TUESDAY MEDIA AVAILABILITY – DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF WEEK
Head Coach John Harbaugh
Opening statement: "OK, appreciate you being here. Thanks for coming out. We had a good practice, and we're ready to continue our preparation for New England."
John, after the Pittsburgh game you called QB Joe Flacco the best quarterback in the NFL. Is that because he's yours or is that beside the point? (Dave Ginsburg) "No, I said it. That's what I meant. It doesn't take too much to figure out what I said there. [It is] pretty clear cut." (Reporter: "Is it…") *"I said it. I meant it. What more is there to say about it, you know? You want me to explain it? You guys make your opinion; I'll have my opinion. I'm entitled to my opinion, aren't I?" *(Reporter: "Absolutely.") "It's my opinion."
What is it about QB Joe Flacco since he got here with you and the development that he's gone through that makes him the way you feel about him? (Craig Heist)"First of all, he is very talented – a great arm. He's a very good athlete – big, strong guy in the pocket – can make any throw, really, in any kind of weather conditions. [He is] very tough – mentally tough, physically tough. He's going to compete every day. [He] likes to have fun – good temperament. All of those things."
John, what is it like to have T Eugene Monroe and DT Timmy Jernigan back, and how did they do? (Aaron Wilson) "They did well. They did a good job."
In your division you face a lot of good tight ends – Heath Miller, Jermaine Gresham, Jordan Cameron. What about Rob Gronkowski is so different that nobody else does? What's the big challenge in him? (Aditi Kinkhabwala) "He is unique in the sense that he's so big and so fast. He has a unique ability to beat coverage, and there really are not too many matchups you can put on him, zone or man. I guess you could bracket him and put him in a vice, kind of like you do on punt, but he's just a big, strong, fast guy. He has great hands. He's tough. He's very unique."
Do you ever say, "Concede a player. OK, he's going to get his. We just can't let anybody else get anything?" (Aditi Kinkhabwala) "No. Absolutely not. We have to stop everybody. If you do that, they'll just go up and down the field with the one player."
How much of a fact that you've won two playoffs games up there … I know it's a different group of guys, but when they find out about the history and everything and coming off what you did in Pittsburgh, what kind of confidence does that give you going into this week? (Craig Heist) "I don't think it really matters. It's a new game. Really, the past, the future … It's just whoever plays best Saturday afternoon is going to be the team that wins the game. It's always that way. So, I don't think it makes any difference at all one way or the other."
**Everybody talks about your pass rush, but you're getting to the quarterback rushing a lot of times just four guys. How much of a benefit does that help as far as the entire defense, and what does that really say about those front four guys getting there? *(Jamison Hensley) *"Well, we are [getting pressure]. We're blessed with a number of guys that can really rush the passer, and sometimes you can send three guys. It gives you one extra guy in coverage. So, the fewer guys you can send to get pressure on the quarterback, the better off you're going to be, [and then] we have more guys in coverage. But, it's good to have good pass rushers. It's good to have good coverage guys. We're blessed with really good pass rushers. Our coverage guys are really coming on and playing better, so we're happy with where we're at that way."
You talked a lot this season about T James Hurst, G/C John Urschel, TE Crockett Gillmore, those guys who weren't expected to play big roles during the season, but is it any different in the playoffs seeing their preparation pay off on a bigger stage like that? (Jon Meoli)"I'm not sure what the question is." (Reporter: "Does it say anything about their preparation that it works on a bigger stage?") "Oh, that they were able to go into the playoffs and do the same thing? It does say a lot about their preparation. Yes, sure. It says a lot about who they are as people. They're not going to be overwhelmed by a situation. They're smart. Smart guys usually don't get overwhelmed by circumstances, and those guys are smart guys. They work hard. They're very confident, but they're not cocky. They're humble. They work hard. Yes, that's probably a great point."
I know the players deserve much of the credit, but how about Dean Pees and the job he has done with a shorthanded defense this year? (Dave Ginsburg) "Yes, that's a great point. We've been through so many different players, and Dean [Pees] has done a really tremendous job of tailoring the scheme toward what guys can do well. We don't really look like the same defense every week in a lot of different ways. It's not like we revamp everything we do, but he's always going to give an opponent something different that they're maybe not expecting to help guys play certain situations or matchup on certain receivers or whatever. So, [he is a] very experienced guy, great football coach, open to ideas, listens. [He] does a great job with the players in terms of putting them in [a] position to do the things that they do well. Dean is a great football coach."
