Interview Transcripts: December 10th

Featuring Head Coach John Harbaugh, QB Joe Flacco, WR Derrick Mason, LB Ray Lewis, S Ed Reed, C Jason Brown and LB Terrell Suggs


Head Coach John Harbaugh

Opening statement:

“OK, good to see everybody out. We had a good practice, actually two good practices. This is our second practice of the week. We started early. Guys are focused and getting ready for the next one.”

On the decision to have practice on Tuesday:

“Well, we felt like we needed to to stay on schedule because you have a basic routine where we have the Wednesday-Thursday-Friday routine. So we pushed the Wednesday work back up to Tuesday. We tempoed it way back down. It was later. Meetings were later. But we felt like we got done what we needed to.”

On whether CB Fabian Washington is likely to be able to do much all week and if CB Evan Oglesby would be active whether or not Washington could play:

“Well, I’d be giving you my 45-man roster, which I’m not going to do. But those are possibilities, and we’ll just see how it works out on Sunday.”

On how the emotions of the last game at Texas Stadium might affect both teams:

“Well, I think it’ll be exciting for us. It’s not going to affect the way we play, our emotions. We’ve got what we’ve got at stake for our football team. We’re not too concerned about their history or their tradition or any of that stuff. We respect it, and it’s neat for them, but I think it’ll affect their team more than it will us. Really, both teams have something to play for for their season. Both teams are going to be focused on the task at hand, and that’s the team they’ve got to play. The rest of it, it’s there, it’s part of it. I think you’re kind of amused by it and watch it, but you’re ready to play a football game.”

On having five guys go to the Pro Bowl and NT Haloti Ngata not being named to the team:

“Well, we were really proud as football team for the five guys that got into the Pro Bowl. It’s definitely a team accomplishment. It’s something that we all feel like we’re a part of, and I know those guys feel the same way. Just as much, the guys that didn’t get into the Pro Bowl, we feel disappointed for them. We feel like we’re a part of not getting those guys the recognition that we think they deserve. [We’re] pretty confident Haloti will be out there playing. Nobody deserves it more than him. We think he’s the best defensive lineman in football. And there’s a couple other guys on our team like that, too – offensive line, other positions – that we feel were very worthy to be in the Pro Bowl.”

On if the challenge of Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware and their other rushers is an even bigger challenge than the Steelers and LB James Harrison posed:

“Well, I don’t know if it’s tougher than what we saw last week, pass rush-wise, but it’s every bit as tough. The Cowboys have one of the best pass rushes in football. It’s a little different type of a scheme. Same basic front, though, same type of talent, and that’s going to be a big priority for us. If we can protect the quarterback, then we’ll have a chance to throw the ball.”

On having control of their playoff destiny, knowing they are in if they win their last two games:

“Well, those basically are our thoughts, just as you put it. We win the next two games, and we’re in. And it starts with the next game. We’ve got a very tough assignment down in Dallas, one in which we think we’re very capable of taking care of, and that’s what we plan to do.”

On the numerous talented wide receivers the Cowboys have:

“Having played against those guys, the thing about the wide receiving corps is they’re all in the same mold. Different types of guys, but they’re all big, long, fast guys, very physical players. They all have very good hands and can body up on any defender and make a play. Very accurate quarterback. They like to get their receivers catching the ball running, running away from defenses, across defenses. They aim for big plays, so we just have to cover them tight. We have to be aggressive in our coverage and get after them and cover them.”

On how impressed he is with T Jared Gaither playing essentially with one arm:

“Well, we’ve talked about this before with Jared Gaither. I think he’s had a courageous season, and the shoulder is getting better as he goes now, so he’s bringing the other arm into it more than he has. He’s done a great job in rehab. I think [VP Medical Services/Head Certified Athletic Trainer] Bill Tessendorf has done a great job of getting the shoulder right, and he’s had a really fine season.”

On whether there is any concern about the rookie wall with QB Joe Flacco or anything that can be done to limit it:

“We’ve talked about this before. I don’t even know what the rookie wall is. It’s just, what? Getting tired? Getting worn out, losing your mental focus? I don’t see those things in Joe. Our rookies have done a really good job of focusing on the task at hand. These things are too precious. These opportunities are too precious, and the veteran players aren’t about to let the rookies get tired and not concentrate in practice or in a meeting or be ready to play on Sunday. And our rookies are quality, character people. They’ve got mental toughness, and they’re not going to let the veterans down. So they’re doing everything they can do to be a productive part of the team, and Joe is no exception.”

