Ravens: My take on Harbaugh
If you haven't checked out my Ravens column yet, you can take a look at my take on the coaching style of John Harbaugh right here.
There has been a lot of talk about the way Harbaugh's reputation as a taskmaster may affect the Ravens' ability to attract (and keep) free agents, but I'm not buying it. If players are going elsewhere because they think they're going to have more fun in practice, then let them go.
I've spent a lot of my career covering teams with tough, no-nonsense coaches and managers, and most of those teams did very well. Gene Mauch wasn't beloved in the clubhouse, but he helped transform a long-suffering Angels organization into a winning franchise in the 1980s. The Rams and Redskins thrived under George Allen, who was a tough customer. Don Shula, who started his great NFL coaching career with the Colts, was no creampuff.
Harbaugh has gotten very good results in his first three seasons as Ravens head coach. That's all that matters.
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Comments
Peter,
Both Rex and John have been successful. No one is denying this. But if you had a choice to go to a environment that was more fun and you were treated with maybe a degree more of respect and had just a great or greater chance of success, wouldn't you go?
I think that this is the difference. Rex gives respect to veterans and takes advantage of their strengths so that they can be successful. As long as they approach their job professionally and perform, he is apt to leave them alone.
John has become more flexible but he still very much a believer in a "team concept" where everybody has a role and a responsibility but these roles and responsibilities may not always take advantage of the skills and abilities of the individual players.
Posted by: Rick H. | August 10, 2011 11:44 AM
Coach Harbaugh grew up with the original "Bo Knows": Schembechler. There is a reason the man is a legend. Just ask the coach; he'll tell you.
Posted by: Univ. of Michigan Grad | August 10, 2011 5:11 PM
Peter -
Love your columns and your work on the radio. But are you really blogging about your own article?
Posted by: Tom | August 11, 2011 2:46 PM