1 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:06,920 Speaker 1: Welcome into the lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Garret Downey 2 00:00:06,920 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: here with Clifton Brown, and today we are really fired 3 00:00:09,240 --> 00:00:12,559 Speaker 1: up to be joined by coach John Gruden, who's been 4 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:15,240 Speaker 1: out here practice the last couple of days. Coach Gruden, 5 00:00:15,240 --> 00:00:17,120 Speaker 1: thank you so much for the time. What have your 6 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:20,240 Speaker 1: thought of the time that you spent here watching practice 7 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:21,600 Speaker 1: and getting with these coaches? 8 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:24,680 Speaker 2: Well, I love football, you know that. And there's no 9 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:27,240 Speaker 2: better place to be than the Baltimore Ravens. As he 10 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 2: knew some I got a chance to see him, Coach Harball, 11 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:36,919 Speaker 2: seventeenth season. Just a great history here, they're reconstructing the building. 12 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:39,639 Speaker 2: Just a lot of great, great days ahead. I think 13 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:41,200 Speaker 2: for the Ravens, it's been a lot of fun. 14 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:43,280 Speaker 1: Coach Harball said that when you walked out to the field, 15 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 1: you said, it's like football heaven out there. 16 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:47,239 Speaker 2: I've never seen a facility like this. It's in the 17 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:51,480 Speaker 2: middle of a most beautiful part of the world. They've 18 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 2: done an incredible job service in these players. I mean, 19 00:00:54,400 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 2: this is football heaven. The fields are immaculate, the facility tremendous. 20 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:01,600 Speaker 3: Look where we are here. 21 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 2: Now, Hey, this is something else, and it's a product 22 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:07,200 Speaker 2: of winning. It's a credit to them. 23 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:11,040 Speaker 3: Fans often ask us, what do you see? What are 24 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 3: you seeing at OTAs, and what are you looking for 25 00:01:13,319 --> 00:01:17,399 Speaker 3: who looks good? As a coach in general, what are 26 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:20,679 Speaker 3: you looking for to see from players at OTAs, from 27 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:22,520 Speaker 3: the young players and the vets, and what have you 28 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:25,479 Speaker 3: seen so far? Any observations from this Ravens team. 29 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:28,240 Speaker 2: Well, number one, I look for participation, and they have 30 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 2: great participation. Lamar wasn't here, but he's been here and 31 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:34,160 Speaker 2: it's a great opportunity for these other quarterbacks to get 32 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 2: up the speed and get ready for training camp. But 33 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:39,959 Speaker 2: great participation. They got a great staff. I got to 34 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:42,640 Speaker 2: sit in there with the defense and see Zach or 35 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 2: this guy's for real, man, This is guys on the 36 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 2: rise as a defensive coach in this league. Their offensive 37 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:53,840 Speaker 2: staff now Todd Monkin's second year, third year, really good 38 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 2: coaches and a lot of people in the strength room. 39 00:01:57,280 --> 00:02:00,680 Speaker 2: It's just a dynamite operation. And I learned a lot. 40 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:02,840 Speaker 2: If I ever do get a chance to coach, I'm 41 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 2: gonna steal a few of these ideas because they're they're 42 00:02:05,320 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 2: really classy. The way they do business well. 43 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:09,359 Speaker 1: Coach Harbaugh joked he said, it was great having you here, 44 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:11,360 Speaker 1: but they did not give you the playbook, you know, 45 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 1: so I think he wants to hold some things back. 46 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 2: We're not running your plays anyway. No one can run 47 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:19,680 Speaker 2: Lamar Jackson's plays. They could give us the playbook and 48 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 2: tell us the plays. You still can't defend that man. 49 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:26,960 Speaker 2: But what's really exciting is the emergence of this offensive line. 50 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:29,359 Speaker 2: You know, the offensive line last year had a lot 51 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:31,720 Speaker 2: of movie in pieces, a lot of first year starters. 52 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:36,399 Speaker 2: The right tackle, Rosen Garden looks good. Uh, the right 53 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 2: guard is a monster, and Linderbaum is I think, as 54 00:02:39,560 --> 00:02:41,360 Speaker 2: good a center as there is in the league. And 55 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 2: it's just it's gonna be an exciting operation. I think 56 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:45,720 Speaker 2: when the when the pads come on. 57 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: Coach, you're a football savant. You know this game obviously 58 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:52,680 Speaker 1: so well. Put into perspective how special Lamar Jackson is. 59 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 3: I can't do it. 60 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 2: You know, you can run any play, you can dream 61 00:02:57,080 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 2: up anything, and he can do it. And you can 62 00:03:00,919 --> 00:03:04,880 Speaker 2: block everybody perfectly and enjoy great execution, and you can 63 00:03:04,919 --> 00:03:08,520 Speaker 2: miss every block and still enjoy great execution. He's an 64 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 2: unbelievable game day performer. He's an iceman. The big moments 65 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:15,880 Speaker 2: are his moments. He can win in the pocket, he 66 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:19,000 Speaker 2: can tear you up, and if he takes off outside 67 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 2: the pocket, god help you. He's a legitimate superstar. He's 68 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:25,920 Speaker 2: the top of the food chain in the NFL. And 69 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:28,799 Speaker 2: I just I'm sorry I missed him on this trip, 70 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:30,760 Speaker 2: but I did get a chance to talk to him, 71 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 2: and I told him, tem Martin's a lot better coach 72 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:35,200 Speaker 2: when he's out there practicing. 