Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch (9.12.25)
We talk so much about this matchup with Baltimore, from the front seven, especially the linebackers’ perspectives because of what Lamar (Jackson) provides alongside Derrick (Henry). For your position group specifically, what is the challenge that’s unique to this specific matchup with Lamar that they have to make?
“It’s one of those weeks that, really going to what we talk about, like playing Browns football. And playing Browns football, especially defensively, is being physical, is being extremely violent, having urgent effort outside and really playing with passion. So, when you talk about an opportunity area for us, it’s another opportunity for us to really, like, do what our standard is. And that’s do what we’re supposed to do when we’re supposed to do it every time.”
Watching the first game and Greg (Newsome II) on the outside, obviously he’s played there before a lot earlier in his career, but how did you guys come away with how he did out there and with Myles (Harden) starting in the slot?
“Oh, yes, Ash (Ashley Bastock). You know, the biggest thing with Greg playing outside is, you know, it’s the not the exception, right? It’s the expectation for our guys to really go out there, be the tip of the spear so that we can help our engine get home and really be a trusted teammate for our nerve center. So, like, really to see Greg out there, working, doing the things that he’s done since training camp has been great to see, right? Because we know that everything that we do is a statement. From the classroom, to every rep that we take at practice, to the film. So, it was really good to see that statement on tape, being able to be verified. And with Myles, again, another trusted teammate. He’s somebody that really embodies what’s important to us. You know, obviously, we talk about the violence, the speed of play and the effort, and he’s somebody who’s a really good communicator. So especially in games like last week, but more importantly in games like this week, we’re going to be able to really see their natural strengths out there.”
What about Zay (Flowers) and Rashod (Bateman)? What do those guys bring to the table and what are the challenges they’re presenting?
“Yes, ma’am, speed and versatility. You know, both of those guys are definitely their playmakers. You know, when we talk about what our goals are, our number one goal is we have to stop the run, we have to be physical in the run game, and we have to Neutralize those guys’ effects outside. The second and third thing is really eliminating Lamar’s legs in his plaster and scramble drills. And those guys do a really good job, like displaying themselves, getting their selves open. So, we have to do a good job staying on top of coverage, winning early and then plastering late.”
About Deandre Hopkins and what he adds to their offense, only two catches but one of them for that crazy one-handed touchdown in week one. What does he add to that offense?
“Sure, Hall of Fame receiver, right? You know, and obviously he’s a trusted target guy. He’s a guy that’s proven in this league. He makes contested catches, especially in the high red zone area. So, we have to do a really good job staying on top, eliminating explosives. And really when they do give the ball to him, we got to do a good job tackling the space.”
When it comes to you guys helping in the run game, is that even a bigger point of emphasis this week because of Lamar’s legs, because of Derrick, their ability to come and help tackle?
“Sure. You know, and you asked that question. I think that’s always a point of emphasis for us, especially when we talk about, outworking, out hitting, out physicalling our opponent. So, that’s been something in our identity that we’ve worked very hard since April, to make sure that is very much a part of the tip of the spear. So, being able to get active in the run game and be a trusted teammate for our engine and our nerve center, it’s been a point of emphasis this week.”
And I think Jim Schwartz said something this summer about Denzel (Ward) wanting to be more physical and kind of wanting to get better. I mean, he’s always been a physical guy, but wanting to get better. Have you seen that?
“Yes. And the guys have really bought into what our standard is, right? And coach Kevin (Stefanski) always talks about our standard is do what we’re supposed to do, when we’re supposed to do it, every time. You know, our standard on defense is be the best in all areas. And when we say that our violence, our effort, our passion, that has to be on display. So, with one of our trusted teammates, one of our best players, being held accountable, he absolutely has worked this whole off season to improve that in his game.”
Talk about helping the engine of the defense, and Coach Schwartz was talking about giving you guys a lot of credit for that fourth quarter back-to-back-to-back sacks. The guys were also talking about needing the defense to start things faster and get things going faster. Is that something that you guys can do in off the rip, or is it, like we saw in that fourth quarter after a game full of tight coverage, can you get that going earlier, or is it something that has to be done as the game goes on?
“That’s a great question, and the reason why I say that’s a great question, I’m going to throw two numbers, 31 and 11. So, part of us starting fast really embodies 31 and 11, when we tie or we’re plus in the takeover margin. So, our guys starting fast and really being a trusted teammate so that we can be resilient together, that’s extremely important to those guys. And that’s definitely a point of emphasis on us. You know, we talk about, communicate first, then execute, and that’s getting off to a fast start so that we can be the tip of the spear. That’s definitely been a point of emphasis.”
Greg, what are your expectations for this for the entire season? I know it’s a big year for his contract, all those things, playing outside all the time. What do you expect from Greg all season?
“To do what we’re supposed to do when we’re supposed to do it every time. you know, and again, we know that every single thing that we do is a statement, and we want to make sure that statement is to our standard. And our standard defensively is playing with great violence, playing with great effort, great passion, so when you ask what is that specific standard for Greg, it’s really just continue to be a trusted teammate, keep arrowing up, keep majoring in the things that are important to us as a defense.”
I know the Ravens don’t throw many interceptions, but how do you guys increase your takeaways, such an important stat for you guys, as a defense? How do you do that when the opportunity is necessary? Is there a line where you can cross to try to force it, and then you’re not making the play that you should make?
“Yes. You know, consistency. We talk about consistency and simplicity is the key to success. So, we have to have elite work habits. We have to have elite technique and fundamentals and trusting in those fundamentals. And then when we talk about like, one plus one equaling three, the sum has to be greater than its parts. It’s really relying on what we do well, being consistent at those things, so that we can. We can make plays when the time comes.”
Brandon (Lynch), what did you see from Myles Harden starting at the nickel spot on Sunday?
“Yeah, you know, that young guy is physical. He’s somebody that we talk about, like, play speed, right? And part of play speed is you being able to be ahead of plays, being aware, being a great communicator. That’s something that he’s done since he’s been in camp, and he continues to arrow up on those things. He’s a guy that, when we talk about, every meeting, every practice, every rep is a statement. It’s very important to him. And it’s very important to him to be a trusted teammate, not only amongst the tip of the spear, but really be somebody that the engine and the nerve center can really look to and that they can count on.”
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