DEFENSIVE LINE COACH DENNIS JOHNSON
You carried five defensive linemen on the roster last year, and sometimes you only had four linemen active due to injuries. Do you think that took a toll on the defensive line by the end of the year with those high snap counts? Do you have any plans to manage things a little differently this year? (Nikhil Mehta) "At times, probably so. Obviously, you have injuries and different stuff, and you have different team needs and how many [linemen] we take out there. Anytime you're not getting off the field after the first three plays, or drives are going long, the number's going to go up regardless, and I think we're doing a good job right now training for that in case that happens with the tempos and different pairs that we're doing right now. But again, anytime you don't get off the field, that number's going to go up. So, whether it's four or five, we have to do a good job early in a series in making sure that number stays down."
Are you an advocate for carrying more linemen? Is there less risk involved when you can carry more? (*Ken* McKusick)* *"I'm always going to be a proponent for it [with] however many [are] the most I could carry. And again, just based off of team needs and who's up and what we need, If we have to carry four, we carry four. Nobody blinks an eye. I mean I would love to have five, six [or] seven if possible, but whatever the team needs is what we'll roll with."
DL Travis Jones took some big strides last year. Where do you see him this offseason progressing in his game? (Ryan Mink) "Getting here around this time last year, it was my first OTAs getting to know [Travis Jones] as an individual and as a player. I would say right now, at this point, he's better than he was at this time last year, but he's still got some strides to make. He's still got some consistency things that he's continuously working on, but he's done an amazing job – an incredible job – of coming out here, stepping up, taking more of a leadership role, being a little bit more vocal. But, the play, his run-stopping ability, his ability to pass rush at that size continues to flourish out here, and so we have to just continue to make sure that he keeps moving in that right direction in this time of year."
What are your initial impressions of NT John Jenkins and his leadership that he can bring to this group, especially after Michael Pierce retired? (Morgan Adsit) "[John Jenkins is] a very polished vet. Already in the meeting rooms, you can tell his wisdom from being in the league for so long and just talking with the guys, his ability to pick up the playbook and the way that we play our techniques fairly quickly, honestly, and then even coming out here today and executing some of those things. So, we've just got to get him familiar with the system, but I'm very impressed with him so far."
How do you think that ankle injury impacted DL Travis Jones last year? (Jonas Shaffer) "Anytime you have a lower body injury at really any position – but especially upfront – it weighs on you, but [Travis Jones] is tough, and [he] went out there and was fighting his butt off regardless of whether how many defensive linemen we had, or the injury. He's just a very tough individual, obviously it slowed him down just a little bit. But yes, I was proud of him during that time."
DL Nnamdi Madubuike's snap count was very high this past year. Do you see that as something that ideally would be cut down, or do you think he's fine at that rate? (Ken McKusick) "You don't want to get it too high, in general. [Nnamdi Madubuike] played it well. Obviously, I wish I could take some of those snaps off, but when the game on the line or it's close in the fourth quarter, you're probably not going to look at the snap reps. You're going to make sure Nnamdi is out there to help you close the game out. Again, you've got to get off the field early to help get those numbers down, but, over the season, it adds up. They come out here, they work, they get in really good shape, and they're elite athletes, but I was proud of him, and I thought he did well towards the back end. That's a good question."
What have you seen from DL Aeneas Peebles so far? (Giana Han) "[Aeneas] Peebles has an elite 'get-off,' one of the better ones here right now, just walking in. Obviously, he's going to have to learn to play a little bit more technically sound the way that we play here as time goes, but he's taken to it, and he's learning, and he cares, and he wants to be out there, and so he's spending extra time – whether it's with the older guys or with the younger guys – and making sure he's getting the playbook down. So, I have big expectations for him. I think he's going to come in and compete and do well as he continues to grow and learn this early stage in his career."
You mentioned how DL Travis Jones has been more of a leader lately. When did you notice that? Can you give an example of how that might've manifested? (Sam Cohn) "Just in the meeting rooms, and a young guy who's inexperienced can ask [Travis Jones] how did he play that, and he could tell him. Or he could see something and pull a guy over to the side ... [with] any other younger interior guys, or Jayson [Jones] or somebody and be like, 'Hey, you've got to get your eyes right here,' or, 'Listen, this is exactly what coach is saying,' and can walk him through it as we continue to go through practice. And so those little things are things I hadn't really seen a great deal from him, but it's also [that] he's more comfortable doing the things that we're asking him to do and seeing it just in a better position. So, that's [how] it relates to his leadership."