On how challenging it is for any corner to match up with Cowboys WR Terrell Owens:

“Well, T.O. has got a unique skill set. Having been with him for two years on the staff [with the Philadelphia Eagles] and just being around him, I’ve watched him compete every day. There’s not a tougher competitor. There’s not a guy that practices harder, works harder in the weight room, works at his craft [harder] than Terrell Owens. He creates a challenge for any defense, and it’s not just one guy who’s going to be able to line up and cover a receiver like that. So it’s going to be our whole defense responsible for stopping all their players and especially a player of that quality.”

On if he has any favorite stories about Owens:

“Not that I could share right now, no. (Laughter) It would all be positive, I guarantee it.”


QB Joe Flacco

On if he has a different mentality or changes his preparation on the road:

“No, not at all. The only difference would be… At home you’ve got to stay in a hotel, and on the road you stay in a hotel, too. You’ve got to take a little plane trip in between, but it’s all the same.”

On the challenge the offense faces with the Dallas defensive front playing as tough as the Steelers:

“They’re playing well, and they’re starting to get into a roll. Our offensive line has been playing great all year. I think last week they did a good job against the Steelers’ rush, and this week we expect them to do the same.”

On whether he’s thought about playing in the last game in Texas Stadium:

“I haven’t thought about it this week. Earlier in the season, you kind of look ahead and you see, ‘Oh man, it’s going to be the last game.’ That’s exactly what we’re going to try to do is make it the last game in Dallas. As long as we do that, we’ll be happy.”

On his thoughts on being in control of their own playoff destiny:

“It feels good. All we’ve got to do is go out there and play the way we know how to play and trust our ability. We’re ready to do that. We’re ready to have a good week of practice. We’ve got a couple days left in a short week, and we’re ready to go after the Dallas Cowboys.”

On what kind of adjustments he personally has to make with a short week:

“I haven’t dealt with it too much. I’ve never really had a short week this year or too often before. So, I’ve pretty much treated it as a normal week, just tried to come in here and get all your bumps and bruises out, get your lift in and prepare as normal.”

On how he feels nearing the end of his rookie season having been embraced by the town, and if he sees it when he’s out different places:

“It’s been a lot of fun. The community has been great. Obviously, we’re winning for the most part, so you can feel the excitement around the community. When you go out, you feel that same excitement. Everybody’s upbeat about the season, and we’re going to go out this week and make sure that we can keep them that way.”

On what adjustments he had to make with the attention level from Delaware to the NFL:

“It’s a little different, but I haven’t really tried to change too much. I stay to myself pretty much most of the time, anyway, so I haven’t had to change too much of my routine.”

On what is tough about a day like Sunday where his statistics weren’t as good:

“The end result and us not winning the game and things like that. But, believe me, there have been tougher games. Philadelphia was a tough game we came out and fought through it and won. If we won that game on Sunday, I think we’d probably have felt a little different. But we didn’t, and we’ve got to move past that and learn from the mistakes we made. I think everybody is ready to do that. That’s why we’re going to go out there and we’re going to play these next two weeks the way that we know how.”

On if it is tougher to keep focus sharp as the season goes on, probably the longest season he has faced:

“No, it really does not feel like we’re in Week 15. The weeks just pile on top of each other and, before you know it, it’s the end of the season, and you’re getting ready for the playoffs. So I still feel like we’re in the middle of the season, and I’m ready to go.”

On what parts of the game plan from the Steelers might carry over to this week:

“We’re going to do what we do every week. We’re going to go out there, and we’re going to try to put points on the board. We’re going to do that running the ball and throwing the ball. We’ll see how the game plan unfolds this week, but we feel about this game plan just the way we do about any other game plan. We feel confident, and we feel ready to go out there and execute it to our fullest and to our best.”


LB Ray Lewis

On his first trip to Texas Stadium being the last game there:

“I was just talking to someone about that. Yeah, I’ve never played in Texas Stadium. Of course, the tradition and history behind it speaks for itself. More importantly, just going in and getting a win is bigger than that. Playing down there is one thing. I’d just call it another arena, but it is a great place of tradition. I look forward to it.”

On if the short weeks are any tougher:

“Physically, but coaches understand that, and they back off here and there where you need to. As long as you’re mentally prepared, then everything usually takes care of itself. That’s probably the only thing you really just… Everything’s so fast. You don’t get that day of rest. But, the other team is going through the same thing. Both teams are going through the same thing. I just think it’s harsh physically.”

On his feelings after finding out he was selected for another Pro Bowl:

“You can never get used to an accomplishment like that, because it comes from people who sit back and watch you play football. However long your consistency is, is usually how you’re measured throughout your career. Just to be honored from peers, fans, and then coaches is probably one of the greatest honors you can get outside of winning the Super Bowl and things like that. It’s always something that you come not really focused on, but it’s always a great, great honor to always achieve.”

