HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "We won't be talking about the injuries today, especially the coach's injury. We had a great practice, a tough practice, [and it was] hot. [It was the] second back-to-back padded practice; [it was] physical. [It was] the last padded practice before we play the Eagles on Friday, [and] I thought the guys showed up. They showed up ready to go to work – it was fun. I can't wait to watch the tape. We had a little drill there at the end, [a] fumble recovery drill. [Tight ends coach] George Godsey runs that drill [and] teaches those guys how to recover fumbles, so it's a little wet. [They use] high pressure hoses [and it] a lot of fun. We recovered the last one [by me], I can tell you that. The last one got recovered."
We saw you signed WR Russell Gage. It was his first practice out there with the team. What went into that signing and how did he look out there today? (Nikhil Mehta) "It was an opportunity for us. He's a guy that's proven, a proven player. [He] catches, [he's] a tough player, physical player, great hands, [he's] just a proven NFL veteran-type player. Just starting today, he looked good, but just starting to ramp him up a little bit. I think he got his helmet around 1:00 p.m. and was out there at 1:20 p.m. But, we got him out there and got him going a little bit, so he'll learn the offense, and he should play [against the Eagles on] Friday."
You guys activated OLB Adisa Isaac off of the Non-Football Injury list. What's the challenge of when a guy loses that much time? (Brian Wacker) "We have to ramp up a little bit, no doubt about it. He just hasn't done anything from the first day, really. He's been working on that hamstring issue. We're going to bring him along, but the good news is, it's still pretty early in camp relatively speaking. We still have three full preseason games and plenty of weeks of practice to get him ready. He's excited to be back [on the field]. He's worked hard to get back, and we're looking forward to getting him out there. We'll just have to see how it progresses throughout the week."
Any update on WR Rashod Bateman's injury? (Jamison Hensley) "Yes. [It's] not serious. You saw him land on it after he made that catch, [and he] kind of hit the ground hard. [It's] nothing long term."
The last couple of years, we've seen that you don't really play a lot of starters in the preseason. Do you anticipate that being the case again this year? (Cordell Woodland) "Well, it's a case-by-case. Certain guys aren't going to play, and you can probably figure out who they are, and then we'll play all of the guys that need to play."
You and everybody else have had nothing but positive things to say about ILB Trenton Simpson. What's the most difficult thing about stepping into a much bigger role at that position? (Childs Walker) "It's always a step in this league. You're point is a really good point, he's going to be expanding his responsibilities greatly, but he's done much to earn that opportunity, and I think he'll bloom into that opportunity."
WR Sean Ryan probably had the catch of the day where he caught a ball and ran down to the end zone. How have these young receivers pushed the veterans? (Todd Karpovich) "They're pushing, [but] none of them have pushed through yet. They're all making dents, and Sean [Ryan] made a nice dent there with that touchdown catch up the sideline – [it] was a great throw from Devin [Leary]. It was well covered; it was really well covered, too. [We] just have to keep working those guys, I think they're all working really hard. At some point in time hopefully, it shakes out in terms of a pecking order."
We saw right near the end there, S Sanoussi Kane in the corner made the play [and] the emotion on the defensive sideline after that. What are you trying to accomplish when you put the guys in that situation? (Bo Smolka) "I mean yes, good question. You can imagine just the opportunity to apply all the work that you've done and built as a foundation underneath your game as a player into a situation and a circumstance, where you're in that moment, and you have an opportunity to make the play, and Sanoussi [Kane] came up and made a play right there. It's so exciting and so emotional for those guys because they work so hard to be in that moment. So, [for] practice, we were live tackling on that play, and he came up with it."
In one of the red zone plays, we saw RB Derrick Henry hit the edge and go untouched to the end zone. Is it amazing to see a guy that big able to move that fast? (Jamison Hensley) "Well, yes. It really is." (laughter) "What else can you say? He looked great, and I'm just very impressed with Derrick Henry in every way, and [I] can't wait to see him out there in games."
In the interest in preserving starters, is it important to you to get a significant amount of looks with RB Derrick Henry with live carries in the run game, or is he a guy that we know what he can do? (Kyle Goon) "Well, we're not going to get live carries. It's not going to be tackling to the ground with Derrick [Henry] in practice, but we do understand, for a lot of guys like Derrick, the practices are the game reps. They have to be treated like game reps. Put yourself in that frame of mind when you practice, so when the game comes [in Week 1] against Kansas City and thereafter, you've been there before. Now, they've been there and played games before, so they know how to make that adjustment also. It's not live, but it's pretty physical, and he's been practicing very well."