DL TRAVIS JONES
On his growth as a leader in the defensive line room: "Just going to Year Four, just trying to be more vocal, trying to help guys [with the] little details, techniques and stuff. Just little things like that."
On the difficulty of speaking up in the room when he is more reserved by nature: "Yeah, I just [have to] get used to doing the uncomfortable things, like speaking up more. The other day, Coach [John Harbaugh] had me break down the huddle, I was a little uncomfortable. I'm getting more comfortable with it now."
On if he became more intentional about his leadership during the offseason: "No, it wasn't in the front of my mind, but it started [becoming] more natural [for me]. I'm getting more comfortable with it now for sure."
On if his role has expanded following the retirement of former Baltimore Ravens DT Michael Pierce: "'Mike P.' [Michael Pierce] was a great player, so I [have] big shoes to fill, but I'm just going to come out here, work my hardest and try my best, for sure."
On his on-field chemistry with DL Nnamdi Madubuike: "Oh yes, me and 'Beeks' [Nnamdi Madubuike], off the field we are best friends, so we [have] that chemistry off the field. I just try to play off him and just be out there having fun with him."
On how the challenge of playing through his ankle injury during the 2024 season: "I would say that my injury last year was frustrating, knowing what I could have done. But, I put that behind me, [and I'm] just working forward to have the best year this year."
On what he sees as the next step in his career: "For me, this year, just being more consistent with the pass rush. 'Beeks' [Nnamdi Madubuike], most of the time, was getting most of the slides, so I just [have] to win my one-on-ones this year."
On how he felt about the success the Buffalo Bills had with the short-yardage plays in the divisional round of the playoffs: "Buffalo – that's a great team. It's nothing they did, just stuff [that] we did. We just [have] to [improve in that area] for the first game this year."
On if he has gotten stronger this offseason: "Yes, I feel like I have gotten stronger. I've been working out here the whole year, so I'm going to give a shout to 'Kev' [assistant strength & conditioning coach Kevin Hartman], [strength & conditioning coach] Ron [Shrift], [strength & conditioning coordinator] Scott [Elliott and the rest of] the strength [and conditioning] staff for taking care of me this year."
On if he has thought about an upcoming contract extension: "No, that's the last thing on my mind this year. This year, I just want to put the best tape [possible] out there, and whatever happens, happens."
S MALAKI STARKS
On his takeaways thus far during OTAs as he's worked with the veterans more: "I think there's levels to football and just the knowledge and the accumulation that we have in our room, not just in the DB room, but in the linebackers room, in the D-line room, even on the offensive side of ball, the tight ends room [and] receivers [room]. Just being able to really get out here and watch guys and learn how they move and how they see the game of football from a different perspective than I do has been huge for me."
On where he feels like he's grown the most since arriving for rookie camp: "The biggest thing for me is the landmarks. The field is completely different than college, and when I first got here, I could feel myself ... They would say if my job was at the numbers, I was going to the college numbers, but I was missing the league numbers. So, just being able to work on that, stay after practice and just watch a lot of tape and just kind of reprogram myself into [the mindset of], 'this is where I'm supposed to be at,' has been the challenging thing, but it is getting a lot better with all the help, and all the reps that I'm getting is huge in my development."
On if he appreciates playing just one position at free safety as opposed to moving around: "I like being anywhere, if I'm being honest. We talk about a positionless defense, so just being able to move around. I've been playing a lot of free safety, but I've also been the other safety, and I got some reps at dime, as well, so just being able to move around. We have a lot of guys that move around, just [with] the way our defense is set up. When you look at it, you see Kyle [Hamilton] everywhere. You see Marlon [Humphrey] everywhere. Guys move around a lot here and there, so just really being able to dive into one thing and expand my mind from that has been a great opportunity."
On what CB Marlon Humphrey has been like for him in terms of a mentor: "Marlon [Humphrey] is a great vet, man. Just being able to – we were just sitting over there talking – so just being able to learn from him and just all the ball that he's seen, all the people that he's played with, just for me to be able to sit in the same meeting room and be like, 'Hey, when they do this, what do you think about this' or whatever, and then, just his character. He's a funny, goofy guy – not what I expected him to be whatsoever. He's awesome, man. I'm blessed to be here with a vet like him and a lot of other guys in the room."
