Head Coach John Harbaugh

JOHN HARBAUGH: Okay, good practice, tough day. Very happy with the way the guys got after it. Thought it was really competitive, just what we needed. What questions do you have?

Q: We just spoke to (wide receiver) Odell (Beckham Jr.). Seems like the last two days, he's really been involved more in regards to actual results, catches, stuff like that. What do you sort of attribute that to?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I think it's just normal, ebb and flow. He's working hard and he got some balls that came his way and he made some great plays. He addressed the team, maybe it was that. He addressed the team yesterday morning. We do a wise words to start our meetings in the morning and he was up and he did a great job with that. So, maybe that was the football gods right there. You never know.

Q: What were his wise words?

JOHN HARBAUGH: You'd have to ask him. They were very wise though. He had like five really good points.

Q: (Outside linebacker) Brian Burns, what happened?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah, minor. Brian has a minor thing. He would have been able to play a game with, so we held him out. And then (cornerback) Dru (Phillips) looks like it's minor. So, we'll keep monitoring it tonight, but it looks like it's going to be okay.

Q: What did you say about playing a game for Brian there?

JOHN HARBAUGH: He could have played. So, that's why I say it's just kind of the measurement of a minor type thing, yeah.

Q: Didn't see (safety) Beau Brade.

JOHN HARBAUGH: Same, another minor deal, yep.

Q: And then (wide receiver) Malachi (Fields)?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Minor deal, another minor deal. And you'll see all those guys back soon, thanks. Thanks, I can never remember all the guys.

Q: Were you kind of monitoring Skatt's (running back Cam Skattebo) workload today too?

JOHN HARBAUGH: We always do. Not just his, really all the guys, but he's definitely a guy that we were trying to put the mileage into certain types of plays. And we wanted him to be in the team reps as much as possible. So, he got quite a few good teamwork reps, I thought. It's good.

Q: You told us yesterday, you felt you didn't need to say anything to (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) about throwing the ball thing and getting an unsportsmanlike penalty. Did he say anything to you by any chance?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Well, we have our team meeting, and all those plays come up, the different things come up. So, that's an opportunity for coaching points. So, we went over the sequence, and everybody knows. So, it was good. He was great about it. He's great about accepting responsibility and he's a very accountable guy. I feel like all the guys are. I really like that about this team. To me, they're very intentional about their work and they're very accountable about their process, if you want to say it that way. I really liked that. I feel like it's a bunch of guys that make the most of the day because of that.

Q: You do a lot of good on good drills. Today, it seemed like for the first time, you went ones versus quote unquote twos. What do you gain out of that? What do the guys gain out of that, kind of mixing it up a little bit?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Sure, great question. That's a great question. And you go ones against ones, you get good on good, just like you would expect. That's more the coordinators calling what they want to call. If we go ones versus twos, we're still, at this stage of camp, we're still running our offense and defense. But the coordinator, if it's the first offense, then he's going to ask for some things. He wants to see more cover two, more cover three. He wants to see a blitz. He doesn't want to see a blitz. He can help script that, but the defense still plays. It's our calls, that kind of thing. And then you also, we were able to run some longer periods out. So, you saw the guys out there for 12 plays, nine plays, for six no huddle plays, things like that, which become more game-like. So, that's the balance I think of it.

Q: I see (wide receiver) Dalen Cambre make a circus catch every single day. What do you see from him?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I see him make a circus catch every single day. And not just that, he's doing all the other things. He's doing special teams. He knows what he's doing. He's running great routes. I think he's making a move. I think he's done a great job and he's got our attention.

Q: (Cornerback) Deonte Banks, do you think that he earned the kind of the promotion today or the opportunity today that he had?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Oh, absolutely. It's competitive, guys are competing. I've told you before, I really feel good about our corner depth. I think we've got some guys there. So, we're just going to let those guys keep competing and it brings out the best in everybody. I thought all the corners played well today.

Q: Everybody gets a clean slate with a new coach. Do you sense from Tae (Banks), the idea that he has really welcomed that?

