John Harbaugh Receiving Too Much Blame?

[PeRK82]

 

Personally, I think Harbuagh has been receiving too much blame for the losses this year. It's easy to say that a bad call here or there can cost the team a win, but that ignores the fact that the team played for sixty minutes and there was more going on than just that one bad call. I personally think it's pretty ignorant to blame Harbaugh without looking at the game as a whole. 

What do you all think? Is Harbaugh to blame or is he receiving too much heat?

 

 

 

I would agree with you but i just cant seem to get past the last 2 games with the 4 runs at the 2 yrd line against GB and the onside kick with over 9 1/2 mins left against the Steelers.

 

Sorry but to me that is his fault. He hasnt put his players in positions to win.

[CHURCHKEY]

I Think we need to look at our Offensive Coordinator seems like we have been awful conservative on offense, almost looks like Cams calling.  We need for players to start catching balls also 

[billick]

Harbaugh gets all the blame. He got a new contract giving him greater power to make personnel decisions and has decided to get rid of players who undermine his authority. Nothing wrong with that. Players who undermine the coach undermine the team and should be let go. Every great coach mentioned here has done that. Considering coaches like Weeb Ubank, Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, Bill Bellichick would have never let a player distract the team. This list can go on and on. Is Harbaugh a great coach? He'll never be if he allows distractions within the team.

 Nice post. Any one can cut players. Now, about those replacements ?

[HoldingCall]

As a head coach Harbs is still learning and will continue to adjust over time. There are times when a problem evolves due to a coach taking over the game and other times when a coach fails to step in when the players need them. With Harbs that's fixable, but he can never be perfect and a mistake here and there will always happen.

[HoldingCall]

Who's to blame? Blame comes from the top down! The front offices signs the coaches and players. The coaches prepares them  or under, or over coach the players. The players either exceed expectations, meet expectations or neither of the previous. There are problems in all three of the above.

 

First, there were a couple of unfavorable player releases followed by some unfavorable signings. Then there are a few players and maybe coaches that we all wonder why they are still here. Then include unfortunate/untimely injuries and a player's attitude or behavior.

 

I am told that money forced a few issues but who's in charge of being financially prepared for the coming season and balancing the books? Look at how many signing that haven't fit the team need or the draft picks that never played/s. The dead money! 

 

As for Harbs, this will not be the last time Coach makes an unfavorable call that don't work out. Ray Rice's last fumble is not likely to be the last of his career, nor Joe's last interception or Doss's drops. 

 

Winning is a team effort from top to bottom. The top (FO) must give the middle (coaches) and bottom (the players) a chance to win. When they do then it is up to the middle and bottom to meet expectations. I could be wrong but to me the main problem starts at the top with the decisions.

[HoldingCall]

To make myself clear, I am not slamming Ozzie. He is a good GM, and has proven to be one of the best but he and those around him can and have had some misses. It is what it is! 

[The Mom Gene]

Ozzie had these guys here, Harbs let them go

 

I have to admit that I don't believe this is a one person decision.  The players were brought in, but how many of them were going to be kept anyway.  I think it was a decision that may have been made long before.  Happens a lot, players are brought in for a purpose, and once that purpose is served, it's bye bye...  Sometimes, it may be nothing more than that they are expensive.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

"90% of my mistakes, are with guys I can't reason with" Jimmy Johnson speaking to Bill Belichek while fishing.

[RavensAllTheWay]

And our 3rd down production?

 

Last year, we were 37%.  This year, we're 37%.  

[Chris K]

Okay before you all grab your pitchforks, hear me out.

I am a fan of John Harbaugh, I have supported the change that it seems he brought when he arrived in Baltimore. I also refuse to put all of the blame for everything on his shoulders. However, it does seem that the off season problems with leadership that were addressed by the media every time they talked about us have come to light.