We didn't see CB Arthur Maulet or OLB Odafe Oweh out there, is there any update on that? (Kyle Phoenix) "Arthur has been dealing with a knee issue. We'll see. It's not going to be anything season-ending, but we're looking at it right now – we have to figure out what it is. Odafe [Oweh] sprained his ankle a little bit – he should be fine."
It looked like CB Marlon Humphrey left early. I don't know if I saw him come back. Any insight? (Alex Glaze) "I don't know anything about it. I didn't even notice."
TE CHARLIE KOLAR
On how he fits into the tight ends room: "Obviously, we've got a really good room. We've got four guys who have played a decent amount of football. I think I can be really effective in the run game and the play-action world – just stretching the edge, being violent on the perimeter – and then when you get a chance ... Obviously, Mark [Andrews] and 'Zay' [Isaiah Likely] will get most of the targets, so [I'm] just finding where I can fit in, in the play-action world, [with] boots, et cetera, and then slowly earning more snaps. But I believe in myself, and I know we have a great room, but I think I can continue to contribute, and I think I showed that at the end of last year and then just keep growing on that."
On if he feels himself stepping into more of a leadership role, after telling several of the rookies to go back and redo their rep on the fumble drill: "That's a great question, but I was just kind of being a jerk, right there, so that wasn't necessarily a great leadership role. But I certainly don't feel like I'm older, but then you see what percentage of the team every year [are] rookies, [and] you realize how old you are in retrospect to the team, even in just the third year. So, obviously we have our leaders on the offense who are more vocal, like [No.] '8' [Lamar Jackson] and stuff, and so [I'm] just trying to give words of encouragement or [share] ways that I made mistakes in the past or did good things in the past [that] helped me play, and [I'm] just giving them ... A lot of stuff ... A lot of times, that stuff is better one-on-one sometimes, just because then they get a little bit overwhelmed with so much stuff, and then you don't want [it] to feel like you're coming at them."
On how much he looks at continuing to improve his blocking as a way to expand his entire role in the offense: "Yes, well, I didn't block anyone in college, so [I'm] definitely learning my first few years [in the NFL]. I just think that I believe in myself in the passing world, and I still do, and so, if I can just continue to add that run game and that blocking stuff ... I've put on good weight; I feel like I'm the healthiest I've ever been in the league. And so, I think if I can just continue growing in that world, there are a lot of snaps available."
On if he leans on any offensive linemen for advice as he adds to his repertoire: "'Mo' [Morgan Moses] was my first two years. I really was close with 'Mo' and Ronnie [Stanley]; Ronnie is still here. [Patrick] Mekari is great. I mean, I work with – in the offseason – an old tight end: Logan Paulsen. He's helped me out a lot. He's an old blocking tight end from the Commanders. He's been great with me. And then Nick Boyle and Pat [Ricard] ... Just in my room, too, Pat is basically an O-lineman who can run. It's not an insult; like, he's just that good. There are so many good people to learn from, and so, yes, I've been very blessed. I'm very blessed."
On if his new role has changed his perception of the game: "Yes, that's a good question. I definitely wasn't as ... In college, I was primarily a receiver; just, like, [that] was what was asked of me. And so, even though I was involved in the run game, I wasn't a primary [blocker]. [It] was backside, cutoff, perimeter blocking. It's a lot different when you're [on] the front side of gap schemes or outside zone, and so, I'm definitely learning a lot more in the run game – just [IDs], fronts, et cetera. Talking with [Tyler] Linderbaum and all the other O-linemen about how they see it and how the tackles fit it, helps me a lot. There are a lot more nuances in the run game that are ... It's [such] fine detail with them. On TV, it's just a bunch of guys hitting each other, but there are so many details [on] every single play about, 'Do you have a 5-technique? Do you have a 4? Do you have a 4i?' and just going from there. Learning from those guys who have played so much football has been really cool."
