Preston: Harbaugh Clearing Out Mutineers

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1363260923' post='1395645']
he's putting a target on his back removing all these leaders. It's his team now that's for sure. He's in control
[/quote]

he's only removed pollard (whom I never really trusted in cover and pissed me several times with some silly penalties), but that was approved by Ozzie so...
Q left because of the cap and Ozzie's stubborness more than anything... I actually believe that Harbs was the one to help us get something in return
Ed is a combo of being too outspoken in the media at times, being not young (old it's such a bad term) and wanting to be paid more than we might be willing... so a combo of Harbs' and Ozzie's no-no's
Ellerbe, Kruger, Williams and McKinnie all decided to go the highway... Ray and Matt retired
we'll do good with Harbs in control... as bad as it feels as a fan seing Ed and Q go

[RobFuseRaven]

How is McKinnie "outspoken"? People have said he is a quiet guy in the locker room that just does his job. I've even met him once and he did seem softspoken. Another baseless article from Preston.

[gkyle06]

I sure hope Harbs knows what hes doing because we made the playoffs 5 years in a row with great veterans on D and O and now Going entirley with young guys. If we miss the playoffs this year or atleast dont win the division then he will be potentially under extreme scrutiny from the media as the guy who blew up a team primed for another run. I think he is turning into another billicheck who wants to be the judge, juror and executioner and have the final say.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

[quote name='gkyle06' timestamp='1363264338' post='1395674']
I sure hope Harbs knows what hes doing because we made the playoffs 5 years in a row with great veterans on D and O and now Going entirley with young guys. If we miss the playoffs this year or atleast dont win the division then he will be potentially under extreme scrutiny from the media as the guy who blew up [b]a team primed for another run[/b]. I think he is turning into another billicheck who wants to be the judge, juror and executioner and have the final say.
[/quote]

though even after we won the SB... the next day... so many other teams got nominated in prime position, in front of us, to win the next one

[Tank 92]

Right. This theory is BS.

[gkyle06]

[quote name='horus13corvineus' timestamp='1363264888' post='1395683']
though even after we won the SB... the next day... so many other teams got nominated in prime position, in front of us, to win the next one
[/quote]

True but Harbs better win next season or else he will be under pressure, especially if the team stinks and finish 8-8 or worse. For all I know we could go back to the AFC title game and repeat.

[H8R]

[quote name='RobFuseRaven' timestamp='1363263931' post='1395671']
How is McKinnie "outspoken"? People have said he is a quiet guy in the locker room that just does his job. I've even met him once and he did seem softspoken. Another baseless article from Preston.
[/quote]

He's not outspoken, he's just lazy... doesn't put the team first and has a history of being noncommittal about football.

[H8ME]

Bryant McKinnie has been accused of alot of things but never "outspoken". LOL

If this team is not competitve next year it could get ugly for Harbaugh, Ozzie, and Flacco.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='H8ME' timestamp='1363269999' post='1395763']
If this team is not competitve next year it could get ugly for Harbaugh, Ozzie, and Flacco.
[/quote]


Why do you say this? Who have we lost that will keep us from being competitive? Why would it get ugly for Flacco?

Our D, for the most part, pretty much sucked last year. We need change.

[Tiz]

Dont believe in the theory if it was about removing mutineers and anquan was one why ask him to take a pay cut.
I think the loss of Kruger, ellerbe, and potentially reed is because Ozzie has a set number fr these guys and he allows them to go out and see if they can get more or come back for what Ozzie feels is the appropriate value.

Not worried about losing fiery personalities because we still have Suggs
Not worried about losing leaders because we have rice and flacco.

I'm reminded of eli growing as a leader when some of the voices that stymied him were removed from the giants

[H8ME]

[quote name='awholelottahaloti' timestamp='1363270333' post='1395775']
Why do you say this? Who have we lost that will keep us from being competitive? Why would it get ugly for Flacco?

Our D, for the most part, pretty much sucked last year. We need change.
[/quote]


There's already pressure on Flacco to carry the team. That happened when he signed his contract. We will see if he can do it. It would help to get him a good LT. QB's like Brady, Brees, and Rodgers have the talent to make other players look good. Argument can be made that other players made Flacco look good.