 

That does not necessarily mean that the problem lies in those specific players gone, but, it seems as though John has made an effort to get rid of, or not make an effort to keep outspoken veterans, (Pollard, Reed, Boldin, etc..). To me, this is fine, as long as A. The replaced players production is not lost and B. it does not change the identity of the team. I think B. is by far the more important point, as production can be replaced far easier than maintaining a team identity. However, it seems that John had, throughout his time here, never really had to be much of a leader,because of the likes of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, etc. If he did have to make changes or establish his authority, it seemed like it came through the approval of aforementioned players. 

 

So, my question is, now that those players are gone, is John hesitant to come out and challenge his players, to set them straight? It seems as though he doesn't want to call anyone out or demand more from them, whether it be O-Line protection, defensive effort, etc. I was thinking about this when the announcers of the game talked about how Chudzkinski challenged individual players for production.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

They just go in his doghouse never to see the field for awhile

[The Mom Gene]

They just go in his doghouse never to see the field for awhile

I disagree with that. Seen him give guys many second and third chances.

[Ravens Lover]

With being the head coach he should get a little blame for it, but he certainly doesn't deserve all of it by any means

[Raving_Heathen]

This is not a very disciplined team. Way too many stupid, rage-inducing penalties that either stall drives for our O or extend drives for the opponent's O. Way too many.

 

Pretty sure that falls on the HC.

[Black n Purple Express]

He needs to take some but there are other coaches as well. He needs to light a fire under all of them or give them the Cam Cameron one way ticket.

[Guest RBates]

I really dont like that fact that the team seems handcuffed.  They can't speak out on things that are bothering them.  They have had their voices stripped away by an ego driven Head coach.  I can't stand what im seeing.  It's a passionate game people.  Sometimes it takes players calling one another out. 

 

I

[frozen joe flacco fan]

Lol ok. Go ahead and whine just don't get butthurt when you get called out for being a bad fan.

 

What do ya think now big fella? You know organizations learn nothing from homers like you. I have been a Baltimore fan for a long time and have earned the right to criticize.  Besides, isn't that what free speech is all about. By listening to some of the astute students of the game, John Harbaugh may learn something new. Oh! What a radical thought! I was encouraged to see they listened to one of my suggestions --- to sit Osemele down and use the next man up. Looking at the world thru your rose-colored glasses isn't going to help. Coach John's philosophy is apparently to surround himself with people who will not speak up out of fear of reprisal.  That goes for players, assistant coaches & fans.  If that's his style, we will keep losing. When ya don't learn from the past, yer doomed to repeat it. That's all! Check out Albert Einstein's definition of insanity. It doesn't take an Einstein to figure out what's goin on, does it? 

[GrimCoconut]

What do ya think now big fella? You know organizations learn nothing from homers like you. I have been a Baltimore fan for a long time and have earned the right to criticize. Besides, isn't that what free speech is all about. By listening to some of the astute students of the game, John Harbaugh may learn something new. Oh! What a radical thought! I was encouraged to see they listened to one of my suggestions --- to sit Osemele down and use the next man up. Looking at the world thru your rose-colored glasses isn't going to help. Coach John's philosophy is apparently to surround himself with people who will not speak up out of fear of reprisal. That goes for players, assistant coaches & fans. If that's his style, we will keep losing. When ya don't learn from the past, yer doomed to repeat it. That's all! Check out Albert Einstein's definition of insanity. It doesn't take an Einstein to figure out what's goin on, does it?

You're deluding yourself if you're buying into the notion that the front office is listening to you. They shouldn't listen to the fans. That's foolish fans are typically emotionally and act as such.

[frozen joe flacco fan]

Lmao. Obviously, he is a gamechanger because our game got a lot worse when he got hurt. Pitta was easily going to be our second best receiving threat this year, and our go to guy on third down .

Like I said, Pitta is half of a two-headed dragon.  He's got adequate hands but can't block. Dickson can block but can't catch. Yesterday's game in Cleveland was a classic example. Dickson should have laid out for the pass that he got a hand on but couldn't pull in. He has all the physical gifts to become a good TE but doesn't have the heart to cross the middle or fight for the ball. If & when Pitta returns, how is that going to help our run game? We have to bring in Rick Wagoner, an extra tackle, to help run block & it still isn't enough. Its not saying much to say that Pitta was going to be our second best receiving threat this year. I agree that he was a security blanket for Joe Flacco but that's not what Joe needs. He needs a Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski type of TE. 