73 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 3: Coach. You were in a situation where you came to 74 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 3: Tampa took over team. It was on the verge knocking 75 00:03:44,040 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 3: on the door, and you got we're able to get 76 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:48,520 Speaker 3: them over the home. You know, raves have been knocking 77 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 3: on the door for a few years. We're always hearing 78 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 3: what do they need? If you sat in a room 79 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 3: in front of them and said, hey, this is what 80 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 3: some keys it's getting over that home, what would you say? 81 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 2: I think we stay in water. We don't overthink this. 82 00:04:01,880 --> 00:04:03,920 Speaker 2: They were good enough to win the Super Bowl last year. 83 00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 2: We don't need to be deep and philosophical and come 84 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 2: up with forty eight reasons or forty eight motivational tactics. 85 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:12,920 Speaker 2: Just keep doing what you're doing. Just keep doing what 86 00:04:12,960 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 2: you're doing. And great things will be in store. Stay healthy, 87 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:18,560 Speaker 2: take care of each other in training camp, knock people's 88 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 2: ass off when the game start, and take care of 89 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 2: the football. Take care of number eight. And I'll tell 90 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:26,760 Speaker 2: you I was really impressed with your new kicker today too. 91 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:29,240 Speaker 2: I know he's got big shoes to fill, but the 92 00:04:29,279 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 2: young man hit some pressure kicks today and there was 93 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 2: no doubt about him. 94 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: I think one of them was sixty yards. 95 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, where do they find these players? You know, 96 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:39,839 Speaker 2: it's a credit to the whole operation, the scouting department, 97 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 2: the coaching staff, the way they develop players. The best 98 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:45,760 Speaker 2: player I got was Darren Waller, and I stole them 99 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 2: off your practice squad. 100 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:47,360 Speaker 1: Yeah that's true. 101 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 2: You know so I'm a big Raven fan. 102 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:52,159 Speaker 1: You changed the way that the rules here as it 103 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:54,359 Speaker 1: relates to practice squad players. Now they don't practice on 104 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 1: the field because you took Darren Waller. I see Asie 105 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 1: knewsm and the first thing he says. 106 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:03,680 Speaker 3: Grew dog. You change the way we do business. We're playing. 107 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:06,279 Speaker 2: We're in twenty eighteen. We don't have a lot of speed. 108 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 2: All our receivers are hurt. I'm very depressed, and my 109 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:12,680 Speaker 2: offensive coordinator says, who the hell is that guy? I 110 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 2: look up and it's the most beautiful guy I've ever seen. 111 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:18,239 Speaker 2: So we claimed them and two years later he breaks 112 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:22,320 Speaker 2: Tim Brown's receiving record. Darren Waller was a superstar for us. 113 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 2: And I see a lot of guys. I see Charlie 114 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,360 Speaker 2: Kolar as a young tight end who could really emerge 115 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 2: as a player. I think there's some really good players. 116 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 2: Justice Hill is a guy that can make plays. They 117 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:36,440 Speaker 2: do a great job of scouting and delivering players for 118 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:37,680 Speaker 2: these coaches to work with. 119 00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 1: You know this team well, I mean coach Arver even 120 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 1: said that you spent some time watching film before you 121 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:45,200 Speaker 1: even got here on this team. Do you when I 122 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: look at this roster? Cliff and I were talking about 123 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:50,599 Speaker 1: this yesterday and just said, like, there's nothing they need. 124 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 1: You look like, where are they weak? And he just 125 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:54,320 Speaker 1: feels like there's no spot where they're weak. The roster 126 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 1: just feels so well constructed and ready to go. Do 127 00:05:57,839 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 1: you see that when you look at this team questions 128 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 1: they have to answer. They've got to figure out who's 129 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 1: the other linebacker next to Rokuan? Is it gonna be Simpson? 130 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 1: You know he's got to go out and prove that 131 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:10,599 Speaker 1: he's the man, And that'll be interesting. Who's gonna be 132 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 1: the corner opposite Wiggins? You know they have some competition there. 133 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:17,880 Speaker 1: Stevens left. You know, they've got to answer that question. 