On his impressions of Cowboys QB Tony Romo:

“Tony Romo, he’s an up-and-down quarterback. You can see him… Sometimes he can get blazing hot. He can make the same throws off back foots and the same throws throwing sideways. And then sometimes he doesn’t. Sometimes he makes those same throws and they’re huge mistakes. I think the thing you can’t do is just sit back there and let him be comfortable, because Dallas, of course, has a lot of weapons on the offensive side of the ball, as well as defensive side of the ball. But, you read about T.O. [Terrell Owens], or [Marion] Barber, or [Jason] Witten, all these guys. He has a lot of playmakers on his side of the ball, so to let him sit back there and pick and choose, I think that’s where he’s most successful. People that have had success against him have really made him not sit back there comfortable.”

On the Cowboys being one of the best red zone offenses and the Ravens being one of the best red zone defenses:

“Everybody has goals where they are, and defensively we always have a certain thing: bend but don’t break. The Cowboys have done a great job, you watch on film, of getting in the red zone, of getting in the end zone. T.O. has done a great job of… A lot of those guys have done a great job of finding the end zone. Our job is to make sure it doesn’t… That they don’t get down there as much, so we don’t have to worry about the red zone so much. So, that will probably be a bigger task than anything.”

On if he scratches his head when a guy like NT Haloti Ngata doesn’t make the Pro Bowl:

“Absolutely, absolutely. You can talk about anything you want to talk about – numbers, whatever you want to talk about. There [are] no numbers that he doesn’t have. Outside of that, you turn on the film and his dominance speaks for itself. When a person like myself goes to the Pro Bowl, the fist thing you have to ask yourself is, ‘How didn’t the person in front of me go to the Pro Bowl?’ because there is no me without them. So, when Haloti didn’t get picked, I was like, ‘Wow,’ because of course you see the guys who were in front of him, but at the same time I’m like, ‘OK.’ I’m waiting for those guys to do something spectacular to make Haloti not be selected. But, it takes its own course. He’s young in this business. A couple of guys who have been there before have been in this league for some years. His time is coming, his time is definitely coming. I’m just excited that he still is an alternate.”

On what has changed most about LB Terrell Suggs from Day One to now:

“I think maturity. He’s always going to be a kid at heart, that’s just who he is, that’s the way he plays the game. But, the way he approaches the game, Suggs approaches the game now totally different. It’s amazing the questions from Day One that he was asking were something totally different from what he’s asking right now. We sit right beside each other in the team meeting room, and the things that he inquires about now are freakin’ amazing. And you can see his growth. His growth, every day he’s trying to be that complete football player. He doesn’t want to be labeled just as a defensive end. He wants to be labeled as a complete football player, and to me, he’s probably one of the most dominant players in this game.”

On how Cowboys WR Terrell Owens’ game has changed or evolved from what he’s seen:

“I don’t know. I’m not around T.O. like that. I know T.O. is a playmaker when he has got the football in his hands. That’s why our job is to make sure it doesn’t get in his hands a lot. And if it is, hit him when he catches it. Outside of that, I’m not around him like that.”

On what it says to have a rookie quarterback like Joe Flacco perform on the road like he has:

“I think if you learn Joe, that’s just Joe’s demeanor. Joe is just cool, laid back, that’s always Joe. So when we go on the road, no matter how loud people yell or what circumstances come up, he has great composure to keep the team together, keep the offense together. Even on the defensive side, that’s what you appreciate, when you look out there and see this young quarterback out patrolling his troops. It’s always exciting when you see someone that young do it, because you know the upside is so great. So, it’s a great privilege to see Joe play football.”

On what a win in Dallas during the last game at Texas Stadium would mean:

“Honestly, for us what it will mean is, it will mean that we’re one game closer to getting into the playoffs, because that’s the bottom line. That’s what I’ve been telling the guys and I’ve been telling you guys all year. The bottom line: All we’re worrying about is 60 minutes, and then at the end you look up and see where you are. Right now, we control our own destiny of getting into the playoffs, that’s the bottom line. We’re not waiting on [anybody] to lose. People are behind us now, and the thing that I’ve been telling guys, we’re not getting caught up in all of this thing that Dallas wants to do because they’re closing the stadium. That [doesn’t] have anything to do with us. We’re the Ravens, they’re the Cowboys. Let them take care of that. Our job is to go win a 60-minute ball game and set up the game against Jacksonville, come home and try to get in the dance.”


