Andrew Van Ginkel – November 11, 2021 (Postgame)
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Postgame – Baltimore
LB Andrew Van Ginkel
Q: You have two straight weeks right you’re getting in with a sack and you are hitting the quarterback. You’re the second-leading QB hit man on the team. How do you think that defensive scheme is getting you and you are getting to the quarterback and getting more sacks and overall as a defense you guys are getting more pressures it seems?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: I think it’s just buying in on what the coaches are preaching each and every day. It’s coming into work and just figuring out little things within my game and how I can get better and ultimately get to the quarterback. That’s my job description so that’s what I’m trying to do.
Q: How does it clear things up for you or does it clear things up for you at all when the defense calls so many defensive back, safety and cornerback blitzes? Do you think it keeps offenses on their toes, or do you think it helps you in any way?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Ultimately, it comes down to us just being able to execute what the coaches call, everybody doing their job and don’t do anything beyond that. If everybody takes care of their business and coaches are going to put us in the right place to succeed and yeah.
Q: I guess when you line so many people up at the line of scrimmage, do you notice that an offense maybe either panics or causes some chaos for the protection team?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Yeah, it’s going to put pressure on them and that’s what we’re trying to do Make them communicate, make them execute and then us just taking care of that.
Q: How close if at all do you feel this defense performance is to what you guys were able to do last season?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Yeah, I think we’re right there and once again, the coaches just do a phenomenal job of taking it week by week and figuring out how we can get better. There’s a lot that goes into it schematically and then everybody doing their job. I think if we just continue to hone in on that and get better each and every week, I think you are going to see improvements from this defense and from this team.
Q: Was it frustrating knowing that you were capable of this kind of performance, but it wasn’t happening earlier in the year?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Yeah, I would say so. I would say just not winning early on really puts a lot — gets everybody frustrated and that’s what we all want to do. We’re competitive and we’re going to work our tails off to win and obviously, the first part of the season didn’t go the way we wanted but there’s still a lot of games left to play and hopefully we can keep improving and getting better.
Q: What did you think of CB Xavien Howard’s touchdown?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: I thought it was phenomenal. Yeah, that dude is always making big plays. Any time you see him around the ball or with the ball you know something great happened because he is just a phenomenal player.
Q: We have a nine-series stretch where you forced QB Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense into eight punts and that CB Xavien Howard touchdown. What can that do? What do you think that does do with the collective confidence of the defense?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Man, it’s awesome. Any time you are getting three and outs and off the field it’s a huge momentum swing. Any time we can feed the offense, give them the ball they’re bound to make something happen. You saw that tonight. Any time you can just get off the field and try to limit the defensive plays, I think that goes a long way as a defense and builds your confidence from week to week.
Q: What did LB Jerome Baker do lining up on the edge?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Yeah. Honestly, I’ll have to go back and look at it. I didn’t — I was kind of doing my own responsibility. I thought he played great and he is always around the ball as well so doesn’t shock me whenever he makes a big play.
Q: Do you feel like the pups are coming? When I say pups, the LB Jaelen Phillipses and the S Jevon Hollands of the world.
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Oh, yeah, for sure. You see that week in and week out. Their confidence is beginning to grow and you can just see how they handle their business off the field and on a day-to-day basis that you guys don’t get to see. They’re coming in and putting in the extra work and I love what I’m seeing from both of them. They’re only going to keep getting better.
Brian Flores – November 11, 2021 (Postgame)
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Thursday, November 11, 2021
Postgame – Baltimore
Head Coach Brian Flores
Q: How would you rank the defensive performance tonight?
BRIAN FLORES: I mean, definitely a tough opponent. Thought we did a lot of good things. Kept the score down. Kept them out of the end zone for the most part. They made a lot of plays. We made a lot of plays. They made some plays. It was a 60-minute battle. Really came down to the end. I thought it was good to get a win.
Q: What was the message at halftime?
BRIAN FLORES: The message to the team was we’ve got to play 60 minutes. It’s a very good team over there. Good players, good coaches. You got to play 60 minutes every week, but especially against a team like that, as physical and as skilled as they are. That was the message.
Q: What went into the decision to make the change to QB Tua Tagovailoa at that point?
BRIAN FLORES: The injury to Jacoby (Brissett).
Q: It looked as though you had an option there and then you went with QB Tua Tagovailoa. I just wanted to know about the process.