134 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:20,600 Speaker 1: Who's the third defensive tackle? That's what I want to 135 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: find out. 136 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:23,960 Speaker 2: When Travis Jones comes out of the game, who's gonna 137 00:06:23,960 --> 00:06:26,600 Speaker 2: come in there and take some critical snaps? And can 138 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 2: the kicker do it in cold weather when he has 139 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 2: to like these Stover did and Tucker did for still 140 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 2: so many years. But I have no doubt in him. 141 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:37,359 Speaker 2: You know, I have a lot of confidence. This is 142 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 2: gonna be one hell of a football team. 143 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:42,320 Speaker 3: We've seen the Ravens offense take off last couple of 144 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 3: years with Todd Monkin and the weapons he's working with. Obviously, 145 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 3: you're known as a great play caller in the offensive mind. 146 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 3: With the personnel they have, is there a ceiling for 147 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 3: this raves On? Do you feel like, even after what 148 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:57,479 Speaker 3: they did last year, there's another level they can get to. 149 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:00,880 Speaker 2: I believe they can score on any possess from anywhere 150 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 2: on the field. They have Jay Flowers, who's a dynamic 151 00:07:04,040 --> 00:07:06,720 Speaker 2: route runner. I think if he was there in the playoffs. 152 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:10,440 Speaker 2: I think his loss was a big loss for Baltimore. 153 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:14,119 Speaker 2: The threat of Zay Flowers opens up a lot of things. 154 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:18,400 Speaker 2: This guy's an emerging young receiver. But I do think 155 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 2: to your point, the sky is the limit, provided they 156 00:07:22,120 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 2: don't get full of themselves and read their clippings and 157 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 2: worry about statistics. Just worry about winning the game. I 158 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:30,800 Speaker 2: think if they keep that in mind, I think they're 159 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:32,120 Speaker 2: going to win a hell of a lot of games. 160 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:35,160 Speaker 1: You've had some battles, you know, with this team as organization, 161 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:37,400 Speaker 1: but you and coach Harbaugh have this respect for each other. 162 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 1: He talked really highly of you and his respect that 163 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:43,440 Speaker 1: he has for you. Tell me about your guys' relationship. 164 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 2: Well, we're both coaches, sons. My dad coached against his 165 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 2: dad many years growing up. I think we've known since 166 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:52,480 Speaker 2: we were eight or nine or ten years old we 167 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:56,120 Speaker 2: wanted to be coaches, and I think there's a certain 168 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 2: mutual respect because of that. We love football. We probably 169 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 2: sacrifice anything you could let us do. We'd rather be 170 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:07,480 Speaker 2: on the field coaching than doing anything else. I think 171 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:10,920 Speaker 2: our love for football is mutual, and I think that's 172 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:13,880 Speaker 2: really where the respect comes from. But he is something 173 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:16,720 Speaker 2: else behind the scenes. For all the Raven fans that 174 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 2: haven't had a chance to see him with his players. 175 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 2: He's in the defensive meeting, he's in the offensive meeting. 176 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:27,520 Speaker 2: He's given them great life lessons. Any's sincere about it, 177 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 2: he means it, and he's got great eye contact from 178 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 2: his players. They trust them. It's a it's a real 179 00:08:34,800 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 2: unbelievable relationship that he has with this Raven football team. 180 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:42,000 Speaker 2: And I think that's really the secret sauce and why 181 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:42,679 Speaker 2: they're so good. 182 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 1: Last one, coaches, is this that I have. We always 183 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:48,599 Speaker 1: talk about your green Grinders, used to do that on 184 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 1: Monday Night football. There's some Gruden Grinders out there on 185 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:51,840 Speaker 1: that field. 186 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:55,240 Speaker 2: Well, come on, I mean, I met my number one 187 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 2: Gruden Grinder, and I've named the Gruden Grinder the pat 188 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:03,840 Speaker 2: Recard Award. I'm gonna hand out a trophy that looks 189 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:07,200 Speaker 2: like a block of pat Recard. You know, I don't 190 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:10,199 Speaker 2: think anybody realizes what this guy does. I call him 191 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,960 Speaker 2: the straw Man, and I would appreciate if you guys 192 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 2: refer to pat Ricard as the straw man. Here's the 193 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:20,120 Speaker 2: straw that stirs the drink for this Raven offense. I mean, 194 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:24,280 Speaker 2: the two tight ends likely and At Andrew seventeen touchdowns, 195 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 2: Derrick Henry nineteen hundred yards Russian, Lamar has forty five 196 00:09:27,960 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 2: hundred yards passing and a thousand Russian. But when you 197 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:34,560 Speaker 2: watch it carefully, Recard is the lead blocker on the 198 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 2: isolation for Derrick Henry. He kicks out on the power 199 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:41,160 Speaker 2: play he passed, protects against Miles Garrett on some of 200 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 2: these play action passes, he cross sifts. I mean, he 201 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 2: should be considered in the Ring of Honor. He's a 202 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:52,800 Speaker 2: Marshall yonda type badass. I love him, and he is 203 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 2: the straw man I can't. I'm telling you, I'm gonna 204 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 2: do a cut up on him, and I'm going to 205 00:10:02,040 --> 00:10:05,679 Speaker 2: try to make sure everybody votes for him into the 206 00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:08,199 Speaker 2: Pro Bowl. For him to not be a Pro Bowl fullback, 207 00:10:08,559 --> 00:10:11,199 Speaker 2: it's a crime of the century. It's not even close. 