Harbaugh's news conference
If I had to guess, I would say that coach John Harbaugh knew he was going to be peppered with questions about his decision not to challenge the officials’ ruling that wide receiver Derrick Mason was either A) out of bounds or B) did not have possession in the end zone near the end of the first quarter of the Ravens’ 23-20 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last night.
That’s why he hardly seemed surprised that the first seven questions of his weekly conference revolved around that decision. The most significant reason? There was no indication from either the coaches on the turf at Heinz Field, the staff in the box overlooking the field or Mason himself that the red flag should have been thrown.
"If we would’ve had any kind of picture that we thought was close, we would’ve challenged it for sure," Harbaugh said. "But we didn’t have any indication, and me looking at it from across the field and [his assistants] from up top, it looked to the naked eye like he was out. That’s what I thought. But as soon as we saw the thing this morning off the TV copy and when our guys saw it later, they thought he was in. It was too late."
Harbaugh said another factor was a 40-second play clock that was running down to zero and might have turned a Matt Stover 33-yard field-goal attempt into a 38-yarder into a brisk wind at Heinz Field.
"It was 'bang-bang,' and we didn’t get it and we just felt like we had to go play," Harbaugh said. "The 40-second clock was running. We call a play and we go."
Harbaugh also said that Mason didn’t lobby the coach to issue a challenge. Then again, Harbaugh said listening to a player has its limitations.
"Generally speaking, I would say no, you don’t really rely on a player because players for the most part feel like they make most every play," he said. "But I guess it depends on the player."
Other notes:
• While Harbaugh called the holding penalty assessed to linebacker Antwan Barnes on the kickoff return to start the overtime period “avoidable,” Harbaugh seemed to defend the unnecessary call on linebacker Jarret Johnson, who was spotted shoving Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward at the conclusion of a play.
"There are foolish penalties and there are penalties that are just gray-area penalties that go with the game," Harbaugh said. "The holding penalty on the kickoff return was, we think, avoidable. The personal foul out of bounds, that’s gray in my mind. That’s a guy playing hard and you like to see a better decision made, but that’s a heat-of-battle penalty. So those things, you’re in the heat of battle, you compete, and you try to learn from them."
• Harbaugh said the objective now is to put the loss to the Steelers in the past and begin preparing for the undefeated Tennessee Titans (4-0).
"The big picture is we’ve got a game next week against Tennessee. I think that’s our big picture," he said. "All of the other big-picture stuff, that’s kind of for fans and media to look at and figure all that out. But until you start winning a whole lot of games, it’s really pointless to look at the big picture. The big picture is Tennessee six days from now, and that’s a really good football team coming in here. We’ve got our hands full, but we’re looking forward to it."
Comments
The real turning point of the ravens game last night was the one crappy punt koch made before the drive with the johnson penalty. All of a sudden he tries to kick it out of bounds and gives the squealers good field position to start at the 34 instead of deep in their territory. Keep kicking it down the middle koch.
Posted by: Elpo | September 30, 2008 5:42 PM
I know I saw Ed Reed take a stomach punch to Hines Ward or some Steeler that blocked him and the refs missed that one.Chris M. got yanked away so fast on a play in the second half I thought he left his feet for a moment.Again,AGAIN!Ward got Johnson to retaliate during rough play on the sideline and how many times has that cheapshot been responsible for penalties on the Ravens in his career?The broadcasters were even surprised that Mason looked in on the replay.I thought coach Harbaugh and the coordinators had decent plans during the game but the players still have to finish a good team off;they tried and came up a little short this time.I appreciated their effort and not for Flacco's rookie mistake and resulting td- we were going to win,no doubt about it.
Posted by: Dan R. | September 30, 2008 7:09 PM
in the end the defense and senseless penatlies let us down. jarret johnson's stupid meltdown against the league's biggest antagonzing cheapshot Hines Ward, started it all. why didn't the break his shoulder instead of Mendenhall's! then we get the ball near the 40 on the opening kickoff of OT and not one, but two penalties. too much too handle. finally, not one but two third down and long plays the D gives up. exasperating only because it was such a great effort and you have to chance to put the whole division in a hole and its a missed opportunity, I like the attitude but I hope they don't get too proud right now. I understand they feel they're meking strides but Harbaugh and Flaccoshould be more upset. Lastly, if anyone watched and telecast last night and saw the segment where Ray Lewis talks about his best days being ahead of him because of how he can help make people better, it was just tremendous. I don;t care what anyone says, if anyone questions his sincerity they're nuts. he is still the leader and worth every bit of credit he gets.
Posted by: gary from Jersey | September 30, 2008 9:05 PM
in the end the defense and senseless penatlies let us down. jarret johnson's stupid meltdown against the league's biggest antagonzing cheapshot Hines Ward, started it all. why didn't the break his shoulder instead of Mendenhall's! then we get the ball near the 40 on the opening kickoff of OT and not one, but two penalties. too much too handle. finally, not one but two third down and long plays the D gives up. exasperating only because it was such a great effort and you have to chance to put the whole division in a hole and its a missed opportunity, I like the attitude but I hope they don't get too proud right now. I understand they feel they're meking strides but Harbaugh and Flaccoshould be more upset. Lastly, if anyone watched and telecast last night and saw the segment where Ray Lewis talks about his best days being ahead of him because of how he can help make people better, it was just tremendous. I don;t care what anyone says, if anyone questions his sincerity they're nuts. he is still the leader and worth every bit of credit he gets.
