COURTESY OF BALTIMORE RAVENS MEDIA RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Can you describe what the last 24 hours have been like for you? I’m sure it’s been an emotional roller coaster and then finally getting the call from John Harbaugh and Eric DeCosta? (Garrett Downing) “The last 24 hours have been pretty hectic. I had word that I was going to get called earlier, and you’re getting a lot of expectations, and you don’t get a call. So, there was a lot of anxiety with me, but I just stayed firm and collected with my family. And today, I had to wait a little bit, but you guys came and drafted me, and I’m so thankful for you guys. I’m a Baltimore Raven now, and I’m thankful. I had a great feeling I was going to be [a Raven]. I just didn’t know how to put all the pieces together. I didn’t know if it was going to be real, and it’s happening. So, I’m just thankful and honored that you guys selected me. I’m just thankful.”
What does it mean to reunite with DT Daylon Mack? (Jeff Zrebiec) “It means a lot. Daylon is, obviously, my Aggie brother, and we are from the same agency as well. It’s crazy to be with him again; to grind with him, to learn from him, to ask him questions about how to be successful in the league and things to look out for, so I can contribute to the team immediately and be an impact player immediately. Just help the team win championships and the Super Bowl. I can’t wait. I just can’t wait. I’m excited, I’m healthy, and I’m ready to work. I’m ready to work. I’m ready to work. That’s it. That’s it.”
I can’t help but notice this emotion from you. Can you just describe what tonight, in total, means for you and your family; just realizing this dream? (Shawn Stepner) “It’s unbelievable. It’s everything I’ve been working for, everything I’ve been sacrificing for, and all the blood, sweat and tears. Getting this call, it’s truly amazing. To get my name called on there was surreal. All the highlights of me, and I’m actually there. I’m here, and I made it. And, I’m just ready to freaking work. I’m ready to put my nose down and get to work. I’m ready to get with [defensive line] Coach [Joe] Cullen. That’s my guy. He’s calling me right now, but I’m with you, so I’m going to call him back as soon as I can. That’s my guy. We had a great talk through the process, and I had a strong feeling about him; that he believed in me. And I’m here. I’m ready to get to work. I’m ready to reunite with my brother [DT Daylon Mack] and ready to win a Super Bowl, for real.”
You said that you thought it was going to be the Ravens, or you had that feeling. Why the Ravens? Did you have conversations going into the draft? (Jeff Zrebiec) “The meeting at the Combine – I just had a good feeling. I had a feeling with a lot of teams, but with the Ravens, I had a pretty strong feeling. They asked me good questions and really tried to figure out who I am. I heard from my team all the signs that a team is really, really interested in taking you. So, after that, I talked with [defensive line] Coach [Joe] Cullen. Because of the pandemic going on, I couldn’t take the visit I was planning with you guys. Me and Coach Cullen had a really good talk. I just felt it with him, and I’m here. And I’m just ready to work.”
What are your impressions of the Ravens defense overall? The history here has been impressive, and to join that group and now be a part of it – how does that feel? (Pete Gilbert) “It’s crazy – guys like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, guys who came before me. That’s the standard of defense. You all aren’t playing, and I’m not playing myself. It’s a perfect match. We’re ready to work. We’re here to beat down on a lot of people and win championships, and I’m ready to be a part of it.”
