John Harbaugh's Fears

[flynismo]

They were so soft that they battled back late in each game? Soft is a term to describe teams that run away and hide when the going gets tough. I saw just the opposite. Just because you didn't like the outcome, doesn't mean the team was soft.

I don't know what it is about this team this year....both the offense and defense, but mainly the defense....I can't call them soft for the exact reasons you pointed out, but I felt like they lacked mental toughness. Maybe it's not even that, I still can't put my finger on it. There just seemed to be no cohesion, just a bunch of guys out there trying to do their jobs.

[gabefergy]

I don't know what it is about this team this year....both the offense and defense, but mainly the defense....I can't call them soft for the exact reasons you pointed out, but I felt like they lacked mental toughness. Maybe it's not even that, I still can't put my finger on it. There just seemed to be no cohesion, just a bunch of guys out there trying to do their jobs.

We missed Ray Lewis.

[JoeyFlex5]

I'll play devil's advocate and poke some holes.

Hue Jackson took a promotion to become the Raiders OC (and eventually HC) in his home state. He also had strong feelings for the franchise imo he really loved Al Davis.

To the outspoken players the only one that really fits that profile is Pollard. But, seeing as he can't hold a job, it may be a Pollard issue rather than a Harbaugh issue.

Also, if Harbaugh was looking to take out outspoken players, he missed the biggest one: Joe Flacco. Flacco is candid and not afraid to go against the grain. He says it with a straight face and a monotone so it mostly goes unnoticed but his pressers are by far the best and most informative.

I do agree, however, that Harbaugh has a very conservative offensive philosophy by nature. When Caldwell took the job as OC he said the playbook would not change - it still hasn't, really. Is this because Harbaugh sets it? Or is it because Caldwell doesn't have enough coordination experience to do so?

this is excellent and on point. the problem with offensive creativity isnt harbaugh, its the fact that we had an extremely vanilla, and suited for college OC, and replaced him with a guy who isnt even a OC. all caldwell did in the playoffs was use cams same playbook, and called cams more aggressive plays at different times. 

 

we will know if this has something to do with harbaughs ego if caldwell goes elsewhere, if we go hire another scrub, or promote somebody from within who will be a scrub, then its clearly a harbaugh problem. if we hire a offensive genius and we still have thelack of creativity, again, it will be a harbaugh problem. but ill give him the benefit of the doubt until its proven

[redrum52]

Apparently he fears having a consistent offense, cause the second it looked good he traded away a key component to his brother for basically used tissue paper.  Then picked up an O line coach, turned DC, turned run game coordinator, to transform our o line into a record setting group of turnstiles/ sled blockers.

[runamuk]

Harbaugh doesn't disclose allot even in his pressors his words are measured he makes me nuts .  when we played the giants prior to the superbowl something changed then, the offense was more fluid more dynamic and looked better then I have seen it and that continued thru to the superbowl. whomever was calling the plays they kept flacco in rhythm . he picked apart new england's defence , in the second half , and the niners defense in the super bowl. fast forward to first game of this past season  we were in that game until jacoby went down with his injury and it seemed like in the second half . the playcaller we  saw last year disappeared. and for much of the season whomever was calling plays was not the same  as before . Now either we have a schizophrenic coach or somebody with a different philosophy was making calls. after the patriots game it was called out as being too predicatable prior to that aaron Rodgers called the play calling out in a radio interview. then Rice gets benched. Too many injuries and Caldwell had to use what he had or two different play callers or both. I think having too many coaches with differents pov  and /or injuries caused  this season to get away from us. I doubt we ever find out what really happened .  

[RavensIQ13]

It has been proposed that the reason the Ravens have maintained a certain playbook or offensive philsophy is more Harbaugh's fault than the OC.  It seems clear that the OC does not have free reign to do what they do despite Harbaugh's lack of experience on that side of the ball.

 

We've seen issues crop up with strong personalities of the players, and it's possibly that also happened with coaches (I'm thinking Hue Jackson mainly), to the point where we jettisoned everyone who was outspoken except for Suggs, who for the most part is outspoken touting the company line.

