HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "[It's] good to see everybody. I appreciate you being here. [It is] military and first responders day – [it is] maybe our most cherished, special group day that we have out here in training camp. We love what those two groups do for our country. They are the heroes. The sacrifices that the families make when their loved ones are overseas or away all night, pulling shifts to help keep us all safe. We love this group of people; we're so glad they're here. You can see all of our players are over there signing autographs and taking pictures, so thank you very much to the military and first responders."
We didn't see C Tyler Linderbaum out there. Is there anything of note there? (Jamison Hensley) "[It is] a minor soft tissue kind of thing. We'll keep him out today, we'll keep him out tomorrow, and then he should be back sometime next week. We'll be very patient with Tyler [Linderbaum]. He's having a great camp. Some of those young guys [on the offensive line] need a little more work anyway, so it kind of works out for us."
CB Jalyn Amour-Davis is a guy that's battled injuries over the past two seasons, but is having a really good camp. If he stays healthy, what can he contribute to the secondary? (Todd Karpovich) "Right, he can. He's been here, he knows what he's doing, he's very talented. He's always played very good football. He's had nicks and things like that, kind of unfortunate situations, but we expect him to have a really good year. I think he's playing like a starter, and he'll be on special teams, and he'll be playing in our secondary in packages. I expect him to have a great year."
Is there any concern in WR/RS Deonte Harty's absence as it revolves around his role being primarily on special teams and kickoff. Is there concern regarding that? (Kyle Phoenix) "I can't say there's no concern. We want to have all of our guys out here. He's got a nagging soft tissue, lower-leg deal. He's had those in the past – it's something that he does deal with. I think he'll be fine and get plenty of reps. He's had so many return reps generally, but you would want him out here in this new [kickoff rule], getting a feel and the timing for it."
When you think back to the beginning of DE Brent Urban's career, he missed most of three of his first four seasons, and to be playing all of these years later, what kind of lesson is that? Whether you're talking about CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, OLB David Ojabo, guys who have had some injuries early in their career, that they can overcome that and still have a long productive career? (Luke Jones) "[That's] such a great point. I'm going to start using [Brent Urban] as an example for those guys, because it's a perfect point. I can remember him right over there, we were doing an inside-run drill against the [San Francisco] 49ers when we had the joint practices all of those years ago, and he tore his ACL right at the end of practice. It was like, 'Oh.' It was so heartbreaking, and [he] missed that whole year. We had high hopes for him coming out, we thought he was an odd-front defensive end in the Pittsburgh Steeler kind of realm, like the Brett Keisels of the world, and he's turned out to be just that. He's just that kind of player; he plays so well. But those first couple of years were tough, and here he is now. He's got a testimony as a result of all the tests he's been through."
I guess another guy kind of in that situation of being injured in the beginning of his career is S Ar'Darius Washington. You were impressed with him after minicamp, [and] now you guys have Eddie Jackson. But how are you kind of looking at the situation at third safety? And what have you seen from him since we've moved into training camp? (Giana Han) "That's a great point. Ar'Darius has definitely played at the highest level. Bringing [in] Eddie Jackson is one of these things that you just wouldn't expect as a possibility to happen, and so, it just makes us better. But Ar'Darius is very capable of going out there and playing great football in the secondary, and I'm sure he will this year. He's just a really good football player. [I] love his energy, his athleticism is off the charts, [and] he's tough as nails. He's not going to disappoint anybody when he's on the field."
Last year, S Ar'Darius Washington was about the fourth choice at slot corner, but it seemed like he really outplayed everyone there before him. Do you see a possibility that he plays either slot corner or safety? (Ken McKusick) "Absolutely. He can go down in there and play slot [corner]. We haven't put him there much; he's played there a little bit – a lot in the past [and] a little bit in the spring. I know he can go in there if we needed him to, but just right now, we have so many guys. We're just trying to get those guys the reps. I think that's kind of indicative of our depth back there; it kind of demonstrates it."
