HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "I appreciate everybody being here. [It] was a good day [and a] busy day. [It was] the last fast practice before the game [on] Friday against the Eagles, so we'll start pulling toward that now. We haven't really done any preparation for the Eagles, but we'll go out and run our plays and see how the guys do."
As far as QB Lamar Jackson, he hasn't played in the preseason for the past two years. Is that going to be kind of the same? (Jamison Hensley) "Yes, that will be the same."
Do you expect QB Josh Johnson to play at all? (Brian Wacker) "Yes."
Did you get a gauge on the offensive line and as that competition increases in action, at some point, do you want to ever see the starting offense with the guys competing for it at all this preseason? (Morgan Adsit) "We'll see most of those guys out there. I don't know about this game, if every one of those guys will be out there. I'm not sure about the offensive line completely yet, but they probably won't be out there with Lamar [Jackson]. But as far as the rest of the guys – we're pretty young; it's not like we're going to have a ton of guys not playing over the course of the preseason. We'll see all of the guys we need to, and it will be quite a few guys."
You've been enforcing a lap penalty for each false start. Do you feel it has produced the intended results over the last few weeks? (Kyle Phoenix) "I do. I'm not enforcing it, just to be clear. The offense is enforcing it – they decided to do that, which I thought was pretty cool. I was not disappointed to see that. It's a good impact. Anything that makes you intentional about what you're trying to do – it gets you focused on it. We'll always mark off the penalty, that's another way to get the attention of the guys, just to realize that it's of the utmost importance to be [as] perfect as we can be, which you can be pretty darn perfect pre-snap. We're always chasing that kind of perfection."
What is the aspect of how both teams and the officials are handling the new kickoff environment and experiencing it in a real game situation for the first game? (Jerry Coleman) "We are looking forward to it. It'll be a challenge. We'll see what it looks like. I hope we go down there and smash their kickoff return, and I hope we break every return for a touchdown. That's what I'm looking for." (Laughter)
Is it a trial-and-error situation where you guys might try different things related to the new kickoff rule? (Brian Wacker) "It comes into play at some point. Right now, we just want to get out there and line up and understand the rules and try to execute the schemes as best [as] we can and just see how we look. We don't know exactly how it's going to play out timing-wise and all that. It's the very first time doing it, so maybe that's the answer to the question. We want to kick it in the landing zone. We'll start with that."
Do you have any update on CB Arthur Maulet other than what you knew yesterday? Did the tests come back or anything? (Bo Smolka) "We do. He's going to have a [knee] scope surgery and a cleanup-type situation, and it'll keep him out for a little while, but not long term by any stretch. We'll revisit it as we get close to the start of the season to talk about it."
We haven't seen G Ben Cleveland at right guard as much during camp. Does that say anything about where he might end up playing? Or are you just wanting to see different guys in different roles? (Childs Walker) "I think it's a little bit of both, but Ben [Cleveland] has done such a good job at center, and now we have Tyler out for a while – I think you're going to see him at center for the next two weeks."
G BEN CLEVELAND
On where he sees himself fitting into this offensive line: "I see myself really fitting in wherever I'm needed at. This week, I've been playing a little bit more center than other places. I'm here to earn a spot on this team, and wherever they need me at, to do that; that's what I'm going to do."
On his comfort level at center: "I feel perfectly fine at center. They started working me in there last year, so it's not like they just threw me into the fire this week. I'm definitely extremely comfortable there."
On if he sees this as a make-or-break year for himself and what the stakes are for him this year: "The stakes are definitely higher, I feel like. But at the end of the day, it's the same thing I've been doing for the last three years – just showing up to work every day and giving it everything I've got to be the best player that I can for this team and for myself, and let the chips land wherever they may."
On if his experience as a spot starter and contributor on the offensive line gives him confidence heading into this year: "Oh, absolutely. People don't realize how hard it is to come off the sideline, cold, in the middle of the third quarter and step up and expect to take over and perform at the highest level possible. So, being in that position before and plenty of times in the past, it gives me a lot of confidence, knowing that no matter what, I can step up and do whatever they need me to do."
On if being left-handed changes anything for him when snapping the ball at center: "No, not really. Whenever I first started – last year – snapping a little bit, I always had to make sure the quarterbacks knew they had a left-handed center, just because the path of the ball is just a little bit different than what they're used to. But I've worked with everybody enough to where they've all got it down now."
On how excited he is for the preseason: "Oh man, the preseason is kind of our first look at who we're going to be as a team and who we're going to be as an offense. We're going to have a lot of different guys playing a lot of different spots, and it's going to be fun to go out there and play different spots – for myself – and see how we all kind of fit into one another and make this offense work."
On if he's tried to elevate his communication, given his work at center, and if that's made more difficult by the pieces moving around him: "Oh, it's definitely more difficult – [there's] no doubt about that – but I feel like I'm extremely football smart, and [at] center, the biggest thing at center is just being able to keep a cool head and do things on the fly. [My] first day [at center] was a little bit of a struggle with it, but now, three days into it, everything is flowing smooth, and I feel good about it."
On how much he's leaned on C Tyler Linderbaum: "It's been nice playing beside [Tyler Linderbaum] and all that in the past, so I really ... We keep the same terminology and everything like that; it's just a matter of the perspective in which you see the defensive fronts and things like that [are] different. Every day after practice, he's in there watching film, [and] we're going over how I can step better, do 'this' better and whatnot, so it's been nice having somebody who's, obviously, as good as he is at that position to help me better myself."