JOHN HARBAUGH: That's a good question for him. I haven't really talked to him about that per se. We've known Tae for a long time. He's from the area there, played at Maryland. We knew him coming out. I was really thrilled that he was on the team coming here. And I was excited to see how he did and he's done really well.

Q: Did you like Jaxson's response today?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah, absolutely.

Q: You put a lot of snaps on him and it seemed like throughout the day he was completing more down the field.

JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah, good point. The football response absolutely was there. Yeah, he stepped up. A lot of third down stuff we did. Fourth down stuff, fourth down in the red zone to win the game, things like that. Yeah, he had a heck of a practice. It was impressive.

Wide Receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Q: How are you feeling, physically, a week into camp?

ODELL BECKHAM JR.: Probably the same as everybody else. You're just going, you're just finding ways to (inaudible), keep building up your threshold. Like I told you before, I kind of had two years off, and that time was spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, whatever it was, I got time to heal. So, I feel good. At the end of the day there's no football shape until you get to like Week 3, 4. Everybody's tired if you run four plays in a row. Just finding ways to stay on top of all the other things. Outside of that, take care of your body, rehab, prehab, those kind of things. I feel good.

Q: Yesterday it looked like you had pretty much your biggest workload so far in camp, and then with the first team along with (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart). How much for you was it important to stack today off of yesterday and to not slack?

ODELL BECKHAM JR.: In my room at the hotel, there's absolutely nothing to do here. Beautiful place, but nothing to do here. A quote that I kind of shared with the team was, 'yesterday's touchdown doesn't win you today's game.' I feel like I came out yesterday and I was like, 'I'm want to have my best day.' and I feel like I had a good day. Some things to work on, to learn from, to get better, and I was like, 'I want to have an even better day tomorrow.' And I feel like the whole team is carrying that mentality, but personally for me, it's just about stacking those days. Just finding ways to build confidence, build confidence from within the team and myself included.

Q: Was it a challenge going through the first, let's say like five days where there are just so many receivers, there's a lot of rotating, you don't get many reps, and then maybe you don't get a look. What was that like waiting for that day?

ODELL BECKHAM JR.: It's definitely challenging. Being the competitor that I am, it's hard when you really love something and you work really hard at it and you want to perfect your craft, and then you feel like you don't get an opportunity, but it just comes with the territory of camp. It almost is better because it's like, all right we're spreading it out, everybody's getting reps, we're fresh, we're fresh, everybody's fresh. But, at the end of the day, there's only one ball and there's a bunch of playmakers on this offensive side. We've got one of them who's still prepping to get back. There are guys everywhere, so the ball's going to get shared. It's just like, 'Do your job whenever you get the chance.'

Q: What's this like for you? I'm sure you haven't been in the opportunity or in the position very often in your career where you have to produce to make the team, you know what I mean?

ODELL BECKHAM JR.: Yeah.

Q: So, what's that like to you? Do you put pressure on yourself? Do you think about that?

ODELL BECKHAM JR.: I mean, I kind of like it. My boy texted me, he's like, 'This is where you thrive, like pressure.' When I have pressure, I live for it. Tatted on my finger. And to me, I feel like if it's something that's not like – if we were just messing around, playing horse, we're playing, we're not playing for $100, I might lose. But you put the $100 on there, and then, hypothetically, you know what I'm saying? And like I'm going to – I want to step up to the big of the moment. I definitely put pressure on myself to make plays. This is the conversation I had with (Head) Coach (John Harbaugh) before I ever came here, he's like, 'You know, I've got a really good relationship with you, I don't want you (to) come here, and then something happens and you can't make the team.' I'm like, 'I can live with me getting up, leaving my home, coming here and giving my best effort, and if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out.' I couldn't live with me feeling like I gave up on myself and I never (saw) through my dream that I've been chasing since I was four years old. I just couldn't live with that. So, it is what it is. I'm all for competition. I've always been like that. I feel like I rise to the occasion. And right now, I'm just trying to stay in the bag, you know what I mean? I'm trying to get better each and every day, know exactly what I've got to do, get open, catch the ball, score, get back to the game that I truly love, and I'm just grateful for the opportunity.

