The Ravens head coach addresses his new contract and talks about what is to come in the off season.
This time a year ago Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti confirmed that he considered parting ways with Harbuagh over the 2017 season after a 9-7 record and a long stretch of mediocre football since their Super Bowl win in 2013. However, Harbaugh was rewarded for his job this season on Thursday, with a 4 year contract extension. Salary information has not been disclosed.
Here are some highlights from today's press conference where he spoke about his extension that was announced yesterday.The full interview can be accessed on BaltimoreRavens.com
-First, let me paint the scene. Harbaugh wore a black, quarter-zip, Ravens jacket that paired nicely with his intellectual dad glasses. A side note: I wish he broke out the glasses more often. They give him the look of a strategist, unlike his brother who looks like a nerd from a 70s film. John's clothes and demeanor oozed moxy throughout the presser.
- Now that we've addressed the important details lets continue. Harbaugh came out in chipper spirits to start and thanked the media for attending. As a coach who can be known for being short with the media at times, this was a refreshing moment. However, being paid handsomely for the next 4 years is enough of a reward to make anybody play nice...not that I can speak from experience.
- Harbaugh started by thanking his family and the players, along with buttering up the front office personnel.
- He waxes poetically about football for a while eventually segueing it into politics, commenting; "The leaders of this country can learn a lot from football". We are on standby awaiting a Trump response tweet any second.
He opens the floor for questions:
- Admits that it is a new era of football with his contract and the personnel changes at GM and offensive coordinator. Says it is hard to find longevity with work in the NFL.
- Stresses the stability within the organization. Praises Bisciotti as a leader.
- Mentions that shifting over to Greg Roman as the offensive coordinator was prompted by molding the offense better to Lamar Jackson's skills.
- Continuing about coaches, Harbaugh said that Bobby Engram was moved to tight ends coach in order to develop the passing game at the position. It looks like we could see a lot more of Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst being impact receivers on the offense. The wide receiver coach position is still vacant. Running back coach still needs to be filled as well. He congratulated Thomas Hammock on accepting a head coach job with Northern Illinois University.
- Says he would like to have Eric Weddle and Marshall Yanda back. Looks like we're not getting any younger around here.
- Defends Lamar Jackson's scrambling ability. Says the quarterback is a threat when it comes to throwing or running.
- Drops a shameless plug that he was at Chic-fil-a celebrating his new contract. Mentions Chic-fil-a like 5 more times. Looks like he's getting some endorsement side money with this new deal.
- Affirms that Lamar will be working hard during the off-season...with receivers! Joe needs to school this rookie on how to kick the feet up and relax.
- Says he keeps in touch with Ed Reed on a regular basis. Defying Vegas odds, he says that Reed is the ex-Raven whom he has the closest relationship with. I don't think he is getting any "Hey you up?" texts from Bernard Pollard though.
- Plugs Chic-fil-a again...the nerve.
- Says the offense they ran with Lamar is sustainable. (Yeah...and coal is a clean energy source.)
- Harbaugh confirmed he wants a number 2 quarterback that plays like Lamar.
- Was confident that CJ Mosley wants to be back. He assumes Mosley will be back with the team.
- Responding to a question if Joe Flacco still provided value to other teams he snapped into the role of hype man and claimed that the veteran is as good as he has ever been and is noticeably quicker.
The press conference concluded with a round of applause.
I was originally conflicted when I heard of the extension and have always viewed Harbaugh as a just above average coach. He is not an elite game planner or strategy guy and I think many other coaches in the league can "out X's and O's" him. However, he does possess strong qualities as a speaker and motivator, highly important characteristics if this team is looking to get younger. The deal makes sense because he was frankly the best head coaching candidate available on the market (besides anybody left who was once in a 15 foot radius of Sean McVay or Bill Belichick) and I personally can see another Super Bowl title in his future and look forward to the influences of his leadership on Lamar Jackson.
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