John, these two teams – also the Steelers – there used to be quite a history of trash-talking among those teams. Now, the last year or two, three, all you hear is Bill Belichick this morning saying how great you guys are, you talking about how great they are. Has the whole trash-talking thing … Is it passé, or is this just the character of these two teams right now? (Peter Schmuck) "You mean like among the coaches? Coaches trash-talking since coaches aren't trash-talking anymore?" (laughter) (Reporter: "Tom Brady was saying nice things about [Terrell] Suggs today.") "That is shocking. (laughter) Did 'Sizz' [Terrell Suggs] say nice things about Tom Brady?" (Reporter: "He hasn't been out yet.") "OK, let's wait." (laughter) "There's a lot of respect. I don't know what it says. It's probably a really good, interesting thing to take a look at. It probably does speak to kind of what you said, the past and all that kind of stuff or whatever. It's a new team, it's a new time, whatever. But, our focus is on the game. We have enough to worry about with the opponent that we're going to play – how well-coached they are, how good their players are. It's a big challenge going there to play. We've been there before, so there's some familiarity. That part of it is a good thing. It's not like we've never been in that stadium before, so we understand how that's going to go. But all those things lend really toward us focusing on the task at hand, and trying to do the job that we have to do Saturday."
**Do you tell guys to tone it down, or do they know this just by being in the system? *(Peter Schmuck) *"We've never had that rule. We've always told guys [to] speak their mind and be themselves, be their best self. We've tried to do it that way. So, that's kind of how it has been around here."
You've done a very good job of that this year, focusing. There has been a lot of insularly drama and you guys have been focused on football. Is that who they are? Is that something that you've had to be really conscious of keeping their eyes on? (Aditi Kinkhabwala)"It's something we talk about, certainly, but I think it's who they are. Our guys have done a great job of neither turning to the left nor to the right, looking straight ahead and focusing on the task and the challenge at hand. And that's what we should be doing. You control what you have a chance to control – don't worry about some of the other stuff."
John, knowing QB Tom Brady and his history, TE Rob Gronkowski [and] what he means to the offense, just keys to stopping it, slowing it down, making sure they're not in a comfort zone … (Craig Heist)"That's probably the main thing right there – making sure they're not in a comfort zone, stop it, slow it down. Those will be all keys to it."
John, we've always talked about your road success and things like that, but is there anything to that … For you guys, you really don't know much different. Most of your playoff games have been on the road. Is there a comfort level that you've just done it so many times? (Jamison Hensley) "Maybe. I don't know. We've done it before. We've won a lot of those games probably because we've played in a lot of those games. We've had good football teams, and we've played well in those situations. But again, it really doesn't matter. We have to go play the next game and the next situation. That's really … It stands on its own."
OLB Elvis Dumervil
On how he will adjust his pass rush based on the fact that QB Tom Brady gets rid of the ball very quickly: "I always believe that rush and coverage goes hand-in-hand, so I have confidence in our guys in the back end. When we have our opportunities, we just have to take advantage of that."
On if QB Tom Brady is a different quarterback with pressure than he is without pressure: "Man, I think he's good at it all – under pressure, with pressure, without pressure. He has done it time after time. It's good. We have a tough road ahead of us, so we're looking toward that challenge."
On if QB Tom Brady is a bit more predictable because he is not a scrambling quarterback: "Sometimes I prefer scrambling – at least you get a chance to get to him. When a guy gets rid of the ball so quick, that could be a little more difficult."
On what he has learned about this Ravens organization and team since he came here last season: "That's one of the reasons I came to Baltimore, to be in a situation like this. I think [it's a team of] proven winners, a first-class organization from top to down, and we're winners. That's why I chose to come to Baltimore, and that's why I'm here."
On if he enjoys walking into a hostile crowd environment like that of road playoff games: "I guess the underdog approach is never a bad thing. I've kind of been that way my whole life. They're a pretty good home team. I'm sure they have a lot of confidence – they should have. [They are] a well-coached team with great players, so I'm sure they have a lot of confidence going into this game. The good thing is we have a lot of confidence, too. So, we'll see what happens on Saturday."
On if QB Tom Brady's quick release changes his approach: "As a student of the game, you have to study. But I think as a pass rusher, you have to remain relentless, and that's kind of what I try to be. I just like to be relentless no matter what the situation is, but at the same time, be smart about it."
