Preston: Harbaugh Clearing Out Mutineers

[CalvinSmoke]

These moves just mean that the team has faith in the youth behind our vets. Pollard wasn't the greatest safety in the world, and Thompson may be able to come in and take over. Anquan is the man, but mabye ozzie thinks someone behind him can fill his void. Heck if Upshaw wreaks havoc next year, we may have to get used to Suggs being in a new uniform. It's just a money thing unfortunately.

[RavensQB]

[quote name='RavensFanInCA' timestamp='1363209908' post='1394173']
Clearly, Harbs is getting rid of all veteran players from the U. He'd get rid of Reggie Wayne too if he could. j/k

This is all just a continuation of the team's shift towards getting younger and faster.
[/quote]

Younger. Pollard is 28 or 29. To tie the word younger to Pollard is uh yeah

[nextgen_RavensFan]

[quote name='I AM LEGEND' timestamp='1363204924' post='1393897']
Interesting....

So according to Preston...Harbaugh wants the outspoken people off the team..anyone that may even remotely question something...

But those same players helped get harbaugh a championship...because those players were good.

So John would remove good players off this team that are outspoken? That's stupid.

I don't see why Ozzie would allow this...
[/quote]

why does that surprise you friend, he kept Mckinnie sidelined as well because he was in Johns dog house. No surprise there at all to me. Harbs is a control freak and even sacrifice Joes safety to please himself. John is not the angel everyone thinks he is.

[Ragin'Raven]

Harbaugh's vacationing in Arizona. Newsome is the one holding down the fort. Always has. They run decisions by everyone, but this is still how Newsome conducts business more than anything.

[DMH_in_WA]

[quote name='nextgen_RavensFan' timestamp='1363211409' post='1394285']
why does that surprise you friend, h[b]e kept Mckinnie sidelined as well because he was in Johns dog house.[/b] No surprise there at all to me. Harbs is a control freak and even sacrifice Joes safety to please himself. John is not the angel everyone thinks he is.
[/quote]

You're a professional athlete and you come to camp out of shape, you should be in the dog house, but that's not why he was sideliend. That's what fans decided happened.

If you listen to what McKinnie said after he got to play, he took responsibility for that. He said that he figured he wasn't going to get to play, so why practice hard. When he told Harbaugh he wanted to play, Harbaugh told him "Practice Harder." Once he did, he got to play.

[frozen joe flacco fan]

Its interesting cannon fodder but I wouldn't put much stock in anything Preston says. He was wrong on his predictions for many of the Ravens games this year and was not too confident in the Ravens' chances of making a run. As you know, I'm not a Harbaugh lover but this is more about re-loading with younger players. If Preston is right, then Harbaugh should purge any malcontents. No player can march to the tune of two different drumbeats. It is truly John Harbaugh's team now that Ray Lewis is gone. With all due respect to Ray Lewis, the allegiance of many if not all of the players had been to Russell Crowe (my General), I mean, Ray Lewis and that is not the best situation for any Head Coach, be it Ted Marhicbroda, Brian Billick or John Harbaugh. That dynamic and paradigm had to change once and for all before this team could move forward. When it comes to paradigms, shift happens! We should all embrace the change we are seeing in the offseason. The only constant thing in life is that everything will change. We had a great storybook ending to a roller coaster ride this year and I enjoyed every (well almost every) minute of it. I hope Ed Reed stays onboard but I would not be surprised to see him leave next.

[MrPlankton]

Apparently this is from Ravens Insider, can't find a link so take it with a grain of salt:

"Just got off the phone with a team source. Called and had to wait for a return. Here’s the deal:
John Harbaugh, fresh off a Super Bowl victory, is tired of what he perceives as negative personalities on this team. One of those included Bernard Pollard, who had a tendency to blow up and scream at teammates when things went wrong. After the Redskins game, he told Josh Bynes he didn’t deserve to play in the NFL. He repeatedly fired back at coaches in practices. It was one of those situations where he was great to select teammates — mainly his secondary teammates — but couldn’t give a damn about some of the rest. More than that was his feuding with the coaches that rubbed the staff the wrong way.
I suppose the explanation makes sense because the Ravens only save $1 million in cap space with the move. While getting considerably under the cap for the future’s sake is important, this kind of move isn’t one to exponentially help.
What I was told from this source was that, “John wants to take the team back.” He wants “good soldiers” who are willing to do what’s best for the team. He doesn’t want distractions, which leads to two more players who now should feel worried."

