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Brian Flores – September 4, 2019 (Conference Call) Download PDF version

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Head Coach Brian Flores

(There’s been a lot of talk – not just around these parts, but around NFL-wide about the Ravens offense and what it could look like. You’ve played against Ravens teams before. Has this been a tough team to prepare for in that way, or is it always tough Week 1, no matter who you’re preparing for?) – “This is certainly a very tough opponent, really across the board. Offensively, obviously you start with the quarterback. (Lamar Jackson is) about as dynamic an athlete as there is in the league. I think as a pocket passer, (he is) much, much improved. That’s what I kind of noticed watching the preseason tape. This will be a very tough test for us – not just the quarterback, but really the entire offense. It’s a big offensive line, physical across the board. The tight end position – they’ve got a trio of guys there who are solid players. ‘Solid’ is probably not giving them enough credit. These are good players, and then the backs and receivers. All the way across the board, it’s a strong team.”

(Do you expect this Ravens offense to still be a team uses the run to set up the pass?) – “This is a team that has historically run the football very well. (Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator) Greg Roman is very, very – he does a really good job of scheming up the run game. He has for a long, long time; but by no means are we sitting here saying that this is going to be a 9-on-7 run drill. They’ve got very, very capable receivers and tight ends. Willie Snead is one of my favorite players. He’s tough, he’s physical, he catches the football. He makes tough catches. He blocks. I really have a lot of respect for him and the two rookies they’ve got. We liked those guys coming out. And Chris Moore as a returner. I think they’ve got a lot of good players.”

(What went into the decision – and I’m sure you’ve talked to guys down there about it – what went into the decision to pick QB Ryan Fitzpatrick as your starter? A lot of guys here have said he’s a streaky player. How do you think you can get him to maybe be more consistent in his age-36 season?) – “I think for our team, we felt like he gave us the best chance to win. This is a guy who has started a lot of games in this league. He’s got really great leadership qualities. He knows how to handle an offense. At the end of the day, we just felt he gave us the best chance to win. We’re excited about this opportunity to play a really tough, well-coached, disciplined team. We’re going to have to really play lights-out to have a chance.”

(I know you’re not going to give away any secrets, but when you’re preparing for them offensively, do you go back and look where Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman’s been? Do you go back and look at college stuff for QB Lamar Jackson, or is just all across the board?) – “Yeah, I’m not going to give away any secrets. (laughter) We look at everything. I watched him coming out of college for sure; so yeah, we watch college tape. I’ve been a fan of Greg’s for a long time, so I’ve watched a lot of his film over the years. You do a little bit of everything. What they did last year, college tape – at the same time, you don’t want to watch too much and get to a point where – They do a lot. They really do. Greg’s done a great job for a long time. Lamar’s a really good player. They’ve got good players across the board, so we’ll just try to put our team in the best position to make some plays offensively, defensively and in the kicking game, and play hard, play with good fundamentals, technique, have good communication and try to play a good team game. Hopefully if we do that, hopefully we’ll be okay.”

(There’s been a lot of talk about you guys and some of the trades you’ve made and where you are as a franchise. Has it been challenging just to keep guys focused on the field, just preparing them for Week 1 and not worrying about any of the other stuff and all the questions you’re probably getting down there?) – “Not at all. I think we’re really worried about what’s going on inside the building in our meetings, at our walkthroughs, at practice. Our guys are motivated. They’re focused. I thought we had a strong practice today. We got off to a good start. Hopefully that continues over the course of the week. We’re going to need that. If our efforts, our attention or anything are anywhere else but the Ravens – they deserve all of our attention. I’ll tell you that much. This team is a team I have a lot of respect for. (Baltimore Ravens Head) Coach (John) Harbaugh is someone I have a great amount of respect for. I think they have a tough, disciplined style that I admire, so this will be a tough test for us. My guy Jerry Rosburg, I know he’s a consultant now, but we go back. We go way, way back. I met him back when I was at Boston College, so he’s a good friend and a great coach. I always look forward to seeing him.”

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