 

Is it possible that Harbaugh won't allow an OC with a philosophy, a plan, and experience to come in because it challenges his authority?  We can gloss over the mutiny as a turning point last season, but perhaps it's a sign of deeper philosophical problems in the organization.

You know some things are just never good enough for people. Coach Harbaugh brought the Lombardi Trophy back to Baltimore last year but I guess that wasn't good enough either, huh? Who cares what his methods are, they're proven!.

 

John Harbaugh's time as head coach:

 

-Over the past 6 seasons Harbaugh has lead his team to 3 AFC Championships

-Has lead his team to 5 of the last 6 playoff tournaments

-Has won at least 1 game in every playoff appearance

-Has won 9 of 13 playoff games

-Has a regular season record of 62-34

-Has won 3 AFC North Division Championship Titles

-Has NEVER had a losing record

-Has won a Super Bowl

 

I understand our offense was down right painful to watch this season but that's no reason to start second guessing Coach Harbaugh or his methods or his philosophies. This dude is nothing but a winner and I have no doubt he's going to get this thing headed back in the right direction.

 

It really pisses me off how so many fans come off as ungrateful after just winning the Super Bowl.

[TwinRivers]

OK. Now I like this thread. John Harbaugh was hired because, in Biscotti's words, "He knows people." In other words Harbaugh's identity is to find coaches that can do the job. Harbaugh doesn't have an identity as a defensive or offensive minded guy or one who is good at evaluating talent since Ozzie does most of that. Harbaugh signed a big contract with more control. It could be John Harbaugh is trying to establish an identity as someone other than a manger. However Steve Biscotti "Knows people!" That's how he made his fortune.

[gabefergy]

You know some things are just never good enough for people. Coach Harbaugh brought the Lombardi Trophy back to Baltimore last year but I guess that wasn't good enough either, huh? Who cares what his methods are, they're proven!.

John Harbaugh's time as head coach:

-Over the past 6 seasons Harbaugh has lead his team to 3 AFC Championships
-Has lead his team to 5 of the last 6 playoff tournaments
-Has won at least 1 game in every playoff appearance
-Has won 9 of 13 playoff games
-Has a regular season record of 62-34
-Has won 3 AFC North Division Championship Titles
-Has NEVER had a losing record
-Has won a Super Bowl

I understand our offense was down right painful to watch this season but that's no reason to start second guessing Coach Harbaugh or his methods or his philosophies. This dude is nothing but a winner and I have no doubt he's going to get this thing headed back in the right direction.

It really pisses me off how so many fans come off as ungrateful after just winning the Super Bowl.

Thank you! We should be grateful to have such a good coach, not nitpick like spoiled brats.

[Static]

John Harbaugh fears his friends won't have jobs.

[ravensfan520]

I thought it was Joe I just wasn't sure .what hasn't made sense to me this year is why didn't harbaugh say mid season. look this isn't working lets go with what works.

well here's the million question... what did work... on offense we couldn't run the ball we couldn't pass and when we did move the ball we had to settle for long field goals.

I think and it just my opinion... this offense is vanilla because we lack the offensive players to perform in it. No true number 1 wr(just guys that run fast) and even after Pitta came back there still wasn't anywhere to throw it.

the biggest concern is completions... joe threw a lot of throws into coverage and has always thrown into coverage but had Boldin or even mason in his day that had a pair to get it. Thats part of the game is gone. Maybe Joe has trouble as well with complex plays... or reading blitzes... Cam wouldn't let him audible because even if the wrong play was called if they executed their responsibility it would still work(cam philosophy). When we did look like we audible it looked like we were just giving up and running into the teeth of the defense.Plus when we did run the ball (past) and it worked... the backs just decided to run straight ahead and get yards...

look we tried to bring in a blocking scheme that is working all around the league but for some reason our line cant do it. There have been former players of Juan that say that he is a great line coach and our players just need to by into it. Maybe the past schemes were easier to figure out and worked becuase they didnt have to think about a repsonsibity just one guy. Man vs man... I thought this scheme was supposed to open people to move and block someone who was in the way. Maybe I am wrong and dont get it either.

but to me nothing worked and if we do get a new coordinator...can they fix it or do we have to regroup on offense all together. Also I have heard that our defense is hard to understand (many rookies do5nt normally start) because there is so much responsibility that each player has and if someone breaks a big play its because someone missed their responsibility. Maybe that's why Spears or Huff didn't fair well. And smith did because he was and is considered such a well studied linebacker.

