Head Coach John Harbaugh

JOHN HARBAUGH: Good seeing everybody, appreciate you being here. Good practice, very efficient, very effective. Happy with the guys. Good health, all those good things.

Q: Why was (outside linebacker) Abdul (Carter) not out there?

JOHN HARBAUGH: He had a hand issue, finger issue. Same one he's been dealing with. He's fine.

Q: Will he be out there tomorrow?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Probably. We've got to work on the orthotics a little bit.

Q: What about (wide receiver) JuJu (Smith-Schuster)?

JOHN HARBAUGH: JuJu's working on his knee. He's older, he's got an older knee. So, that's going to be – got to manage that for JuJu, we knew that.

Q: (Cornerback Greg) Newsome (II), is that something that came up recently?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Newsome? Yeah, Newsome's going to be fine. He's going to be fine.

Q: Is JMS (center John Michael Schmitz Jr.) in the protocol?

JOHN HARBAUGH: He's dealing with a concussion. So, he's working through that process. He was good today, so he's in a good place.

Q: (Offensive lineman) Lucas Patrick?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Another old knee, so we're going to just have to see how that goes. He's going to get some PRP and see if it helps.

Who else has an old knee? Your knee's (inaudible). You could use a PRP.

Q: How has (center Bryan) Hudson done with the opportunity, getting all these reps with the ones?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I think he's done really well. You know, it's funny because we did feel like we needed to get him in there, even with the twos, and then now with the ones, and he's risen to the occasion so far.

Q: Where has (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) made the biggest strides in this new offense from the beginning of camp to now?

JOHN HARBAUGH: It's a hard question because there's so many ways – so many things – that I think he's made great strides with. But I do think the comfort level operating all the different elements and options that he has at his disposal has been big. I mean, we've made a lot of progress with that. You know, the motions, the shifts, the getting us in and out of certain plays, I see that. I see that from (quarterback) Jameis (Winston), too, and also from (quarterback) Brandon (Allen). I mean, all three of those guys are doing that really well. You saw a lot of situational stuff out here. They were changing things around. To me, it looked good.

Q: Burns said he appreciates the fact that you keep him uncomfortable with these practices.

JOHN HARBAUGH: Comfortable. Well, I would like to say comfortable being uncomfortable. The old Navy SEAL line, right?

Q: Is this the whole point for them, to get used to battling all the time?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Yes, that is exactly the point. I mean, football is an uncomfortable sport. You're going to be in uncomfortable situations when you've got to come through and you've got to overcome all that discomfort. And to be comfortable in that kind of an environment, to see it for the opportunity that it is in the game itself, is why we do it.

Q: John, the defense seemed to really appreciate Jaxson sliding on that one play.

JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah, yeah.

Q: Did you?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I did. I clapped. I applauded. I applauded when he did that. It was great. Critical situation drill. We were trying to get a third or fourth down, but mostly third down, like anywhere from three to five in a drive in a game where the offense can win the game in the fourth quarter with a conversion. So, play calls and execution to get that first down, that was what that was. So, we had a great play. He came open. He ran around the corner, got the first down, slid inbounds, kept the clock running. All those things were well done.

Q: How did (wide receiver Jalin) Hyatt come out of that collision?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I think okay. He got up. He was doing this (jumps up and down). Jumping. He seemed fine, but they're going to go look at it. And to that one, that's just a matter of you've got to stay on your feet. So, we just really have to – you can't be laying out for a tackle in that situation.

Q: Was (offensive lineman Francis) Mauigoa evaluated for a concussion and cleared? Sisi (offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa), was he evaluated?

JOHN HARBAUGH: For a concussion? I don't think so. No. I don't think it was a concussion. I don't know what it was. I'll find out though. We'll know tomorrow. It wasn't serious.

Q: Jaxson's ankle is okay?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah, his foot got stepped on. He's okay.

Q: (Defensive lineman Chauncey) Golston left?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah, he banged his head a little bit, so they're checking on that for him. He kind of fell, hit the turf. So, that's what I was told. So, they're checking on that with him.