[MTRavensFan]

[quote name='black blood purple passion' timestamp='1363207301' post='1393999']
I suppose you're right, my second guess would be his injury concerns, back injuries are tricky, he broke his ribs. it might be that he broke his ribs and didn't tell the team Dr, and the Ravens don't want to risk him doing something like that in the future and suffering major repercussions if the league were to find out?
[/quote]

Very interesting speculation. It certainly did not come out until several days later.
It's one thing to play through pain, another to be reckless and dangerous. Especially considering Roethlisberger's rib injury last year.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='frozen joe flacco fan' timestamp='1363212798' post='1394381']
Its interesting cannon fodder but I wouldn't put much stock in anything Preston says. He was wrong on his predictions for many of the Ravens games this year and was not too confident in the Ravens' chances of making a run. As you know, I'm not a Harbaugh lover but this is more about re-loading with younger players. If Preston is right, then Harbaugh should purge any malcontents. No player can march to the tune of two different drumbeats. It is truly John Harbaugh's team now that Ray Lewis is gone. With all due respect to Ray Lewis, the allegiance of many if not all of the players had been to Russell Crowe (my General), I mean, Ray Lewis and that is not the best situation for any Head Coach, be it Ted Marhicbroda, Brian Billick or John Harbaugh. That dynamic and paradigm had to change once and for all before this team could move forward. When it comes to paradigms, shift happens! We should all embrace the change we are seeing in the offseason. The only constant thing in life is that everything will change. We had a great storybook ending to a roller coaster ride this year and I enjoyed every (well almost every) minute of it. I hope Ed Reed stays onboard but I would not be surprised to see him leave next.
[/quote]
Actually from the outset of the playoffs, Preston picked the Ravens to win every single one. Which was surprising but Preston isn't as bad as some people think. He'll lit the Ravens up for some mundane things but he very much so values the toughness the team plays with. Thats why he picked them through the playoff run, he didn't think the Broncos were battle tested or the Pats tough enough to win another AFC Champ game (even though winning the first by the skin of Lee Evans hands) and thought John would have Baltimore better prepared than Jim would the 49ers.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='MrPlankton' timestamp='1363213169' post='1394403']
Apparently this is from Ravens Insider, can't find a link so take it with a grain of salt:

"Just got off the phone with a team source. Called and had to wait for a return. Here’s the deal:
John Harbaugh, fresh off a Super Bowl victory, is tired of what he perceives as negative personalities on this team. One of those included Bernard Pollard, who had a tendency to blow up and scream at teammates when things went wrong. After the Redskins game, he told Josh Bynes he didn’t deserve to play in the NFL. He repeatedly fired back at coaches in practices. It was one of those situations where he was great to select teammates — mainly his secondary teammates — but couldn’t give a damn about some of the rest. More than that was his feuding with the coaches that rubbed the staff the wrong way.
I suppose the explanation makes sense because the Ravens only save $1 million in cap space with the move. While getting considerably under the cap for the future’s sake is important, this kind of move isn’t one to exponentially help.
What I was told from this source was that, “John wants to take the team back.” He wants “good soldiers” who are willing to do what’s best for the team. He doesn’t want distractions, which leads to two more players who now should feel worried."
[/quote]
An anonymous NFL personnel scout said to PFT something that reiterates that possible point "3 teams in 5 years tells you all you need to know".

That development is interesting to say the least. Though I don't entirely disagree with the Bynes assessment. I still don't know why people are so high on him on this board.

[H8R]

[quote name='MrPlankton' timestamp='1363213169' post='1394403']
Apparently this is from Ravens Insider, can't find a link so take it with a grain of salt:

"Just got off the phone with a team source. Called and had to wait for a return. Here’s the deal:
John Harbaugh, fresh off a Super Bowl victory, is tired of what he perceives as negative personalities on this team. One of those included Bernard Pollard, who had a tendency to blow up and scream at teammates when things went wrong. After the Redskins game, he told Josh Bynes he didn’t deserve to play in the NFL. He repeatedly fired back at coaches in practices. It was one of those situations where he was great to select teammates — mainly his secondary teammates — but couldn’t give a damn about some of the rest. More than that was his feuding with the coaches that rubbed the staff the wrong way.
I suppose the explanation makes sense because the Ravens only save $1 million in cap space with the move. While getting considerably under the cap for the future’s sake is important, this kind of move isn’t one to exponentially help.
What I was told from this source was that, “John wants to take the team back.” He wants “good soldiers” who are willing to do what’s best for the team. He doesn’t want distractions, which leads to two more players who now should feel worried."
[/quote]

This makes perfect sense to me. Also, after thinking back to the "behind the bench" videos... Pollard was always being told what to do, and how to do it... He seemed lost and made TONS of mistakes. Pollard would say "my bad" or " I got You" ...far too much.

