[News] John Harbaugh Addresses Late-Game Urgency

[Ravens West]

At this point, I'm actually excited about our team. We certainly suck but I'm sure we'll get this ship sailing again (most likely next year or two) and we'll be better off for it. I think this year (and last) can be attributed to the "Bargain mentality". We used to be really good at letting players go when it was time and OTHER TEAMS would suffer the thoughts that they will propel their team to the top (See Ed Reed). We've been picking up cast offs and bargain hunting for a couple years now and it's got us in a bind. It's always nice to get a bargain but we probably shouldn't have done it across the board with all our players and coaches. Lesson learned now, let's dig out of it and get back to where we belong! GO RAVENS! Did the "Money ball" idea backfire on them?

Wow!  Not sure if you're talking about the Ravens...or O's.  Although, I get the gist!

Oh well, "birds of a feather!"

Let's hope "lessons learned" on both fronts...

Edited October 20, 2015 by Ravens West

[The Greek]

go team!!

[Ravens West]

"RED FLAG" of Concern: HC Harbaugh's recent Post-game Presser after 49ers lost.

Reporter: Is it more frustrating when you lose that many games when it comes down to the last play or two in almost every game?

Coach Harbs: "I don't know. I don't have the frustration gauge out. You know, you ask a question like that. It's just frustrating. It's not frustrating. I don't get frustrated I've said that before. You know, I don't get, I don't get, I get down a little bit. I get disappointed. You know, but we got to get better. I mean, I can get determined is what I get, you know? And I believe we have a bunch of guys that feel the same way. We got to get it done. It starts with me. The guys are doing the right thing. I don't care if you've been here for four days, you put your eyes on your coverage in the right spot. It's that simple, you know? We got to execute, you know? We got to execute. Offense, defense, and special teams, we find the stuff that we do well and we got to go out there and make sure they do it. That's on coaches. That's how I see it. I'm not making excuses for injuries, or for the players we might have or don't have, you know? You always have good enough players. That's how I look at it. The guys who can get the job done, you find a way to put them in position to get the job done, not just throw plays out there. You throw plays out there that are gonna work, that got a shot to work. And practice 'em and practice 'em and get really precise at executing. That's what I keep chasing. Now, it's not like we're out here and we can't compete. We're right there, and we got heart like you can't believe, obviously. We got a bunch more games to play and there's a lot of wins in front of us for the season, and we'll find a way to get 'em. And what anybody else says, or what anybody else thinks, or what anybody else writes, or what anybody, whatever any scoffer or mocker wants to say, they're not in our shoes or anybody else's shoes in this league playing. You can make fun of anybody you want however you want. We'll keep fighting. I'm not talking about you, I'm talking about just anybody out there, you know? We understand that. That's the arena that we're in. You know, that's just the way it is. That's what you sign up for. And we'll go to work, you know and we'll find a way to get better. That's what we gotta do."

Yes! He is frustrated (despite stating the contrary...maybe even panicked). But the "Red Flag" is playing the You've Never Been Here card...You've Never Been In This League/Strapped It Up, Or Played This Game card. If I had a dollar for every current, or former pro-athlete...every ordinary individual who threw this card down I'd be selecting the interior of my private jet right now.

Point is: this card is usually thrown by the man with no other cards to throw...a guy with no answers who feels it (his grip) slipping away...RED FLAG!!!

Hope I'm wrong...

Edited October 20, 2015 by Ravens West

[KidNme]

@Ravens West- I was referring to the Ravens hiring some math Guru a couple years ago to work the "money ball" idea with the Ravens. Haven't heard anything about him since the hiring but we're probably seeing the results.

[Ravens West]

@Ravens West- I was referring to the Ravens hiring some math Guru a couple years ago to work the "money ball" idea with the Ravens. Haven't heard anything about him since the hiring but we're probably seeing the results.

Cool!  Just thought your post made a great point for both of Baltimore's major franchises playing the same overall philosophy and sharing the same results.

[NCMan]

Harbaugh just doesn't want to throw his coaches and a few players under the bus at this time. The whole team is a mess right now and it really seems like they are all clueless. I predict that, although it may be a couple seasons away, he will be joining his brother coaching in college. Ever since this team lost it's leaders, they are clueless and w/out emotion. Flacco is no leader and will never be. If you watch all the good QB's (which does not include him) when they go to the sidelines, they talk to coaches, look at photos, engage their team mates, etc. He just goes and stands there, by himself and seems to be figuring out in his head how much money he's making for the game. Flacco is a joke. Take away his strong arm and what's left? Nothing. His attitude and lack of emotion (and skill) poisons the team. Could the Ravens do worse? No doubt whatsoever about that. But, they could sure do much better. Oh well....he got his big money, the leaders are all gone and now we see what's left over. Get used to losing, fellow fans. It will take a long time to right this ship. All the problems this team has will take many years to fix. Many. Neg away. I know the truth hurts. I understand.