On the other aspects of the team that made him come to Baltimore: "I think it starts with coach 'Harbs' [John Harbaugh]. I think the way he comes about us, the way he approaches the team day-in and day-out, week-in and week-out … We're going to be tired; we're going to work hard. Nothing is going to be given to us; you must earn it. So, that's kind of been our approach since the offseason. We put a lot of hard work into this. This is no coincidence. This is not a, 'We're happy to be here.' This is more of a situation we earned. We worked extremely hard in the offseason. Some things didn't go 100 percent the way we wanted them to go through the whole regular season, but we worked hard enough to put ourselves in this situation, and now it's up to the players to take advantage of that."
On how he balances being aggressive against avoiding jumping offsides: "I've had so many offsides in my career. But it won't slow me down. You don't want to make foolish penalties, but as a rusher, you have to be relentless. It's the cost of doing business. You want to make more plays than offsides, for sure."
QB Joe Flacco
On what makes him so successful in the postseason:"It's no different. I'm going out there and playing a football game and doing the best I can to put everybody in a position to do good things – get the ball in their hands and let them take over. I think we've just come together and we've played good as a unit when we've had the chance to. I think we're a good team, so if you put us in enough situations and you put us in tough situations, then we're going to react well to them."
On what it meant to hear John Harbaugh call him the best quarterback in the NFL:"At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter what everybody wants to think. It just matters about going out there and my teammates and my coaches and all that. It obviously means a lot for a head coach to stand up in front of everybody – the whole world – and say those kinds of things. Whether it really means anything, I don't know, but it definitely means a lot to me. I've been with John for … This is my seventh year, and we have a great relationship and [we are] continuing to grow."
On the advantages of his "Joe Cool" demeanor:"Everybody is different. What may work for me is not going to work for somebody else. I have a totally different personality than everybody else, just like this guy [Tom Brady] has a totally different personality than the other 31 guys. It's just who I am. It's impossible for me to be anybody else. I don't know how else to put it. *(laughter) *I'm out there to play football, and that's pretty much it."
On if he gets jacked up in games played against QB Tom Brady:"The cool thing about is Tom was playing for who knows how many years before I got in here, and I was in high school, and probably before I was in high school, sitting there watching him and those guys win Super Bowls. I was in high school. So, that's the cool thing. I'm playing against guys – not just quarterbacks, but in this case – that I've spent a good amount of my time remembering. I'm playing against those guys now, and I've gotten a chance to play against him a lot of times and the Patriots a lot of times. I'm not directly playing against him, but it's pretty cool when you do sit back and think about those things."
On if he can see other quarterbacks looking at him like that 10 years down the road:"No, I don't see that. It's kind of weird to think about yourself like that. It's still weird when people want to take a picture [or] get an autograph. You don't necessarily look at yourself like that, which I'm sure Tom [Brady] doesn't look at himself necessarily like that."
On what the reason is behind the Ravens' success in road playoff games:"Well shoot, we can't get ourselves any home ones, I guess. It's just the situation we put ourselves in. It's a crazy league, and it's crazy the way things work out. Sometimes you're the fifth, sixth seed, and you've lost a couple close games during the year, and you didn't win your division and you don't get a home game. This is the way it works out. I think the biggest thing for us is that we've obviously had a lot of chances to play on the road, because pretty much every year we've been in the playoffs we've played at least two road games. So, we've obviously had a lot of chances at it, a lot of experience with it, and reacted well in it just because – just like I always go back to – we've had a good football team around here, and guys that are strong and not intimidated and very confident in nature. I think it just plays well."
On why he enjoys a more aggressive approach on offense:"Hey, that's what this game is about. It's about being aggressive and trying to put the other side on their heels a little bit. As an offense, you're doing your best to dictate what's going on in that game. As a defense, they're trying to counterpunch, or they're doing their best to try to dictate what you have to do. So, I think coming out being aggressive, I think it just shows, from a coach's standpoint, that they have confidence in us as players to go out there and make the plays, and if things aren't there, take the little play or go make a bad play. So, I think it speaks a lot about the confidence that the coaches have in us as players and the ability that we've shown all year."