BRIAN FLORES: Jacoby (Brissett) went down and I think everybody saw that. He went down, went into the tent. We decided to put Tua (Tagovailoa) in, obviously. Then I think (Jacoby) probably was okay to go back in, but we just decided to stay with Tua. He made a couple of passes, hit a couple of passes, and just felt like might as well just leave him in there.
Q: How do you think QB Tua Tagovailoa did?
BRIAN FLORES: I mean, there were definitely some good plays. Obviously the throw to Albert (Wilson) there at the end. Hit Jaylen (Waddle) on a couple, on a big play. I thought he did a lot of good things. Some throws he probably wishes he had back, but overall helped us win the game.
Q: What did you see out of QB Tua Tagovailoa the last few days and then earlier today to start QB Jacoby Brissett?
BRIAN FLORES: The finger was an issue. Like we said, it was getting better. He was close. A lot closer than last week. We knew if there was an issue with Jacoby, we would be able to play him. That’s the route we went and we put him in and he played well.
Q: How would you say the play by CB Xavien Howard to get you guys on the scoreboard?
BRIAN FLORES: It was a great play. ‘X’ (Xavien Howard), he has done a great job for us and he showed up again, made a big play and a big moment. We needed it. Got it out. Scoop and score. It was a big play in the game.
Q: Coach, would you talk about S Jevon Holland playing all over the field? Very versatile. What would you say about the rookie?
BRIAN FLORES: He is doing a lot of good things. As a rookie player, I think every time he goes out there and gains more experience it’s good. He’s come a long way since the first half of the season or through ten games, more than half. I would say that about a lot of our young players. They’re all developing, getting better and they work hard. Jevon (Holland) works hard. It’s important to him. We’re putting a lot on his plate and he is showing that he is able to handle it.
Q: Brian, how did the offensive plan change once QB Tua Tagovailoa entered the game for Jacoby Brissett?
BRIAN FLORES: It was a few more RPOs in there. We tried to create some or throw some shorter throws but we kind of needed some plays. We needed to push it down the field. We had some kind of tough field positions. We knew we would have to push it down field and he was able to do it for us.
Q: You said QB Tua Tagovailoa’s finger would limit downfield passing – had you seen anything like that 35-yard down the sideline throw to WR Jaylen Waddle that he showed last play of the third quarter?
BRIAN FLORES: Like we said, he was getting better, but driving the ball down the field was something that was a little bit of an issue and I think he did a good job. Pushed through it. There was definitely some discomfort and he pushed through it and played well.
Q: What do you think two consecutive victories and a little extra time for rest before the next game – what do you think that the combination of that could do for the team?
BRIAN FLORES: I think any time you win and these guys work hard, like we’ve been saying all week – all year. They work really hard and they’re seeing the fruits of the labor. It’s always good. To get a little bit of time, rest their bodies, rest their minds, I think it’s good, but I think they’ll be ready to go when we get back on Monday.
Q: Brian, you guys went with three inside linebackers to basically play QB Lamar Jackson. What was the thought process in that and a lot of the zero coverages that you did?
BRIAN FLORES: I think Josh (Boyer) did a great job calling the game. Called it aggressively. I think our entire staff – offense, defense, special teams – did a great job preparing these guys on a short week against a very good opponent. Yeah, we felt like we had to bring pressure. He (Lamar Jackson) is a very skilled player and he got out of there a couple of times too. They made some plays down the – take the play down the sideline at the end of the game. It was a good play, but we made a few more than they did and came out with the win.
Q: Brian, going back to QB Tua Tagovailoa. Do you feel like you learned anything about his ability to push through pain and play through injuries?
BRIAN FLORES: No, I’ve said multiple times this is a tough kid. He has dealt with really injuries the entire year. Oftentimes, I know for me, I try to protect him from himself in a lot of instances. Yeah, he will push through pain. There’s no doubt about that.
Q: Brian, what was your perspective on the G/T Robert Hunt’s would-be touchdown?
BRIAN FLORES: It was a penalty. (Laughter) My perspective is it was a penalty. It was going to be a penalty. It was a penalty. I’m sure it was fun to watch for many, (laughter) but it was a penalty.
Q: What did you think of G/T Robert Hunt’s effort to break the plane?
BRIAN FLORES: Great effort. Incredible effort. (laughter) It’s a penalty, though. Maybe we’ll put a play in for him.