Q: John, as you've watched Burns these last few weeks, what do you think about this system is going to help him match the production of last year or even exceed that?

JOHN HARBAUGH: You know, I haven't really thought about it in those terms. I think it's a really good question in terms of his production. Probably a better question for him. I just think he does so many things well, he's going to excel. Hopefully we'll be able to free him up a little bit. Some of our blitzes and things like that. But he's going to draw a lot of attention. They're going to be looking to block him. So, it's tough when you're that guy. But he's got Abdul over there. He's got Thibs (outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux) over there. He's got (inside linebacker) Arvell (Reese). That should help him.

Q: How much has all this construction impacted your operations?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I can't sit here and lie to you and say it doesn't. It does. It's not Taj Mahal over there. We have to make it better. It's as good as we could do right now, but you kind of learn real quick what you need. The thing I really appreciate about the organization is that the ownership here will do whatever it takes. The fields are a good example. The fields were playing poorly in the spring. They went to work on the fields. We actually hired somebody, too. And the fields played great today. They were great. It was a major improvement. So, we're going to be in here for probably two seasons so they can build this over here. It's going to be incredible. But that's where we're going to be operating on it. So, we have a lot of work to do to make that better. But the players didn't bat an eye. They understand the circumstances. And it's gritty. So, maybe it's just what we needed. Maybe God said, "I need you to be a little grittier as a football team, so we're going to put you in this park over here."

Q: How much input can you have? I mean, you're not an architect, but are you able to?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Well, I had a little input. Now. Yesterday. As soon as I saw it, I had a little input.

Q: Do you think the Greenbrier experience equipped this group for going forward where they're at right now?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I think it definitely did. I mean, I think it definitely put us in position. We have a chance to be a good football team. We're doing a lot of good things right now. Okay. Where do we go? This week we told the guys the focus this week is all the execution things for sure, but the focus this week is technique. From now until Saturday, our individual focus is on your technique. All the little things to make you successful. Even at the end of practice when you're dead tired, that's a fourth quarter, win the game type drill and you're down by 14. Okay? That's focus on your technique. Because if your technique is good, you can win the battle of fatigue. And that's what we're working on. So, I think that set us up for that. Now go forward this week and do that same idea.

Q: How do you usually handle pads going into a preseason game?

JOHN HARBAUGH: We start alternating. Yeah, we'll be in shells tomorrow.

Outside Linebacker Brian Burns

Q: What was it like to be back at the complex, back home?

BRIAN BURNS: I feel good, man. I feel good. I feel good to be back. Seeing the families and everybody out here, it means a lot. It's good to be back home.

Q: What's it like to have a makeshift locker room and stuff all the way out there? Whatever they got over there.

BRIAN BURNS: It's just conditions. Ain't really got nothing to do with what's going on between these lines.

Q: As you've spent more time now in the system these last few weeks, what do you feel like is sort of going to help you thrive in this system?

BRIAN BURNS: I would just say knowing my job with all details included. It's a very interesting defense. A lot of moving parts. We got a lot of weapons that can do different things. So, with all this being on the same accord and really honing into the details. This defense, it's unbelievable.

Q: Defense seemed to enjoy when the quarterback slid today.

BRIAN BURNS: (Laughter) Yeah, we've been begging him to do that for a while now, so I'm glad that he's starting to practice it.

Q: What excites you about him as a second-year quarterback?

BRIAN BURNS: Oh, I mean, man, (quarterback Jaxson) Dart operated like this last year, so it's not really nothing, not really a surprise to see that he has that much attention to detail, and he's very intentional about his work. But just to see that from such a young player at such a young age, it's promising. And I'm glad that he's continuing to strive doing that.

Q: Besides the sliding, what else have you seen from him just over the last two weeks?

BRIAN BURNS: Him really focusing on, staying in the pocket, going through his progressions, making the right decision, making smart reads. We obviously know he can create. We know he can hurt a lot of defenses with his feet and just playmaking ability. But him being able to steer the defense the wrong way just going through his progressions is very impressive.

Q: Have you felt he's misdirected you at all?