On if his approach to center is seeing at as an opportunity to show what else he can do or getting fewer reps at right guard: "Oh, no. I don't think of it as taking reps away from other spots. I mean, they say, 'The more you can do, the better off you're going to be,' and if I have to be in that role of a backup center at some point this year, then I want to be fully prepared to go in and do that. So, I love the fact that I'm getting to play center and going to go out there and get some live game reps in that spot."
On if this summer has felt different for the offensive line, given all the changes: "I wouldn't say [that it's been] a different year by any means, because every year, you've got guys coming in, fighting for spots, playing different spots, rolling in different locations and things like that, so I don't think it's any different. You've just got to make the most out of the reps that you get where you get them to try and secure that role as a starter from Week 1."
On if there's something specific he does to help him play at different spots, like center: "The biggest thing for me is, when I'm not in with the group [and] kind of standing around in the back, I want to hear the play call, I want to see the defensive fronts, I want to make my calls as if I were in there right now, and I think that's been the biggest difference for me. Even last year, when I started playing a little bit of center here and there, I was just being more attentive to the defense and the way things are working from a defensive [standpoint] to the backfield and everything like that, because it is a big difference, and it takes a lot of getting used to. I think me taking those steps has really helped me adjust to it quickly."
On if he's played center at any other level before: "I played a little bit [of center] in high school. I didn't play [center] in college. But like I said earlier, [the Ravens] started rolling me in at center last year, so I've taken plenty of snaps [there], and I'm good to go."
T ROGER ROSENGARTEN
On how it will feel to almost be out on an NFL field on Friday: "It feels great. It feels amazing. Kind of just going through rookie minicamp, OTAs and the spring practices until now – when you finally get to training camp – it's super exciting. It's a feeling I've dreamt [about] since I was a little kid. Now I'm going to play my first NFL game here, coming up, [so it's] all good angst. I'm super excited, and I can't wait."
On if he's noticed a difference in physicality here in practice: "Yes. There are definitely level changes in everything, especially [in] physicality, strength [and] speed – you name it when it gets to this kind of level. My transition from college to the pros was super smooth, in my opinion. I'm picking it up every single day, and my whole main focus is just getting better and better."
On getting more first-team reps: "[Whether it's] first, second or third team, it doesn't matter to me. My whole goal is just to be the best offensive lineman I can [be] to help protect the quarterback and open up running lanes, and just be the best offense we can. That's my whole job as an offensive lineman. It didn't really matter what team I was running with, because I knew if I was playing well [and] did what I wanted to do, then we'd be in a good spot as an offense."
On what part of his game he thinks he's made the biggest strides in from rookie camp to now: "I definitely would just say probably my hands. Especially when you get to this level, hands are everything – whether that's hand placement on a power move, a speed move [or] hands in the run game. You name it. [From] A to Z, I'm just trying to get better and better, and I feel like I've made a big stride in that department."
On what part of his game he still feels like he needs to improve the most: "You name it. I have to improve on a lot of things as an offensive lineman. If I was the perfect offensive lineman, I don't know who I'd be, but I'm not that yet. So, I have A to Z to work on – whether if that's stuff not even on the field, [but] working on [things] in the meeting rooms. I really couldn't give you one answer there."
On if this game feels like a big deal because it's a chance to prove himself: "Yes, absolutely. Any time there's a game, there's going to be that much level intensity and focus going into it. This Friday, I'm looking forward to it."
On if he feels these preseason games are a chance for him to win a starting job: "Yes, absolutely. I come into practice, games [and] meeting rooms with that mentality to just compete and be the best offensive lineman can. That's my whole main goal – just to day-to-day, stack days and make sure I'm doing my absolute best – and good results will come out from there."
On how much the off-the-field stuff, like diet, nutrition and the training room, has been a focus for him: "It's been huge. We have a great [staff]. [Director of sport nutrition] Sarah [Snyder] and [sports nutrition fellow] Rachel [Farnan] do a great job with their staff and the whole cafeteria. It's always a great time, going in there for meals. We're super dialed [in] from the nutrition [and] from the hydration [standpoint] to the strength [and conditioning program]. All the aspects outside of the [on-field] and [in-game] stuff, I've been super dialed in with everybody. Yes, it's been awesome."
On if he's been working on playing both right and left tackle: "Yes. Ever since rookie minicamp, I've been repping both sides of the line, and Coach 'Joe D' [offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris] and Coach 'Harbs' [head coach John Harbaugh] really want to make an emphasis – especially [offensive coordinator] Coach [Todd] Monken – on being versatile. Not just [for] myself, but it could be Ronnie [Stanley], Pat [Mekari or] Tyler [Linderbaum] – you name it. So, anyone can play any position, especially in this league, so yes."
On the difference strength-wise between college and the NFL: "I'd say [it's] the transition between the get-off off the line of the snap and that instant moment where a lot of strength is going to be applied – whether it's a power move, speed to power or power to speed. You name it, and there's a lot of transition [from] the college to the NFL level, but especially off the snap. I think that's where I saw the biggest jump when it came to that."
On how much of an incentive the punishment lap for offsides are and if he thinks that will carry over to games: "Absolutely. As soon as the play is called, you have the whole play that you have to know what you're getting down. You have to know your assignment, and then most importantly, you have to know the snap count at the end of the play call. If the running [a] lap wasn't a big enough incentive to not jump offsides, I don't know what is. So yes, that's definitely a big part of the game – especially as an offensive lineman – is the get off."
On if he has any pre-game rituals: "No. I think I'm just going to do the same thing [as I did] in college, really. Some of the logistics will be a little different now, but I think everything for myself – pre-game – is going to stay the same. I'm looking forward to Friday."