Xavien Howard – November 11, 2021 (Postgame)
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Postgame – Baltimore
CB Xavien Howard
Q: Jevon said that it’s turnt in there right now.
XAVIEN HOWARD: We’re lit. (laughter)
Q: A couple of weeks ago after the Bills game you said that you guys were getting back to a lot of things that you were doing last year that made you successful on defense. Do you feel like that trend has continued after tonight?
XAVIEN HOWARD: Right, right. That played a big role. The defense has done a hell of a job on defense, so you know, we just got to keep the team doing that.
Q: Can you take us through your touchdown?
XAVIEN HOWARD: It was a great call and I was inside leverage. I knew he was going to try to run a slant, and he ran the slant, and I ended up breaking on the ball. The ball came out and I scored a touchdown.
Q: How do you feel about where the team is right now – two consecutive wins, a little time to rest in comparison to how you and the team were feeling just a couple of weeks ago?
XAVIEN HOWARD: I did a breakdown and told the guys remember this feeling. You know, winning is fun, so we just got to keep that going and just try to control the things we can control. Go back in the lab. Look over the stuff that we did wrong or messed up on and just try to get better each week.
Q: You said you broke the guys down in the locker room. As you move on – I know Eric Rowe said last week that the win against the Texans kind of validates all the work that you guys were putting in throughout the week. Does a win like this against what many people believe is maybe the best team in the AFC… does that also kind of give you the validation that you guys can compete with anybody and you can really turn this season around?
XAVIEN HOWARD: I’ve been feeling like that even when we were losing. I was feeling like we could compete with some teams. During this week Coach Flo had mentioned, “Don’t be surprised.” You know, a lot of people were shook that we ended up pulling this W off, and I feel like, like I said, we just got to remember this feeling and just keep playing.
Q: The defense was very reminiscent from last year and then you have Jevon Holland, rookie, and Jaelan Phillips, rookie. How good can this defense be?
XAVIEN HOWARD: I feel like the sky is the limit. We have a lot of ball left. Just got to see what we can do.
Q: What’s your opinion on Jevon Holland and what he might be able to do?
XAVIEN HOWARD: He can do everything back there. When the ball in the air, it’s either his ball or my ball. That’s how we play on the back end, me and him. He does a lot of great things back there.
Q: A lot of defensive back blitzes tonight. What does that do for you or how has your job changed, your role or any given role changed when safeties and corners are blitzing?
XAVIEN HOWARD: You’re on an island. They pay us to be on the island. You know, you got to deal with it. Any result come on with that, it’s on us.
Q: I think you told us once that you were like a little RG3 out there. Do you channel that when all of a sudden the defense turns off, and you have the ball in your hand?
XAVIEN HOWARD: For sure. I try to get to the end zone. I think it’s probably my second touchdown. You know, we needed a big play and I just trust the people that was in front of me and just follow the blocks, and try to get to the end zone.
The Ravens have had a lot of success against the Dolphins in the last three meetings. I know that this is a different team and a different season, but if you can just think back in general to some of the things that happened in those games that did not happen tonight, what was different?
XAVIEN HOWARD: I think I played in two games before this one when we played the Ravens. I think it was at home. They blew us out. It was a Thursday night, right? Probably 40-0. Then they came back 59-10. We did our thing tonight, and that’s what it’s all about. The last meeting we had with they know them, they were successful in the two games before this game, so, you know, we did our job.
I see the Pro Bowl hat. Do you feel like you are having a Pro Bowl season?
XAVIEN HOWARD: No, it’s just a 1964 Pro Bowl hat. You know, just vintage. That’s really it.
Tua Tagovailoa – November 11, 2021 (Postgame)
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Thursday, November 11, 2021
Postgame – Baltimore
QB Tua Tagovailoa
Q: We see Jacoby went down with an unfortunate injury. What’s going through your mind? Now obviously in a backup role you have to be prepared to play but maybe not really expecting. What’s going through your mind at that moment?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I got to go in. That’s all that was going through my mind. I got to go in, so we were talking through some plays, and that happened on the third down, so fourth down we had to punt, so we were on the sideline talking through some plays and whatnot that I liked. That’s kind of what we did.
Q: How comfortable were you? We saw you hit Jaylen for the 35-yarder and Albert Wilson up the sideline for the 64-yard catch and run. How comfortable did you feel driving the ball downfield?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I think the guys did a good job getting open. You just got to get it to them. I tried my best to do that tonight. Here’s the result.