[H8R]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1363213326' post='1394413']
An anonymous NFL personnel scout said to PFT something that reiterates that possible point "3 teams in 5 years tells you all you need to know".

That development is interesting to say the least. Though I don't entirely disagree with the Bynes assessment. I still don't know why people are so high on him on this board.
[/quote]

Because he plays with intensity, has a great motor, can go sideline to sideline and hes an underdog.

[edreedfromtheu]

[quote name='BallHawker' timestamp='1363204506' post='1393874']
This is the original article: [url="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-mike-preston-the-ravens-are-officially-john-harbaughs-team-now-20130313,0,6100293.story?track=rss"]http://www.baltimore...story?track=rss[/url]

Agree that this is Harbaugh's team, disagree in your choice of words - "mutineers." There was never any mutiny on this team against John. Disagreeing but respectfully discussing the matter with the coach is very healthy.. and that's what the Ravens did late in the regular season.

Also, why did Preston state that Boldin was a "rabble-rouser?" Makes no sense.
[/quote]

I could get into a lot of points, but I'll focus on the last one your brought up...

Boldin showed more on-field displeasure with Flacco his first couple years than anyone. He would get wide-open(something many of you fans think the receivers never did)... and Flacco would not even look his way. Flacco wouldn't see him. The ball, if it did come... would be entirely too late. I assume that Boldin probably showed his displeasure in places other than the field on game days. I'm sure he voiced his concerns a time or two, and probably showed some frustrations during practices.

But hey, if this is truly the case... that Harbaugh is simply getting rid of guys that upset him... then this is just ANOTHER CASE of Harbaugh being a baby and implementing his "doghouse" tactic.

We saw how that worked(or didn't work) with players such as Bryant McKinnie. The offense looked horrible without him in there. Finally.... when Harbaugh had no other options because of injuries and lack of talent... he HAD to give McKinnie a chance. And look what happened! You can say the offense change because of the coordinator, but we all know the offensive plays weren't just changed within a week or two. We also know that back during Cam's tenure, the offense worked better with McKinnie in the game!

We'll see when the games start, and plenty can change between now and September... but I think Harbaugh as already reached the Brian Billick stage where he is letting his recent success and power go to his head. [b][i]It sounds to me like some of the lockerroom was already tired of him, and they couldn't wait to get out once the season ended(even if it did end with a Super Bowl win.)[/i][/b]

[Bltravens]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1363213502' post='1394424']
Because he plays with intensity, has a great motor, can go sideline to sideline and hes an underdog.
[/quote]
Great, I have 2 of those 3. Doesn't make me an NFL calibre player. Bynes gets stuck on blocks, is not good in coverage (like every ILB we have) and is not what I would call overly physical or fast.

[cobrajet]

I need a lot more proof of this before it can be close to believable. Start by getting an inside source close to the situation instead of speculation. I can't believe John would really be that vindictive.

[H8R]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1363213666' post='1394436']
Great, I have 2 of those 3. Doesn't make me an NFL calibre player. Bynes gets stuck on blocks, is not good in coverage (like every ILB we have) and is not what I would call overly physical or fast.
[/quote]

I'm sure you do... stuck on blocks? Sleep all you want, he'll contribute this year.

[MrPlankton]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1363213604' post='1394432']
I could get into a lot of points, but I'll focus on the last one your brought up...

Boldin showed more on-field displeasure with Flacco his first couple years than anyone. He would get wide-open(something many of you fans think the receivers never did)... and Flacco would not even look his way. Flacco wouldn't see him. The ball, if it did come... would be entirely too late. I assume that Boldin probably showed his displeasure in places other than the field on game days. I'm sure he voiced his concerns a time or two, and probably showed some frustrations during practices.

But hey, if this is truly the case... that Harbaugh is simply getting rid of guys that upset him... then this is just ANOTHER CASE of Harbaugh being a baby and implementing his "doghouse" tactic.

We saw how that worked(or didn't work) with players such as Bryant McKinnie. The offense looked horrible without him in there. Finally.... when Harbaugh had no other options because of injuries and lack of talent... he HAD to give McKinnie a chance. And look what happened! You can say the offense change because of the coordinator, but we all know the offensive plays weren't just changed within a week or two. We also know that back during Cam's tenure, the offense worked better with McKinnie in the game!

