[Blogs] Late For Work 12/9: Steelers Say Chester Targeted Harrison

[BR News]

Steelers Say Chester Targeted Harrison

Steelers linebacker James Harrison believes he was targeted by guard Chris Chester during the Ravens-Steelers contest Sunday night and Harrison’s teammates back him up in his claim.

Steelers players said that the false-start penalty against Chester on the Ravens’ only extra point wasn’t as harmless as it appeared, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Harrison alleged Chester was deliberately trying to hit him and even injure him. The Steelers linebacker explained that offensive linemen are not taught to fire out on extra points or field goals, but that’s what he said Chester did.

"Of course it was deliberate," Harrison said. "There’s no way that happens on an extra point because [offensive linemen] don’t shoot out. It’s obvious it was blatant. It was on purpose."

Guard/tackle Trai Essex is on the Steelers’ extra-point and field-goal units and added that offensive linemen are taught to hold their position and not lunge because it creates gaps in their blocking wall.

Asked if it was a cheap shot, Harrison said, "Yeah it’s cheap, but when it comes down to it, it’s only a 5-yard penalty, they move back to the 7 and re-kick. It’s not going to hurt them."

A fellow linebacker supported Harrison saying, "It was a dirty play."

"I think it was a designed play," added defensive end Brett Keisel. "He just took off and kept driving him. I do think it was intentional."

Harrison isn’t the only player in the game to feel targeted. BaltimoreRavens.com’s Mike Duffy reported that Ed Reed said he felt Steelers receiver Hines Ward tried to cheap-shot him too.

"He tried to cheap-shot me, and he didn’t get a fine," said Reed. "He came at me with his head down.  I moved out the way. Who’s going to go police that?"

Ward: Happy To See Ravens Get Fined

The fines dealt to linebacker Jameel McClain and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata brought a sense of satisfaction to Ward.

Now, Ward feels assured that Steelers aren’t the only ones being targeted by officials, reported the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

"It’s finally nice to see somebody (else) getting fined," Ward said. "I don’t know if we are happy about it, but at least somebody else is getting targeted."

Cowherd: Fans Bashing Harbaugh Are Off Base

The Baltimore Sun’s Kevin Cowherd believes some fans are misinterpreting Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh’s comments during his weekly WBAL radio show Tuesday night.

A fan named Jim asked Harbaugh why Defensive Line Coach Clarence Brooks still has his job despite apparently not teaching rookie defensive tackle Terrence Cody the "basics of defensive play."

"I’m not even going there with this guy," Harbaugh said.

Later, host Gerry Sandusky asked Harbaugh about the vast improvements in the defense over the course of the season. Sandusky noted that no team has given up fewer rushing yards in the regular season in December and January than the Ravens.

"Maybe it’s part of the reason why Clarence Brooks still has his job," Harbaugh said, referring back to Jim’s question.

He went on to say, "I’m proud of this football team. I’m proud of our defense. I’m proud of our offense. We will fight our tails off to be the best team we can be every single week.

"If that’s not enough for you," he continued, "find another team to cheer for. If you’re not proud of this team, then you don’t know football."

If you ask me, Harbaugh was talking to Jim and was defending an excellent assistant coach, but some believe he was talking to all Ravens fans.

Here is Cowherd’s lengthy, but I think, legitimate opinion on the situation.

"Personally, I didn’t think what Harbaugh said was any big deal," wrote Cowherd. "The guy was just defending his assistant coach. Any NFL head coach worth his headset would have done the same thing. And, again, this was less than 48 hours after the bitter loss to the Steelers."

"If you think about it, the idea of Harbaugh ripping the fans is ridiculous on the face of it. Here’s a guy who always talks up Ravens fans to the media, going on and on about the ‘purple wall of noise’ at home games and how much it helps his team. At away games, he’s been known to jog along the stands after a win to high-five Ravens fans and thank them for coming.

"Does that sound like a guy who’s going to start dissing the fan base now? No way. This time, I don’t think it was John Harbaugh who got a little touchy. No, this time it was Ravens fans."

If you read BaltimoreRavens.com’s The Flock message boards, fans have already started a discussion about Harbaugh’s comments.  While there are a handful of fans who expressed disappointment in the comments, a vast majority seemed to agree with Harbaugh’s response (this is as of 5:26 a.m. this morning).