Q: Tua, can you tell what it’s like in that room right now? What does this win mean for the team?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: It means a lot. We beat a really, really good team. This is a tough team to beat, but the guys are happy. They’re sore, but at the end of a win, nothing really hurts, so feels good.
Q: Can you take us through moment where you rushed in the touchdown near the end of the game? What were your emotions at that time?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Well, you know, we wanted to score on that drive, and that’s what we got accomplished. I just think in the heat of the moment when you score, I mean, it’s a sigh of relief. It’s a sigh of the week that you had, you know, with the guys. Obviously, I wasn’t in, but you know, just the hard work that they put in and being able to finish the drive like that, it feels really good.
Q: What’s your view of Rob Hunt’s non-touchdown?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I mean, I think Rob (Hunt) is just trying to be an athlete. (laughter) Trying to make a play for us, but unfortunately a lineman can’t catch the ball, so that’s illegal in the NFL and in football. Can’t do that.
Q: Flores said that a lot of times he is trying to protect you from yourself. Did you feel like you could have played not just this week, but the previous week and how difficult was that to actually watch instead of be involved in the action?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah. I mean, that’s really how it’s been when I had my rib injury too. I wanted to play, but obviously, Flo got with Kyle (Johnson), and they had their discussions, came up to me, and they made the decision to try to protect me from myself, obviously, but it’s the same thing with my finger. You just got to be ready at any time I would say. I would say I was ready, but you know, that was Flo’s decision. That was his call. You just got to be supportive of the next guy up, so just try to support Jacoby when he was in because every time I’m in, he does the same for me.
Q: How is your finger doing?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: It doesn’t feel good, I can tell you that. Got it banged up a little bit in the game, but it’s good. You know, we got about ten days to heal up, rest up, so we’ll take all the time we can.
Q: You were off a little bit on some of those throws when you first got in. Was it more the finger or was it just getting into the rhythm and flow of the game halfway through?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I don’t want to use any excuses, but yeah, just got to get back into the rhythm and the flow of the game. Yeah, that’s all it was.
Q: That downfield throw to Waddle, were there limitations with the finger injury?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Waddle or Albert Wilson?
Q: The deep one – 35-yard one to — I’m sorry. That was Ford.
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Was that Ford? I wasn’t in on that. That was Jacoby.
Q: No the long one to Waddle. The 35-yard one.
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Oh, the one to Waddle? That was a good grab by Waddle. (laughter)
Q: Was that like anything you had done in practice these last two days with the limitations?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I didn’t have any reps with the first group. Just mental reps just watching it, and then when we go inside and watch it on film that’s kind of where I get my reps.
Q: But as far as throwing that ball, were you able to in practice or was there extra on that throw?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I mean, I was warmed up by that time, so to me it was just another throw. Just going through my reads.
Q: So you said you had no first-team reps just on the short week?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Well, yeah. I mean, it’s tough because you’ve got to get timing with everyone, and not everyone gets reps, so yeah.
Q: How does your finger change how you grip the football or how you’ve been able to grip the football?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Man, it’s tough when it’s fractured, you know, trying to grip a ball. I don’t know if you have had a fracture before with anything, but it hurts to do things with it, so just tough. Just got to fight through it.
Jevon Holland – November 11, 2021 (Postgame)
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Thursday, November 11, 2021
Postgame – Baltimore
S Jevon Holland
Q. How fun was this for you guys tonight?
JEVON HOLLAND: Man, it was a lot of fun. I enjoyed myself. I really did. I love this team. I love the way we’re going. I had a blast out there. I really did, man. I had a blast.
Q. Not just for the win, but how much fun is a game playing like that for you guys – I think it was 20-some odd defensive back blitzes throughout the night?
JEVON HOLLAND: It’s as much fun as any other game we’ve had. Going out there every night being able to put our talents on display. I mean, that’s the most fun I’ve ever had. Regardless of the game plan, I’m out there having fun, yeah.
Q. What’s the locker room like right now?
JEVON HOLLAND: Electric. Like a party.
Q. It’s a little different than last week.
JEVON HOLLAND: It’s a lot more exciting. A lot more excitement. Last week we needed that one. Came back and got this one. Got to keep moving.