Q: Do you feel like you've gotten there more in the last couple days? The results say it, I mean I'm not sure if you say, 'Well I played the same way the first X number of days.' Or do you feel like you're playing better?

ODELL BECKHAM JR.: I feel like I'm getting better. I feel like with repetition, with mistakes, unfortunately I'm one of those people who has to touch the stove to know that it's hot and to not touch it again, so I learn from a mistake and it's like, all right, that's something that I corrected. So, I definitely feel like I'm getting better. There's definitely been more opportunities. It's just a combination of both. But kind of just fizzle all that out and I'm just like – I'm just locked in the moment. I'm truly grateful for being where my feet are at and just trying to enjoy that each and every day and bring the best energy that I can.

Q: So many people talk about wanting to prove things to others. For you, have you proven something to yourself? Even in the last week or so?

ODELL BECKHAM JR.: I feel like if this comes off selfish, sorry, but this is like – this is for me. This is the prove to myself. It's never really been to prove it to others, but it's always fun when you can prove it to others. But this is for me, this is for my son, this is like – in our household, we never give up, you know what I'm saying? No matter what it is, you're going to finish what you started. And that's kind of all this is to me. I take it as, if God's giving me one year, then it is what it is, but who knows what it's going to be. I'm just trying to be present each and every day, and prove to myself that I am who I know I am. Everybody likes to talk about, 'Is he going to be this, that?' And I'm like, LeBron James used to take off before the free throw line, and now if he's taking off with his foot right in front of it, he's still got a different game, but he's still playing at a high level. I believe that I can play at a high level. People like to talk, 'What are the stats?' And all these things, and I'm like the last time I played at the Ravens, I had 35 catches and 600-plus yards and four touchdowns. If you double that, that's 70 catches, 1,200 yards, it's a great season. So, it's about how many opportunities you get, knowing that I may not be getting 10, 12 targets, what am I going to do with the five or six that I get? How can I help all the other receivers and the running backs, and how can I help this team? What can I bring? I'm not so much caught up in what numbers are going to be, I just want to be the best me that I can be. I want to get open and create separation, catch the ball, hopefully score a lot, and have fun. That's really all it is for me.

Q: What kind of juice do you still get when the crowd goes wild when you touch the ball?

ODELL BECKHAM JR.: A lot of juice. It's a lot of love. We've had this conversation before. Most people don't get a chance to double back, and this is a place that made me into a man, made me into who I am. I have so much love for this organization, this city. I've got New York tatted on my back; you know what I mean? And I'm from New Orleans. So, all I ever wanted to do was win a championship for the New York Giants and just having an opportunity right now to – the end goal in mind, but stack those days, that's all I want to do for this city, this organization, is bring one home.

Cornerback Greg Newsome II

Q: How do you feel like your camp is going so far?

GREG NEWSOME: I think I'm having a pretty good camp, pretty successful camp. Just learning a lot of the defense, really just connecting with the guys. But I think I'm having a pretty good camp.

Q: How competitive is that spot at corner? It seems like the top four guys pretty much are all getting a chance.

GREG NEWSOME: Yeah, it's super competitive. That's how you want it. Iron sharpens iron. And we say that all the time, it's super competitive. Everyone's looking great. So, it's definitely been fun to be a part of.

Q: What did you think of (quarterback Jaxson) Dart throwing the ball at you yesterday?

GREG NEWSOME: (Laughter) Nah, I was mad. But like I said, I'm a guy that chirps. I like stuff like that. So, we were laughing at lunch about it literally after practice yesterday. So, we were about to post a little selfie because I seen it got on ESPN and stuff. So, it was fun. It was funny. I like the aggression. I like that with my quarterback. So, it's all good.

Q: Did that come from the defense not necessarily loving the idea that when the quarterback can take off and scramble in those kind of settings. I mean, you guys are covering, you're playing good defense and all of a sudden, the guy you can't touch is running in the end zone.

GREG NEWSOME: Yeah, I mean, he's proven though. I mean, when he gets close to the end zone, he scores. I'm telling him, he's not going to score. So, there's obviously going to be some back and forth all the time. But like I said, iron sharpens iron. It's hot outside. It's day whatever of camp, emotions get high. So, it was fun.