[DBsRAVENS]

It sucks even more when Pittsburgh can have a 3rd string QB come in stone cold and throw a couple TD passes to a guy who was playing his first game of the season and do it against a 4-2 team. In a Ravens timetable, that's an incredibly short time to gel with your receivers. How DO they do it? HMmmm....IJS

Pittsburgh has a WR coach with 31 years coaching experience. No matter who they draft at WR he can coach them up.

[GageRage]

We need to address Joe Flacco losing games for us via interceptions. The Secondary giving up every Sports Center, Team Highlight tape I see playing rite now on all the NFL commercials. O-line not holding Through. WR core that is in a shambles. Play calling seems like a new and nervous coordinator, rather then a confident analytical play caller. Plus no clear leader without Suggs in the locker room.

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

Piss poor time out usage, clock management yet again!!

Why are they calling in plays in a 1 minute hurry up? This is something that should be already decided and called by the QB instead of waiting for the coaches; it should be an on field call.

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

No, we wanted to get a good play off there, Harbaugh said. A timeout is not always the most important thing, especially when you're behind. Sometimes we want to keep drives alive.

 

it was 1st and 10, not 3rd and 12!!! That time out sure would have come in handy late in the game, probably worth the 5 yard delay of game. I don't understand that mentality; he recongized it was a bad play call but yet all the dive plays on 1st down are "good play calls." It's becoming very clear that this coaching staff doesn't know what the hell they are doing...

Edited October 20, 2015 by ibleedpurpleandblack

[PurpleDoc]

If I was Bisciotti, I would be cracking some heads right now. Good thing I'm not Bisciotti.

[Bat-mite]

Sorry, but I'm believing Gannon.

[fusuymada]

There is no urgency, no fire, and like someone else said, that is because we have no leaders. Since day one Harbaugh could not stand independent, type A players because he feels threatened on the leadership side. Everyone we had was subsequently released and we have gone with people who "lead by example". Unfortunately, in pro football, you need to do more than that. Steve Smith is an outspoken player, but on the field and pretty much toes the line in the locker room which is why he and Harbaugh can co-exist. If he was vocal both on and off the field like Reed, Boldin, Pollard, etc... he would be gone. Unfortunately, we need those players that Harbaugh wont allow on his team. Some people will think we are piling on the Ravens while they are down, but that's not true, for years people have been pointing out that we were heading down a bad road with some of the decisions of the head coach and his input on personnel. Funny, but people talk about the Ravens not drafting pro bowl players from 2009 to 2013 when Mosley made it. Curious that coincides exactly with when Harbaugh started getting involved in player personnel decisions. Ozzie and his staff need to retake control of the draft and eliminate the head coach. It is not simply a coincidence that our failure in the draft coincides with Harbaugh coming on board and the existing players who he didn't like were released. Ozzie hasn't stopped being Ozzie and is still a drafting genius, he just needs to rid himself of the coaches who are whispering in his ear. Harbaugh needs to coach, Ozzie needs to draft and Bisciotti needs to delineate responsibilities.

[January J]

No, we wanted to get a good play off there, Harbaugh said. A timeout is not always the most important thing, especially when you're behind. Sometimes we want to keep drives alive.

it was 1st and 10, not 3rd and 12!!! That time out sure would have come in handy late in the game, probably worth the 5 yard delay of game. I don't understand that mentality; he recongized it was a bad play call but yet all the dive plays on 1st down are "good play calls." It's becoming very clear that this coaching staff doesn't know what the hell they are doing...

well sometimes timeouts are the most important thing john. harbaugh just never really has valued timeouts. It's my one knock against him for an otherwise awesome coach. Edited October 20, 2015 by January J

[Ravens West]

Harbaugh just doesn't want to throw his coaches and a few players under the bus at this time. The whole team is a mess right now and it really seems like they are all clueless. I predict that, although it may be a couple seasons away, he will be joining his brother coaching in college. Ever since this team lost it's leaders, they are clueless and w/out emotion. Flacco is no leader and will never be. If you watch all the good QB's (which does not include him) when they go to the sidelines, they talk to coaches, look at photos, engage their team mates, etc. He just goes and stands there, by himself and seems to be figuring out in his head how much money he's making for the game. Flacco is a joke. Take away his strong arm and what's left? Nothing. His attitude and lack of emotion (and skill) poisons the team. Could the Ravens do worse? No doubt whatsoever about that. But, they could sure do much better. Oh well....he got his big money, the leaders are all gone and now we see what's left over. Get used to losing, fellow fans. It will take a long time to right this ship. All the problems this team has will take many years to fix. Many. Neg away. I know the truth hurts. I understand.