Boldins' block in San Diego on 4th and 29 is the reason Rice was able to make that play. Flacco was having one of his usual on the road performances. Matter in fact, Boldins' down the field blocking was crucial on alot of plays.

This team kicked it into gear when Ray came back. No one can deny Ray Lewis has the Brady, Brees, Rodgers affect on players. Idk, can Webb play corner with two repaired knees? Will Suggs be motivated after seeing how other veterans were removed? Does Ngata care anymore now that he has his money? Jameel McClain wasn't anything special before he got hurt. Are they going to address the offensive line or piece it together like they've been doing the past few years?

We'll see....

[The Raven]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1363259473' post='1395640']
If you guys are fine with him letting go of good talent that have fiery attitudes then you are watching the wrong sport. There are guys in every locker room that do this. Sometimes it is necessary to build a winning team.

Harbaugh wants quiet guys that play football? You better get use to losing then.
P.s my opinion is biased, i never liked Harbaugh.
[/quote]

I've been on teams with cancers, and those kind of guys tear the locker room apart. Next thing you know, everyone is pointing fingers. There's no longer a team; it's merely 53 guys wearing the same jersey. I can't fault Harbs one bit for removing Pollard.

Harbs doesn't want quiet guys. He just doesn't want fools who think they're above the team. Come on now!

[Raven07]

even if this report or rumor were true, The Ravens and Harbaugh will never ever admit to that , so we will never truly know. for it its just heart breaking to see so many players that could still contribute in big ways.... leave with, from the outside looking in, nothing to show for it. besides the rumor, the Ravens were clearing cap space to sign Ellerbe or something along those lines. none the less, there are now only a limited number of defensive players left from our SB win/season from 2012-2013. and our best/top offensive guy is gone. just have to wait and see.

year after year critics and people say the same thing " they wont be any good this year, too much of a loss after this player left or that player left or coach left" ... it goes on and on. and year after year, doesn't matter who leaves, the Ravens are always right there in contention, season to season. there are times in which we question, why? but in the end, Ozzie lets the play speak for itself as to "why" he drafted or chose those specific players from FA.

so Trust in Oz, although tensions may get strained from a fans standpoint, we always are in the mix at the end of it.

[msufan]

The thing is that the media is making this a big deal for the last two yrs we have lost important members of our team. He'll we lost more important ppl last yr and we won the SB so the public can think all they want about how we are going to be terrible or not make the playoffs. I like being under the radar.

[stan]

Thankfully the article is short. Unfortunately, meaningless.

[jaege]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1363272355' post='1395820']
I've been on teams with cancers, and those kind of guys tear the locker room apart. Next thing you know, everyone is pointing fingers. There's no longer a team; it's merely 53 guys wearing the same jersey. I can't fault Harbs one bit for removing Pollard.

Harbs doesn't want quiet guys. He just doesn't want fools who think they're above the team. Come on now!
[/quote]


Now all of a sudden Pollard is a cancer? He must have been benign then because he surely didnt prevent us from getting to and winning the SB.

Regardless, it is Ozzie that makes the decision on who comes and goes, not John. He can make suggestions but Oz is going to do what he thinks is best for the team and within the budget. All the cuts and trades and releases and signings are on Oz. He is the man with the plan. Certainly we are losing some team favorties, but I am sure Oz knows what he is doing.

[stan]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1363265458' post='1395689']
He's not outspoken, he's just lazy... doesn't put the team first and has a history of being noncommittal about football.
[/quote]
McKinnie may appear to be lazy and noncommital about football. Same was said about Sam Adams. Like Adams when on the field McKinnie is one of the top players at his position in the NFL.
The way the Ravens develop tackles we need to keep McKinnie. Our best tackle Yanda was moved to guard and Oher to tackle. Oher was drafted because Ozzie thinks he is a NICE guy. So blame Harbaugh all you want. Ozzie has the final say and he wants players who lead by example and not by their mouths.

[K-Dog]

[quote name='PolishRifle' timestamp='1363259914' post='1395641']
Start Tyrod! As QB, HC, GM, WR, SS, MLB and waterboy.
[/quote]

I am on mobile.
Some green plus this post for me.
It made me laugh.

