Coach John Harbaugh: ‘The world keeps spinning'

John Harbaugh (0:00)

Great day for football, we had a lot of fun out here. Getting ready for a very tough and worthy opponent.

We're looking to bounce back from the loss and try to get the next game under our belt, and we've got a big challenge in front of us. So what questions you have?

SPEAKER_2 (0:17)

Not as good as reported, your quarterback suffered a pretty significant injury. How big a loss is it to be without him?

John Harbaugh (0:25)

Yeah, it's a big loss for sure. I mean, you're starting quarterback, it's a tough loss.

SPEAKER_2 (0:34)

What's the timeline?

John Harbaugh (0:37)

Regular season at least, I would say.

SPEAKER_3 (0:40)

He's out for the regular season, John.

SPEAKER_4 (0:42)

What is the injury?

SPEAKER_5 (0:44)

Is it meniscus?

John Harbaugh (0:45)

It's a knee injury.

SPEAKER_2 (0:49)

When you said regular season, are you hopeful that maybe he could come back for the postseason? Is that what you're saying?

John Harbaugh (0:54)

I think I said it. Yeah, I said it. Regular season.

Other than that, how do you know? There's no way to know. It just depends on the recovery.

SPEAKER_5 (1:04)

You can't pinpoint it.

SPEAKER_2 (1:06)

I'm just saying, if the timeline takes you further enough down the line, then that wouldn't be an option either.

John Harbaugh (1:13)

Correct.

SPEAKER_5 (1:14)

So you'll designate him for return?

John Harbaugh (1:18)

Probably, yeah. I guess. I don't know. I haven't thought about it. When is he having surgery? I don't know.

SPEAKER_2 (1:27)

How do you go about it when you have to switch quarterbacks? Obviously, they have a different skill set. How do you go about tailoring the offense now to a new quarterback?

John Harbaugh (1:36)

Definitely. That's to me a big part of it is building a game plan now for Jameis. He'll be the starter. So build the game plan for Jameis, suit his skill set.

The game plan this last week was built for Jackson, obviously. So this will be an opportunity to do that. And that's exactly what we'll do, build around all the things that he does well that are in the offense, which is there's plenty in the offense, you know. So and of course, how to attack Tennessee and their defense and what they do. So that's what we're doing.

SPEAKER_5 (2:08)

How big of an undertaking is that for you and your offensive staff to change on a dime like that?

John Harbaugh (2:13)

Well, I don't think it's too big because all this stuff is in the offense. Like all those plays are plays that we have that we've been practicing and running. It's just kind of more like a shift maybe over a little bit as opposed to a new, maybe a lane change as opposed to change in direction or anything like that. More of a lane change.

SPEAKER_2 (2:28)

You plan on interfering in any other quarterbacks?

John Harbaugh (2:30)

We will. We will plan on doing that. Absolutely. I can't say who at this point, but we're working on that.

SPEAKER_5 (2:36)

Do you prefer a veteran there for that spot or not?

John Harbaugh (2:39)

A veteran as opposed to a rookie like right now.

SPEAKER_6 (2:42)

A younger guy, someone who has experience playing in the NFL.

John Harbaugh (2:45)

You know, I think I would probably, but you kind of got to go with what's available as well. And you never know. If a younger guy comes available, that's interesting. You know, that would fit. I think we're looking at all that. It just depends on really what our options end up being.

SPEAKER_2 (3:02)

Would you be open to trading for someone or is it who's available?

John Harbaugh (3:05)

I think all options are open. Yeah, all options are open right now.

SPEAKER_6 (3:08)

What do you see as James' biggest skill set at the position?

John Harbaugh (3:12)

Well, he can throw it. I mean, he's a big, strong, passing quarterback, you know.

He can throw the ball.

Everybody that follows football has certainly seen James play, and his strengths are evident. So that's what you build around.

SPEAKER_7 (3:28)

John, it's not like James is sitting in a back room somewhere. I mean, you obviously respect him. His teammates respect him. You know, he's on your leadership council, so he does have a big presence.

Does any of that help the transition going into week one on a short week?

John Harbaugh (3:43)

I would say, yeah, absolutely. It's not, it's not. James has been practicing every day. You know, he's taking reps. He knows the offense. He's been in every single meeting. He's been engaged every step of the way with everything we're doing. So from that perspective, it's seamless, you know.