[frozen joe flacco fan]

You're deluding yourself if you're buying into the notion that the front office is listening to you. They shouldn't listen to the fans. That's foolish fans are typically emotionally and act as such.

So what's your solution, bro?  Just go with the flow, keep your mouth shut and hope for the best? Its not working! I think its important for fans to voice their views and, who knows, it might even help the coach be a better coach.  You don't think calling for an on-side kick with over thirteen minutes to play isn't emotional? It defied logic and defined panic on the head coach's part. This is an under-achieving team. Make no doubt about it and remember what I have said before --- there isn't that much difference between a 10-6 team and a 6-10 team. I submit that what happened in Cleveland was fairly predictable. We lost to a team who is getting better and we were out-coached again. When the FO stops listening to their twelfth man, the fans, its all over. Game, set & match! Yes, I think their reading some of our blogs. For the sake of the team, I hope so.

[GrimCoconut]

So what's your solution, bro? Just go with the flow, keep your mouth shut and hope for the best? Its not working! I think its important for fans to voice their views and, who knows, it might even help the coach be a better coach. You don't think calling for an on-side kick with over thirteen minutes to play isn't emotional? It defied logic and defined panic on the head coach's part. This is an under-achieving team. Make no doubt about it and remember what I have said before --- there isn't that much difference between a 10-6 team and a 6-10 team. I submit that what happened in Cleveland was fairly predictable. We lost to a team who is getting better and we were out-coached again. When the FO stops listening to their twelfth man, the fans, its all over. Game, set & match! Yes, I think their reading some of our blogs. For the sake of the team, I hope so.

Of course not. This place is used to express our opinions on the team but I think your kidding yourself if you think they come here and look for advice. If so, I'd love to work for the Ravens. I'll get someone their coffee if that's what it takes.

No front office listens to the fans and makes decisions based off of them. Business doesn't work that way.

[The Raven]

Lol!!! Funny stuff

[easternshore97]

Of course not. This place is used to express our opinions on the team but I think your kidding yourself if you think they come here and look for advice. If so, I'd love to work for the Ravens. I'll get someone their coffee if that's what it takes.

No front office listens to the fans and makes decisions based off of them. Business doesn't work that way.

'The minute you start listening to the fans is the minute you become one'

-Brian Billick

Super Bowl 35 Champion

[easternshore97]

I agree that he was a security blanket for Joe Flacco but that's not what Joe needs. He needs a Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski type of TE. 

So what does Aaron Rodgers need? Eli Manning? Andy Dalton? Ben Roeth? Alex Smith? RG? Russell Wilson?

 

For every team that has neither Gronk nor Graham - 30 others to be exact, what will all those teams/QBs need to be "successful". And how do you reconcile that the teams that have Gronk and Graham have not won Super Bowls since having them on their team?

[stealerhater]

If the  oc or dc is not doing the job the head coach is to blame for not making changes. And michael oahr sucks keeps missing blocks,and ray can not block either,and the dbs dont even look for the ball

[AsianRice]

The title should be "Is Harbaugh receiving enough blames?

[stealerhater]

Whats up with the last play? Why throw a 5 yard pass like he was going to score without blocking,why not give the receivers a chance to catch the long ball

[stealerhater]

Why go for it on 4th and 1 from the 40 but punt on 4th and 3 from the 50 dumb.

[GrimCoconut]

Why go for it on 4th and 1 from the 40 but punt on 4th and 3 from the 50 dumb.

Two yards.

[Guest RBates]

Harbaugh is a pitiful coach.  I've been saying it for years.  He is a team manager.  Nothing more.  He makes constant mistakes in coaching decisions and has a great record due to great personnel. But all that is over now.  He got rid of all the outspoken players now he is stuck with yes men that don't wanna talk to the media after losses.  (They are probably scared to say something that might get them exiled).

 

SMH