BRIAN BURNS: Me? No (laughter). Most of the time I'm going after him, so he hasn't misdirected me, but he has looked off some of our DB's and made some plays, so that's promising to see.

Q: What have you seen from (defensive lineman) Darius Alexander?

BRIAN BURNS: Yeah, big boy got hands. DA is also a very versatile weapon that we have. Him just being able to drop into space and make those type of plays, it just shows his athleticism and really his IQ. So, let's keep him making those type of plays, but he's also been doing very well rushing the pass as well.

Q: I know it's just a training camp and it's not live games, but the run defenses has improved here much better so far during camp. What do you see from that area so far at least?

BRIAN BURNS: That's just technique and mentality. We just really put emphasis on being in our gap but also having a mean mentality when it comes to the run. So, we got some goals that we want to reach this year.

Q: Brian, do you think this defense, especially the way you go after the quarterback, has the potential to be ferocious as a group?

BRIAN BURNS: Yeah, man, yeah, I mean, of course.

Q: I mean, do you feel like you've got a multitude of components, a lot of guys here that can get to that quarterback?

BRIAN BURNS: We do. We do have a lot of guys that can get to the quarterback, that have great pass rushing ability, and we're going to use it well. We've got a great D coordinator (Defensive Coordinator Dennard Wilson). D coordinator and head coach (Head Coach John Harbaugh) are very real. They're very real with you, so they don't sugarcoat much, and they demand a lot of excellence out of you.

Q: How challenging are the physical demands of the way John (Harbaugh) runs camp, and how do you feel like the team at this moment is going to kind of get over this hump here?

BRIAN BURNS: Man, these days do stack on you, but like I said, it's camp it's supposed to be hard. It isn't really supposed to be easy. These days do stack on you, but it isn't doing nothing but making us stronger. So, I'm glad to go through that with these boys, and everybody's still working hard, even though they're sore, don't feel like it, unmotivated. But that's part of camp.

Q: When you had the ankle the other day, is it important as a vet and a leader to be back out on the field for the next practice and performing to kind of set a tone?

BRIAN BURNS: To set a tone? I guess you could say that. But, I mean, for the most part, my guys know whether I'm hurt, limping, it doesn't really matter. I'm going to be out there regardless. But it is good to get back out there and show them that we can fight through a little adversity, that an ankle isn't going to stop me from practicing and getting better.

Q: I think teammates called you a maniac last year in training camp. As evidence by the play that was down on the field early last year.

BRIAN BURNS: Yeah, you talking about with (Titans wide receiver) Wan'Dale (Robinson)?

Q: Yeah. Have you finally listened and slowed down at least a little bit? Or do you still have that same mentality?

BRIAN BURNS: I still got that same mentality. I would say I've learned my lesson from doing that. So, I kind of do tone it down a bit. But it has the same intent, same mentality, as far as getting after the ball and chasing the ball.

Q: What was the lesson?

BRIAN BURNS: When you see a lot of people, slow down a little bit. Otherwise, you might knock another tooth out.

Q: Going back to Darius (Alexander), obviously the team brought in a lot of the tackles, but he seems like he's really kind of trying to live up to that challenge. And do you kind of see that from him saying, hey, not only do I want to get better, but with all these guys in here that pushes me to kind of raise my level a little bit with DA?

BRIAN BURNS: Yeah. I would definitely say he wants to get better by himself on his own, which is important, but he also has a lot of vets that's pushing him and showing him the ropes as well. And like I said, he got a D coordinator (Wilson) that's going to call him out, call any of us out, myself included, in front of everybody and let you know you're not playing up to the standard. So, that's also another, some fire that's under (him) in a minute, in a bit.

Q: I know you've been busy. Did you catch the new Spider-Man movie yet?

BRIAN BURNS: Yeah, I watched it twice already.

Q: What did you think? Obviously, you liked it.

BRIAN BURNS: Yeah, I liked it. It was very good. There's a couple of things I think I would do a little different, but I really enjoyed it.

Q: Where does it rank in the four movies I guess now?

