On Wednesday, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. spoke to the Washington, D.C., media about their upcoming matchup against the Redskins.
*Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh *
On the familiarity between CB Josh Norman and Ravens WR Steve Smith Sr. as former teammates:
"You know what, I haven't really thought about that. I mean, I just look at the player Josh and have respect for him and just watch him play and try to figure out how we can compete. But probably a good question for Steve."
On if there is a sense of rivalry with the close proximity between the teams:
"Well, you know, really for a coach—I would assume that the players have some fun with it because they probably see each other here and there – I'm sure guys live in the same… sometimes in the same neighborhoods – but really it's just a very important game for us. It's a home game and we're concerned about playing the best football we can play which we haven't done yet. So as a coach that's really what my focus is."
On if he's "happy but not completely satisfied" with the Ravens' play so far this season:
"Yeah, that's probably exactly right. I just feel like we can play so much better than we've played in a lot of different areas and that's what we're working for."
On the Redskins' offense with TE Jordan Reed and WR DeSean Jackson:
"Yeah, that is a thing, and it's not just those two guys. They've got some other weapons, and really pretty much every one of their skill position guys you look at and have to concern yourself with. So, I think that they've done a good job of putting that together, as far as building their team. And of course, their coaches really know how to utilize those guys. So we've just got to figure [it] out. We'll have a couple of wrinkles I'm sure. We'll have a couple of ideas, like you always do. And in the end, know it's going to be playing – it's just good, fundamental defense and tackle and be in the right spot and make plays on the ball. Get to the quarterback."
On if the Redskins' run defense will be a focus in their offensive game plan:
"Well, you always do scheme, and that's every week. And they scheme, and that's every week. So, there will be a little bit of a chess match in every aspect of it. But really, running the ball's important to us and we're just going to try to keep getting better at it, and that's what we've got to do."
On RB Terrance West taking on a larger role:
"Well, I think he's in the process of doing that. He's a young guy as far as experience and carries and etcetera. I'm sure that they'll be trying to hit him and rip the ball out and all those other kinds of things that they do. He's going to have to have an answer for that. But he's a hard worker. He's a really determined guy, a hard runner. He's got burst, he's got feet, he's got all the traits. I'm in his corner and I'm looking forward to see how he does, but right now it's one day at a time. He had a good practice today and that was good to see."
On CB Maurice Canady:
"Yeah, that's a good one – UVA guy. He's got football – he's got knack. He's a guy that really gets football and really understands… you know, he's a quick responder. He sees things and he reacts to them in a blink of an eye. That's something – especially as a defensive player in the back end – you really appreciate."
On what keeps him up at night about Jackson:
"Yeah, nothing keeps me up at night because I'm too tired by the time I get home, but he keeps me up during the day for sure watching him and trying to figure out exactly what the best way to handle him is. But the problem is it's not just him. If it was just him, it wouldn't be a problem, but it's not just him. They complement each other and they balance out their offense really well."
On scheming against a cornerback like Norman:
"Well, really it just depends on the week. There's probably – I don't know how many weeks – but there's a significant number of weeks during the year that you go against a top-level corner like Josh is. You have to always account for those guys. Those guys are the guys that can turn the game and they do do it. You have to try to figure out ways to not let that happen, so it really factors into every decision you make game planning-wise."
On last year's preseason skirmish and if there is any chance of it carrying over this Sunday:
"No. That's like… A guy told me one time – Bob LaMonte was the guy who told me this – he said when I first got into the league, he said, 'Just understand one thing, in the National Football League, three years is a career and 10 years is a lifetime.' So that's like, I don't know, that's a third of a career. That was a year ago. That's ancient history."
Baltimore Ravens WR Steve Smith Sr.
On potentially matching up against CB Josh Norman:
"I don't know why he'd match up with me – old-ass receiver – so, I mean, I am excited to play ball. You know, don't have a lot of these coming back, can't get any of these back, so I am excited to play every game."