On how the play-action game has picked up over the past month:"I think it's a big part of our game. Every time you get into a situation where you're completing short passes, running for a couple yards here and putting yourself in a lot of third-down situations, it makes it very tough to stay on the field consistently, because if you're giving yourselves a handful of third downs every single drive, it makes it tough to go 80 yards. In order to keep yourself on the field and get points out of the majority of your drives, you have to hit chunks here and there and you have to at least give yourself the opportunity to hit those chunks. And I think with the guys that we have in Torrey [Smith], Steve [Smith Sr.], Marlon [Brown], Kamar [Aiken], Owen [Daniels], all these guys, Jacoby [Jones], they're guys that run well, they do those things well, and you have to give those guys chances to make plays down the field."
On it usually being a good result, whether it's a catch or defensive penalty, when he targets WR Torrey Smith on deep passes:"I think the biggest thing is when we do throw to him deep, it's because we have a good matchup or we have a good coverage for it to work, and he's doing a great job of winning. Whether it's beating press or getting over top of the zone, he's doing a good job of doing it, so he's putting himself in favorable positions. And whether the throw is a little bit off or the defender does a nice job of recovering but doesn't get his head around, it works out well for us because, like I said, it's all because of him doing his job in the beginning and beating man-to-man or getting over top of the zone, putting himself in position to make that big play and putting the defender in a recovery-type mode and forcing his hand a little bit and making him do something that he probably doesn't want to."
On how he has outdueled QB Tom Brady in the playoffs head-to-head:"Hey, the one game we went up there and I only threw the ball 11 times. (laughter) They did turn the ball over a lot that game and we got the ball down tight, and it wasn't a game pretty quickly. The other game they won. And then the last game we played up there, we had to score three-consecutive times to come out in the second half. It's crazy how the games have gone up there. To counter that, we've been up on them in regular season [games] up there by 7, 10 points, and they've come out and beat us in the second half. It's kind of gone both ways. It's not really about outdueling Tom or him outdueling me. We're not playing against each other; we're playing against two totally different defenses. I think these guys on defense present totally different challenges than they normally do, so it's going to be kind of a new group for us to go against for us, and I'm excited about it."
On what is different about his psychology when he walks onto the field in the postseason:"It's all the same. Obviously, the opponent is different, but your mindset is the same. You're feeling the same thing before a game. You're feeling the same thing standing on the sideline getting ready to go take the field for the first time. That's my mindset. I believe that it's the same. At this time of the year, I think things can be a little different because – I think I said it after the game the other day – in the regular season, the cliché line is 'One play at a time, one game at a time.' At this point, you really are. You don't have any choice but to be totally locked in on this one game. And not that you aren't always that way, but there's nothing really to look forward to. You don't know what's going to happen after this. So, it's definitely an interesting type of mindset that you take as a team, and it's a lot of fun."
On if there is a fine line between showing CB Darrelle Revis too much respect and not wanting to take too many chances against him:"I think it is, because when you try to go out there as a quarterback, and as a play-caller for [offensive coordinator] Gary [Kubiak], when you go out there and you try to change things around and avoid a guy or pick your spots to go at a guy, I think you're usually taking away a piece of your offense that you rely on a lot. You allow them to dictate something by who they match him on or who he happens to be on on that play. So, I think as a play-caller, you have to just go out there, rely on your guys that you have that are out there, rely on the fact that they have ability. And as a quarterback, you have to go out there and just go through your reads. And if he's open, throw it to him; if he's not, don't. We're going to have to make contested catches, contested throws – all those things. But I know in the past when we've played against some guys and you've tried to avoid him or done things game plan-wise to get matchups in other places, it usually just takes your attention away from what you should be doing, and I think that has a bigger effect than sometimes the actual guy can."
On if he relishes quieting a crowd or seeing the opposing team's fans leave early:"I don't think it's something you're thinking about in the moment, but when it happens, it's pretty awesome. And I think that's the best way to say it. It's great when you can score a touchdown and then put another one on top of that and get that lead and just hear the place go quiet. Like I said, I don't think I'm always thinking about that, but it is pretty cool."
WR Torrey Smith
On what changes in QB Joe Flacco's performance in the playoffs: "Big-time players show up when you need them most, and that's how he's been. He has been like that before I got here, and he's definitely done a great job since I've been here. I guess he's as good as anyone, or maybe the best, in the playoffs the past few years, so it's pretty cool."
