Harbaugh dives into Oher-Allen fracas
After igniting a war of words with Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, Ravens rookie offensive tackle Michael Oher sought to squash the exchange Tuesday, telling The Sun's Ken Murray, "It was a misunderstanding. Jared Allen, he's a great player. I respect that guy. Been watching him for years. ... We just had an emotional game."
After practice Tuesday, coach John Harbaugh fielded questions from the media. But before closing down the media briefing, Harbaugh offered his unsolicited perspective on the flap.
"I just want to comment on behalf of Michael Oher with the little firestorm that happened," he said. "That’s kind of what happens in the NFL, but I just want to reiterate something for Michael on his behalf. I think he spoke to it yesterday, but Michael Oher is a great kid. He’s got tremendous respect for Jared Allen and all of the guys he’s played against. I think he looks at those guys and he’s always kind of idolized NFL players. He wants to hold his own. He’s got a lot of pride, and it means to lot to him when he can go out there and – I’d say to a good degree – hold his own. Obviously, Jared Allen’s a great player. Put a lot of pressure on us in that game. That’s really the biggest part of what makes their defense so good, and Michael knows that and respects that. We want Jared to know that and everybody out there to know that that’s the kind of guy Michael is."
Comments
what is wrong with the back field cb
Posted by: rusty | October 21, 2009 2:08 PM
I like it. Harbaugh is a class act and showed his class while also standing up for his guy. Nice job coach. Now figure out how to win these tight games!!
Posted by: frox | October 21, 2009 2:12 PM
"Thank you daddy; can I have a popsicle after practice?"
Posted by: Slow News Day | October 21, 2009 2:14 PM
Yeah, Allen got by a few times in the first half. Then the Ravens burnt him because he over pursued and didn't cover his gap. Considering the guy was playing against a rookie he came off like an A-hole. Young Mr. Oher has nothing to be ashamed of.
Posted by: rick | October 21, 2009 3:17 PM
Why so defensive? I don't recall Alex Karras and the classic battles he had with the Colts' O-line turning into a hand holding session. What possible wrong is there in a physical game being played hard by the best in the business? Oher is one of the greatest picks our Ravens have made, and that's saying something. I look forward to him manhandling his opponents on Sunday.
Posted by: some kind of fan | October 21, 2009 3:32 PM
Jared Allen talked a lot of trash about Michael Oher. Our head coach -- if he's going to comment on the matter at all -- shouldn't kowtow to our opponent. If anything, he should remind the world that Joe Flacco threw for 385 yards and the diminutive Ray Rice averaged 7 yards a carry against the Vikings, and we'd love to see them again in the Super Bowl. This guy's political correctness is becoming very stale very quickly.
Posted by: Bernie | October 21, 2009 4:30 PM
...Please note:
Jared Allen's initial comments about Oher- right after the game were complimentary and respectful...
It was not until Oher spouted off that Allen responded with the facts that he schooled Oher.
Rookie mistakes on and off the field for Oher
Posted by: Gambit | October 21, 2009 4:59 PM
If Jared Allen is so good, why did he allow Todd Heap to keep him occupied while Brother Ray Rice ran past him to give the Ravens a 31-30 lead? Allen is nothing more than a trash-talking show-off. GO RAVENS!
Posted by: Attila the Hon | October 21, 2009 6:57 PM
I couldn't disagree with you more Bernie. Harbaugh is a class act and has built his team on respect (among other things). Which fankly, I believe is a good thing. Everyone will be back on board with Harbaugh once we start winning again...
Posted by: CRZA | October 21, 2009 7:03 PM
i see it like this,i thought they both had a very good game.both players showed strong performances.I thought young mr oher did great aginst a veteran like mr allen.Iam sure michael will straighten this up with mr allen by the time they meet agin,which should be a war since mr oher now knows what to expect.good job michael baltimore is very proud of you
Posted by: brian ayres | October 21, 2009 9:42 PM
Harbaugh is such a goody two shoes. I didn't like Billick that much but at least he wouldn't be apologizing to an opponent. Oher said what he said. Football is a game of emotion. Harbaugh is treating Allen like he's Reggie White.
Posted by: Devin | October 21, 2009 10:03 PM
Coach H is starting to act like our president ... "can't everybody just get along" ... jeez Harbs loose your temper once in a while... we are.
Posted by: MLV | October 21, 2009 11:25 PM
I don't see how Jared Allen can say that he "abused" Michael Oher. I watched the game over again and specifically watched the matchup between Oher and Allen on every offensive snap. Oher was very physical and pushed Allen around pretty impressively. Every good DE ( not just Allen) will eventually make a play or two during a game. Heck, Jonathan Ogden used to get beat by dwight freeney all the time, and JO is one of the best to ever play the position.
Oher manhandled Allen on most plays, and allowed sacks only a couple busted plays, one of which he was not supposed to block allen to begin with, and the other where flacco just held onto the ball too long and allen was able to hit his arm as he threw it.
Allen is a great player, and did win out on a few plays that day, but overall oher was pushing him around like a rag doll. In the second half, Allen was a complete non factor as a result.
Posted by: RavenMaven | October 21, 2009 11:53 PM
WHO CARES!? Good grief! How about some real news on the Ravens? Heard the Ravens restructured Gregg and Johnson contracts, nothing about that here!
Posted by: Andy in Hagerstown | October 22, 2009 7:46 AM
Gotta love the swagger on the rook. He can back it up too. Allen is overrated. Anybody can rush the passer, but can they come back to cover their hole? Bring on Dwight Freeney!
Posted by: Purple Koolaid | October 22, 2009 12:51 PM
Cornerbacks!!!! We need decent Cornerbacks!!!
Posted by: jon dey | October 22, 2009 6:06 PM
+1 to Andy of Hagerstown. There are REAL issues with the Ravens, and THIS is what the head coach, and the media, choose to focus? It's going to be a long season.
Posted by: JB | October 22, 2009 7:40 PM
It's a shame we didn't win that game, cuz Michael could have stated the obvious. They won the first half, We won the game,Now Allen just shut up already. WOW
Posted by: HitmanOC | October 22, 2009 9:58 PM
No disrespect coach but you have more pressing issues to be worrying about then this Micheal Oher & Jerrett Allen war of words, how about worrying about you defense & your dad's boy Greg Mattison IMO get that bum outta here please!!!!
Posted by: xXKingBmoreXx | October 23, 2009 5:50 AM
I believe the fans are starting to see the weakness in Harbaugh and the players have already picked it up........................you can't be a winning coach and be politically correct all the time , it is a glaring sign of weakness...............sometimes you need to be critical of the things around you to make a point , Harbaugh is a nice guy and nice guys finish last....................
Posted by: spy | October 24, 2009 10:12 AM