Q. What do you feel like was the key to slowing down one of the best players in the NFL, Lamar Jackson?
JEVON HOLLAND: I said this earlier in the season, and I’m going to say it again. It’s the TNTs, the “takes no talent.” Running the ball, doing a little bit extra. Do your job and then try to do some more. That’s basically what it is, and that’s what it comes down to, the TNTs. The Ravens, Lamar (Jackson), they’re a hell of a team. A hell of a team. I think we did a good job out there.
Q. What did you think when Jacoby went down and it was time for Tua to go in?
JEVON HOLLAND: Next man up. That’s the type of team that we are. We prepare everybody week in and week out and make sure we’re all prepared in case somebody goes down, and that’s what happened, and that’s what it was. Tua stepped up.
Q. How do you compare some of the performances by the defense earlier in the season to what we saw tonight? It seems like it was kind of night and day.
JEVON HOLLAND: That’s in the past. We’re a week-by-week team, game-by-game, play-by-play. One meeting at a time. One walkthrough at a time. One practice at a time. What happened in the past happened in the past. We can’t dwell on it. It is what it is, and we move to the next week.
Q. Are you coming straight from the field?
JEVON HOLLAND: What does that mean?
Q. You sound like you’re …
JEVON HOLLAND: Oh, it’s turned up in there. You know, screaming and all that, laughter, but I am tired. (laughter)
Q. What do you feel like you figured out a little bit, you know, at this point for you in comparison to where you were in the preseason?
JEVON HOLLAND: Good question. I mean, really it’s playing in the NFL. Getting experience on the field full speed. That’s basically what it is. Just becoming more comfortable within myself. Becoming my own player on the field. I would say that was it.
Q. Jevon, you know how good the Ravens are. What do you think a win like this can do for you guys in terms of building something for the season?
JEVON HOLLAND: The same as the win that we had last week. Every step we get this W, we get the next W. It’s spring-boarding us forward, giving us confidence when we need it. Like I said last week, we needed that. We needed this, and you all saw it out there. We put our heart on the field, and that’s what we plan on doing every night.
Q. Do you want to talk about Coach Gerald Alexander and your history with him in college years and how he might have an impact on your ability to face – to be all over the field. What does his coaching mean to you?
JEVON HOLLAND: His coaching means a lot. He’s a hell of coach. He has a game plan. He understands how to teach instead of just telling guys what to do. Back in high school he recruited me at Cal, and I ended up going to Oregon, although I wanted to go to Cal. I had to get away from home. It was in my backyard. Coach G.A. (Gerald Alexader), he is a hell of a coach. He really is. He is one of the best coaches that I’ve had. I think his understanding of the game is second to none, and he is able to break it down to us, you know, piece by piece, and I think that alone helps us understand the defense and helps us execute every week.
Jaelan Phillips – November 9, 2021
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Tuesday, November 9, 2021
LB Jaelan Phillips
(How much have you studied the pass-rush moves that you used effectively in college, just maybe on your own at night watching tape and determining, ‘Ok, these are going to work at the NFL level maybe against this opponent. These aren’t going to work. How much of that self-evaluation alone have you done either in your mind or watching tape?) – “I would say my game is constantly evolving. They kind of always say with pass rushers that they’re like pitchers, right? You’ve got to have a good fastball and a good off-speed. So for me, it’s just kind of figuring out what works for me and what works against different types of tackles. It really changes every week because obviously different tackles are going to have different sets and are going to use their hands differently. You just kind of have to do business as business is being done and just attack everybody differently. I don’t really watch college tape, like my own college tape, anymore unless I want to reminisce a little bit. (laughter) But yeah, I’m just continuously trying to improve my game and figure out what works.”
(Speaking of college and reminiscing a little, when you threw up The U the other day, did you hear how much louder the place might have gotten than usual?) – “Oh, yeah. I knew that was about to happen. I did it for the fans. (laughter) You’ve got to represent. That was fun though. I was talking to one of the offensive linemen before the game and I was like, ‘Yeah, when I get a sack, I’m going to throw up the U and see what happens.’”
(What are your thoughts on having to chase down QB Lamar Jackson?) – “I’m going to be running a lot. (laughter) Lamar is a great player. A dynamic guy, obviously. You just have to be really disciplined when you are playing a guy like that so it’s going to be key for us edge players to be sound in our techniques and our fundamentals, and just do what we’re being coached to do. It’s going to be a fun one.”
