On K David Akers connecting on a 42-yard field goal in bad weather against the Bengals: "I think it does a lot for his confidence. Each and every kick presents its own different challenge. It was great. It wasn't the best of conditions, so we knew it was going to be a tough kick for him. He went out and executed just like we thought he would. It was definitely a big kick and I think he'll continue to have that success as we go through the season."
On P Sav Rocca's struggles in the last game: "We got away from the directional punts because of the wind factor. He did have one of the toughest winds he is going to have to punt with. The wind was at his face and coming across to his left. It kept pushing the ball down and inside and making him cut across the ball and obviously he kept pulling it. We just have to continue to work those conditions. We can't go out and create the weather conditions to be the way we want them all the time. That's probably the toughest kick he'll have to make. We just have to make sure we are getting that corrected and getting those punts down the field when we get back in that situation again."
On whether there were times Rocca had to drive the ball instead of going for hang time: "Sure, and as we get on into the season, the weather conditions aren't going to get any better. Again, it's one of those situations where we have to make sure we get those fundamentals corrected and get out there and execute."
On whether Rocca has a longer drop than other punters: "Sav is a taller punter, so he does have that factor that he has to deal with. At the same time, with our fundamentals there, dropping the ball a little later and a little lower, making those adjustments we have to make, depending on the weather conditions. He was trying to tinker around with those and he just couldn't quite get it figured out during the course of that game. It's something we'll continue to work on and I'm sure he'll get it corrected by the end of the season."
On whether they work on fundamentals in practice: "It's those fundamentals that we continue to work on every day. Again, it's one of those situations where you can't always create that wind. Being that it was into his face and across to his left made it more difficult for him. We know what the fundamentals are and we just need to continue to work those and get those corrected."
On whether Rocca just needs more experience kicking in bad weather:"That's a great question. If you look at guys, you may take a college kicker who has been kicking for four or five years. They always have that thing they can always go back to and say, 'Well if it's bad conditions, then I am going to do this.' Sav is inexperienced at this point. He has been punting for a year and a half now. Obviously, that is something we have to deal with. Sav has made great strides in his progress from last year to this year. He's just had that one bad game now. He knows what his fundamentals are and knows what those corrections need to be. I feel like he'll work hard enough and we'll get those made."
On playing against Ravens head coach John Harbaugh:"It definitely presents a unique challenge this week. You're competing against a guy who you have kicked around some ideas with and shared some philosophies with, and even terminology. Obviously, Harbs is a great special teams coach. He had a lot of success here and it was a great opportunity for me to work with him."
On what the biggest thing is that Harbaugh taught him: "I think primarily the organization of practice. The structure there and making sure you get all the fundamentals covered and all the fine points of practice. You need to make sure you get all your bases covered on things. Obviously, he had some great ideas and things that are very successful, but the main thing is the structure and organization of practice, more than anything else."
On whether he can see Harbaugh's imprint on the Ravens special teams unit: "Yes, he and (Ravens special teams coordinator) Jerry (Rosburg) have known each other for a long time and shared some ideas, as well. There is a lot of carryover from what Harbs wants. He hired Jerry for that reason and knew they were along the same lines in terms of philosophy and in terms of schemes and that sort of thing. Yes, there is a lot of carryover there."
On what kind of things Harbaugh has done with their special teams: "In terms of return schemes, for example, just base techniques they'll use both in protection and returns. Just the basic techniques, more than anything else."
On the Ravens returners: "They have a couple guys who are very dangerous returners back there. Obviously, (WR/RS Yamon) Figurs is one of them. He has been a little bit banged up during the course of the season, but he had a lot of success last year as a rookie. His numbers aren't quite what they were last year, but he's a guy who can definitely take it to the end zone every time he touches it. They've put (FS) Ed Reed back there on occasion, returning some punts, and (S Jim) Leonhard back there as well on some punt returns. Both of those guys are very dangerous as well, so it's going to be a great challenge for us."
On whether using a guy like Figurs at receiver takes away from his return ability:"I don't think so. The guy is a great athlete. The main factor is that he has been a little banged up this season, more than anything else. He did have a punt return for a touchdown that was called back. Again, if you look at his numbers, he's not doing as well, but he is getting out and performing in the games. Again, it's going to be a great challenge for us."
