Post-Week 1: Ravens Press Conferences 9/13/26

SPEAKER_1 (0:03)

Welcome in to Press Pass following the Ravens 41-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the season opener. It's a great start for the Jesse Minter era as the Ravens new head coach wins in his debut.

We're going to hear from head coach Jesse Minter as well as Ravens players following the win. Let's start with Jesse Minter.

Jesse Minter (0:26)

Appreciate you guys being here. Really proud of our football team. You know, it's the opener. You put a lot of time into it. You realize the amount of work that goes into these things from all the way back to January with hiring a coaching staff and obviously the team coming back in April and the opener obviously sort of feels like that first real opportunity to be the type of team we want to be. We got a lot of things we can clean up and get better at. Give the Colts a lot of credit. That's a good football team. But I'm really proud of our guys, man. Our offense started off on fire. Declan Doyle did an amazing job. Lamar, all the guys, Derrick Henry, our offensive line, Zae Flowers.

Defensively, you know, I thought I didn't do a great job on the first drive, had us on our heels a little bit, and then I felt like we really settled in on defense, did some good things, attacked the football, played well.

And so with that, open up for questions.

SPEAKER_3 (1:17)

Jesse, how does it feel getting that first win and having your dad put his arm around you at that moment along the silence? Can you describe that feeling?

Jesse Minter (1:24)

Yeah, it's surreal a little bit, honestly.

I don't know if it's actually hit me yet, but it's a blessing to be where I'm at. Again, such appreciation for the opportunity given to me by this organization and to have a ton of family here. Obviously, my dad on the sideline there at the end, really cool, really special moment.

SPEAKER_4 (1:46)

I mean, to close up that drive, the six-minute drive on the ground, just saying we're going to close the game out right now. It's got to be about as much fun as you can have as a coach, right?

Jesse Minter (1:53)

Yeah, I mean, you talk about being finishers and closers, obviously stuff we spent a lot of time on. And defensively, I thought we did a great job there. The guys wanted to run the call that we ran on fourth down. So that was really cool to see them like, hey, let's run this, let's get it.

And then our offense, just to be able to grind that thing out, I thought the O-line really took over. Derrick, obviously all the guys, Lamar just running the operation. And so anytime you can end the game with the ball and a six-minute drive with a big lead like that, it's really cool.

SPEAKER_5 (2:25)

How impressive was Derrick Henry's performance today? Three touchdowns, he ended up shorthanded at wide receiver, but for him to be able to have the kind of hand that he did?

Jesse Minter (2:32)

Yeah, that's who Derrick is. And the work that guy puts in and how much he puts into it and how well he takes care of himself and the details that is involved in him getting himself ready to play has been really unbelievable to watch and see. And so you don't want to take it for granted, those type of performances, because they're really special.

But it's a tribute to how he operates and how he works every day.

SPEAKER_6 (2:58)

Jesse, what did it kind of say just about how sharp the offense was? I mean, for a couple of weeks, these guys have been speaking excitedly, saying we know what it's going to look like. But for them to be as sharp as they were on those first couple of drives early, what does that kind of say about the work?

Jesse Minter (3:15)

Yeah, I mean, that's a credit to the players that we have. I mean, we got a lot of great players, starting with our quarterback. Obviously, a lot of skill players, offensive line, thought Declan, man, first NFL game, came out of the gates on fire, did a great job.

And so, just a credit to them. And I think the confidence grows when you prepare well. And so, as these guys, we've put a lot of time over the last couple of weeks into this game plan, with it being the opener and the extra time that you have. And so, you want to see the preparation pay off. And I felt like it really did in all three phases.