On his offseason routine and what he's been doing differently to get in the best shape of his life: "I switched from Bud 'Heavy' to Bud Lite; that helped a lot." (laughter) "I'm just kidding. But no, I think that I'm a pro, and I'm not in college anymore, and so, just the whole aspect of the game – the lifting, the better nutrition, the taking care of your body, the recovery stuff ... I'm also just healthy. I had two core surgeries in two years [that] I've had to overcome [since] my rookie year, and so, I was just so weak. I just didn't have any of the strength, the stability that I needed to be effective. In the last year, [I've been] getting better, and this year is like a full healthy year. I feel good. So, yes, a lot of it is just kind of growing up and getting out of your college ways."
On if he's effectively learned a whole new position with entirely different muscle memory: "Yes, I kind of do. Well, certainly, I still do the pass game stuff. It's very much switched, where in college I was vast-majority receiving, small-majority blocking, now it's the other way around. And yes, it's totally ... I'd say – not that I've ... That's a good way to put it. I haven't changed [my] position, but I've learned another new position. I like that, because I haven't forgotten the pass game stuff; I'm just not asked to do it as much. But the run game stuff – like you said – is like a whole new position in a lot of ways, especially ... There's a big difference between the perimeter blocking and the frontside gap scheme, and that's tough. There's a lot more stuff with that."
On his process of trying to understand the new kickoff rule: "I'm excited. I get to run less; that's a win." (laughter) "Also, I think there's going to be ... In my opinion, you're going to have ... If you watched the Hall of Fame Game – we watched it on film – I think there are going to be a ton of returns that are [to the] 20-to-30-yard line and then occasional huge ones, because the biggest difference is ... If you think about the old kickoff, it went from the 35, everyone runs down – you've got different speeds, different sizes, guys folding and falling out – [and] what happens is the kickoff team is all on different levels, and so, even if you break through the first level, there are still guys. When you put nine guys across from each other on kickoff return and then 10 on kickoff, the thing is, they're all at the same level when you get to like the 30-[yard] line, and so, if you break through the initial punch, I think there are going to be some huge returns. Like, I had a buddy who played in the XFL when they did it, and that's what you saw, commonly – is 20-yard line, 25-, 26-, 30-, and then bam, you're gone. So, I think it's going to be pretty interesting. I was excited about it, just because I think it will give us more returns, which I think are fun, and also, everybody who's played football knows [that] when you just turn around and run backwards 20 yards and someone just runs right into you, it's like, 'Oh, that was fun.'" (Sarcasm) "So, this will be a little different, but I'm excited. I think it will be great. And I get to play, and I get to make more tackles and stuff and hit people, so it will be fun."
On if he's found ways to get as much excitement out of finishing a block as making a 15-yard catch: "Yes. So, even in college, I always thought that the most satisfying thing in offense is a good 4-minute drill, because they know you're running it, you know you're running it, their mom knows they're running it, the stadium knows you're running it, everyone knows you're running it, and you can still run it. And I think that, that's kind of the essence of the run game – it's a lot more of just, 'You know what I'm doing, I know what you're doing, and I'm still better at it then you.' And so, I think that ... I think that's why the defense takes pride in stopping the run. You used to hear about ... [Former Ravens defensive line] Coach 'Weav' [Anthony Weaver] – and Coach 'Z.O.' [defensive coordinator Zach Orr] now – used to always say that, [and we] still say it. But I think [there's] a lot of pride, especially [when] you've got these [running] backs ... Like, last year, we had Gus [Edwards], Justice [Hill], J.K. [Dobbins], Keaton [Mitchell]. This year, we've got [Justice] and Derrick [Henry] and then all these other guys. I think that ... I just take pride in my work. My parents kind of taught me that a long time ago; 'It doesn't really matter what you're doing, you have to take pride in what you do.' Like, even if you're doing the dishes – which I've got to work on ... I got in trouble with [my girlfriend] Maddie for that the other day. But you've got to take pride in what you do, and I think that if my job is to be the best blocker in the league, then that's my job, and so, I'm going to take pride in what I do and try to be the best at it. And I think it's kind of fun to hit people. I still ... It always sounds fun to hit people; I'm just not like ... [I got] a little bit stronger, so ..."
FB PATRICK RICARD
On if this is the hottest training camp he's been involved in: "This is my eighth training camp now here. I think it's definitely one of the hottest ones. My rookie year or second year, I think it was every day in the 90s – no rain [and] no clouds. But yes, it's definitely been hot, especially [wearing] full pads. It seems like it's been mid-90s. Then tomorrow, we're in shells, and it's in the 70s. It's all good, though; it will get us better."