208 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:15,079 Speaker 2: But I love meeting him today and I'm going to 209 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:17,600 Speaker 2: continue to preach his praises. 210 00:10:17,679 --> 00:10:19,679 Speaker 1: Awesome. Well, I know Paw will be fired up about that. 211 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:21,320 Speaker 2: Thank you, guys for having it's great. 212 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:23,719 Speaker 3: I will say this too. 213 00:10:23,800 --> 00:10:27,320 Speaker 2: The two thousand game, when I was coaching the Raiders 214 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:29,720 Speaker 2: for the right to go to the Super Bowl. That 215 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 2: Baltimore raven defense came in and just knocked us out 216 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 2: and it was the greatest defensive team I have ever seen. 217 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 2: And I've always used the Ravens since that moment as 218 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:45,319 Speaker 2: the measuring stick for me our offensive system. If we're 219 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:47,840 Speaker 2: any good, we got to prove it against the Ravens. 220 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 2: And I think that's the most respect I can give 221 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:54,720 Speaker 2: this raven team is they are a measuring stick for 222 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:56,320 Speaker 2: the rest of the league. If you want to be 223 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:59,320 Speaker 2: a good team, go beat Baltimore. And I think the 224 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:02,240 Speaker 2: Ravens under stand that, and I think they welcome that challenge. 225 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:05,080 Speaker 2: It's awesome, all right, really nice much. 226 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:05,640 Speaker 1: I appreciate it. 227 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:06,839 Speaker 2: Yeah, all right, good luck to you. 228 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:09,959 Speaker 1: Welcome back into the Lounge podcast. We are coming to 229 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:11,520 Speaker 1: you from the Sea Geek Studio. We want to mention 230 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:13,800 Speaker 1: our partners at Draft King Sportsbook. They are an official 231 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 1: sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draft King sports Book. 232 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:18,280 Speaker 1: The Crown is yours. 233 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 2: Well. 234 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 1: Awesome sitting down with coach Gruden. I mean you see, 235 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:24,720 Speaker 1: you just sit down with him and you can see 236 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:29,600 Speaker 1: the enthusiasm, the knowledge, the history. Even when I was 237 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:33,720 Speaker 1: just walking back, you know, walking back on his way out, 238 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 1: he was bringing up players that have been here fifteen 239 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 1: twenty years ago. He's talking about Kelly greg in different 240 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 1: nose tackles. He's like, you've had some great nose tackles 241 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:45,360 Speaker 1: Kelly greg and Brandon Williams. And you know that's the 242 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 1: depth of knowledge you know that he has. And the 243 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 1: enthusiasm is no question. There's no question about that. 244 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:56,320 Speaker 3: He's probably watching as much film now as he did 245 00:11:56,400 --> 00:12:00,439 Speaker 3: when he was coaching. He's also been in television. He 246 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:05,040 Speaker 3: knows the league and players inside out and coaches even out. 247 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 3: In this situation, a coach with as much experience as 248 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:11,480 Speaker 3: John Arball wants to pick John Gruton's brain about what 249 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:15,040 Speaker 3: he sees about the Ravens. That lets you know how 250 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:18,160 Speaker 3: much respect that he has for John Gruten's football mind. 251 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:22,520 Speaker 3: And yeah, I mean I remember him as a Philly guy, 252 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:27,200 Speaker 3: a young coach in Philadelphia on Andy Reid's staff, and 253 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:30,520 Speaker 3: you know, knowing kind of that he was going to 254 00:12:30,559 --> 00:12:32,599 Speaker 3: be a guy who was probably going to be a 255 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 3: head coach, and it was no surprise anyone when he 256 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:38,840 Speaker 3: became a young head coach. He's a super Bowl winning coach. 257 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:43,800 Speaker 3: And yeah, I mean he talks about the past, the president, 258 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:46,839 Speaker 3: and the future of football. He can do all of that. 259 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 1: He talks about as well as anybody you're going to find, right, 260 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 1: which is really cool, And I think pat Ricarr should 261 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:53,439 Speaker 1: hire him as his personal pr. 262 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 3: He loves Pat, there's no question. But the way he 263 00:12:57,600 --> 00:13:01,800 Speaker 3: explained all the things that Pat does to the Ravens offense, 264 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 3: I think was fascinating. Like I think that sometimes, even 265 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:07,959 Speaker 3: though we have an appreciation for Patrick Rickcard, when you 266 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:12,240 Speaker 3: think about all the ways in which he's used and 267 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:15,160 Speaker 3: then that took my mind back to when Todd Monkin 268 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 3: became offense goingator, people were asking him if he could 269 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:21,440 Speaker 3: find a way to use Patrick Mcard. 