On how he feels like he's learned to practice like a professional and if there is anybody on the team that he's watching and taking some of their practice habits: "Yes, I'm not saying I have it all figured out, but I had pretty good practice coming from the University of Georgia. They always talked about practicing like a pro, so staying off the ground, being smart, taking care of your teammates – things like that – and it's the same thing here. I've been watching a lot of the older vets, as well, like I said, not just from my room, but everywhere, just seeing how they disengage from a block, how they handle this situation when it comes up. Every place is a little different, so just being able to watch guys and take what I already know and figure it out as I go, that's what I've been doing."
On how much faster he feels like he's playing now versus rookie camp: "I think a lot, and I think that just comes with the knowledge of the defense. The more you learn, the faster you can play. You can be free, and I think I just want to keep expanding my knowledge and keep diving into the system."
On which Ravens reciever has been hardest to cover up so far: "That's tough. Isaiah [Likely], I had a rep against Isaiah the other day, and he is a lot quicker than what he looks on TV and in person. Like I said, just being able to learn from him, just the knowledge that he's had while he's been here and just the way that he does things. Every tight end is a little different, but he's very quick. He is very knowledgeable about the game of ball, so just being able to go against him, it's only making me better."
On his impressions of sr. defensive assistant/secondary coach Chuck Pagano and what his experience can teach players: "I told [sr. Defensive assistant/secondary coach] Chuck [Pagano] when I first got here, I was like, 'You remind me of [Georgia defensive coach Will] Muschamp a lot' – Will Muschamp. I was like, 'You're not as fiery.' Muschamp will snap in a minute." (laughter) "Just the way they go about their business and just the knowledge of football that they both have ... He texted me at five [a.m.] this morning with film from Thursday's practice, and I woke up, and I was like, 'OK, cool. That makes sense.' So, just being able to have somebody ... That's how I want to be coached. I received that very well, so just being able to have somebody like that in my corner, it's a blessing."
On how he balances being a leader at Georgia with coming into the pros and learning the new playbook with new teammates: "The first thing is don't bite off more than you can chew. So, just really realizing my place in this defense, in this organization, and you have to know what to do before you can start demanding stuff from other people. I think as a leader, you shouldn't ask somebody to do something that you wouldn't do yourself, and then just also, when I got to the University of Georgia, I had to learn how to follow the right people before I could lead, and that really taught me how to move around while watching people lead by becoming a leader myself. So, it's nothing new. I think I'm still going to lead in the same way that I've always led, and I think I'm going to use that with the other guys that's also leading here as well and just try to figure out my mold in the organization."
On his teammates that have helped him see football in a different way or given him a new perspective: "I think the biggest guy is Roquan [Smith], just him being that the voice of the defense, but also, I watched a lot of his tape when he was at Georgia, so it's a cool moment for me, but just to see the way that he handles his business ... He's super smart. Like I said, you've got to learn what to do before you can start telling people what to do, and he has that respect from everybody on the team. So, just watching him and how he moves, and even the guys on the offense, the guys just move in different ways, and it works in different ways. Not everybody has to lead in the same way. So, [I'm] just really trying to take pieces from everybody and put it into my own mold."
On if he ever watched ILB Roquan Smith play at Georgia: "No, I didn't go watch ... I didn't go to a Georgia game until I was a recruit. [Roquan Smith] was gone by then, but I did watch a lot of his tape, for sure."
On if ILB Roquan Smith ever looks at the film with him: "No, we haven't really got a chance to connect. I'll go home, and I'll watch the tape, and I come in with questions, and I ask [them] here and there, but I think when things start to pick back up, we will get the opportunity, and I'm looking forward to it."
On if anyone has warned him what next week may look like when QB Lamar Jackson and more veterans are here for mandatory minicamp: "Yes and no. [Lamar Jackson] is a really big part of his team, and at the end of the day, ball is ball. When he was here, I got a chance to go on the field with him and just see how he moves. You watch him on TV, and it's like – I don't know – it's crazy to see it in person, but just to be able to learn from him and just watch how he moves. It's only going to bring the energy up more when he gets here and for the other guys as well, so I'm excited."