[billick]

Harbs is extremely paranoid.

[K-Dog]

Harbs is extremely paranoid.

Proof.

[PurpleCityLights]

I lost respect for John.......alot!!! Never have I seen players from other teams do Rays dance on our field . No one fears us or respects us anymore.....

[Moderator 3]

So it's John's fault that players on other teams are classless????

I'd rather give him credit for restraining our guys from getting penalized for retaliating.

[Ravenslifer]

I lost respect for John.......alot!!! Never have I seen players from other teams do Rays dance on our field . No one fears us or respects us anymore.....

 

Uh, what?  John certainly has several faults, but how does ANY coach prevent opposing players from doing something?  They're doing the dance because Ray isn't here anymore - it wouldn't matter if our HC was still Billick, was Bill Cowher, vince Lombardi, etc.  Doing that dance is something they do to mock Ray because they're too afraid to have done it when he was still on the sideline.  And even if nobody fears the defense anymore, how did you come to the conclusion it's from lack of respect for John?

[gabefergy]

I lost respect for John.......alot!!! Never have I seen players from other teams do Rays dance on our field . No one fears us or respects us anymore.....

Yeah, I wanted to see Harbaugh out there tackling the other team's players for dancing. I was very disappointed this didn't happen.

[flynismo]

Unreal.

Ozzie is senile, Harbaugh is spineless, clueless, a control freak, Flacco is mediocre and overpaid.
The three people most responsible for all of our success gets treated like this....pretty disgusting.

[SecretAgentMan]

Unreal.

Ozzie is senile, Harbaugh is spineless, clueless, a control freak, Flacco is mediocre and overpaid.
The three people most responsible for all of our success gets treated like this....pretty disgusting.

But Fly.... It's true.... :P

We have elite weapons and poor ball placement. Harbaugh is too loyal to his friends. Ozzie is a failure as a GM.

If we don't go 18-0 our season is a failure!!!!

[K-Dog]

Start Tyrod.

[arnie_uk]

I lost respect for John.......alot!!! Never have I seen players from other teams do Rays dance on our field . No one fears us or respects us anymore.....

the last bit may have some truth but its because rays gone they do the dance. TO done it iirc, he's the only one with balls

[ravens533]

The only thing that Harbs might fear is another dismal season. He is too much of a competitor.  He is not intimidated by others opinions. As for the Castillo thing. I was a manager for 35 years and will tell you that  not all the people you hire will workout as you expected. Harbs is by nature a rather conservative man. That is not a bad thing. It got us 5 postseason runs. He does not have a crystal ball as to how players will be injured or when. I truly believe that he does the very best that he can for this team. And his best has served this team well. This years offense was a total anomaly. Too many things went wrong. It was like a perfect storm. We thought that at least one of the secondary receivers was ready to step in to a slot receiver role. That did not workout. I am sure that Harbs did not make that decision alone. No one could have known that Pitta would go down. They tried to bring in some experience that had some idea of what a Caldwell offense would be. But that only partially worked. The revolving door of receivers did not help the offense get into a rhythm that they could sustain. We have good coaches and players and we will be back in contention next year again. Harbs will do his absolute best to make that happen.   

[PolishRifle]

Start Tyrod.

As HC? That's a new one.

[redlobster]

Uh, what? John certainly has several faults, but how does ANY coach prevent opposing players from doing something? They're doing the dance because Ray isn't here anymore - it wouldn't matter if our HC was still Billick, was Bill Cowher, vince Lombardi, etc. Doing that dance is something they do to mock Ray because they're too afraid to have done it when he was still on the sideline. And even if nobody fears the defense anymore, how did you come to the conclusion it's from lack of respect for John?

