Tag: John Harbaugh

Ravens coach John Harbaugh clarifies Dez Bryant’s COVID-19 situation

One day he tested positive, then he’s negative — Ravens WR Dez Bryant isn’t the only one confused. But John Harbaugh clarified things

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Dez Bryant isn’t the only one confused about his situation. Bryant was pulled from the field shortly before the Ravens kicked off against the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, after testing positive for COVID-19. But in the subsequent days, Bryant has said he’s tested negative, though he was still put on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

While there have been plenty of storylines regarding the NFL and COVID-19 this season, Bryant’s case has earned quite a bit more attention. His removal from the field just before a game mixed with some questions about the NFL’s transparency and contact tracing have only fueled speculation and intrigue. At a time when seemingly everyone is uneasy about the coronavirus and how it all works, Bryant’s story sticks out.

Though Harbaugh admitted the science behind it and the specifics of the NFL’s testing protocols are “out of his realm,” he did clarify the situation and gave a better breakdown of where Bryant stands in the process.

“He has had some negative tests,” Harbaugh said Saturday. “There’s a protocol that goes with that — a certain number of days that you have to test negative after a certain number of positive tests. He’s on schedule with that and that’s where it stands right now, he’s still on the COVID-19/Reserve list at this time.”

Though Bryant has been well behaved in Baltimore, his frustration is clearly growing and I can’t really blame him. By his previous tweets, Bryant had been in the dark about the protocols and why he was still out despite testing negative. Ultimately, that’s a breakdown somewhere in the process, seeing a player be uninformed about their own health and standing on the team as things happen around them. Considering Week 13 against the Cowboys was the most important game of the last few years for Bryant, and it was pulled out from underneath of him, I don’t think many people would blame him for being upset.

However, the good here is that, according to Harbaugh, Bryant has had several negative tests and is on schedule to return. When exactly that could be is still a giant question mark but it’s a step in the right direction.

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Cowboys expecting Lamar Jackson to play, Ravens won’t confirm or deny

The Cowboys are preparing to face the league’s MVP on Tuesday night, but the Ravens are giving no hints about their QB’s COVID status.

“I’m excited that we’re getting the game in, we’re getting a primetime game in, and it’s going to be a different date than normal, but I’m anxious to see how that works for that time of week.”

Those were the words of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Friday morning, speaking with 105.3 The Fan about the team’s upcoming appearance on a rare edition of Tuesday Night Football against the visiting Baltimore Ravens.

But as any football fan who’s been paying the slightest bit of attention can attest, four days out is way too early to count on much of anything… and the health of the Ravens’ players is the biggest X-factor in the league these days.

Baltimore played Pittsburgh on Wednesday afternoon- a game that had originally been scheduled for six days earlier- with a whopping 17 of their players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, including the league’s reigning MVP, quarterback Lamar Jackson.

“Knock on wood, we’re in good shape relative to the COVID,” Jones said of the Cowboys’ own state of readiness. “Where we are as we speak this morning, we’re in great shape. We all know that the Ravens have been having to make a lot of adjustments; they did play the other day. I don’t have notation here of anything that is, let’s say, accelerated regarding them, but I don’t know about their detail.”

If the Ravens themselves even know who they’ll have available to put on the field at AT&T Stadium, they’re not letting on.

According to Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Sun:

“Among those also sidelined are running backs Mark Ingram II and J.K. Dobbins, fullback Patrick Ricard, and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee. Tight end Mark Andrews, wide receiver Willie Snead IV, and outside linebacker Matthew Judon all reportedly tested positive over the weekend, which means they’ll likely miss Tuesday’s game.”

Shaffer adds: “Guard Bradley Bozeman said after Wednesday’s loss, the Ravens’ third straight, that ‘a lot of guys had some symptoms.’ But he said he didn’t think anyone was ‘super sick or anything like that.'”

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reiterated this week that all of the affected players are at the mercy of their COVID test results.

“They all have their different days when they’re possibly allowed to come back, but those are medical decisions, in the end, not coaching decisions,” Harbaugh said Thursday. “So when the doctors clear them to practice, that’s when we’ll have them.”

As for Jackson, who reportedly tested positive on Thanksgiving Day, his status for Tuesday’s contest- 12 days after the fact- remains a mystery. When asked about his starting quarterback and leading rusher specifically, Harbaugh was curt.

“I think I already answered that.”

The Cowboys are moving forward with their game prep under the assumption that Jackson will be ready to roll. So said Dallas coach Mike McCarthy in his Friday press conference.

Rescheduled games on odd days and at weird times. Stadiums with no fans. Players and coaches wearing surgical masks on the sidelines. Heck, the Broncos had to play an entire game with no quarterbacks at all.