[coachb52]

[quote name='Stephenjr' timestamp='1363206544' post='1393957']
Boldin was traded to the 49ers to help Jim the same reason we relased Pollard!! Watch he will end up with the 49ers also.John feels like he ows Jim and wants him to win the next Super Bowl.Reed is next to leave!!!
[/quote] Have you lost your mind. Trust Ozzie He knows more than all of us together.

[coachb52]

[s]Have you lost your ever loving mind Trust Ozzie with all your heart and all your soul[/s]

[FerrariFan87]

Preston is paid to give controversial, if not stupid, opinions. Take anything he says with the tiniest grain of salt.

[The Raven]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1363275794' post='1395931']
Now all of a sudden Pollard is a cancer? He must have been benign then because he surely didnt prevent us from getting to and winning the SB.

Regardless, it is Ozzie that makes the decision on who comes and goes, not John. He can make suggestions but Oz is going to do what he thinks is best for the team and within the budget. All the cuts and trades and releases and signings are on Oz. He is the man with the plan. Certainly we are losing some team favorties, but I am sure Oz knows what he is doing.
[/quote]

Cancer may have been a strong word, but it's the best word to describe a player who tells a TEAMMATE that he doesn't deserve to play in the NFL.

[wademan2636]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1363281603' post='1396128']
Cancer may have been a strong word, but it's the best word to describe a player who tells a TEAMMATE that he doesn't deserve to play in the NFL.
[/quote]

yeah i agree. that was an obnoxious thing to do. humiliating your rookie teammate in front of the entire team and the media is unacceptable. If that's truly what happened, I'm glad he's gone. He's just poisoning the locker room.

[cobrajet]

[quote name='wademan2636' timestamp='1363282822' post='1396167']
yeah i agree. that was an obnoxious thing to do. humiliating your rookie teammate in front of the entire team and the media is unacceptable. If that's truly what happened, I'm glad he's gone. He's just poisoning the locker room.
[/quote]
Yeah, I always loved "The Bonecrusher" for his take no prisioners attitude, but that behavior -if true- is seriously uncalled for. I guess it is that kind of behind the scenes stuff that the average fans just don't usually find out about.

[mdrsharon]

As we aren't really in that locker room, we will never really know what went on.
Every business has bosses that play favorites, if you are a pet, great, if not, just do your job so you can keep it.If you want to , that is.

Bottom line - we seem to have lost some really good players.
I think the Boldin deal will bite us.
Of course, many are left to pick up slack, but veteran leadership will be missed - a lot,mostly Ray.

Everything else is speculation.
Let's hope for a spectacular draft.
Until next year....

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1363281603' post='1396128']


Cancer may have been a strong word, but it's the best word to describe a player who tells a TEAMMATE that he doesn't deserve to play in the NFL.
[/quote]
If that's true, then that's a low blow. When I read that however many posts back, I lost respect (tons) for Pollared if the report is true. That's unacceptable.

[jaege]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1363281603' post='1396128']
Cancer may have been a strong word, but it's the best word to describe a player who tells a TEAMMATE that he doesn't deserve to play in the NFL.
[/quote]


That is brutal. Are we sure it happened? I missed that. Who did he tell that to?

[gabefergy]

I dont see outspoken ppl leaving (other than Pollard). I see old/overpaid players leaving.

[Latch]

if we're losing outspoken people, then why didnt harbs give Suggs the boot a long time ago? then why are we apparently interested in James Harrison? i love pollard on the field, but if he's really telling teammates they don't belong in the NFL, get him out of here. don't think him being outspoken alone would get him kicked out, though. (Ozzie is a grown man he can tell John "grow [[i]up[/i]] he is a great player".) i think that his ribs were probably an issue.

as for losing Q, that was just an issue with age and money. from what I've inferred, he's generally a great guy and someone who was a natural leader in the locker room. yeah, he gave Joe grief, but if we're honestly kicking off players just because they question our starting quarterback then this entire organization needs to be torn apart, because that's absolutely ridiculous.

really hoping preston is just being stupid, because if not we've got some serious issues over here.

[BirdWatcher]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1363286226' post='1396264']
That is brutal. Are we sure it happened? I missed that. Who did he tell that to?
[/quote]

He did it within hearing of a bunch of reporters.