On Norman's growth as a cornerback:
"Well, I am kind of biased. Because, you know, the Josh Norman… that is being portrayed or you see him on television is not the Josh Norman that I know. I know the Josh Norman when I remember him as a rookie and watching him grow. So, I look at him not as a Washington Redskin or Carolina Panther or a top tier, elite, All-Pro, Pro Bowl corner; I look at him as Josh Norman, and as the guy, as the man, almost like a little brother. So, I just see him differently because I know the person. So, I mean, I am kind of biased. I don't really see him as what you guys see him because I've known him a lot longer."
On the differences in his perspective of Norman compared to others:
"Well, because you get to see people in the… there have been times where I remember when I was at Carolina after we had done the meetings, I'd come back in the room to the wide receivers room to look at film and he's in there looking at film because, you know, some of the other guys are… maybe the older guys are in the DB room looking at film. So, you know, I was like 'Hey, I need my room,' and he's like, 'Oh man, I thought you weren't watching it today.' So, I mean, you know, so it's just a lot of different interactions, so I've just seen him behind closed doors in the manner that's less competitive, so that's what I mean."
On the biggest development in Norman's game:
"I mean, he's a Pro Bowler. That's self-explanatory. He wasn't a Pro Bowler when when he first came on the scene. He was a guy, like every other young guy, trying to figure out which way is up. You know, he's developed into the player that he is."
On the increased media attention on Norman and seeing him on TV constantly:
"Well, first of all I have a two-year old, so I am not watching TV like that [laughter]. I mean, Josh Norman doesn't take over my television more than Bubble Guppies and Dora the Explorer. So, you know, I'm really, when I am outside of football… When I'm at work, I'm at work, but at the same time, I don't really look at one individual over the whole team. You know, they have a team that's very good and they have a lot of things going on, so I have to look at the whole defense as a whole."
On if they view this game less than a divisional game:
"You don't look at anything less. Every game you need. I mean, we just lost a game that we could have won if we had tightened up some things. So you don't look past any one game. You only have 16. And every game that you should have won that you don't win counts against you going into January/February."
On how good he feels this team can be after the first four games:
"We need to be better than what we were last week. That's what we need to be."
On if he expects last season's preseason skirmish between the teams to carry over to Sunday:
"Next question."
On the challenges WR Mike Wallace presents to defenses:
"You need to ask the defense."
Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh
* *
On the familiarity between CB Josh Norman and Ravens WR Steve Smith Sr. as former teammates:
"You know what, I haven't really thought about that. I mean, I just look at the player Josh and have respect for him and just watch him play and try to figure out how we can compete. But probably a good question for Steve."
On if there is a sense of rivalry with the close proximity between the teams:
"Well, you know, really for a coach—I would assume that the players have some fun with it because they probably see each other here and there – I'm sure guys live in the same… sometimes in the same neighborhoods – but really it's just a very important game for us. It's a home game and we're concerned about playing the best football we can play which we haven't done yet. So as a coach that's really what my focus is."
On if he's "happy but not completely satisfied" with the Ravens' play so far this season:
"Yeah, that's probably exactly right. I just feel like we can play so much better than we've played in a lot of different areas and that's what we're working for."
On the Redskins' offense with TE Jordan Reed and WR DeSean Jackson:
"Yeah, that is a thing, and it's not just those two guys. They've got some other weapons, and really pretty much every one of their skill position guys you look at and have to concern yourself with. So, I think that they've done a good job of putting that together, as far as building their team. And of course, their coaches really know how to utilize those guys. So we've just got to figure [it] out. We'll have a couple of wrinkles I'm sure. We'll have a couple of ideas, like you always do. And in the end, know it's going to be playing – it's just good, fundamental defense and tackle and be in the right spot and make plays on the ball. Get to the quarterback."
On if the Redskins' run defense will be a focus in their offensive game plan:
"Well, you always do scheme, and that's every week. And they scheme, and that's every week. So, there will be a little bit of a chess match in every aspect of it. But really, running the ball's important to us and we're just going to try to keep getting better at it, and that's what we've got to do."
On RB Terrance West taking on a larger role:
"Well, I think he's in the process of doing that. He's a young guy as far as experience and carries and etcetera. I'm sure that they'll be trying to hit him and rip the ball out and all those other kinds of things that they do. He's going to have to have an answer for that. But he's a hard worker. He's a really determined guy, a hard runner. He's got burst, he's got feet, he's got all the traits. I'm in his corner and I'm looking forward to see how he does, but right now it's one day at a time. He had a good practice today and that was good to see."