Posted by: gary from Jersey | September 30, 2008 9:06 PM
The big play was Flacco's fumble for a TD. A team with limited offensive talent in a divisional game on the road can't overcome giving away a TD.
Also did anyone ask the coach why not play defense to start the overtime? A game of field position and your defense is the strength of the team, you gotta kickoff and rely on the defense to give you field position.
Posted by: Rich | September 30, 2008 9:23 PM
I'm not one of those "The NFL is out to get us"conspiracy theorists that exist around Baltimore. However, the referees were either completely blind or complicit in several obviously missed calls last night. On Big Ben's TD pass, Trevor Pryce was grabbed around the waist from behind by the left guard, while having his jersey pulled sideways by the left tackle. I know holding happens on every play, and you can't litter the field with flags all night, but when two guys are blatantly holding, you've gotta call it.
Then Ward is open with no one near him for 15 yards and ESPN never shows a replay of how it happens. They focus on Rothlesberger sidestepping the blitz and throwing the ball. But if you watch the replay they showed, you'll see Ward run right at McAlister, grab his face mask, and throw him sideways. McAlister falls down and Ward is wide open. No call.
Hines Ward was voted by the players the second dirtiest player in the game. After watching him cheat for years, I can't imagine how anyone could play dirtier.
Posted by: Shawn | September 30, 2008 11:30 PM
The problem was that the Ravens coached scared in the last 2 minutes. Even with all that happened give your players a chance to win instead of just sitting on the ball.
Posted by: brandon | September 30, 2008 11:31 PM
The decision that surprised me was the one to run out the clock at the end of regulation. That is playing to loose. And what kind of signal is that sending to the players? Thought John was tougher and more aggressive than that.
Posted by: Rick Haefner | October 1, 2008 6:13 AM
There is no quarterback in football that could have taken the hit Flacco took & not have fumbled. To say that was a rookie mistake is just not correct. That was a lightning fast hit and an excellent defensive play. As much as I dislike the Pittsbush team, give them credit for a great effort.
Posted by: Bill Mohler | October 1, 2008 10:42 AM
On Flacco's Fumble for the TD --
James Harrison hit Flacco with a rising shot from behind. The crown of Harrison's helmet hit the side (near the cheek) of Flacco's helmet.
It wasn't a bad or dirty or dangerous hit, but I thought the rule was YOU CAN NEVER MAKE CONTACT WITH THE QB'S HELMET, whether that is with you helmet, hands, arms, whatever.
Did the Ravens send that into the NFL for review, and will Harrison receive a fine??
I know we've gotten stupid "Roughing the QB" penalties for lesser offenses (Adalius on Brad Johnson Vikings '05 Blow to the Head, Adalius on Carson Palmer when he hit him in the chest, but the back of his helmet brushed Carson's big facemask '05 or '06
Posted by: AK | October 1, 2008 10:54 AM
Uh...the Steeler game was two days ago, lets move on. Remember the Ravens weren't supposed to do anything this year. Any win is a positive. Rookie QB and young O line will take time to jell. A win Sunday and all is right with the world! No worries, be happy!
Posted by: Fells Point Craig | October 1, 2008 11:02 AM
After listening to some of the people commenting on the Raven's play on Monday, I am surprised. Rothlesberger threw an interception, and then played poorly the first half and no one talks about that.
We played extremely well for a team that is supposed to be in a rebuilding phase.
Some fans are never satisfied. Flacco is doing better than anyone expected, so give the kid a break. I would love to go to some of the fans' place of work and second guess everything they do. stop being a Monday Morning Quarterback. Unless you have played a game in the NFL or coached, stop with the judging.
Posted by: Nancy Rictor | October 1, 2008 12:54 PM
I am not one to whine about official's calls, but I totally agree about the facemask pull by Ward. That was so blatant, and why it wasn't discussed or reviewed on MNF, who have 87 cameras watching everything, is remarkable. I just don't know how something like that, with a ref staring right at the players, gets missed not only by the ref, but by the broadcasters as well. Without that play, the end result may have been very different.
Posted by: Phoenix Jeff | October 1, 2008 1:33 PM
To suggest that any team should choose to kick the ball in OT is so stupid it almost deserves no comment (but I can't resist). I understand our defense is great, but really, has anyone ever seen a team choose to kick rather than to receive? It's sudden death OT!!! Stop huffing paint Rich.
Posted by: Johnny Sauce | October 1, 2008 3:11 PM
Geez...is this crap starting already?
The Ravens are 2-1. They lost to Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh in overtime on a Monday night with 3 missing defensive starters. They looked as good as the Steelers did and came out of the game healthier.
Last season under similar circumstances (and an extra week to prepare), under Billick, they totally embarrassed themselves.
The offensive line is playing better than anyone thought and Flacco sure doesn't look like a deer caught in someone's headlights.
They've had little offensive contribution from Figurs, Heap, McGahee, Williams and Clayton...and they're an OT away from beating all 3 divisional opponents already.
The defense looks solid, including a few of the reserves, unlike last season where the loss of a CB, S and DL spelled doom.
This coaching staff looks solid top to bottom....Harbaugh is focused and is certainly not overmatched. His team has looked well coached and prepared...unlike too many games under Billick when they looked like they all just met in the pre-game warm-up.
Based on what I've seen so far, the Titans right now may be the best team in the AFC, so if the Ravens win Sunday and finish the first quarter of the season 3-1, nobody should complain about anything.
Most people didn't think they'd win more than 4 games all year.
Posted by: Ed Dorsch | October 2, 2008 4:12 AM