Spoken like a true Fairweather!  But...

Point:  Even if Harbaugh loses this job, another NFL team (or two) will give him a shot to prove we were wrong for letting him go...just on his track record (overall winning percentage, 5 post-season appearances in first 6 years...and, oh yeah, A SUPERBOWL)!

Point:  For the last two games the camera has shown Flacco interacting with coaches and team mates on the sideline looking at pictures and reviewing plays.  So, what broadcasts have you been watching...enough of the MYTH!  Oh!  Let me explain!  Those things that look like "old school" Etch-A-Sketches that QBs and coaches refer to with each other "on the sideline", are actually state-of-the-art digital tablets with video review and pictures (welcome to the 21st century).  So, when it looked like Flacco was going for high-score on Grand Theft Auto after throwing the pick...NO!  He was reviewing plays and formations...what went wrong.  Furthermore, aren't you aware that what you see on the sidelines during a telecast is selected by one person (the Director) in a booth for that FRACTION of time during the WHOLE game?  Unless you are at the game staring at Flacco for the majority of time he is "on the sideline", there is no way you can make an intelligent comment on his behavior, or interactions "on the sideline".

Point:  That Flacco "joke" took this team deep into the play-offs six of the last seven seasons (including last season), and has out performed all but one of the so-called "Elite" QBs (who, by the way, happens to be a cheater...(another argument, another time)), and has a SB ring to show for it!  So, MAKE ME LAUGH!!!

Point:  This ship will be fine in no time, if not this season, then definitely by next...and will keep sailing without the Fairweathers who've jumped off...don't be looking for a life preserver.  Those things are prime...can't be gettin' them all wet and stuff!

[Crusader]

The problem I have with John is when he talks to the media he thinks he is talking to just the reporters but really in more ways he is talking to the shareholders of Steve's company. If he came out and said "yea we screwed up" I'm fine with that but feed a political correct crap and insult our intelligence is just plain ignorant. This leads me to why the purge of the type of players Ravens fans are use too and why Suggs will be let go.

[DBsRAVENS]

Why does Harbaugh keep saying "We'll find a way to win". Does he think we're stupid? lol

No, it shows he's clueless. You don't find ways to win. You game plan and scheme to fit your player's abilities instead of just calling plays and using schemes that don't fit the players abilities.

[Crusader]

Pittsburgh has a WR coach with 31 years coaching experience. No matter who they draft at WR he can coach them up.

Same goes with the secondary

[Purple Dawg 96]

The Offense was a reflection of its QB on those drives, very laid back no type of motivation what so ever! Ravens lost by 5pts which the QB gave them 6pts thank god the Defense held them to FGs and didn't give up TDs making it a blowout! The squeelers won with a 3rd stringer so I feel the Ravens can win with Matt he will look at pictures and find Marlon and Kamar because Joe isn't cutting it!

[Crusader]

I think I'm calling BS on all these guys have so much heart John.

Yep Running up to the line showed a lot of heart.

[Ravens West]

The problem I have with John is when he talks to the media he thinks he is talking to just the reporters but really in more ways he is talking to the shareholders of Steve's company. If he came out and said "yea we screwed up" I'm fine with that but feed a political correct crap and insult our intelligence is just plain ignorant. This leads me to why the purge of the type of players Ravens fans are use too and why Suggs will be let go.

Agree!  I don't believe a damn thing he says anymore in his pressers...especially, regarding injuries...no credibility whatsoever!

As for Suggs, I may be wrong, but I don't think we can afford to cut him.  He just restructured and I believe it'll cost more against the cap to release him than keep him...and, lord knows, we can't afford any more dead money against the cap.

[Ravens West]

The Offense was a reflection of its QB on those drives, very laid back no type of motivation what so ever! Ravens lost by 5pts which the QB gave them 6pts thank god the Defense held them to FGs and didn't give up TDs making it a blowout! The squeelers won with a 3rd stringer so I feel the Ravens can win with Matt he will look at pictures and find Marlon and Kamar because Joe isn't cutting it!

Okay!  Pump the brakes!  Matt will throw it to the other team...Marlon will drop the balls Matt does throw to him...And Kamar won't catch the ball, because...Matt will throw it to the other team...

Joe's still our best option under center...period!