On CB Maurice Canady:
"Yeah, that's a good one – UVA guy. He's got football – he's got knack. He's a guy that really gets football and really understands… you know, he's a quick responder. He sees things and he reacts to them in a blink of an eye. That's something – especially as a defensive player in the back end – you really appreciate."
On what keeps him up at night about Jackson:
"Yeah, nothing keeps me up at night because I'm too tired by the time I get home, but he keeps me up during the day for sure watching him and trying to figure out exactly what the best way to handle him is. But the problem is it's not just him. If it was just him, it wouldn't be a problem, but it's not just him. They complement each other and they balance out their offense really well."
On scheming against a cornerback like Norman:
"Well, really it just depends on the week. There's probably – I don't know how many weeks – but there's a significant number of weeks during the year that you go against a top-level corner like Josh is. You have to always account for those guys. Those guys are the guys that can turn the game and they do do it. You have to try to figure out ways to not let that happen, so it really factors into every decision you make game planning-wise."
On last year's preseason skirmish and if there is any chance of it carrying over this Sunday:
"No. That's like… A guy told me one time – Bob LaMonte was the guy who told me this – he said when I first got into the league, he said, 'Just understand one thing, in the National Football League, three years is a career and 10 years is a lifetime.' So that's like, I don't know, that's a third of a career. That was a year ago. That's ancient history."
Baltimore Ravens WR Steve Smith Sr.
* *
On potentially matching up against CB Josh Norman:
"I don't know why he'd match up with me – old-ass receiver – so, I mean, I am excited to play ball. You know, don't have a lot of these coming back, can't get any of these back, so I am excited to play every game."
On Norman's growth as a cornerback:
"Well, I am kind of biased. Because, you know, the Josh Norman… that is being portrayed or you see him on television is not the Josh Norman that I know. I know the Josh Norman when I remember him as a rookie and watching him grow. So, I look at him not as a Washington Redskin or Carolina Panther or a top tier, elite, All-Pro, Pro Bowl corner; I look at him as Josh Norman, and as the guy, as the man, almost like a little brother. So, I just see him differently because I know the person. So, I mean, I am kind of biased. I don't really see him as what you guys see him because I've known him a lot longer."
On the differences in his perspective of Norman compared to others:
"Well, because you get to see people in the… there have been times where I remember when I was at Carolina after we had done the meetings, I'd come back in the room to the wide receivers room to look at film and he's in there looking at film because, you know, some of the other guys are… maybe the older guys are in the DB room looking at film. So, you know, I was like 'Hey, I need my room,' and he's like, 'Oh man, I thought you weren't watching it today.' So, I mean, you know, so it's just a lot of different interactions, so I've just seen him behind closed doors in the manner that's less competitive, so that's what I mean."
On the biggest development in Norman's game:
"I mean, he's a Pro Bowler. That's self-explanatory. He wasn't a Pro Bowler when when he first came on the scene. He was a guy, like every other young guy, trying to figure out which way is up. You know, he's developed into the player that he is."
On the increased media attention on Norman and seeing him on TV constantly:
"Well, first of all I have a two-year old, so I am not watching TV like that [laughter]. I mean, Josh Norman doesn't take over my television more than Bubble Guppies and Dora the Explorer. So, you know, I'm really, when I am outside of football… When I'm at work, I'm at work, but at the same time, I don't really look at one individual over the whole team. You know, they have a team that's very good and they have a lot of things going on, so I have to look at the whole defense as a whole."
On if they view this game less than a divisional game:
"You don't look at anything less. Every game you need. I mean, we just lost a game that we could have won if we had tightened up some things. So you don't look past any one game. You only have 16. And every game that you should have won that you don't win counts against you going into January/February."
On how good he feels this team can be after the first four games:
"We need to be better than what we were last week. That's what we need to be."
On if he expects last season's preseason skirmish between the teams to carry over to Sunday:
"Next question."
On the challenges WR Mike Wallace presents to defenses:
"You need to ask the defense."