It's more curiosity than anything, but we're about almost two weeks through camp, and I don't think there's been a veteran day off for anybody. Is that just how the schedule has worked with the off days built in and shortening certain practices? (Jeff Zrebiec) "We're kind of building that stuff in individually by guy. We haven't felt the need to give guys all days off. We haven't really done too much of that, except for the Ray Lewis-type, older-type of guys when they get to that stage. Our 'older guys,' they're pretty young. 'Ro' [Roquan Smith] is pretty young, you've got Kyle [Van Noy], and you see he had a couple of days, and he's taken fewer reps here and there. I would probably say we're doing it more with reps than we are days at this point."
Two weeks into it now, two things: what are you most pleased with specifically, whether it's tight ends, offense, whatever – and then secondly, what's the challenge of when you do get to the back end of all these practices, obviously next week's a game week, to probably a little more normal build-up for you guys, but what's the challenge? (Brian Wacker) "Well we'll still be in camp mode all the way through. In terms of our preparation, it's situational football, install – we'll be working trying to get reps on all the things that we're going to have to do throughout the course of the season. We won't be getting ready for the game, per se. The mindset really doesn't change – it's camp mode through all these games. We will be thinking about yardage, and speeds, and rest and different things to get our guys ready to roll when they need to be ready to roll – whether it's certain guys for the preseason game [or] certain guys for the regular season. What I'm most pleased with probably is just the mindset of the team – love the mindset of the team – how hard they work, how good their attitude is, how up for anything they are, how hard they practice and how locked in they've been."
What do you make of DT Travis Jones' training camp so far, and what do you envision his next steps being this year? (Carita Parks) "I think I've said before, I expect [Travis Jones'] next step to be a breakout season. He's a dominant guy in there right now, and whenever somebody blocks him, I just think it's like ... It's a super-human feat, almost, when somebody blocks him in there. He's like a super-human player. So, we'll see if it pans out in the games. I know it's a high tag to put on him, but let's go for it."
Another defensive lineman who seems to be standing out is DT Broderick Washington. Where have you seen him improve his game from last, coming into this year? (Ryan Mink) "Broderick [Washington] has always been a very steady player. I think he's really ... He's upped his ... His strength level is ridiculous. He's so strong, and I think he's [doing] a really good job with his twitchiness – his ability to kind of tear off of blocks and move laterally really quickly. He's done a really nice job of that. He's playing at a high level."
Have you gotten a chance to review the film on how the kickoffs were handled in yesterday's Hall of Fame Game, and is there anything that surprised you? (Jeff Zrebiec) "No, actually. It looked about [how] we thought it would look. It was pretty tough to block those guys, but the field position is going to be there, unless you bobble the ball, or the ball gets on the ground; then it's going to be a problem for the kick return team. The one thing that did jump out at me was it's confusing for the fans. Like, 'Where does the ball go? If you kick it out of bounds, where does it go? What about after a penalty, you kick it out of bounds? What about if it's in the end zone when it lands there? What if it rolls into the end zone; where does the ball go?' All that stuff ... It's like, 'You've got the 40-[yard line], you've got the 30, you've got the 25, you've got the 20.' That's confusing to me. So, we'll all get it, but I want to make sure we either educate the fans, and that's so they understand why the ball is being spotted where it's at, or they still could tweak those things and simplify that a little bit, too. So, that jumped out at me just from watching the TV copy of it."
Do you still see DT Travis Jones as a guy who could either be a nose tackle or a 3-Technique, situationally? Is he not really one or the other? (Childs Walker) "[I see Travis Jones playing the] nose [tackle], 3-Technique or 4-, 4i- or 5-Technique. Yes, he can play anywhere in there – absolutely."
DT TRAVIS JONES
On what he needs to do to have a breakout season: "[I'm] just going to go out there and put my best foot forward, and just improving on the things that I did last year and being consistent with it."
On if he feels his pass-rushing game has improved: "For me, [it's] just having a rush plan in mind and executing it all the way through; and not panicking and going straight to power."
On how working with Pass Rush Coach Chuck Smith has elevated his game: "Yes, [pass rush coach] Chuck [Smith], 'Beeks' [Justin Madubuike] and all [of] the older guys [have] been helping me out a lot this [training] camp."
On his methods to get more pass rushes while playing: "[I] just trust my instincts; and going into my third year, [I] am having more confidence and experience."