(Following up on that question, are some of your veteran teammates talking to you about the do’s and don’ts of chasing a guy like QB Lamar Jackson?) – “You just have to be sound, like I said, on your fundamentals and techniques. We’re always taught not to jump when they’re pump-faking and to make sure you’re chasing their up-field shoulder so they don’t spin out and you don’t lose contain. There’s just different techniques to try to contain a guy like that but at the end of the day, he’s an extremely dynamic – probably the most dynamic – player in the league. So we’re definitely going to have to be on our game.”
(They do a lot of misdirection in the backfield and pulling linemen and kind of leaving guys free to kind of read them on those option plays. I guess how hard is it when you’re so used to just breaking on quarterbacks to remain disciplined? And you’re on a short week as well. How difficult is that?) – “Yeah, we just have to really lock in and make sure we’re on our game in terms of watching film and studying these guys. But yeah, it definitely changes up the game a little bit. You’ve got to make sure, like I said, you’re disciplined. Discipline is the number one thing. It’s eye discipline. It’s discipline in your feet and making sure that you have your weight under you so you’re not just flying around. It definitely changes the game up a little bit. But we prepare for these types of things.”
(You stood up some last year and obviously stood up as a linebacker at UCLA. But the adjustment of going from hand in the ground as a rusher to standing up, how has it gone from July to now? Is there a point in the last couple of months where you felt like you’re getting a lot more comfortable doing it this way?) – “Yeah. I would say even last year some I would stand up. It just gives you kind of a different vantage point. It allows you to see a little better. I’m really comfortable doing either technique and doing whatever I need to do – playing inside, doing 4i, 3-tech, whatever it is. Yeah, I’d say I’m definitely comfortable doing anything.”
(You probably played some big Thursday night games in the ACC – Virginia Tech. One of my favorites was always Miami at Virginia Tech on Thursday night. I don’t know if you had one of those – maybe one or two.) – “I don’t know. I don’t think we played on Thursday last year. It was Saturday. I remember that game for sure.”
(The idea of playing a night game when you’re the only game in town and the only game on TV, is that appealing to you?) – “Yeah, it’s prime time. It’s going to be awesome. Playing under the lights, it’s almost like Friday Night Lights. It’s like taking you back to those days back in high school. It will be fun, a little change up. So yeah, Sunday is the best day of the week because that’s when you get to play. Now we just get Sunday (three) days earlier, so that’s nice.”
(I’m doing a story on Steven Rivera, aka the Canes Barber. Just talk about him being part of the team. You’ve known him now from your college days. Now he also cuts here. Just how much a part of the team he is for you over the years.) – “Funny enough, I actually hit him up the first time I ever came to the University of Miami because I just had heard from a friend that he was the basketball team’s barber. I was on my little visit, I wanted to get fresh and stuff so I hit him up. That was the first time I met him. Learning about him as a man, like he’s extremely involved in the community. He’s an extremely hard worker and a passionate guy. We’ve become kind of close friends. I’m loyal to him as a barber. I don’t go to anybody else. (laughter) I actually got the chance to – he’s working on kind of a show where it’s basically like Lebron’s barbershop talk kind of thing where he’s just chopping it up about real life things. I think that’s an awesome thing to give some athletes the opportunity to share their story and for him to share his story. So yeah, I love the guy. He’s awesome.”
(People are particular about their barbers. Sometimes barbers can be like their psychologists. Is Steven like the kind of guy who is part of the team with you guys?) – “Yeah, he’s definitely a guy you can chop it up with about anything. He’s a personable guy and I really enjoy hanging out with him. I know everybody appreciates his time and dedication and how often he comes down here. He’ll pull up to your house, wherever you are. Yeah, a great guy.”
Mike Gesicki – November 9, 2021
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Tuesday, November 9, 2021
TE Mike Gesicki
(I know a couple weeks ago when you guys were playing the Falcons, we asked if you had talked to TE Kyle Pitts at Tight End U. I’m just curious on TE Mark Andrews on the Ravens, were you able to talk to him a little bit and if so, what were your impressions of him?) – “I haven’t spoken with him since that event but he’s obviously a great player. He makes a ton of plays. I’ve gotten the chance to watch him play. I believe it was a Monday night game against Indianapolis a couple of weeks ago and he went off. He went crazy. He’s a great player, is able to affect the game in a lot of different ways and I think it’s going to be a good challenge for our defense.”