So gearing up for a Tuesday night game that may or may not happen against a quarterback who may or may not play is just par for the course in 2020. But Jones says that this kind of uncertainty is, strangely, exactly what the sport is all about.

“We have an oblong football; it’s not round. You can’t really manage a lot which way the ball is going to go when it hits the ground. So you’ve got to be ready for it to go either way. Football is rarely canceled because of the elements. Football is rarely canceled because of injury. Football is a game of attrition, it’s a game of being played under unique conditions, and it’s a game of adjusting. It always has been.”

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Ravens staying quiet on Lamar Jackson’s and others’ potential return from Reserve/COVID-19 list

Based solely on the dates they tested positive, the Ravens could have a lot of players coming back from the Reserve/COVID-19 list vs Cowboys

The Baltimore Ravens fought valiantly against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday afternoon. Down a large chunk of the 53-man roster to the Reserve/COVID-19 list, the Ravens not only made the undefeated Steelers sweat but were nearly in a position to go win the game.

For the praise Baltimore deserves for their effort in that game, they’d probably rather have all their starters back on the field for Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately, that’s a decision that’s out of coach John Harbaugh’s hands.

“As far as the COVID-19 guys coming back, they all have their different days when they’re possibly allowed to come back,” Harbaugh said Thursday. “But those are medical decisions in the end, not coaching decisions. So, when the doctors clear them to practice, that’s when we’ll have them.”

Players who test positive for COVID-19 must stay isolated for a minimum of 10 days. Based on our COVID-19 tracker, quite a few players will finish their 10-day quarantine ahead of the Ravens’ Tuesday game against Dallas, including the following:

  • QB Lamar Jackson
  • RB Mark Ingram
  • RB J.K. Dobbins
  • DE Calais Campbell
  • DE Jihad Ward
  • DT Justin Madubuike
  • OLB Pernell McPhee
  • C/G Patrick Mekari
  • C/G Matt Skura
  • LS Morgan Cox
  • FB Patrick Ricard

Now, that’s not to say any or all of these players will actually suit up Tuesday against the Cowboys. Some are dealing with nagging injuries and all will likely need at least a few days of practice before Harbaugh is willing to put them out on the field. But the potential exists for nearly all of the Ravens’ starting offense to play, which when paired with even Baltimore’s undermanned defense could be enough to pick up a critical win over Dallas.

Beyond football, it’ll be nice to see those players come off the Reserve/COVID-19 list. While the longevity of the pandemic has made some people feel quite blasé about the potential side effects from COVID-19, the fact is scientists and health officials are still trying to fully understand the coronavirus and its short- and long-term effects. Seeing those players come off the list is a hat tip toward them and their families being better, which is really the most important thing.

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6 takeaways from Ravens’ 19-14 loss to Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens suffered a tough 19-14 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12. What can be taken away from the game?

The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers finally played their Week 12 game on Wednesday afternoon. However, the end result didn’t go in Baltimore’s favor. The Ravens lost another close game as the Steelers were able to pull out a 19-14 victory in a contest where Baltimore put together a monumental effort, but in the end, was just not enough.

The story of this game came down to the talent Baltimore was missing. The team was playing without quarterback Lamar Jackson, tight end Mark Andrews, wide receiver Willie Snead, defensive end Calais Campbell, outside linebacker Matthew Judon, and many others who were sidelined due to the coronavirus. In total, 17 players were on the Reserve/COVID-19 list by kickoff with 23 players going onto the list over the 10 days prior.

However, despite all of that, the Ravens put together a very solid defensive performance. The offense had their moments too and even special teams got in on the action. Let’s dive into what can be realistically taken away from this game.

How does Lions’ decision to fire Matt Patricia impact Jets?

If the Jets fired Adam Gase, they’ll contend with at least three other teams for a new head coach now that the Lions fired Matt Patricia.

Another team not named the Jets is now looking for a head coach.

The Lions fired Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn on Saturday after being blown out by the Texans in Week 12. Patricia went 13-29-1 in three years with the Lions and never finished with a winning season. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will be Detroit’s interim head coach.

So far, three teams have fired their coaches this season – the Lions, the Texans and the Falcons – and all three have more wins than the Jets. Adam Gase remains employed, though that may not last long into the offseason if the Jets continue to lose. If Gase is fired, the Jets will have at least three teams to compete with for a new head coach. The Jaguars and Cowboys could also fire Doug Marrone and Mike McCarthy, respectively, if their seasons continue to plummet.

The Texans could stick with interim head coach Romeo Crennel, which would eliminate arguably the most attractive team from the head coaching sweepstakes. But are any of these other teams a better landing spot for a new coach than the Jets? That’s up to interpretation — and how the rest of New York’s winless season plays out.

The Lions are an intriguing option for a new head coach considering they will likely own a top-10 first-round pick and have Matthew Stafford at quarterback. However, they will only have $6.5 million in cap space in 2021 with a couple of big holes to fill on offense and defense.