BRIAN BURNS: Where does it rank in Tom's four movies? It's trending towards the top. I would say the last one might have a little edge on it just because of the other Spider-Man's that were in it and some of the villains, but it's trending towards the top, maybe two.

Q: You mentioned accountability being something that players keep talking about. Harbaugh and some other guys have mentioned it. How has that changed this year? Just with the emphasis on accountability.

BRIAN BURNS: It just keeps you uncomfortable. I think the main way to grow in this sport, in this profession, is to be uncomfortable. You don't ever want to feel like your spot is guaranteed. You don't ever want to feel like you've made it. You always want to keep pushing yourself and having those type of coaches to call you out in front of everybody and hold you to a standard that you may not always hold yourself to is important. So, having Harbs (Harbaugh) and D-Will (Wilson) keep us on track to keep us uncomfortable is where we need to be. We need to be paranoid.

Wide Receiver Darnell Mooney

Q: How'd it go today?

DARNELL MOONEY: Oh, it was pretty smooth. It was one of, to me, it was one of our less productive days. Traveling back and it's a little hotter here than it was in West Virginia, but it's a pretty smooth day, though. Pretty smooth.

Q: When you look at your role for this year, how do you view it?

DARNELL MOONEY: To make plays. Like I said a few months back, I feel like I've been doing that. I feel like I've been doing well with that. My hands feel strong. I feel confident. I feel like I'm moving well, so everything's going smooth.

Q: Darnell, you've played for (Offensive Coordinator) Matt (Nagy) before, how has that maybe helped as you're coming through the first few weeks of training camp here?

DARNELL MOONEY: Oh, with Nagy? It's good, it's good. There's some of the things that I've played with, the plays, he's done my first two years in the league. He's got some new plays, but everything's kind of picking up speed from familiarity.

Q: A few of the guys have said this offense has elegant simplicity. I think (running back Tyrone) Tracy said that. For you being in this offense, what does that mean to you?

DARNELL MOONEY: I would say it's simple for me because I've already been in it a little bit. But everything echoes off of each other in that way. It's pretty simple for me, like I said. I've been in it a couple of times.

Q: Where has (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) made the biggest strides in training camp so far from the beginning to now?

DARNELL MOONEY: At first, I would say he was pretty pissed off with a couple of things at the beginning because a lot of guys are trying to figure out everything. We're trying to learn the playbook. Now that the guys know the playbook, everything's running a little bit more smoother. He's not having to help everyone out. We can help him out. He's calming down more so that he can just play quarterback. He doesn't have to help out everybody so much.

Q: What's your relationship like with him (Dart)?

DARNELL MOONEY: With Jax? Oh, we have a great relationship. Smooth. We had a nice little event out in Vegas. Got to hang out with each other a lot there. Jax is a cool guy, man. I'm happy to be a receiver for him.

Q: What do you think of his talent?

DARNELL MOONEY: Amazing, amazing talent. Has a nice strong arm. As you can see, all the guys, the defensive players were happy that he slid on one of the plays. He's being smart and he has his legs as well. All around great quarterback.

Q: At this time last year, you were dealing with a collarbone injury and had the hamstring during the year. How nice is it to be healthy at this stage in the summer? And how did it affect your year last year?

DARNELL MOONEY: I feel like we go through stages in our life for reasons. As confident as I was last year, I felt like I was on top of the world. I felt like going into that year, I felt like it was just time to take over.

And then the first day of training camp, I break my collarbone again. Two times in one year. I mean, I can just be here. I can just be here in this moment and continue just to be in this situation. Be where my feet are and live in the day within the day. I'm excited about today.

Q: Earlier in your career you were in a training camp like this where the wide receiver room has a lot of experience, battling for spots, not really knowing how many are going to be here. Would you be less patient, more patient if you were younger? And what is the mood now with the competition that's kind of shaping up?

DARNELL MOONEY: A lot of those things you can't even control. You just got to go out here every day and just play your game. Play your game, not worry about those things. When you start to worry about those things, it gets in the way of your mental capacity. I'm a big believer of God and I feel like God is not worried. Once you start to worry, you don't have the faith in God. Like I said, be where your feet are and just go play.