[ellicottraven]

Regardless of what the post mortem reports say about that lazy saunter led by Flacco trailing by 5 points with 75 seconds left, it felt like a dagger slowly cutting into the fans' hearts while it was happening! I found myself jumping up and down asking them to hurry in total frustration!

[Bob21043]

Agreed - I'm not sure it's just Pees. It seems like a lot of areas on the team could use better coaching. As many have stated, Pittsburgh seems to routinely acquire lesser WRs or DBs, and they turn out to be very good/excellent players. Why can't our staff do that???

[DBsRAVENS]

Not gonna blame it ALL on Dean Pees (though, he deserves some), when we have a highly paid CB who allows an aging - good, but still, old in football years - slow receiver (maybe the slowest receiver in the league at this point...and not to mention almost every receiver he's faced this season) get behind him for a huge play...part of his consistency, this year, is getting burnt!  We have DBs waiting until the ball is caught before reacting to, and of course, not making plays. As a whole each group consistently miss tackles (rooks and vets alike...and we thought it was just Elam), and are not aggressive enough on the football.

I have crowned us the DUMBEST team in the NFL!  At what point in this debacle of a season do you NOT look at yourself on third/fourth down and say from your gut, "I will NOT cost this unit, my crew, to stay out here for another set of downs!"  Yet, this clown act CONSISTENTLY draws Hands To The Face, Defensive Holding, Illegal Contact, Roughing The Passer, Pass Interference, Lining Up In The Neutral Zone (HUH?), Face Mask, Encroachment, Offsides...did I miss any?

At this point, if Pees has to go then so does the rest of the defensive coaching staff...and, at least, half of the defensive unit!

Play Like A Raven!!!

Coach Like A Raven!!!

Dammit!!!

Take a look at the Ravens' coaching staff's experience and how they came into their positions. You'll be even more frustrated.

[bioLarzen]

well sometimes timeouts are the most important thing john. harbaugh just never really has valued timeouts. It's my one knock against him for an otherwise awesome coach.

 

Bad timeout-management probably caused us to lose the game v the Chargers last season, too. After Rivers marched down the field like hot knife through butter in the last two minutes (like all good QB's have been doing lately...) to score a TD, we had little time to get at last to field goal range (we were trailing by 1 point) - which we actually did - only with the last catch Aiken couldn't get out of bounds and thus stop the clock with a couple of seconds on the clock - and we had no timeouts... If we had one, Tucker would have likely made the FG, winning the game...

[bioLarzen]

Sorry, but I'm believing Gannon.

 

No need to believe either side - it's enough to watch the tape: it's obvious Gannon was right.

[bioLarzen]

If I was Bisciotti, I would be cracking some heads right now. Good thing I'm not Bisciotti.

 

We cannot know if it's not exactly what hes doing - he's just not the type of manager who likes to do such things publicly. Just like, no matter how everyoby was swearing that it was Harbaughs own decision, everyone knew that finally firing Cam Cameron mid-season must have been at least hugely aided by some pressure coming from upwards...

Edited October 20, 2015 by bioLarzen

[January J]

Bad timeout-management probably caused us to lose the game v the Chargers last season, too. After Rivers marched down the field like hot knife through butter in the last two minutes (like all good QB's have been doing lately...) to score a TD, we had little time to get at last to field goal range (we were trailing by 1 point) - which we actually did - only with the last catch Aiken couldn't get out of bounds and thus stop the clock with a couple of seconds on the clock - and we had no timeouts... If we had one, Tucker would have likely made the FG, winning the game...

Yep, it's probably costed us quite a few games. Not only when we just straight up ran out of time- but when we couldve used one late in a game to re-adjust a play Or to regroup, to give our players a second to rest, heck even to ice the opposing teams kicker.(although I think that's over-rated) You would think we would have learned by now. I was literally screaming at the television when we challenged that boldin catch- and I absolutely KNEW it was going to come back and bite us. I just don't get it, as much as these guys get paid and they make poor decisions and don't even hussle! They get 3 times the amount of the average persons YEARLY salary for ONE GAME and yet they just lackadaisically walk to the ball with time ticking away. It's a disgrace. And yet harbaugh claims they were going as fast as they could. Sometimes he really likes to insult people's intelligence.

Edited October 20, 2015 by January J

[ineng1379]

I think Harbaugh is lying through his teeth. What I think is going on is that he has lost the locker room, and we won't get to know it for at least another 3-4 weeks. It happened in the past with Cam and now it's happening with Pees. His reluctance to get tough on his friends has run it's course and the team has given up on it. What I predict is there is a major coaching overhaul headed for the team, with or without him.