Below are a few fan comments, but you can read them all here. The radio show with the caller and Harbaugh’s response can be found here in the segment, entitled, "What is Todd Heap’s status for Monday night?" Start at mark 2:10, then Harbaugh’s second response comes around the 3:47 mark.

berad: "Those fans disrespected him and this team. I’m all for it. John Harbaugh is tremendously proud of this team and so am I. Some fans aren’t, though, and Harbaugh called them out, saying, "if you’re not with us, you’re against us." And I agree. Frankly, he doesn’t need people threatening to desert the team or questioning the entire system because they lost a closely contested football game to a good team. It’s ridiculous and I loved his response. Go Harbaugh! Go Ravens!"

theFRANCHISE: "I can understand why Harbaugh would get mad in being asked if a coach is to be fired: this is a co-worker of his and a man who also has a family to look after, so for someone to ask him to make a public comment on a decision that would affect another man’s livelihood, that’s just asking to deliver a public flogging that is unnecessary and unwarranted. It’s like a random guy asking your boss if he’ll be firing you anytime soon in front of other co-workers."

noy: "ALSO, why are we completely ignoring the context of the caller’s comments? The DEFENSIVE LINE coordinator should be fired? Really? When the D-line had its BEST game of the year, imo. They looked freaking amazing, even Kruger got some action and flushed Ben out of the pocket. Also, Mendenhall was held to 45 yards rushing."

Quick Hits

• Undrafted rookie cornerback Prince Miller was signed off the Ravens’ practice squad by the Detriot Lions, reported Jamison Hensley. The Ravens signed cornerback Danny Gorrer to the practice squad to replace Miller. [The Baltimore Sun]
• James Walker placed Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron at the top of his AFC North offensive coordinator rankings.  [ESPN]
• Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger needs a protective shield to protect his nose that was so smashed that a doctor told him that the bones looked like "corn flakes." [CBSSports.com]
• When NFL owners meet in Dallas next week, they will see a video of clean hits in games played since the league’s crackdown on flagrant fouls. NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson told Barry Wilner that the video "clearly shows players making adjustments," and that some former rule-breakers when it came to hitting defenseless players "have gotten the message."  [The Associated Press]
• Countdown Daily AccuScore says the Ravens are 61 percent favorites over the Houston Texans. But, if the Texans sack quarterback Joe Flacco four or more times like the Steelers and Tampa Bay Bucs, then the Houston becomes 61 percent favorites.  [ESPN]

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/12/09/late-for-work-129-steelers-say-chester-targeted-harrison/]View the full article[/url]

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

WARD = PUBLIC ENEMY #1 IN BALTIMORE, sorry but for all the cheap shots he gives out, I hope somebody from the Ravens would get fined for a nice (wipe that cheasy grin off your face) big hit to blow him up!

[The King]

Ward's reaction is, I believe, why the league issued such a large fine to first-time-offender Jameel McClain. It lets the Steelers and their fans know that everyone is subject to the rules in a very obvious way.

Honestly, I don't know if Chester was trying to hurt Harrison, but I noticed at the time that it was odd he fired off like that, and that the five yards wouldn't make mush difference. Hines Ward pulls stuff like that every week, so the Steelers should stop complaining.

[bmorefan444]

Im proud of this team. I spent the little money I had on a ticket to last Sunday's game because I love what this team is doing. People just get upset after a loss, especially when it's to the Steelers. Lets get over Pittsburgh and destroy the Texans on Monday night in front of the whole nation!

[alloutravenfan]

John Harbaugh had every right to say what he did whether it was directed at Jim or the entire fan base. The Ravens have worked incredibly hard this season and we're still in the run for a third consecutive playoff at 8-4. All of our losses have been tough because they were close games. A play or two in our favor might have resulted in a win. Some fans are unrealistic. They expect teams to go undefeated. Wake up, its the NFL and admit you don't know anything about football. We've learned something from each of our losses and the Raven's are moving forward...as should our fans.

Go become a Redskins fan if your not proud of what the Ravens are doing this year!

[Raven4Life21]

I am very proud of this team... i think some fans have such a high expectation for this year they look to fire someone right off the bat if things arent going completely as planned... the only person i dislike is Cam Cameron... he runs an "ok" offense but isn't letting them do what they do best... make plays... i believe he should let these guys (especially Flacco) run the offense the way they know it should be run.. if he had more control i believe these guys would have more determination on offense... with Cam calling the shots i don't think their confidence is all there... give them the power

[Raven0311]

[i]<Deleted>
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So what if he targeted Harrison. Harrison said it's a man's game. Be a man.