WR Derrick Mason

On if there were any repercussions in practice today about guys who did or didn’t make the Pro Bowl:

“No, because we have a task at hand, and that’s winning the last two games. [Nobody] gives a damn about the Pro Bowl right now. We’re fighting for our playoff lives, so we’ve got to win these two games. The Pro Bowl doesn’t mean anything. Guys know who made it and guys know who didn’t make it, so now we’re preparing for the Dallas Cowboys.”

On playing at Texas Stadium with a lot on the line for both teams:

“Yeah, we put ourselves in this position, and now we’ve got to win the last two games to get where we need to be, and that’s into the post season. And they’re in the same situation we’re in. Regardless of if it’s the last game at Texas Stadium or not, they understand that they have to win their last two games, and we understand that we have to win our last two games.”

On if it’s all he can ask for at this point in time to know that the Ravens have to win out to make the playoffs and they don’t need help from anybody else:

“It would have been better to win last week, and then play these next two games and try to pick up victories. It is what it is. Yeah, you want to be able to have your own football destinies in your hands, but I would have liked to have taken care of this problem last week or a couple of weeks ago. But as we sit, we’re in a two-game playoff right now. We win two, we’re in. If we don’t, then we have a big problem. If anybody else tells you anything else, they’re fooling themselves. We’re preparing for the Cowboys, and it’s going to be a good game, so we’ll see.”

On if he can pinpoint anything explaining why QB Joe Flacco’s statistics are better on the road than at home:

“I don’t know. Joe is probably just a road guy. The beds are probably better on the road, I don’t know. It could be. The bus ride might be a little better on the road than him driving his own car down to the stadium. I don’t know what it is.”

On if it surprises him that Flacco does play well on the road:

“No, that’s not surprising. Joe has been playing well the whole season. I think he needs everybody’s help. It’s not just Joe. You look at Joe as the quarterback, and when we lose everybody wants to point the finger at Joe. When we win, everybody’s going to point the finger at Joe and say, ‘He’s doing a great job.’ But, it’s a collective effort from everybody whether we win or lose, so you just can’t pinpoint Joe and the way he’s playing at home. It’s a… It’s everybody. If we do a little better job at certain areas on offense, then Joe, his abilities to win games are a lot better then they have been. So, it’s not just him. It’s everybody.”

On the Cowboys’ defense and the pressure they put on guys up front:

“We’ve got to protect our quarterback. That’s basically what it boils down to. This is a front four that is very good. I think [Greg] Ellis has, what, [seven] sacks? [DeMarcus] Ware is right at the top in sacks as well [with 19]. I think they have two or three Pro Bowlers in that front four. So, this is probably the best defensive line that we’ll face all season. But, this is probably the best offensive line they’re going to face all season, so we’re going to be in for… It’s going to be a sight to see – their four against our five. I take our five.”


CB Fabian Washington

On whether he thinks he’ll play:

“I think so, but we’ll see.”

On what it would take, if the hamstring would have to get markedly better for him to feel comfortable with it holding up over a 60-minute football game:

“I wouldn’t think so. Right now, it’s been improving day to day. We play on Saturday. I wish we played on Sunday to get that extra day, but we’re not. By Saturday, I think my chances are very high I am going to play.”

On how hard it was to sit and watch the final drive from the sideline after having a tremendous game:

“That was terrible. I really wish I was in there and could’ve helped my team try to pull out that win. But, unfortunately, my hamstring did go out on me, and I couldn’t do anything but just watch.”

On seeming to have another small injury happen every time he gets back to peak level:

“It’s frustrating, very frustrating. This is the first year I’ve really had to deal with injuries. It [stinks] because, just like you say, I was starting to play where I’m getting comfortable and just flying around playing football, and then you get a hamstring injury. For a guy like me, I need my legs out there almost at full strength to perform like I want to perform. So that was definitely a setback.”

On if he feels pressure to play because they are going against Tony Romo and the Cowboys’ offense:

“I wouldn’t say because we’re playing against Tony Romo and the Cowboys. We’ve got pressure to win this game, period, just because we need to get into the playoffs, so I couldn’t care less who it is.”

On how his game compares between the first game this season and the most recent game in how far he’s come along:

“That was going to happen naturally. Game One, most people don’t play their best in Game One. You usually progress throughout the season, so I knew by the end of the season I’d be playing good football.”

On the challenge of going up against Dallas’ receivers:

“It is what it is. Just like you said, they have some great receivers. Roy Williams, he’s playing good. Of course, they’ve got T.O. [Terrell Owens], Patrick Crayton. Those guys, they can play, man. So you definitely, as a corner, you love these types of games because then you can see where you’re at as a player going against those types of guys, and they’ve got a great quarterback.”