On building chemistry with RB Derrick Henry: "It's nice to finally get to practice together and kind of see what plays [Derrick Henry] likes, and he told me he likes every running play, so it makes it easy. For me it's just to kind of see what he sees in terms of the flow of how the run play kind of develops and how I should hit the hole to get my guy so he can run off of it; it's little things like that. I mean, with a [running] back like him, it just makes you want to just hit someone even harder [and] push him even a little bit further, because he's a big guy. He's got to run through there, but he'll run through it, so as long as I can move a guy, we'll be all good."
On how he describes RB Derrick Henry's speed: "OK, so it's a little weird, but if you look at Derrick [Henry], he's a lot of legs. Like, he has very, very long legs, so I think that is why he's very fast, very explosive [and] very hard to bring down, because when you are moving those big legs, it's really hard to bring down. But yes, it's just incredible how he has that size with that speed. That's why he's so special."
On if he has a nickname for the QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry connection: "No. I think the fans will kind of get that, or as the season goes on, I think guys will give names."
On having flexibility within positions: "I think regardless of heavy or smaller guys, it's all about versatility and being positionless to where you can kind of play multiple spots [and] multiple roles. But yes, being a bigger guy, it helps ... Like, we also have Zay Flowers who is a smaller guy but can play all over the place. I don't think it matters about the size; it's more of where you can play. We have a lot of guys who can do that, and I know [offensive coordinator Todd] Monken is going to have a field day of putting us all in different places. It's going to be a lot of fun [with] the plays we have."
On how he approaches his role within the team every season: "For me, I think it's more of kind of how games go. If we're down by a lot, we're going to pass the ball a lot, and I'm not going to be in there running routes, really; it's me [on] more protections and all that stuff. So, it's really how games go. But for me, I just try to learn as much of the playbook as I can, be as valuable as I can – in terms of how they can use me – and do it the best to where they want to use me in those positions to where I can get on the field as much as I possibly can. It's up to the coaches, and it's up to me of getting my job done and kind of [seeing] how everything plays out. But at the end of the day, it doesn't matter if I play 5, 100 [or] 5,000 snaps; as long as we win, then that's all that really matters."
On the challenges of learning new positions: "When I first got asked to play fullback, I didn't play offense in college, so for me, it was just like, 'Take it step by step and really be a sponge [and] really ask a lot of questions.' I had to meet a lot with coaches and players. Even now, [offensive coordinator Todd] Monken [is in his] second year here, so last year was kind of [for me to] learn as much as I can, and I missed most of the offseason with my hip surgery last year. But now, having the same offensive coordinator [and] a lot of the same guys in the offense, I was able to really have just a big foundation from last season and kind of just grow from that and kind of just keep learning different things [and] keep refining things I'm good at. But yes, that's the biggest thing."
On what relationship he sees between TE Isaiah Likely and TE Mark Andrews: "I think the biggest thing about Mark [Andrews] and Isaiah [Likely] is they have [a] backyard football kind of sense when they play. They have a lot of ... They fill space, and they're able to ... They're able to get open, [which] is their biggest thing, and you can kind of see it from both of them, and Lamar [Jackson] is the same way. He can sense where they're going to be, even if the route isn't exactly how it's supposed to be, but they get open. I think that's what you see a lot with Isaish and Mark. The other biggest thing is they love to compete, especially those two. They're just always trying to get better at different things, but with each other, because they are very similar players."
On if he thinks the team can be more efficient in throwing the ball out of 12 and 13 personnel: "I think very. It all depends. We're going to see. But yes, when you have two big-body guys like that [Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews] who can get open, who can make difficult catches and are hard to bring down, I think it's going to be very efficient, but it's not going to take away from everything else that we're going to do."
On the development and confidence he sees in TE Qadir Ismail: "[Qadir Ismail] was a quarterback at Villanova [University] and then came here as a receiver. And when you saw him running as a receiver early on in OTAs [organized team activities] and [training] camp, you're just like, 'Damn, this guy is a big body.' He's physical, he attacks the ball, but he's also very athletic. From the transition to tight end, I think it's been a pretty seamless transition for him. He's still learning, but he's been very active in meetings, he's been always trying to get better, especially in the running game because that's fairly new to him. As a quarterback and a reciever, you're not really blocking too much. But as he keeps stacking practices and meetings, he's going to get more and more confident, especially with these games coming up. I'm just excited to see what he does."
