Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh - Conference Call with New Orleans Media - Wednesday, October 17, 2018
With the Saints getting Taysom Hill a fair amount of action, what similarities do you see between the way the Saints use him and how you use Lamar (Jackson)?
"Right. A lot of similarities. I would say probably you know (they're) brought up (from) the same tree there. I think both of those packages are almost exactly the same between Taysom and Lamar. It's kind of interesting to see what they'll come up with next as far as defending it and seeing what our coaches think of as well. So it's been I think two positive things for both teams."
What attracted you guys to Willie Snead back in the offseason?
"Just all the things that you saw when he was with the Saints and even before that in college (Ball State). Tough, great over the middle, chain-moving type guy, makes contested catches, hard worker, all football. All the things that you saw with New Orleans, fortunately for us, has carried over for us and we really had a need there. We needed that type of player. e is a really good fit for us."
Sean (Payton) has talked a little bit about how you had an influence on him bringing Wil Lutz here. What did you see in Wil back then and what have you seen in him since then?
"Just the talent right away. We have a kicking specialist coach here (in) Randy Brown and (the special teams coordinator) Jerry Rosburg who found Wil and they coach him up and they just said with his leg swing, pattern, leg strength, and athleticism they just thought he was going to be really good. We were hopeful that maybe someone would trade for him because he had such a good preseason, but that did not materialize. Toward the end there, I knew Sean was looking for a kicker. I think we played them in the preseason right there toward the end and maybe we talked on the phone before that. I guess I would rather see him in the NFC than the AFC and Sean is a good friend. So it worked out pretty well for everybody."
How closely have you been following him since he got the Saints?
"Oh closely. We talk about him all time because our kickers they're good friends. They go back and forth with texts and stuff like that. I get the reports, but yeah I always see if he makes his kicks and what he's doing because he's doing so well. So, it's been great."
What have you seen in Saints left tackle Terron Armstead? What's kind of impressed you about him?
"Athletic and big, very very very physical, excellent footwork. Their whole offensive line I would put that category. I just think you're very well-coached. They know who they want to be and how they want to do it and they just do a really good job. Pass protection has been superb, run blocking. It's all been very good."
How would you describe the Saints offense now that Tre'quan Smith, Cameron Meredith, and Mark Ingram have been more involved in meaningful ways?
"It is hard for me to kind of track the history of it from a comparison standpoint. You just kind of look at it for where it is at right now and I would say it is very good obviously. These guys are all excellent players. Tre'quan was great in college. We watched him in college. (I) liked him, physical, just a tough guy, strong hands. Of course, Cameron Meredith (I) knew all about him, studied him. He came in for a visit here at one point. He is coming off that knee (injury) and just getting stronger all the time. (Mark) Ingram, of course speaks for itself. He's one of the premier backs in football. So they have two of the premier backs in the whole game and these guys are back to full strength and out on the field. Now it seems like it kind of completes the picture that the Saints have for their offense."
You mentioned that you visited with Cameron Meredith, are him and (Willie) Snead similar players at all?
"Well, they're not the same style. I think they do some similar things just because of where they fit into the offenses, but they're slightly different in the way they do (it). They kind of each have their own way, but they're both I would say very effective."
You are 3-0 against Drew Brees and Sean Payton, anything in particular you attribute that to?
"Yeah, this league week to week, game to game it's crazy. That's probably what I would attribute that to."
What have you thought about Drew Brees after watching him on tape, starting off with this possibly being his best season yet?
"I've seen that. Statistically, of course you see that and then you look at the tape and it kind of all makes sense. He looks better than ever. I mean I think he's playing at the highest level he's played (at) and if it's possible. I can't remember him playing any better. He knows where he is going with the ball, has weapons around him and they protect him. But he's the maestro, he orchestrates the whole thing. Between he and Sean (Payton) gameplanning and freeing guys up in man/zone coverage and him knowing where to go with the ball and getting it there quickly, it's been very good."
Is there anything that you can see as to why, besides him being an accurate quarterback why his completion percentage is so high this year?
"They are getting guys open. That's I'd say the combination of his completion percentage and the fact that between the game planning with the offensive coaches and I'm sure Drew's involved in that to and him executing it and really the whole offense executing it. They're getting guys very open, so that's certainly going to help your completion percentage."
What have you thought about Michael Thomas playing wide receiver?
"I think he's one of the top receivers. He's kind of grown into that and he's a guy personally that I really liked coming out and had really very highly. I'm glad to see him doing so well. I'm glad to see I was right and he's proving a lot of people right. He's one of the top receivers in football right now."
Back to a Tayson Hill related question, have you considered using Lamar Jackson on special teams like the Saints use him?
"No, I think they are a little different in that way. Taysom is a bigger guy. It's not something we've really thought about on our end."
Why do you think Terrell Suggs is still playing such a high level at his age?
"Well the number one thing is he's so talented. He's always been super, super talented and that's still there and then I think his work ethic has been unparalleled really. I mean he's in here just really been here all season and throughout the season and before the season started and I also think he's a very smart player. Those three things."
Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver Willie Snead - Conference Call with New Orleans Media - Wednesday, October 17, 2018
How are things in Baltimore?
"So far pretty well. I've been involved and we're winning, which is a plus. It just feels pretty good to be here and be involved and be able to make plays again."
What is this week like for you playing against your former team?
"It's going to be fun. I've been looking forward to this for a while. I am not trying to make it too much about me against the Saints. Just want it to be more about (trying) to win a game against a great team that has a great offense and a defense that is playing well. I think what makes it more personal is the relationships that I had in the locker room and the time I spent there, just being around and everything, but I'm really excited for the opportunity and I'm just looking forward to Sunday and going out there and competing really hard against these guys."
Do you keep in touch with any of the guys on the Saints?
"Yeah, Ted (Ginn Jr.) just texted me the other day asking how I was doing. I spoke with Mark (Ingram) before he got back a couple weeks ago and Ronald Curry texts me from time to time just checking in on me. He needs tickets this week so I have to get him right."
Are you getting a lot of ticket requests since you're playing your old team?
"Oh yeah I got a whole bunch of family coming in, like 10 people or something like that. Everyone's excited about the Saints (game) and it's really shocking people. It's like could you imagine last year around this time you would be on a different team other than the Saints and I just thought like absolutely not. This is really fresh. I was just there last year. I was just there in April before the move happened and I think it's still shocking and it won't really hit everybody until kickoff goes on Sunday."