270 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, and now man. 271 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:26,960 Speaker 3: Exactly, he's the straw man. He's a straw man and yeah, 272 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:30,800 Speaker 3: I mean yes, he's another gruten strength, as is a 273 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:34,120 Speaker 3: John Harball strength and any great coach of strength. Using 274 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 3: the personnel you have. When you have a player like 275 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:40,880 Speaker 3: a Patrick Riccard who a lot of systems teams aren't 276 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:44,480 Speaker 3: even using fullbacks, they find a way to make him 277 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 3: a pro ball player and an impact player. That's what 278 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:50,079 Speaker 3: great coaches do. They adjust to their roster and get 279 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 3: the most out of it. 280 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:53,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, So it just really enjoyed sitting down with him 281 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 1: and talking ball for a few minutes. You know that 282 00:13:56,320 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 1: that was great to have the opportunity to do that. 283 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:00,560 Speaker 1: And he was watching practice the last couple of days 284 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 1: of OTAs this week and so had a chance just 285 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:06,839 Speaker 1: to get to know this team and you know, get 286 00:14:06,840 --> 00:14:08,960 Speaker 1: a feel for what this Ravens team is going to be. Obviously, 287 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 1: he has belief and optimism about what the Ravens can do. 288 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:14,599 Speaker 1: And I thought Funny made a good point when you 289 00:14:14,640 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 1: ask him the question about getting over the hump, right, 290 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:19,840 Speaker 1: And I agree with that take one hundred percent, which is, 291 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:23,840 Speaker 1: like the Ravens, it's not some deep philosophical thing. They 292 00:14:23,880 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 1: have the pieces, they have the team. It's a matter 293 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:29,560 Speaker 1: of doing it, matter of playing your best in that 294 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:32,320 Speaker 1: moment on a cold night in Buffalo wherever the game 295 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:35,360 Speaker 1: is like, it comes down to playing your best in 296 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:40,000 Speaker 1: that moment. And there's not necessarily some higher, you know 297 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 1: level philosophical element to the whole thing. 298 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:48,440 Speaker 3: Nope. And you that belief that the Ravens can do 299 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 3: it resonates through the players and the coaching staff. They 300 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:54,360 Speaker 3: don't have to be convinced that they can do it. 301 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 3: That's all outside noise. They know that they're good enough 302 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:01,360 Speaker 3: and you just keep knocking on the door. And yeah, 303 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaker 3: John Gruden was in that situation where he took over 304 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 3: a team that had been close Tony Dungee. He replaced 305 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:09,480 Speaker 3: the great coach who ended up winning a Super Bowl 306 00:15:09,480 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 3: in Indianapolis. But John Gruden, a different voice coming into 307 00:15:13,520 --> 00:15:16,440 Speaker 3: a team and had Super Bowl aspirations, was able to 308 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:19,480 Speaker 3: get it done. And the Ravens the window, you know, 309 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:22,240 Speaker 3: talk about you know how big is their window. It's 310 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:25,800 Speaker 3: it's wide open. It remains wide open, and I think 311 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 3: it's going to be wide open for a few years. 312 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:31,800 Speaker 3: So walking through it is the last piece of the puzzle. 313 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:34,200 Speaker 3: But they have everything they need to do that and 314 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:35,960 Speaker 3: coach root and fields the same way. 315 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 1: So I want to get talk about what we saw 316 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:41,880 Speaker 1: practice and some of the takeaways that we had. Now 317 00:15:41,920 --> 00:15:44,200 Speaker 1: two weeks of OTAs in the books, one more to go, 318 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:46,560 Speaker 1: and then there's a mandatory mini camp on the back 319 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:48,880 Speaker 1: end of that. So we are nearing the end of 320 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 1: the offseason program before the team opens training camp in 321 00:15:52,200 --> 00:15:55,440 Speaker 1: late July. One of the things that I think this 322 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 1: week that stood out to me, especially in the practice 323 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 1: that we watched on the end of the week on 324 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:04,800 Speaker 1: Friday is Nick Wigins. We sat down with him for 325 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:08,200 Speaker 1: the podcast last week. He talked about adding ten pounds 326 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:10,360 Speaker 1: and won and ten plus turnovers this year, so big 327 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:12,680 Speaker 1: aspirations for him. Well, he came up with one of 328 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,240 Speaker 1: those turnovers in practice and he looked. I think he 329 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:16,400 Speaker 1: looks really really good. 330 00:16:16,560 --> 00:16:18,960 Speaker 3: Oh he does. And he's so talented. And on the 331 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 3: podcast he talks so much about being a professional and 332 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:26,280 Speaker 3: working on his technique that that's the next step for him. 333 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:30,320 Speaker 3: He has the talent to do things already in this league, 334 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:32,600 Speaker 3: as he proved as a rookie, but now he kind 335 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:35,160 Speaker 3: of wants to put the polish on the race car. 336 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 3: And I think technique is what he's honing in on. 337 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:41,680 Speaker 3: And you know, he knows the defense now so much 338 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:44,600 Speaker 3: better than he did as a rookie. The learning process 339 00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:47,680 Speaker 3: is over so very impressive as a rookie. I'm very 340 00:16:47,720 --> 00:16:50,240 Speaker 3: impressed with how he looks. I think the ten pounds 341 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:52,880 Speaker 3: will help him. It'll be interesting to see if he 342 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:54,840 Speaker 3: can hold it because he's one of the few guys 343 00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 3: I deal with. If he talked about you know that 344 00:16:57,240 --> 00:17:00,280 Speaker 3: he doesn't like to eat that much and you know, 345 00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 3: you look at his frame. He's not the type of 346 00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:05,120 Speaker 3: guy who picks up weight easily. But if he can 347 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:07,479 Speaker 3: keep the weight on, I think it will help him. 348 00:17:07,520 --> 00:17:10,439 Speaker 3: But even if he doesn't, I expect Nate wings. I think, 349 00:17:10,600 --> 00:17:14,080 Speaker 3: you know, he has all pro capability. It's not even 350 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:16,000 Speaker 3: too early to me to start talking about him in 351 00:17:16,040 --> 00:17:17,680 Speaker 3: that way. He's just that talented. 