On if he is proud of the team's standing in having the NFL's most all-time playoff road victories: "I think it's easier to do that when … That must mean we haven't had home field advantage a lot. *(laughter) *So, you have to go win. And I think that's a credit to the folks here. They know how to get it done."
On if there is a certain mentality you must have to win road playoff games: "I just think when you're in the playoffs, in general, you have to take it one game at a time and you need to win that one. And that's really all you can focus on. Teams win throughout the year on the road, and obviously, in the playoffs it means more. But at the end of the day, it's just a football game."
On how tough the Patriots' defense is and what he feels they can capitalize on this Saturday: "They do a great job. They're really balanced all the way around – upfront and to the secondary, obviously. We just have to go out there and play our game – we really can't be too fancy – and just make plays. There's really no rocket science to it. We just have to go out there and just play ball."
On if the Patriots have as good of a secondary as he's going to face: "I think that's probably safe to say, because they're the next team that we play. Obviously, you have some talented guys that we have a lot of respect for. But we go against NFL corners all the time, and obviously Darrelle [Revis] is one of the best. We also have to go against Joe Haden throughout the year, who is one of the best as well. And obviously, they have [Brandon] Browner on the other side. I think they did a great job bringing those two in, and their defense is definitely a little bit different on that end than what we've seen in the past."
On QB Joe Flacco's aggressive start against the Steelers last week: "I think it's just important to try to get going. It all matters if you execute, because if you're being aggressive [and] you're just going out there swinging and missing, what good is that? We did a great job hitting on things early and getting us in a rhythm, and we were able to move the ball."
On if QB Joe Flacco is more excited when he calls a play for a deep ball: "Joe is excited about everything. Obviously, the big ball is something that is a very low-percentage play, but we know how it can really change our game. That's something that we've been successful with, and hopefully we'll get a few on Sunday."
On if he still finds it frustrating to have the pass interference called when he is running a route: "It's definitely frustrating, but again, it's part of the game. I don't want to be known for a guy that's just getting held all the time, but it just happens. If I knew why it kept happening … I guess most times it's because I'm moving pretty good, and it kind of surprises them a little bit, so they grab you. If I was a DB I would do the same thing, so I don't really complain about it too much."
On how QB Joe Flacco adjusted on the fly when he threw the touchdown pass against the Steelers: "Joe makes plays. I think he's very underrated in his athletic ability, and he has been making plays like that for a long time. It was highlighted, obviously, on that touchdown, but again, it starts with the big guys up front as well. 'K.O.' [Kelechi Osemele] made a big play for us, and if it wasn't for his block, that play would have never happened."
On what comes to mind when playing the Patriots: "Nice little crowd going crazy up there, two of the greatest to ever do it between their coach [Bill Belichick] and their quarterback [Tom Brady], and now they have some tough guys out there in the secondary that we have to deal with. You kind of live for big games like this. That's just a team that's going to be there all the time, so you have to bring your 'A' game."
On if the atmosphere of away games messes with his mindset at all: "I look around all the time at the crowd when you first come out of the tunnel. I like the boos. I like to see all of what's going on, see what kind of tradition they have. Obviously, we got to see one of the best in the Steelers last week. And with the Patriots, we've been up there in the playoffs, too, and it's a nice little crowd. It's awesome playing at home. Obviously, you would love to be home. But playing away, just the challenge of trying to quiet down the crowd is something that you love as a competitor."
On how he doesn't shut out the crowd noise: "It's just noise. It doesn't really affect you once you hike the ball. You're just playing ball."
On if he has more confidence now that they've won before when playing in New England: "We could be going to play on Mars and I'd still be very confident. That's just how it is. We're confident in our team; we're confident in the work we've put in. We don't feel like we're here by surprise. And it really doesn't matter if we don't go out there and win on [Saturday], but we have to put our best foot forward. That's what we're doing in practice, and [we are going to] go out there and try to win a ball game."
On if the Ravens' fans "Oooooo!" during the national anthem seems to have gotten louder throughout his Ravens career: "I always look forward to that. I think it depends. I can tell you one thing: You can guarantee when we play a team in a warm environment, there's going to be a lot of them. (laughter) We'll see what happens with the playoffs, but it's definitely something that we all look forward to. You hear everybody like, 'Whoa,' when you hear it. So, it's pretty cool."
