All the stats, notes, quotes, and more you need to get ready for Ravens-Bengals, in our weekly CRAB BAG!
KNOW THY ENEMY
SERIES HISTORY
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QUOTES OF THE WEEK
CB Jimmy Smith on if Coaches or Players Accept More Accountability for the 4-5 Record:
“We’re all in it together, so I can’t really separate [the coaches]. I know as a defense, especially, when we get in our defensive meeting rooms, we look at it all together as one unit – coaches included. So obviously, it’s part players, part coaches, and we look at it that way. We’re all part of it. Together, we can accomplish what we need to.”
Offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris on C Matt Skura:
“I think he’s done a heck of a job. In my eyes, what I’ve seen and what he’s done and how he’s taking the step from a guard last year and has grown to be a center – communication and direction and guidance and leadership – I give him an A-plus. He’s doing a heck of a job for us.”
G Marshal Yanda on the fact that the Ravens are in a similar situation as last season, being 4-5 at the bye and then making a playoff push:
“We have a lot of fight left. We have a lot of football left, and we’re not looking [ahead]. We’re just focused on the Bengals this week. Everybody understands that we can fight our tails off and be relevant at the end of the year. But, we’re not looking anywhere past Cincinnati. Everybody has a good attitude. Everybody is working hard and preparing, and that’s definitely our focus. We feel like we can get this thing turned around and get it rolling.”
CB Brandon Carr on if he feels rejuvenated after the bye:
“The bye came at a great time. [We] hit the brakes, allowed us to kind of refresh, regroup, get away from football, just get your mental [energy] back for this grind. We have seven weeks to make some noise, seven weeks to play our style of football and win as many games as possible.”
John Harbaugh on rookie T Orlando Brown Jr.:
“[He has] really done well. Every game, the footwork has been a little better, and every game you watch it, and there is still a lot more to get better at. This guy, there’s a lot to be written on his ledger going forward, and we just have to keep working on the fundamentals. He has talent, and he has toughness. He has a real mentality about him, a real right-tackle mentality. He’s like his dad, and that’s the greatest compliment that I or anybody else could give him. It’s fun watching him develop, and I’m excited about where he’s going.”
GETTING TO KNOW YOU ~ Q&A with Chris Wormley
You posted your first-career sack in Week 6. What was going through your mind after it happened?
“I wanted to celebrate with my teammates, because that’s what it’s all about. I didn’t have a celebration; I kind of just jumped up with Willie [Henry]. I was pretty excited; my mind went blank, actually. I have to stay more calm and cool next time.”
You’ve earned a starting role on the D-line this season. Seeing as this is only your second year, how has that transition been?
“I think it’s a combination of being comfortable, being confident in yourself, being in Year Two and knowing the playbook and the system and what the coaches expect out of you. I just try to find a way onto the field. I’m not normally a nose tackle – that’s Brandon [Williams] and [Michael] Pierce. So I just try to find a way onto the field and contribute to the team.”
What are the challenges associated with switching to a different position on the line?
“The guys are bigger. You’re playing up against guards and centers as opposed to tackles and tight ends – those guys are a little smaller on the outside. Learning how to take on those different blocks and double-teams was a challenge for the first couple weeks, but I think I’ve transitioned pretty well for someone who wasn’t used to playing the nose tackle position before.”
You were a special guest on FB/DL Patrick Ricard’s first-ever “Project Pat’s Food Review.” How was that experience?
“It was good! I’m one of Pat’s closest friends on the team, so I was his guinea pig and went to his first one. He takes suggestions on Twitter on where to go eat in Baltimore. He picks a spot and has a special guest every week. I was first, and then Maxx Williams and Jermaine Eluemunor participated. We taste the food, go on Instagram live and get fan reaction.”
Who came up with the hashtag #WormWednesday?
“I think I did. I started using it last year just to have something to post. I don’t really post much on Instagram, but my wife loves Instagram, so she’s always posting. I do it to get myself to post and to get more traction on social media.”
Do you participate in any community work about which you’re passionate?
“I do as much as I can with the Ravens. I participated in Play60, Special Olympics and Brandon Carr’s event for breast cancer, which was pretty cool. I volunteer at a camp in Toledo every year. [Assistant director of player engagement] Jameel McClain does a turkey giveaway, Thanksgiving dinner, that I try to help with. I do a lot with my teammates.”
Would you like to start your own foundation?
“Yes. I’d like to put on a football camp, maybe once a year back at home. I love interacting with kids, so something involving that would be pretty cool.”
You got married this offseason. How did you meet your wife?
“We actually met in high school, sophomore year at Homecoming. We didn’t go together. I think she went with a group of girls, and I went with my guy friends. I actually denied her to go to dinner. She came up to me and wanted to go to dinner with my group of friends and her group of friends, and I kind of shut it down. We ended up hanging out at Homecoming anyway, and I asked for her number.”
What is your most valuable possession?
“Probably my phone, because it has all the information that I need on it.”
You’re a proud Michigan alum. Are there any other alumni around the league that you’re close with? Or what about college rivalries?
“There’s no Michigan State or Ohio State alums on the team. [Wide receivers coach] Bobby Engram went to Penn State, so that’s our Big Ten rivalry. There are a couple guys across the league I’m close with. Everybody’s proud to say that Tom Brady is from Michigan, so I’ll say he’s my best friend. Me and Tom are good friends.”
HEY, YOU LOOK FAMILIAR! ~ Key Connections
Baltimore QBs coach James Urban spent the past seven seasons (2011-17) with Cincinnati as its wide receivers coach.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis served as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator from 1996-2001, helping the Ravens claim Super Bowl XXXV in the 2000 season.
Cincinnati defensive line coach Jacob Burney served in the same role in Baltimore from 1999-2001.
Bengals special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons spent his first year in the NFL with the Ravens as assistant special teams coach/assistant strength and conditioning coach in 1998.
Cincinnati strength and conditioning coach Chip Morton held the assistant strength and conditioning coach position in Baltimore from 1999-2001. Bengals assistant strength and conditioning coach Jeff Friday served nine seasons (1999-2007) with the Ravens as head strength and conditioning coach.
Bengals CB Tony McRae spent part of the 2017 season with the Ravens and played in four games.
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