Q: And they got to 15.

GREG NEWSOME: Yeah, they got to 15. That was my job, make them get the 15. So, it's all good.

Q: Tae Banks (cornerback Deonte Banks) seemed like he earned more of an opportunity today. What do you think of his play through the first week of camp?

GREG NEWSOME: Oh, Tae Banks is amazing. He's one of the best just pure athletes, man-to-man, press corners that I've seen. So, he's been doing an amazing job every single day, getting better every single day. So, I'm super excited because he's going to help us out this season.

Q: What do you think of what (Defensive Coordinator) Dennard Wilson's scheme asks of the back line corners?

GREG NEWSOME: Just being aggressive. Getting up and challenging people. I feel like last year, my first six games in Cleveland, that's what I was asked to do. I feel like I played at a very elite level. People go watch those games when I was in Cleveland. So, this is something that I'm used to, something that I'm comfortable with. And I think all the corners are comfortable with playing like that, too.

Q: You talked about playing well early in Cleveland. Obviously, you get the trade, you come here on a one-year deal. Does this feel like kind of a pivotal time in your career?

GREG NEWSOME: Yeah. Yes and no. I think every year is pivotal, but it's just for me, I just feel like it's a fresh start with a new team, with new guys, with a new scheme. And I'm just super excited to just embrace New York, show the fans why they signed me here, why I decided to come here. And I'm super excited to play for this team.

Q: You went against (Head Coach John) Harbaugh for years in AFC North, but this is the first time you've been part of his practices. What's a Harbaugh practice like?

GREG NEWSOME: Man, it's tough, gritty. We're going to work, and I like that. There's no off days for us in terms of not competing. He's going to make sure we compete. We're always doing situational football and things like that. So, it's been super fun to play. He's a great coach. We're always talking all the time and I'm super excited to play for him.

Q: What about a team meeting with him? That's something that caught people's attention coming into camp.

GREG NEWSOME: For me, I just feel like it's genuine. He doesn't go in there and just read off a PowerPoint and just say things. He's genuinely, whatever he's feeling, he's saying that and I can respect that. You can kind of tell when someone's just playing with you and when someone's being serious. And that's a coach that you want to go out there on the field, blood, sweat, and tears for. So, team meetings are great with Harbs. Right now, we've got some rookie stuff going on in team meetings, but it's been fun.

Q: How are they (the rookies) doing?

GREG NEWSOME: They're doing good. Singing a little bit and things like that. So, it's been fun.

Q: Is there excitement building on the defense? I know we're only a handful of days in but given how you guys have performed so far, excitement building about what you could be this season?

GREG NEWSOME: For sure. I think for us the sky's the limit. Like I said, everyone has something to prove this season and I think that's a key ingredient for success. We're close. We're in the locker room, staying after, just talking with each other, eating lunch together, going to eat together and things like that. And we've been practicing really well but the thing is we've got to continue to build. Obviously, we're not ready right now for game one but I think if we continue to keep going in the path we're going, we'll be ready.

Q: You say everyone has something to prove. Is that something that is always true with teams? Or do you think that's more unique to this team maybe than you've seen in the past?

GREG NEWSOME: Yeah, I think most teams have a lot to prove. I feel like year-to-year it's kind of the same. But I just feel like obviously head coach, being a new head coach, guys coming into their own, Jaxson being in year two, just a lot of guys are just coming with something to prove. We're all trying to just prove each other right. So, I'm super excited to be a part of a team like this. Obviously, I'm only one year. I've got a lot to prove. So, I'm super excited for this season.

Q: When you talked about Tae Banks, you said one of the better one-on-one men, guys, talent lines. What do you see in that regard? How do you get to that point? What do you see when you look at him?

GREG NEWSOME: Yeah, I just think when you just watch him from OTA's to now, the guys putting hands on, being physical with guys, there's not a lot of separation with him. And just his athletic ability is fast, he's strong, he can cover. If you just watch practice, he's been doing a great job whenever he's asked to get up there and play man-to-man coverage. So, I think, like I said, I'm pretty sure he's going to do a lot of great things for us this season.