352 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:21,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, the technique piece is interesting because we haven't talked 353 00:17:21,760 --> 00:17:24,600 Speaker 1: with him about it. Like, he is so athletic that 354 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:27,160 Speaker 1: I think that he could lean on that a little 355 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:29,840 Speaker 1: bit more, especially in college, and I think honestly early 356 00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:32,680 Speaker 1: on last year he tried to do that at times 357 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:34,800 Speaker 1: where he has a speed to catch up with guys 358 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:36,800 Speaker 1: and he's so sticky and covers it. He could just 359 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:40,600 Speaker 1: lean on that raw athleticism. But that's not going to 360 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:43,760 Speaker 1: work long term in the NFL. And Nate talked about 361 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:45,920 Speaker 1: realizing that as rookie, and that's where the technique comes 362 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:48,320 Speaker 1: into play. So if you can, if you can mesh 363 00:17:48,440 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 1: this great athleticism and length and speed along with great technique, 364 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:57,320 Speaker 1: and that's where I think he can really take off, 365 00:17:57,359 --> 00:17:58,280 Speaker 1: and that's what he's working on. 366 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:01,360 Speaker 3: Yes, I also thought it was interesting that his locker's 367 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:03,879 Speaker 3: been moved next to Marlon Humphrey. I don't know whose 368 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 3: idea it. 369 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:07,399 Speaker 1: Was, but he said he just came in one day 370 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:08,919 Speaker 1: and noticed that. But he did say he went to 371 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:11,280 Speaker 1: Marlin this offseason and said, show me how to watch 372 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:11,560 Speaker 1: the film. 373 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:16,120 Speaker 3: That's a great teammate to be talking to every day. 374 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 3: You know, Marlon has the whole package, technique and athletic 375 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:25,240 Speaker 3: ability and obviously can play so many spots defensively. Who 376 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 3: knows that that guy could be part of Nate wiggs 377 00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:30,560 Speaker 3: trick bag, especially moving down the road. But that's a 378 00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:33,679 Speaker 3: great vet to learn from as along with all the 379 00:18:33,720 --> 00:18:36,920 Speaker 3: other players in that room. But Marlin, I think yes, 380 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:40,960 Speaker 3: can really impart some knowledge on Nate to kind of 381 00:18:40,960 --> 00:18:44,840 Speaker 3: make his progression quicker. And his teammates, they all see 382 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:48,120 Speaker 3: how talented Nate is. I mean, so he's a guy 383 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:49,719 Speaker 3: and you want to help all your teammates, but when 384 00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 3: you see someone with that much potential, you're ward and 385 00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:55,480 Speaker 3: willing to help him because you know that that could 386 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 3: raise him to another level. 387 00:18:56,960 --> 00:19:00,960 Speaker 1: Yeah. Another guy in the secondary who had a nice practice, 388 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 1: especially at the end of the week, is Malachi Stark's 389 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:06,080 Speaker 1: the first round pick, had an interception during seven on 390 00:19:06,119 --> 00:19:09,000 Speaker 1: seven drills, and so it's good to see him. Like 391 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:12,240 Speaker 1: we see this with rookies a lot. You come in, 392 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:14,920 Speaker 1: your head's spinning a little bit. You got to get 393 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 1: a feel for the defense and what you're doing and 394 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:20,800 Speaker 1: what's happening, and you're just learning, like what You're just 395 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:24,120 Speaker 1: getting a sense of like what to do. And then 396 00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 1: over time you get a little bit more comfortable, your 397 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:30,119 Speaker 1: confidence grows. You have an understanding what the defense is doing, 398 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:32,440 Speaker 1: what to expect from the offensive side of the ball. 399 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:34,560 Speaker 1: And I think we're starting to see that with Malachi. 400 00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:37,159 Speaker 1: This guy's taking first team reps basically since the time 401 00:19:37,200 --> 00:19:39,719 Speaker 1: he stepped on campus. And to see him come over 402 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:41,120 Speaker 1: with the pick was nice, And I think that he's 403 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:42,119 Speaker 1: trending in the right direction. 404 00:19:42,640 --> 00:19:46,200 Speaker 3: Yes, I agree with all of that, And I keep 405 00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:49,320 Speaker 3: going back to with Starks that he, to me, has 406 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:53,000 Speaker 3: been through this before as a college freshman at Georgia. 