[Raven4Life21]

and Hines Ward should NEVER open his mouth open "purposely" trying to injure someone... in my opinion every team he's played against should have the chance to cheap shot him right back... i don't know a single team that likes him on the field... forget about it Hines... no ref is EVER going to help you in that situation because you deserve what you get... KARMA!

[ravenwildman]

Fan will ask dumb things and then get upset if answered. This is nothing new. Why this guy "Jim" felt the coach should be fired is beyond me. Out of all the coaches he stands out as one of the best among the great. Overall, the Ravens are doing well.

Now...having said this. I think that if you are going to have a talk show with the head coach talking live with fans, your are going to have the left field caller asking something unpopular. Ask any radio talk show host about that.

The only thing that was heard by fans in Northern VA was Harbs saying something like "if your not happy with the Ravens, go cheer for another team". Everyone here in VA, luckily agreed with him about that, but it could have back fired. No one remembered the caller "Jim" was the one who started it. So have patience with us Harbs! Sometimes we say the darn-est things.

Steelers, what is up with these guys? I am losing any (what little) respect I did have for them. Chester targeting Harrison, for what? Ward crying is not new, but they are beginning to sound like the Patriots!

GO RAVENS!

[Forevermore20]

That guy is an idiot. Our troubles lie in the offense right now. Regardless of where our troubles are, this will be recognized as the best team in football this year when it lifts the trophy in February. GO RAVENS!!!!

[Sheena B.]

LMBO about the "go become a Redskin fan" comment by alloutravenfan! Love ya Harbs. Love ya Ravens and it ain't ova!

[Rave-O]

Fans will say stupid things and so will coaches. But a coah should never tell a fan to go root for another team because he feels a coach should be fired or a player benched or traded, it his opinion. There are fans who think Harbaugh should be fired what will he tell them to do?

[fatboybaldwin]

This team has gotten better and better each year. It seems as though we have struggled all year every game during some aspect. Flacco threw four interceptions against Cincy, lost the ball with pittsburgh. The defense gave up two fourth quarter leads to lose other games. Now we all know this team is better than it has played. I think we are going to learn from these situations and hopefully the coaching staff works on them.

[fatboybaldwin]

Also I would rather see the the players work on things behind closed doors they know what their issues are and they know the best way to attack them to get better. We don't need the media and fans involved in all that, it never is helpfull. I want to see our offensive line protect better, our corners cover better, are linebackers to play faster, running backs to run harder and Joe to make better decisions. We need to loose in order to see our weeknesses and improve on them. We can still be a championship team, because we have not lost any game that we really were way out of at the end. This team is one of the best teams in Ravens Franchise history. Fans lets treat them that way.

[Wacko 4 Flacco]

lol! true,true. But Harbaugh is rite, stand by your team or find a new one

[PurpleSteelerEater]

WOW!!! This guy just doesn't know how to shut up. Every time he opens his mouth he disgraces his team and the NFL!! This is the same idiot who didn't want to go to the white house after winning the SB because he felt they wouldn't have been invited had they lost - DUHHHH!!!!!! This guy should be kicked out of the league just for his shear stupidity!!!! UGHH................

[PoeZest]

Question to James Walker (ESPN analyst?)- How do you give Cam the AFC North OC top ranking? Granted, Pittsburgh, Cinn., and Cleveland have lower overall stats at this point, but let's look at the talent. The Ravens are as stacked as they have EVER been on offense, and are even ranked below the Jets and Denver, statistically. Not exactly chest thumping material. Cleveland has very little talent (how many Pro Bowlers in skilled pos.?) and Pittsburgh's O-line is ashambles. We've been relatively healthy all year on offense (until last week), and yet Cam can't get 7 Pro Bowlers to work together and nail down those clutch first downs, game winning drives- at least not consistently. We struggle to put away mediocre competition- see Carolina game, and it's a coin flip whether the D can hold slim leads vs. good competition. Shouldn't the honor go to an OC who's making the most with what they've got? If so, Cleveland and Pittsburgh have a pretty good argument. Cam's too tight. Third and one, fourth and one, how many weapons, and we rank near the bottom in the league converting those clutch plays. I'm afraid you're too kind, sir.

[The Voice]

Yes that caller is an idiot but fans are outraged because that was our Super Bowl for now! Since when do we have coaches or fans who's proud of going to the playoffs and losing every year? Your proud of our new pro bowl offense with the same production as last year? I guess we will just turn on the offensive switch in the playoffs. Guess what, we tried that last year and the year before, didn’t work. Yes we made the playoffs the past 2 seasons and LOST! WE ARE NOT THE REDSKINS, WE ARE THE SUPER BOWL OR BUST RAVENS!

