them] if they come up and ask, or if I see a pointer, [but] I don't ever want to be in somebody's flow like that, especially when they're grinding the way he was grinding to be like, "Hey do this." It's easy for me to say, so I was proud of how he played. He's a team favorite right now."
On what he does to become a better pass rusher in Year 11: "Yes; I think I've answered this one before, [but] I'll answer it again. I haven't played on the ball like this for very long. Out of my 11 years, now this will be year three out of my 11 that I've solely haven't had to worry about playing middle linebacker with the green dot, and I still kind of tell people what to do every once in a while. But it's not as much communication, [and I] just focus in on my task and opportunity to win a one on one, and just getting better and grinding at it. It started back this offseason with my pass rush coach in Salt Lake [City] who we grinded a lot [together], and then with Chuck [Smith] grinding it when I got here to just get better. Not only [with] myself, but to continue to harp on the other guys, too. I don't want to just do it by myself; I want everybody to come with me, type with a deal. I'm excited; 'Daf [Odafe Oweh] has looked really good [at] this camp, [and] I'm excited to see him play. 'Jah [David Ojabo] is getting healthier [and] T.Rob [Tavius Robinson] has gotten a lot better; so the group is really growing, and I'm happy that everybody is trying to perfect their craft, because one year can change your life. And so, I hope all those guys really continue to grind because they're able to now have the opportunity to change their lives."
On where he sees growth in the young edge rushers development: "That's a good question. I like to be honest. I mean, I'm just going to put them all together because all of them are learning at different paces. Some have been injured [and] some have been on the field a lot. I would just say confidence is the main thing that I've seen. The confidence to really know their job and then the confidence of making plays and being able to feed off of one and stacking another. That's not only confidence, but confidence of practice and putting a week and putting a preseason game [together]. You're going to see it ... This next whole week we've seen progression. But then you'll see it in this next game the progression of just that confidence. I really think it's going to continue to show each and every game."
On how QB Lamar Jackson leads the offense and takes charge: "I'm very proud of [Lamar Jackson]. Me and 'L.J.' have a good relationship, and I'm happy for that. Just seeing his growth, not only as a player, but as a person, is awesome, too. Just his leadership skills off the field have grown, and then his leadership skills on the field have grown. Just wanting something done precisely and going [out] and communicating that. Then just talking trash – he's always going to do that. So, it's always fun to have those competitive periods against them. Just him working on his craft – you can see his mechanics, [and] you can see him pushing the ball down the field. And then just running right now – I don't know many people that can catch him. He's one of one, and it's been impressive to see him in the open field during practice, obviously we're not tackling, but there are a lot of misses that are happening. It's fun to go against a top quarterback like that every day to get better. [I'm] just excited to see what he's going to do this year."
On what he's seen from T Ronnie Stanley who's having an injury-free training camp: "Ronnie [Stanley] has done a really good job of blocking out the noise. I know he dealt with it a lot last year, and it's tough. I've been in that situation, too. [There was] a time in my career where you just had one of those injury-bug years, and you just try to … We call it, 'Thug it out,' where you're just trying to do whatever you can to get through the games and try to play it to the best of your ability, and I think he did that. He literally laid it on the line for trying to win a championship last year, and he deserves a lot of credit for that. But I know … I don't want to speak for him, but I know he wants to be great, and this year, he's done a great job of leading the group. He's been, kind of, a spokesman for that [offensive] line. With guys like [Morgan] Moses and Kevin Zeitler leaving, he's really done a great job of being a voice and picking it up and letting everybody know when they need to be better and be on their stuff. It's awesome to see. Especially during one on ones, he's coaching the guys up, and they're getting better, and he's got to be that to go where we need to go. It's awesome to see him play at a high level, and it's awesome to go against [him], too. He's a top tackle, [and] he's been an All-Pro, so it's a good look for everybody. [It's] awesome."