407 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:55,679 Speaker 3: I mean, he started as a freshman at Georgia and 408 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:58,879 Speaker 3: never lost a job. That's not like doing that at 409 00:19:58,880 --> 00:20:01,880 Speaker 3: a normal place. Yeah, not many people do that. So 410 00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:06,120 Speaker 3: he stepped into a high level program. They didn't need 411 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:09,160 Speaker 3: to play him to be good. He was actually surpriuded 412 00:20:09,200 --> 00:20:12,360 Speaker 3: of her. Kirby Smart talking about you know how quickly 413 00:20:13,040 --> 00:20:15,959 Speaker 3: he developed to the point where he was the best player. 414 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:18,560 Speaker 3: They put him out there and he never looked back. 415 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:21,520 Speaker 3: He's trying to do the same thing here. Come in 416 00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:26,080 Speaker 3: his first year, learn quickly be an impact player right away. 417 00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:29,920 Speaker 3: That's what is expected at being a first round pick. 418 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:33,119 Speaker 3: But it's not easy to do, and the stakes are 419 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:35,240 Speaker 3: higher when you're joining a team it's trying to win 420 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:37,880 Speaker 3: a super Bowl. He looks more than ready to handle 421 00:20:37,960 --> 00:20:40,560 Speaker 3: all of that. You know, everyone knows how you know, 422 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:43,679 Speaker 3: the great reputency ads for being a hard worker, A 423 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:47,200 Speaker 3: guy who loves football learns quickly. You're seeing all of 424 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:50,000 Speaker 3: those things already, so you know, I don't want to 425 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:53,280 Speaker 3: blow it up too big, too early, But yes, I 426 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:56,679 Speaker 3: mean Malachi Starks is looking like, you know, everything that 427 00:20:56,840 --> 00:20:58,160 Speaker 3: was advertised. 428 00:20:57,840 --> 00:21:01,399 Speaker 1: So anything else stand out to you? And when you 429 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:03,440 Speaker 1: were watching practice the last few days, was what were 430 00:21:03,440 --> 00:21:04,720 Speaker 1: some of the other big takeaways that you had? 431 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:08,800 Speaker 3: Well, the one player who I don't have a Gruden behinder, 432 00:21:08,880 --> 00:21:13,680 Speaker 3: but if I was giving an OTA MVP at this point, 433 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:18,520 Speaker 3: I might go with Teses Walker. Devontees Walkers looked really 434 00:21:18,560 --> 00:21:21,440 Speaker 3: good to me and been consistent. You know, like he 435 00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:23,919 Speaker 3: has a good day and then he comes back the 436 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:26,439 Speaker 3: next day and continues to look good. He had a 437 00:21:26,520 --> 00:21:29,520 Speaker 3: nice catch today for a touchdown or Friday in OTAs. 438 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:33,399 Speaker 3: I feel like he's a player that, even though you 439 00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 3: know it's gonna be hard for him to get reps 440 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:38,520 Speaker 3: as stacked as the Ravens are a wide receiver, he 441 00:21:38,600 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 3: definitely looks like a better player than he was last year. 442 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:44,840 Speaker 3: And that's what you want to see to trajectory with 443 00:21:44,840 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 3: a young player, and you know, unfortunately, you know, you 444 00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:50,520 Speaker 3: never know, one snap could change where he falls on 445 00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:54,160 Speaker 3: the depth charge. So if he's called upon, no matter 446 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:57,359 Speaker 3: how much the Ravens want to play him, he looks 447 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,119 Speaker 3: like a player who's ready to play more and if 448 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:02,480 Speaker 3: he steps on the field, he can can make place. 449 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:05,520 Speaker 1: One guy who I think has caught my attention is 450 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:07,200 Speaker 1: because he's getting a lot of reps, has been Cooper 451 00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:10,840 Speaker 1: Rush with Lamar Jackson was not a practice over the 452 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:14,480 Speaker 1: course of this week of OTAs, and so that opened 453 00:22:14,520 --> 00:22:16,479 Speaker 1: the opportunity for Cooper Rush to take a ton of snaps, 454 00:22:16,480 --> 00:22:18,920 Speaker 1: which I think is good for him as being a 455 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 1: quarterback that's coming to a new team, new system, has 456 00:22:22,040 --> 00:22:25,040 Speaker 1: to build this chemistry with these with these receivers, and 457 00:22:25,119 --> 00:22:28,120 Speaker 1: so I was encouraged by that. I mean, he operates 458 00:22:28,119 --> 00:22:30,399 Speaker 1: at an efficient level like he's been He's played a 459 00:22:30,440 --> 00:22:33,000 Speaker 1: lot of football, especially as a backup quarterback, so he 460 00:22:33,080 --> 00:22:35,520 Speaker 1: started a bunch of games and I think he's fully 461 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:39,960 Speaker 1: capable if called upon. But I've been encouraged by just 462 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:42,320 Speaker 1: seeing the way that he operates the offense, which I 463 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:45,040 Speaker 1: think is kind of what you're looking for at this 464 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:48,280 Speaker 1: stage of the game, Like the efficiency of operation. He's 465 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:49,359 Speaker 1: doing that at a high level. 466 00:22:49,520 --> 00:22:52,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean coach Mongan mentioned those things that you know, 467 00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:55,160 Speaker 3: this guy is a pro, an experienced player who has 468 00:22:55,240 --> 00:22:59,240 Speaker 3: had success as a backup quarterback. So there's no reason 469 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:02,080 Speaker 3: to think that, you know, a guy who was a 470 00:23:02,119 --> 00:23:05,919 Speaker 3: successful backup quarterback in Dallas won't be one here. But 471 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:08,400 Speaker 3: it is a new system and it is with new 472 00:23:08,440 --> 00:23:11,280 Speaker 3: players around him, and yes, this is a good time 473 00:23:11,359 --> 00:23:14,480 Speaker 3: for him to get acclimated here. And you know he's 474 00:23:14,520 --> 00:23:18,280 Speaker 3: going to go through you know, growing pains from time 475 00:23:18,359 --> 00:23:21,239 Speaker 3: to time. But he looks good out there in that 476 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:24,760 Speaker 3: he know, you know, he'll know the offense inside and out. 477 00:23:24,840 --> 00:23:27,920 Speaker 3: He's been in these situations before. And yeah, I mean 478 00:23:28,359 --> 00:23:31,360 Speaker 3: he's a guy that even though he knows he may 479 00:23:31,400 --> 00:23:34,240 Speaker 3: not play a lot or at all, if he does, 480 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:35,639 Speaker 3: I think that he'll be ready. 