[airflacco]

Man Harbaugh is absolutely right, we don't need all the bandwagons here, I just want Ravens fans that will truly support the Ravens no matter what. I truly think Ravens fans are spoiled from the transition of failure from Billick/Boller to success of Harbaugh and Flacco.

[BLACKnGOLD58]

who cares if Chester deliberately targeted Harrison? its the ravens and the steelers, arguably the best rivarly in all sports, both teams need to shut up, the game is over......i have a strong feeling the ravens and steelers will meet again in the playoffs

[ravensallday5220]

We completely support the Ravens no matter what, before and after Harbaugh's tenure as the head coach. That is what is so disconcerning about our head coach telling us, the true fans who were heart-broken on Sunday night, who pour their personal money into our love for this team, to "find another team to cheer for." I do not want to find another team to cheer for. Please do not tell me to do that. I know football very well, and I can assure you, I was not proud of losing a game in which we had the ball and a 3 point lead with 6 minutes to go. Please Harbaugh, do not tell me to find another team to cheer for just because I love the team enough to be upset about a pivotal blow to our superbowl chances. Thank you.

[fatboybaldwin]

We do have every right as fans to be upset that we didn't go to the super bowl the past two years, but we need to show the same integrity that these players should play with every game. The Redskins, Bills, Browns, etc. have no chance of going to the super bowl at least we still have a chance and for that we should be proud it takes a lot just to get to the playoffs and only one team wins each year. Keep our heads up and hopefully our Ravens don't let us down this year.

[Yrkparaven]

The fan was an idiot, our defensive line coach is universally considered a very good coach. I dont know if Terrence Cody is making progress or not. Its hard to tell when he rarely makes it on the field. You can't always blame a coach for lack of talent or ability to take direction. I like that Harbaugh is passionate, he will learn from this mistake, as he instructs his players to always learn and move forward.

[Ravensoul5220]

Forget about being nice! Harbaugh Child please. Now u see how vocal and passionate all the ravens Fans are. U need to step up and get control of your team! Thats like being a principal of a school. N your Teachers arent doing so good. Grades are dropping and parents are complaining. What you goin to say? O I dnt question my Teachers? Thats BS! You better have a conference with that Bum Cam Cameron Tell him to attack the weakness of the defense or you will be fining another Job! Period!

[benjones]

ngata deserves a bonus, PAY THAT MAN!!!

[sweetleese]

One thing I can't stand is a bandwagon jumper. I agree with Harbaugh...If you don't like the team, you're free to leave the party!!! Just drop your jersey at the door on your way out. That's the worst kind of fan. I LOVE THE RAVENS!! 0-16 or 16-0 it doesn't matter. I bleed purple!

As far as Harrison's comment about Chester...Psssh!!! He's just trying to get attention thrown off of himself for once.

[CTRaven5]

What I think ppl need to realize is us "true" Raven fans only want the best of OUR team. Since this past off-season we made huge strides and expect our team to be at least greater than they were last season. With that said, statistically we are not (run game, points etc.) so a lot is being said of the coaches (since our personnel has only gotten better). I think fans have the absolute right to be critical as long as its in good intentions of their team. Lets get this DUBB on Monday!!

[KWRaven]

I think fans take the Steelers game more personally because there are so many Steeler Fans in Baltimore, when the Colts left Fans were divided into 4 catagories, Some fans kept cheering for the Colts, some fans Adopted the Steelers or Redskins as their new team and some fans did not cheer for any team, so when the Ravens came to town a lot of the Steeler Fans stayed with the Steelers. So there is a lot of Tention when the Steelers are in town. SO I think there is more frustration when the Ravens lose like that, it is even worse when we lose like that to the Steelers of all teams. I also think that just because someone says something negative does not mean they are against the team they just care and want the team to get better and better (No matter how inaccurate their statements may be). If I were John I would just say something like "I hear your frustration, I am frustrated too but it is just not accurate that the D-Line coach should be fired." I just hope the players know that fans are behind them not matter what!!!!!!! Some Fans may voice frustration but they BLEED, BLACK AND PURPLE!!!!! LES GO!

[FerrariFan87]

Cameron listed as the top O-Coordinator in the AFC North???? Has Walker been watching the same games as I have?

[BaltimoreRavensFan52]

Cameron is clearly number 1 in the North. Thats all its saying.