Roquan Smith: ‘Each and Every Guy Was on the Same Page’ | Baltimore Ravens

Roquan Smith: ‘Each and Every Guy Was on the Same Page’ | Baltimore Ravens

What’s it like uh coming back from injury and then of course ending the game with a win at that as well? Yeah. No, it’s pretty awesome. Uh you never want to be injured in this game of football because your best ability is your availability. So that’s what it all boils down to. Uh grateful to be out there um with my guys and getting a dub here at uh Mnt. I saw you come off the field after that fourth down stop and have a long embrace with with coach Harva. um was that about a specific player about the entire game or anything you can kind of share from that that moment between you guys? No, at the end of the day it’s about getting a dub and getting a dub is very hard in this league and just talking about that and just u embracing each other and knowing that the last month’s been very tough for uh each and everyone um inside of that locker room and all the uh true fans and things of that nature and understand how that can uh be. So, it was just more so a moment and you know that’s what life’s all about having moments with people who you truly care about and uh relationship. So that’s what I would say after you kept him out of the end zone on those first two drives. I mean John talked about how how big that was. Did it feel like a turning point to you guys? I mean was it like all right, you know, now now we’re hunting on which play? Uh after you kept him out of the end zone on the first two drives, you held him to field goals. Yeah, absolutely. I think it’s just more so about playing to your standard each and every individual. And I think there was a lot of self-inflicted uh things that we did amongst ourselves. Like, yeah, granted Ben Johnson’s a very good uh coordinator and uh their first 15 was um um quite tough, you know, but that’s what it’s all about. Like, absolutely understanding what they’re trying to do and understand how they’re trying to attack you and then settling down. And obviously, it would be crazy to say with the offense, those guys been scoring 20 plus points every game that those guys are not going to move the ball at all. That would be dumb to say. So, it was just more so about bowling up and uh forcing a field goal and you would hope to uh blocking it. You know, we talk about that all the time. if a team get in the red zone, not letting them score. So, it’s something that we’ve been focusing on and it’s just like a start to it. During the week when you’re playing, seeing Tyler Huntley out there and playing, did you sense how with how sharp he was that kind of he was going to be ready to go on Sunday and play a really good football game? Man, I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for uh Snoop ever since uh Chicago. I remember playing him in Chicago. I think Lamar was sick or something back in 2020. I can’t remember the year, but uh whenever that was. like going up against him, it was like, “Okay, Lamar’s out.” You kind of get uh excited in a sense like as a competitor, you obviously want to play the best of the best, but you know, and you think like that and he obviously showed that he can win games in this football league. So, ever since then, uh and I honestly watched him at Utah, too. Uh like him and I think Moss at running back. So, I’ve seen him play for a while and uh got a tremendous amount of respect for that guy. The way he come in to work each and every day, uh head down, act as if he’s the starter when he obviously when Lamar’s here, he know he’s not the uh the starter. So, like just a lot of respect for him and the way he go about his business. Never complain. Just always show up and do whatever uh is required of him. I know you’re trying to have a great game every week, but I mean you were reflecting a little bit on your time in Chicago earlier this week. I’m sure there’s sort of a a time to think about, you know, it’s been three years since you’ve been here. um when you get ready for a game like this, does it is it helpful to kind of let those thoughts kind of in or or do you have to kind of shut some of those thoughts and reflections out to have your best game? Uh honestly, man, maybe if that was like a couple months after I got traded or maybe even a year, but at the end of the day, I’m comfortable with who I am as a person and who I am as a player and I like know what I bring to the table. So, it’s just more so about me echoing that each and every snap through my play and not really worrying about the outside noise. what really matters is like me going to work each and every day preparing for each and every team like it’s my last game because it very well could be and I just have that approach uh throughout and if you keep that approach as a player like good things is going to happen and you just play relentless and that’s what it was about and it was just really great though to see a lot of people over in Chicago a lot of uh faces who I’ve got that I got to see who I care about and like cuz this game’s about relationship so it was just awesome to see those people after the game have talks with them pregame and things of that nature because relationship will go long after this ball stuff is over for Roan. Roan, you were this team was one and five and and the thought is if a team falls to one and six, it’s pretty much over. Were you in the locker room was there any sense that this is absolute must-win game or is it just the same mentality as any other week? I would say not a single individual that I heard would say said anything about, oh, the season is over this, that, and the third. And like myself, I consider myself an internal optimist. So, it’s like I’m always like we got a shot to do whatever we want. And I know the type of guys that we have in the locker room. So, it’s more so about going out and doing that. Not talking about it, but actually doing it. And I think each and every guy was on the same page the way we prepared over the couple days uh during the by-week. And then this week, man, it’s like new energy. And like I feel like the team got a fresh start and we’re just going out to show who we are. But it just started this week. We’re 1 and0 this week and then hey, we got to get to two and0 this week because it’s a short week and it’s uh on to Miami. Two straight games that are really by the defense. Obviously, you know, Zach or and the staff kind of took its lumps early, but do you feel like there has been an evolution between the players, coaches, and just kind of finding common ground and learning what each person does best in certain spots? Yeah, I think that’s always uh crucial, finding out what each and every guy do when there’s live bullets flying um out on the field when it’s actually for real as opposed to when things you’re practicing and things like that. So, it’s just always about like revamping, improving, and putting each and every guy in the best situation to succeed. And I got a tremendous amount of respect for the whole entire defensive staff who know what each and every guy does best and putting them in the best place. So that’s what it’s all about. But I feel like we’re just getting started on who we are and we know who we are. Uh but just more so for the outside and we just got to continue that week in and week out and it’s just the start and now we’re on our way. So that’s what it’s all about. All right. Thanks.

Inside linebacker Roquan Smith on the defensive performance, his emotions following Week 8 and more.

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