481 00:23:35,760 --> 00:23:38,560 Speaker 1: Yeah. Two of the guys that I'll point to both 482 00:23:38,640 --> 00:23:42,120 Speaker 1: in somewhat similar situations. The first one is is Keithon 483 00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:46,160 Speaker 1: Mitchell and say Flowers last year Keaton. They're both coming 484 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:49,400 Speaker 1: off of injuries from last year. Keaton played last season 485 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:51,720 Speaker 1: but was never really one hundred percent. And to me, 486 00:23:51,800 --> 00:23:53,560 Speaker 1: he looks like he's back. It looks like he's got 487 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:55,840 Speaker 1: the burst. We've mentioned this before. He just looks like 488 00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:58,560 Speaker 1: he's back to the speed, playing with the speed that 489 00:23:58,640 --> 00:24:01,080 Speaker 1: he had as a rookie, which is awesome to see. 490 00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:04,359 Speaker 1: And I just think that that, and he's catching the 491 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:06,000 Speaker 1: ball really well out of the backfield. He had a 492 00:24:06,080 --> 00:24:08,199 Speaker 1: play today that was a nice wheel route where he 493 00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:10,160 Speaker 1: made a great catch in the back of the end zone. 494 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:13,680 Speaker 1: Those hands as a running back are if he can 495 00:24:13,760 --> 00:24:15,600 Speaker 1: really impact things in the passing game, that's going to 496 00:24:15,640 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 1: open up even more opportunities for him, which I think 497 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:20,720 Speaker 1: he's showing that ability. So I've been really impressed with him, 498 00:24:20,880 --> 00:24:24,080 Speaker 1: And then with Jay Flowers. Coach Gruden talked about how 499 00:24:24,080 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 1: his absence was probably downplayed a little bit in that 500 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:30,480 Speaker 1: Buffalo game. This was a Pro Bowl receiver who was 501 00:24:30,520 --> 00:24:32,800 Speaker 1: not on the field, the number one receiver Pro Bowl 502 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:35,679 Speaker 1: season was not on the field. And that's a big loss. 503 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:38,840 Speaker 1: And any team losing your top receiver going into a 504 00:24:38,880 --> 00:24:41,639 Speaker 1: divisional playoff game, it's going to be tough to overcome that. 505 00:24:42,080 --> 00:24:46,080 Speaker 1: And so what I'm encouraged by with Za is when 506 00:24:46,119 --> 00:24:49,879 Speaker 1: I watch him at practice, I see a guy that, 507 00:24:50,359 --> 00:24:53,400 Speaker 1: like the knee insury, doesn't seem to even be lingering 508 00:24:53,560 --> 00:24:57,280 Speaker 1: at all. There was a play on Thursday where he 509 00:24:57,560 --> 00:24:59,439 Speaker 1: took the ball kind of on a reverse and then 510 00:24:59,480 --> 00:25:02,800 Speaker 1: he was doing the joysick things, bouncing all over the field. 511 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:04,760 Speaker 1: He was having kind of he was having fun with it. 512 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:08,159 Speaker 1: But like even just seeing that that was to me 513 00:25:08,760 --> 00:25:11,679 Speaker 1: a good sign. Like, Okay, the knee injury, it's it's 514 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:12,840 Speaker 1: the thing of the past. 515 00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:15,760 Speaker 3: Right rearview mirror with the knee injury for Zay, which 516 00:25:15,840 --> 00:25:18,600 Speaker 3: is great to see. And yes, as coach Gruden said, 517 00:25:18,600 --> 00:25:21,640 Speaker 3: it's not only the plays that he makes, it's the 518 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:26,080 Speaker 3: threat of Jay Flowers. Uh should have the Bills. It 519 00:25:26,119 --> 00:25:28,720 Speaker 3: was much Now I'm not gonna say much, but easier 520 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:32,560 Speaker 3: to game plan for that game without Jay Flowers being 521 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:35,320 Speaker 3: in the lineup. He just he's such a threat. I mean, 522 00:25:35,359 --> 00:25:38,040 Speaker 3: he's a guy who can hurt you in so many ways. 523 00:25:38,840 --> 00:25:40,960 Speaker 3: Even if you can't throw it to him. If you 524 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:43,239 Speaker 3: just get the ball in his hands, he can make 525 00:25:43,280 --> 00:25:46,760 Speaker 3: a big play. And he's another player who is ascending 526 00:25:46,880 --> 00:25:48,880 Speaker 3: in my eyes. And I think that you know, he'll 527 00:25:48,960 --> 00:25:52,480 Speaker 3: learn from DeAndre Hopkins. It's good for Zav said that 528 00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:54,960 Speaker 3: he loves having a guy like that with him, that 529 00:25:55,040 --> 00:25:57,239 Speaker 3: he can learn from a vet who's proven it in 530 00:25:57,280 --> 00:25:59,840 Speaker 3: so many ways. The chemistry with Lamar and Zay with 531 00:26:00,119 --> 00:26:04,800 Speaker 3: has always been good should keep rising. So yeah, I 532 00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:07,920 Speaker 3: mean Zay and then Keaton. You know we've talked about 533 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:11,160 Speaker 3: him before this. Yeh see, looks so much healthier than 534 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:14,480 Speaker 3: he was at the end of last season. It's very 535 00:26:14,520 --> 00:26:16,919 Speaker 3: common for the second year after a knee injury for 536 00:26:16,960 --> 00:26:19,840 Speaker 3: the player to really show you that he's always back. 537 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:22,200 Speaker 3: That first year is tough. It was tough for Keaton. 538 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:25,680 Speaker 3: He's smiling now, he's quick, he's catching the football, as 539 00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:28,520 Speaker 3: you mentioned. Yeah, I mean, I think add him to 540 00:26:28,560 --> 00:26:31,399 Speaker 3: the mixes. One of the ravens many many playmakers. 541 00:26:31,480 --> 00:26:33,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, this is this team is going to be fun 542 00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:35,199 Speaker 1: to watch on both sides of the ball, and they 543 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:36,760 Speaker 1: got a bunch of guys who can take it to 544 00:26:36,840 --> 00:26:38,560 Speaker 1: the house whenever they get the ball in their hands. 545 00:26:38,560 --> 00:26:42,480 Speaker 1: So those are our thoughts from watching OTAs and again 546 00:26:42,520 --> 00:26:45,440 Speaker 1: thanks to coach Grudin for joining us. Really enjoyed hearing 547 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:47,159 Speaker 1: his insight and he is high on this team and 548 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:49,800 Speaker 1: what the Ravens had the potential to accomplish this season. 549 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:51,720 Speaker 1: As always, you can email us at the lounge at 550 00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:55,119 Speaker 1: Ravens dot NFL dot net. Thank you so much for 551 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:57,119 Speaker 1: watching and for listening, and we will talk with you 552 00:26:57,200 --> 00:26:57,920 Speaker 1: again soon