(You have been playing great the last few weeks, the entire year. Do you feel this is the highest level that you will reach in your career?) – “I hope not. Me and the way that I work and my routine coming in here each and every day, just trying to improve, trying to get better. I hope that I’m not even scratching the surface yet. That’s why you play this game, you go out and you have an opportunity to make plays each and every week. You’ve got to make the most of them when they present themselves.”
(I’m curious when you practice one-handed catches in practice, do you do an equal number with right hand and left hand?) – “Yeah, absolutely. Every day after practice our equipment manager, Jon Swede, shoots me the JUGS. We’re always out there pretty late so I appreciate him doing that. We do a bunch of different positions, catches and things like that. Right hand, left hand – I work them both because you never know when that opportunity comes. It’s not like you think about it. It just happens.”
(Do you feel you are as efficient with the left-handed one-handed snag or maybe a little more right-handed?) – “Yeah. My right hand is my dominant hand but I’m working to get the left as strong.”
(Do you have a favorite or most difficult one you’ve had since you’ve been in the league?) – “Honestly, I saw it on TV that they gave, I think it was my second one, was the one that was talked about. I think the first one was better. I guess I’ll leave that up to everybody else to decide.”
(That was the one on the sideline, right?) – “Yeah.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores has been saying all year that this is a resilient group, a group that believes, a group that believes it’s close and all those things. When you show up to work yesterday after a win, was there a little more tangible bounce in everybody’s step?) – “I think his message after the game was to enjoy it for the night and once we got back in here yesterday, touched on the game, what we need to improve and all of that kind of stuff and what we did well. Then it was right back to work. It’s obviously a very, very short week so it’s unique in that aspect – different than other weeks. So we couldn’t really hang our hat on it for too long. We’re already on to Baltimore.”
(WR Mack Hollins said after the game that your body hurts less after a win. Is there validity to that?) – “Actually, I do agree with Mack on that one. Things just feel better when you win, especially after a couple tough losses. To bounce back and get a win is definitely a positive aspect of that.”
(Even for pros, every game is on TV but being prime time, is that a big deal?) – “Yeah, I think it is a big deal. Obviously, you take every game the same way but I think it’s exciting. You’ve got a chance to go out there, there’s only one game on on Thursday night, so everybody is going to be watching and you’ve got to go out and make the most of your opportunities.”
(In support of QB Tua Tagovailoa, do you say anything to him when he deals with this finger injury that detoured maybe what he wanted to do this year?) – “Yeah, obviously you’re there to support him but I can’t give him my finger. (laughter) I just let him heal up and do everything that he has to do and hopefully he can get back out there as soon as possible.”
(Trying to get an idea of what WR Will Fuller is going through with finger. As a fellow pass-catcher, if one of your fingers isn’t healthy, how much does that impact your ability to catch the ball?) – “Obviously there’s different injuries and things like that. I’ve dislocated fingers and stuff like that. Right afterwards it’s sore, hurt, whatever. You need your hands to catch the ball. I think it’s pretty self-explanatory.”
(Do you ever think about the 2019 Ravens game?) – “I tried to not remember much from it. They’re a very good team. They’re extremely physical, well-coached, explosive in all three phases of the game and it’s going to be a great challenge for us on Thursday night.”
(I know you said you try not to think about that game but how much different of a place is this team in now than you were then?) – “Yeah, I think we’ve grown a lot in those three seasons or two-and-a-half seasons, however long it’s been. Obviously every year is a new year. That’s just kind of – I can’t even compare this team to that team, whether it’s good or bad.”
(As bad as that afternoon was, was that the type of game that maybe stuck with you guys longer than…) – “No. We’re not like coming in here saying, ‘Do you remember 2019?’ You could probably pull up something when the Dolphins played the Ravens like in 1992. That’s in the past. We’re not really motivated by that.”
(The Ravens weren’t even around then.) – “(laughter) There you go. I got nothing for you on that.”
(What stands out, I guess, with QB Jacoby Brissett when he’s in there about what he brings as a QB?) – “He plays with a lot of fire. He plays with a lot of fight. He does a very good job of leading. He gets guys lined up, gets guys in and out of the huddle, does a good job of communicating. Then he’s willing to take chances and put the ball where it has to be. I love playing with him. I love playing with Tua (Tagovailoa). I think we’ve got a very good quarterback room and I’m appreciative of both of those guys.”