We'll see when the games start, and plenty can change between now and September... but I think Harbaugh as already reached the Brian Billick stage where he is letting his recent success and power go to his head. [b][i]It sounds to me like some of the lockerroom was already tired of him, and they couldn't wait to get out once the season ended(even if it did end with a Super Bowl win.)[/i][/b]
[/quote]

But wasn't McKinnie in the "doghouse" because he was overweight and out of shape?

[RavensFanInCA]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1363213604' post='1394432']
I could get into a lot of points, but I'll focus on the last one your brought up...

Boldin showed more on-field displeasure with Flacco his first couple years than anyone. He would get wide-open(something many of you fans think the receivers never did)... and Flacco would not even look his way. Flacco wouldn't see him. The ball, if it did come... would be entirely too late. I assume that Boldin probably showed his displeasure in places other than the field on game days. I'm sure he voiced his concerns a time or two, and probably showed some frustrations during practices.

But hey, if this is truly the case... that Harbaugh is simply getting rid of guys that upset him... then this is just ANOTHER CASE of Harbaugh being a baby and implementing his "doghouse" tactic.

[b]We saw how that worked(or didn't work) with players such as Bryant McKinnie. The offense looked horrible without him in there. Finally.... when Harbaugh had no other options because of injuries and lack of talent... he HAD to give McKinnie a chance. And look what happened! You can say the offense change because of the coordinator, but we all know the offensive plays weren't just changed within a week or two. We also know that back during Cam's tenure, the offense worked better with McKinnie in the game![/b]

We'll see when the games start, and plenty can change between now and September... but I think Harbaugh as already reached the Brian Billick stage where he is letting his recent success and power go to his head. [i]It sounds to me like some of the lockerroom was already tired of him, and they couldn't wait to get out once the season ended(even if it did end with a Super Bowl win.)[/i]
[/quote]

Disagree. McKinnie came in out of shape and not ready to play. Harbaugh's "doghouse", as you put it, got him into position for the playoffs. Without Ray Lewis in the locker room, Harbaugh [i]needs[/i] to be in control of the locker room and not have miscellaneous outspoken veterans undermining him. Being a baby? No. Being a leader and building a new team from the pieces that are in his vision of the team's future. (See Jim Harbaugh and Kaepernick)

[H8R]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1363213680' post='1394439']
I need a lot more proof of this before it can be close to believable. Start by getting an inside source close to the situation instead of speculation. I can't believe John would really be that vindictive.
[/quote]

It's not being vendictive.... It's knowing the type of team you have, and then comparing that to the type of team he wants. Its simple.... Ray was holding it all together, now that hes gone.... John doesnt have a player on the inside to calm the storm.
Ray was mature enough to see Harbs had the right plan.

[H8R]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1363213604' post='1394432']
I could get into a lot of points, but I'll focus on the last one your brought up...

Boldin showed more on-field displeasure with Flacco his first couple years than anyone. He would get wide-open(something many of you fans think the receivers never did)... and Flacco would not even look his way. Flacco wouldn't see him. The ball, if it did come... would be entirely too late. I assume that Boldin probably showed his displeasure in places other than the field on game days. I'm sure he voiced his concerns a time or two, and probably showed some frustrations during practices.

But hey, if this is truly the case... that Harbaugh is simply getting rid of guys that upset him... then this is just ANOTHER CASE of Harbaugh being a baby and implementing his "doghouse" tactic.

We saw how that worked(or didn't work) with players such as Bryant McKinnie. The offense looked horrible without him in there. Finally.... when Harbaugh had no other options because of injuries and lack of talent... he HAD to give McKinnie a chance. And look what happened! You can say the offense change because of the coordinator, but we all know the offensive plays weren't just changed within a week or two. We also know that back during Cam's tenure, the offense worked better with McKinnie in the game!

We'll see when the games start, and plenty can change between now and September... but I think Harbaugh as already reached the Brian Billick stage where he is letting his recent success and power go to his head. [b][i]It sounds to me like some of the lockerroom was already tired of him, and they couldn't wait to get out once the season ended(even if it did end with a Super Bowl win.)[/i][/b]
[/quote]

Ahh the king of all trolls... BACK. Incase you missed it.. You were WRONG.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1363213894' post='1394456']
It's not being vendictive.... It's knowing the type of team you have, and then comparing that to the type of team he wants. Its simple.... Ray was holding it all together, now that hes gone.... John doesnt have a player on the inside to calm the storm.
Ray was mature enough to see Harbs had the right plan.
[/quote]

stop making so much sense of this non-sense situation

[redrum52]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1363213680' post='1394439']
I need a lot more proof of this before it can be close to believable. Start by getting an inside source close to the situation instead of speculation. I can't believe John would really be that vindictive.
[/quote]