Lol Terrell Owens did the dance with lewis on the field after scoring a td right in front of him.

[redrum52]

You know some things are just never good enough for people. Coach Harbaugh brought the Lombardi Trophy back to Baltimore last year but I guess that wasn't good enough either, huh? Who cares what his methods are, they're proven!.

 

John Harbaugh's time as head coach:

 

-Over the past 6 seasons Harbaugh has lead his team to 3 AFC Championships

-Has lead his team to 5 of the last 6 playoff tournaments

-Has won at least 1 game in every playoff appearance

-Has won 9 of 13 playoff games

-Has a regular season record of 62-34

-Has won 3 AFC North Division Championship Titles

-Has NEVER had a losing record

-Has won a Super Bowl

 

I understand our offense was down right painful to watch this season but that's no reason to start second guessing Coach Harbaugh or his methods or his philosophies. This dude is nothing but a winner and I have no doubt he's going to get this thing headed back in the right direction.

 

It really pisses me off how so many fans come off as ungrateful after just winning the Super Bowl.

In a lot of fans defense, he was getting questioned about mistakes he's making that are pretty visible and were still happening before and after the SB win.

[Bruce_Almty]

Where is the brainstorming by coaches trying to come up with the next Tampa2 defense or West Coast offense? The innovation and scheming to take advantage of a players unique skills? I see the Saints stack 3 WRs on one side and a TE wide-out on the other. Stacks, rubs anything to get people open would be nice.

 

Just adding talent will not help if you don't plan how to use their skills.

Go Harbaugh

[redrum52]

I lost respect for John.......alot!!! Never have I seen players from other teams do Rays dance on our field . No one fears us or respects us anymore.....

It wasn't our field, but TO hit the squirrel DIRTY in Philly.  He did the dance better than I've ever seen Ray do it... 

 

I do kind of agree with you.  I don't feel the team is as physical as prior years, though that can also be because of rule changes.

[Free Agent]

It wasn't our field, but TO hit the squirrel DIRTY in Philly.  He did the dance better than I've ever seen Ray do it...

 

Blasphemy!

[Guest RBates]

Seriously, a lot of our coaches can roll out. (Pees, Harbaugh, Castillo, Spags),

 

I'll keep the rest of them.

 

I'd really be upset if Austin goes with Caldwell if he gets the Lions job. 

[DomMcRaven]

 

 

The only thing that Harbs might fear is another dismal season. He is too much of a competitor.  He is not intimidated by others opinions. As for the Castillo thing. I was a manager for 35 years and will tell you that  not all the people you hire will workout as you expected. Harbs is by nature a rather conservative man. That is not a bad thing. It got us 5 postseason runs. He does not have a crystal ball as to how players will be injured or when. I truly believe that he does the very best that he can for this team. And his best has served this team well. This years offense was a total anomaly. Too many things went wrong. It was like a perfect storm. We thought that at least one of the secondary receivers was ready to step in to a slot receiver role. That did not workout. I am sure that Harbs did not make that decision alone. No one could have known that Pitta would go down. They tried to bring in some experience that had some idea of what a Caldwell offense would be. But that only partially worked. The revolving door of receivers did not help the offense get into a rhythm that they could sustain. We have good coaches and players and we will be back in contention next year again. Harbs will do his absolute best to make that happen.   

Amen to EVERYTHING you said. I have questioned a few calls that he has made (like the Packers game), but have I lost respect for him? Heck no! Like you said and I completely agree, almost nothing went right with our offense. Harbaugh may keep Castillo in hopes of some continuity. It was completely wrong for Castillo to change our blocking scheme for obvious reasons. They say "what a difference a year can make" well who knows? Castillo may pleasantly surprise Raven Nation if our offensive line is effective in all aspects and our running game is effective. Harbaugh knows that our offense has to improve if we want to dream about the playoffs next year. Hopefully our offseason is productive to upgrade our offense as a whole. 

[Guest Omerta]

Strangers.


STRANGER DANGER!!!!