(I know when you watch film, you’re watching the other side of the ball of course. But just as a fan, where do you think QB Lamar Jackson is right now in the echelon of really good ones?) – “I mean he’s obviously extremely high up there. He’s an extremely talented player. I think I saw last week he had the most rushing yards and then obviously being a quarterback – but the most passing yards. He’s obviously extremely talented and can affect the game in many different ways. He’s obviously going to be a big challenge for our defense but one that I’m sure they’re excited to go up against.”
Nik Needham – November 9, 2021
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Tuesday, November 9, 2021
CB Nik Needham
(You all these last two weeks have really looked like the 2020 defense that was really good. Is there anything that happened off field before these two games, whether it was Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer saying something or whether it was one of your teammates standing up and saying something that might have coincided with this turnaround defensively?) – “I think it was just with all that was going on, just coming back and just going back to work, and being consistent and listening to what the coaches were preaching. We had a lot of games where just the little things were going wrong, and I think we’re just doing a better job at just executing the gameplan.”
(What was going through your mind when you realized you had a free run on QB Tyrod Taylor?) – “Watching it now, I’m kind of sick because the ball was right there. I should have just hit the ball out of his hand. But I just saw a free edge. (Emmanuel) Ogbah did a good job of holding the tackle off of the edge, so I just ran in there free and hit him. It was kind of like a blur and then you heard the crowd (scream).”
(Was that the best play of your pro career?) – “I guess you can say that. It’s similar to the Sam Darnold one. That’s the same thing, I should’ve got the ball out at the end of the day. It could’ve been better.”
(You’re still a young guy yourself, obviously third year. But playing with two really young safeties, what kind of adjustment is that for the corners? No one can know as much as S Bobby McCain can yet, because of S Jevon Holland’s age and experience. But is he close to it? Just the experience of playing with two young safeties?) – “I think I’ve said this before. Jevon has been doing a good job. He’s making some rookie stuff and making some good plays out there. Brandon (Jones) is also doing well, a second-year guy. We trust both of them back out there. That’s why they are out there. Whatever calls they make, that’s what we’re going to go out there and execute. It’s good to have them both out there.”
(When you look at the Ravens offense on the film, have you seen that maybe they move more guys around and put more guys in the slot than most other teams that just keep one guy in the slot?) – “I’m not sure if it’s more than usual, but you see Hollywood (Brown). He moves in and out. They’ve got (Devin) Duvernay and put him in the slot as well. (James) Proche is also in there. They put a couple of guys in there. It’s the same as any other team really.”
(Do you have to have your eyes in the backfield any more than usual playing against a guy like QB Lamar Jackson?) – “For sure, it’s definitely going to be an eye discipline game. That’s what they’ve been preaching all week. We’ve got to be on our P’s and Q’s and make sure that we’re all focused and locked in on our jobs. That’s what (Defensive Coordinator Josh) Boyer has been preaching. Make sure you do your job on each and every play. We’ve got to be locked in. There is a lot of stuff going on back there.”
(You mentioned WR Marquise Brown. What do you see in his game and maybe some of the difficulties he provides as a challenge?) – “Definitely speed. You can see that. He definitely has a lot of shots deep, even the deep field. Explosive athlete. We’ve got to do a good job of keep coverage over the top.”
(Assuming you watch other NFL games when you get the chance, are there certain players that you enjoy watching as if you were a fan and would QB Lamar Jackson be one of those guys?) – “I wouldn’t say a fan, but you have a level of respect for everybody’s game. I would say that’s a very good player. I wouldn’t say as far as a fan, but you definitely have respect for everybody’s game.”
(Is he particularly fun to watch because of his style?) – “I guess you could say that, yeah.”
(It seems to me that game after game, opposing offenses say that we’re going to stay away from CB Xavien Howard and probably stay away from CB Byron Jones, and we’re going to go after CB Nik Needham. But then game after game, you get pass breakups. It seems to me like you’re gaining confidence. Where is your level of confidence as a professional athlete at this moment, in comparison to your first NFL game?) – “Obviously it’s definitely higher than that. It’s been three years. It’s my third year. I just try to continue to make plays every week. That’s all I’m trying to do. Just try to stay consistent. That’s all you can do in the NFL. I think if I just keep doing that and keep doing a good job with that, I’ll be fine. That’s my main focus. Try to be consistent.”