I wouldn't consider that vindictive. Its a purge to prevent locker room division. It's smart and sends a message to the team that keeps people on their toes. Also shows he's not content with one sb victory. There's a way to approach team mates after a mistake if you're a player and if you're a coach. Let the coach scream. As a player try to tell them how they can do better before you go off on them.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1363213446' post='1394418']
This makes perfect sense to me. Also, after thinking back to the "behind the bench" videos... Pollard was always being told what to do, and how to do it... He seemed lost and made TONS of mistakes. Pollard would say "my bad" or " I got You" ...far too much.
[/quote]

Agreed. Look no further than the Super Bowl when Ed was clearly frustrated with Pollard at least a couple of times after the D surrendered big plays. Kaep is obviously a dangerous running threat but Bernard kept his eyes in the back-field far too long too often.

[black blood purple passion]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1363213446' post='1394418']
This makes perfect sense to me. Also, after thinking back to the "behind the bench" videos... Pollard was always being told what to do, and how to do it... He seemed lost and made TONS of mistakes. Pollard would say "my bad" or " I got You" ...far too much.
[/quote]

Its not time to come back to the huddle and say "my fault" it ain't tiiiimmmee for that, its time to do what we do, beat 'em between the whistles!

[H8R]

It's pretty simple really... The defense feels entitled at times, and rightfully so. For many years, they were the bell cows.
Johns personality shows more on offense! Steady guys who will unselfishly do whats best for the team. Think about it.. Rice? Doesnt complain about Peirces emergence. Pitta never says anything except, "ok coach" even when Dickson was thought to be the better TE. Oher is a great team mate. Torrey is humble, hard working and productive. Yanda is the bull that doesnt quit. Jacoby knows hes a role player, hes said that OVER AND OVER. KO is the young fella willing to work his but off, no matter the situation. All of these are on board with "The team, the team , THE TEAM.

[black blood purple passion]

[quote name='MTRavensFan' timestamp='1363213232' post='1394406']
Very interesting speculation. It certainly did not come out until several days later.
It's one thing to play through pain, another to be reckless and dangerous. Especially considering Roethlisberger's rib injury last year.
[/quote]

Well with these new reports surfacing about his attitude towards other team mates, sounds like I may be wrong. But considering how the league was cracking down on injury reports and us in particular the Ravens may not have appreciated the dishonesty Pollard displayed by playing through broken ribs, and they probably liked it even less when he came out about it after the superbowl. The ravens will most likely be on a short leash next season with respects to the injury report, every broken nail, split hair and bruise will have to be reported haha

[codizzle]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1363214445' post='1394483']
It's pretty simple really...
[/quote]
We kill the Batman?

[Alexir]

Glenn Younis is spouting out the same B.S.

I think it might have been because of future cap hits in future years, I don't know why we would only save a million.

[cobrajet]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1363214445' post='1394483']
It's pretty simple really... The defense feels entitled at times, and rightfully so. For many years, they were the bell cows.
Johns personality shows more on offense! Steady guys who will unselfishly do whats best for the team. Think about it.. Rice? Doesnt complain about Peirces emergence. Pitta never says anything except, "ok coach" even when Dickson was thought to be the better TE. Oher is a great team mate. Torrey is humble, hard working and productive. Yanda is the bull that doesnt quit. Jacoby knows hes a role player, hes said that OVER AND OVER. KO is the young fella willing to work his but off, no matter the situation. All of these are on board with "The team, the team , THE TEAM.
[/quote]
I am starting to see your point, maybe John and Jim are both alike in wanting total control but John is more passive aggressive where Jim is just a maniac. As far as McKinnie is concerned, the guy is a pretty damn good LT on game day, but his work ethic leaves a little to be desired. I can see if I was the coach that might be a problem. I guess I post based on what I see on gameday, but I am not priviledged to see what goes on behind the scenes. Maybe I should take that into consideration more.

[Engine20]

[quote name='black blood purple passion' timestamp='1363206480' post='1393952']
maybe the guys were outspoken about the money being spread around or something? Might be annoying trying to get your 1/52nd of the cake when flacco's got 1/6th of it.
[/quote]

While I agree flacco's deal was a bit over the top... But he's not the only one, in fact I believe he will count less against the cap than Ngata again next year and Suggs is in their neighborhood also...and to be honest those guys haven't really earned it since they signed for their big money