On how he is preparing for CBs Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis: "You have to prepare for both, but I'm watching probably Browner a little more. I just think they're going to try to have a bigger body on me [and] try to be a little physical at the line. I'll check him out a little more, but I've played against both of them. I was a young pup, but I've played against them both and I've gotten a lot better since then. I'll be ready for it. It was definitely different seeing Revis walk out on me as a rookie, but that's just pretty cool."
On how he is a different person and player right now than he was during the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII season: "Obviously, I've grown a lot as a person, but as a player, too. I've gotten better in every phase. It's just about being as consistent as possible. This season hasn't been the way I wanted it to [be], but the good thing about that now is it really doesn't matter. It's a one-game season, and I've just got to go out there and try to be the best me that I can be for us on [Saturday]."
On what WR Steve Smith Sr. has brought to the Ravens' offense this year: "Fire. He's a playmaker. He's not old; he doesn't play old at all. He's done a great job all year for us. He brings a different type of wisdom, too. So, to have him here has been a blessing for all of us."
On what he thinks of CB Brandon Browner's physicality: "He's a great corner. Again, we play against physical guys all the time. But, like I said, he's definitely one of them that you respect a lot, and [Darrelle] Revis as well, because he can do both. It's going to be a nice challenge for us, but that's something that you look forward to as a competitor."
OLB Terrell Suggs
On if he will say the name of the New England Patriots' quarterback:"He's the quarterback for the New England Patriots." (laughter)
On QB Tom Brady having something nice to say about him today:"Say what?" (Reporter: "He said you were phenomenal.") *"Did they record him? Like, they had a camera? *(laughter) I would love to see his face. But whatever, it is what it is now."
On how he would describe his interactions with QB Tom Brady over the years:"It's the same that all defensive players have with quarterbacks. He's a quarterback; I'm a defender. He has a job to do, and so do I. Naturally, there are going to be some disagreements there."
On if he has seen QB Tom Brady still getting the benefit of the doubt from officials:"They said it best: Nobody is really worried about what happened in the past. I don't think we're worrying about it this game. You really can't care what's gone on; you just have to play football. At the end of the day, it's all football and it's all about execution."
On if there is a different psychology going into a road playoff game in New England:"We most definitely would rather be doing it here in Ravens Nation's backyard, but we haven't had that luxury yet. So, there are just some things to strive for, but it's whatever. It's a playoff game just like last week. We're just going to prepare and we're going to be ready to play it, no matter where it's at."
On why the Ravens have been so successful in Foxborough:"I don't know. I'm not going to tell you all why we've been so good at it. But I think it's just we know when to show up as a team. I'd say that we always show up in the playoffs as a unified front, so that always helps."
On how he likes the atmosphere of interacting with fans on the road:"I love playing football, bro. It doesn't matter where I'm at. Some places more than others, some places are more fun – their fans are more into it than other places. But it's all football, like I said, at the end of the day."
On what the Ravens have to do to beat the Patriots:"What do we have to do? I don't know. Shoot that question again at the end of the little podium session. I don't know. I'm going to think about it."
On how Baltimore has to change its pass rush to stop QB Tom Brady, who gets rid of the ball quickly:"You change it." (Reporter: "But how?") "You just change it. You have to get there faster. Like you said, he gets the ball out quick, so we just have to do our job faster."
On if his dog tags mean he's ready to go to war this weekend: *"I'm not answering that." *(laughter)
On to what he attributes his longevity in the NFL:"It does help coming into the league at 20 [years old]. That helps a lot. People say, 'You're 12 years.' People forget that I was 20 years old. I wasn't like 23 or 24 when I came. I was really 20 years old. That definitely helps. I don't know. I think the past couple years coach [John Harbaugh] has been doing a good job taking care of me, backing off the reps in camp and backing off the reps down the stretch. There are a lot of things that factor into that, though."
On if he could have envisioned going through this journey and doing so much as an NFL player early in his career:* *"No, you never really [imagine it]. You can only hope for the best. You just work. You just work and cash in on opportunities. I've had the privilege to be around real professionals, real vets, and not only just gods of the game, but guys that really know how to work and stay around the game for a long time. I had the luxury and the pleasure of being around guys like that. I got to learn it firsthand."
On how important the push is that DT Haloti Ngata and NT Brandon Williams get up the middle for him and OLB Elvis Dumervil:"It's huge."
On what the common denominator has been for when the Ravens' have had success against New England:"I still don't have an answer. Bro, I'm sorry! I tried! I still don't have an answer. I don't know." (laughter)
