About to hop on a plane to Miami, so let’s get right to the stats, notes, quotes, & more for Ravens @ Dolphins…
KNOW THY ENEMY
SERIES HISTORY
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
S Will Hill III on the 2015 Ravens:
“We’re battle-tested. We’ve all been fighting all year long, no matter the ups and downs, the injuries, people getting cut. It doesn’t matter. We believe in each other. Faith and guts. That’s all we have now. We’ll continue to fight and be the best Raven team we can be.”
John Harbaugh on the preparation and skill needed to have five-straight games with a blocked kick:
“To have something like that happen, I don’t think you can say that’s something you plan out and prepare for. I will give credit to our guys starting with [special teams coordinator/ associate head] coach [Jerry] Rosburg and Chris Horton, our assistant special teams coach. Those guys are phenomenal. They do an amazing job of coaching technique. Then, our leadership in the room with guys like Albert McClellan and Anthony Levine and others who do a great job, just taking that room and making it something they can be proud of and they believe in. We played hard on special teams [Monday Night]. I think it goes back to leadership. We have a lot of good special teams players; we’re very well coached.”
BaltimoreRavens.com columnist John Eisenberg on the Ravens’ special teams unit:
“It’s been a rough year for the Ravens’ defense and also for the offense at times, but their special teams units are nothing short of sensational in 2015. … Specialists Justin Tucker and Sam Koch are among the game’s best. Baltimore ranks among the league leaders in many coverage and return categories. The one thing they hadn’t done in 2015 was reach the end zone on a return, and [Kaelin] Clay checked that off the list with a blazing [punt] runback down the right sideline [at Cleveland]. The Ravens have lacked playmaking on offense and defense this season, but not on their special teams.”
OLB Elvis Dumervil on the Ravens’ thrilling win at Cleveland:
“It was great to be over on the sidelines [celebrating]. It was a long time coming. It’s been kind of [a tough] story all year. I think we’re maturing as a team and trying to really learn how to win. [It was a] great effort by everybody.”
Rookie WR/RS Kaelin Clay on his 82-yard PR-TD at Cleveland in just his second-career NFL game:
“It feels good, but you never have any satisfaction in it because you know you can do better, and you know you can do more. That’s always been my mindset. I’ve never been happy with certain results. I wanted to get another one and another one and another after that. For me, it kind of feels like I’ve taken some weight off my shoulders. I’m going to have to prove it every week now. That’s my goal, to be smart with the ball and just go out there and provide a spark for my team.”
GETTING TO KNOW YOU ~ Q&A with Kamar Aiken
What is it like to play in your hometown of Miami, growing up just a few miles from Sun Life Stadium, as a professional athlete?
“It’s fun. It’s always good to go back home. It feels like high school again. I have a lot of fans down there that support me, so it’s always fun to go back and be able to play the game in front of them and my family.”
What advice has Steve Smith Sr. given to you during his time as a Raven?
“How to approach the game every day as far as practices, how to take care of your body, doing the little stuff, film study – the little details that we might forget. ‘Grandpa Steve’ is what we call him, and he always calls us and tries to critique us on little stuff. He gives advice on anything small [and tells us] to pay attention to the little details.”
How has WRs coach Bobby Engram helped develop your game?
“Bobby we can relate to, because he played the game, and he played the game for so long. Everybody is always all ears when he is talking to us, because we know he played the position. He understands what it takes to be successful at this level. He’s probably one of the best coaches I’ve had since I’ve been in the league.”
How is the team able to stick together despite facing adversity this season?
“Stay the course. We know we’re not used to having a losing record; we’re used to winning. We’re going to stay the course, continue to work hard, and that’s all you can do to set yourself up for success.”
After interning with the Secret Service and FBI in the offseason, what division of these departments most interests you?
“I wouldn’t do Secret Service, because it’s too time consuming. FBI, I would be a special agent out in the field. I can’t be in an office. I would have to be out there in the field undercover and stuff like that.”
Since you are certified in scuba diving, is there a place in the world on your bucket list to explore?
“Probably Aruba. It’s something that growing up you’re always saying you want to go there, and you hear a lot of people talk about it.”
Which Raven is the… Toughest:
“Marshal Yanda.”
Most creative:
“Justin Tucker.”
Most thrifty:
“Me. I’m the cheapest person you’ll find.”
Best chef:
“Morgan [Cox] makes popcorn – really good popcorn. He has his own recipe, but he doesn’t want to tell us.”
Most stylish:
“Elvis [Dumervil]. He goes a little over and beyond.” (laughter)
A big brother:
“Steve [Smith Sr.]. Elvis is one too, because I’ve known Elvis since I was probably seven or eight [years old]. He went to school with my brother, so I’ve known him since I was small.”
HEY, YOU LOOK FAMILIAR! ~ Key Connections
Ravens D-line coach Clarence Brooks held the same position with the Dolphins from 2000-04, leading a unit that recorded at least 44 sacks three times and averaged nearly 3 sacks per game over a four-year span.
Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman served as Miami’s assistant head coach/QBs coach in 2004.
Ravens RB Raheem Mostert signed with Baltimore this season after being waived by Miami on Oct. 13. Mostert played in one game for the Dolphins, returning two kickoffs for 57 yards.
Ravens CB Will Davis (IR), selected by Miami in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, was traded to Baltimore in Week 3 this season.
Ravens senior advisor to player engagement O.J. Brigance was twice voted a team captain in four years (1996-99) while playing for Miami. Ravens director of player engagement Harry Swayne played his final NFL season (2001) with the Dolphins.
Ravens Midwest area scout Jack Glowik covered the mid-central states for Miami from 2005-07.
Dolphins vice chairman Don Shula played for (1953-1956) and coached (1963-1969) the Baltimore Colts before his 26-year tenure in Miami. Shula led the Colts to a Super Bowl III appearance during the 1968 campaign, his penultimate season in Baltimore.
From 2009-11, Dolphins senior offensive assistant Al Saunders was a consultant for the Ravens from 2009-10. Dolhins assistant ST coach Marwan Maalouf held the same post in Baltimore from 2008-11.
In 1995, Dolphins EVP of football operations Mike Tannenbaum worked as a player personnel assistant in Cleveland with Ravens GM and EVP Ozzie Newsome (director of pro personnel), director of pro personnel Vincent Newsome (special assignment scout), senior personnel assistant George Kokinis (scout) and senior VP of football administration Pat Moriarty (director of business development).
Ravens DE Chris Canty and Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell (tight end) played for Dallas in 2005.