On how he feels about being mentored by veteran players: "Yes; for a young player [and] going into my third year, [and] only having one guy [from my position group] leave, it's meant a lot me. 'Broddy' [Broderick Washington] is still here; and me and him became really close. We work out every day together, and he helps me improve my game."
On if he has goals for the season and if he can share them: "For me, of course [I have goals]. I put it in my iPhone, [and I] write out the notes, plans [and] things I want to accomplish throughout the year. No, [they're] personal." (laughter)
On if watching DT Justin Madubuike has helped him elevate his career: "Yes; since I have gotten here [Justin] Madubuike [has] been a big role model for me. I have been looking up to him for the past two years, and seeing what he did last year gave me motivation to say, 'I want to follow in his footsteps.'"
On if the offseason workouts with DE/DT Broderick Washington made him stronger and the reason why he did them: "Yes last year ... I've always have been one of the strongest, but [I was] just building off that and working on my flexibility and things like that to improve my bend when it comes to pass rush. It was about the flexibility and stuff now."
On if he appreciates the Ravens coaching style: "Oh yes; with [defensive line] coach Dennis [Johnson] coming in and [pass rush coach] Chuck [Smith]. They're masterminds at it – putting us in the right positions to make plays."
On if getting used to playing different positions was an offseason focus and what his views are in playing different positions: "I feel like towards the end of last season I started playing 3-Technique and defensive end, so I'm pretty comfortable playing out there; and I'm ready."
On playing against G Andrew Vorhees and C Tyler Linderbaum: "Going against [Tyler] Linderbaum – you know he went to the Pro Bowl last year, so he's one of the best centers in the league – and going against him every day [is] going to get me better. [Andrew] Vorhees [is] strong – he's strong, really strong [and] aggressive; so, [we're] just going to keep working every day and making each other better."
On how he handles hype: "I feel like hype – I expect a lot from myself, so when people do the same for me it's really not extra motivation or anything for me. I just go out there, put my head down and work."
DE BRENT URBAN
On what made him want to remain with the Ravens after interest from other teams with your former coaches:"Baltimore just feels like home for me, as far as football goes. I have so much familiarity with everyone in the building – it's been a great fit for me football-wise, too. I obviously appreciated the interest – I have a ton of respect for those guys, but my heart was here, and it just made a ton of sense for me to stay."
On if he saw himself having a long career when he suffered injuries during his first few seasons in the NFL:"No chance – it was tough times – a lot of dark days, and a lot to fight through; and I think guys like Terrell Suggs [and] Marshal Yanda, they dealt with a bunch of injuries throughout their career, and they were kind of there to lift me up and be like a benchmark on what to work on coming off of injury – how to have the right mindset going into the whole thing; so there was a lot of sitting back and watching and trying to figure out how I fit in, and that sort of thing – but you know, relying on those vets and stuff that helped me a ton, and [it] allowed me to get through that and turn that into a career – it was just one year at a time and thankfully [it] worked out."
On what he tells younger players about playing a long NFL career:"Just being in the league is privilege. Every single day, you've just got to relish it, because you see so many guys in and out, and just even looking at my class now, nobody's still around; so just finding your own role, just appreciating it. As I get older, I've started to be able to take a seat back and really just appreciate how thankful I am to be here. When you're young your nose is on the grindstone, you're just hustling every day – you're stressed out and all that stuff – and now I feel like I can kind of be at a luxury to sit back and just really appreciate things each and every day – and that's kind of helped me continue to play well in this later stretch of my career."
On what needs to happen for DT Travis Jones to continue to grow:"I think [Travis Jones is] doing it – he has a guy like Justin [Madubuike] to look at, [as well as] Broderick [Washington] who works so, so hard. He's up with them early in the morning working out – he kind of sees the model of what to do, and I think you guys can see it out on the field – his pass-rushing ability has gotten so, so much better – the way he moves, his quickness, his size, [his] speed; just the way he thinks about the game now, it's at a more mature level where I think he's going to take off his year. I think he's done a great job and looked at those guys and how they've done it, and the sky's the limit for him. I think he's going to take a huge step this year."