The Texans and Falcons have more complete rosters than both the Lions and the Jets, but they are worse off in other areas. Houston has quarterback Deshaun Watson but doesn’t pick until the third round and has no money to spend on free agents. The Falcons are in the worst cap position despite a talented roster and aging quarterback Matt Ryan.

There are a number of coaches on the table for the Jets – both in the NFL and college ranks. Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy, Titans OC Arthur Smith and Panthers OC Joe Brady should be on the list of potential targets, as well as Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell.

It will all depend on what type of job the candidate wants. The Lions, Texans and Falcons are talented teams but have major long-term flaws from both a roster and financial situation.

If the candidates look past the recent issues, the Jets actually offer a much better long-term situation considering their draft capital, cap space and corps of young players. The Jets could own the No. 1 pick in a draft that includes Trevor Lawrence, will have at least $80 million in cap space and a solid group of young players like Mekhi Becton, Quinnen Williams and Denzel Mims.

Many expected most of these teams to fire their head coaches at some point this season. The only leg-up they have on the Jets is more time to actively pursue candidates. Joe Douglas is waiting to fire Adam Gase – either because he doesn’t want to make a move mid-season or he thinks Gase gives the Jets the best chance to secure the top pick. Either way, the Jets will be one of the more intriguing spots for a new coach to land.

Heated pregame convo between John Harbaugh, Mike Vrabel revealed

Ravens head coach Harbaugh got into it with Titans players and head coach Mike Vrabel before Sunday’s kickoff.

The pregame spat between the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens added even more intrigue to an already interesting matchup, but until now we didn’t know what was actually said on the field.

It all started when Titans players congregated at midfield on the Ravens’ logo, which prompted Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh to confront Tennessee’s players, sparking a shouting match.

Unfortunately, we still don’t have audio of that, but I’d imagine it would be too naughty to share.

Once Harbaugh was done with the players, he also got into a heated conversation with Titans head coach, Mike Vrabel.

And thanks to NFL Films and NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano, we got to hear what was said between the two head coaches. Based on the audio and Siciliano’s transcript of the exchange, it’s clear Harbaugh thought what the Titans did was disrespectful.

Check it out:

To be clear, this is something the Titans regularly do, so gathering at the logo isn’t exclusive to facing the Ravens.

After the game, it appeared that Harbaugh refused to shake Vrabel’s hand, although both coaches have denied that was the case.

Still, you can see why Harbaugh would be salty enough to do that after the game, as not only did his team lose, but Vrabel immediately dismissed Harbaugh’s complaint in the pregame exchange.

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Ravens’ attitude following loss to Titans far more concerning than their record

Like a disease, self doubt and a weak attitude can spread through an NFL team at a rapid rate. The Ravens need to correct their mindset fast

The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Tennessee Titans in Week 11, dropping to 6-4 on the season. While the loss is concerning because of what it means to the team’s playoff hunt, the most troubling things happened after the final whistle. For the first time this season, the Ravens’ players sounded like they’d given up.

If you’ve listened to any post-game press conferences before, you’ve likely heard a lot of platitudes from players and coaches after a loss. Things like “they got the better of us today but we’ll work to get better,” are the typical non-answers to questions after any game. Those types of phrases admit defeat but also say they’ll get better. But after Sunday’s loss to the Titans, several of Baltimore’s players sounded defeated, like they know they’re not good enough. Both quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back J.K. Dobbins echoed a similar sentiment following the loss:

“It looked like that team wanted it more than us,” Jackson said.

“They just gave more effort than us,” Dobbins said.

Teams lose games every single season and no one bats an eye. But it’s beyond rare that you’ll hear several players disparage the amount of effort shown in a game. Even the worst teams in the league see their players give a “we’re focused on next week” when they’ve got nothing better to say. Anything more pointed about their own team than that is pretty damning.

But it’s not only what Jackson and Dobbins said that’s concerning. The Titans disrespected them before kickoff, dancing and celebrating on the Ravens’ mid-field logo. It earned the ire of coach John Harbaugh and earned a chippiness typically reserved only for divisional rivals. But after the loss, Tennessee went right back to work disrespecting the team and city only to get no response in return from Baltimore’s players.

I’m not saying anyone should have been out there throwing haymakers over some taunting but in football, respect is a real and serious thing. From pee-wee ball all the way to the professional level, that type of taunting and disrespect often gets teams going nose-to-nose and barking at one another at the least.

The Ravens not even standing their ground when being laughed off the field doesn’t necessarily mean they’re “soft” but it’s not a great look for a team that prides itself on tough, physical football either. Despite all of Baltimore’s issues this season, you never had to wonder if they were going to have the right mindset or give their full effort  . . . until now.

The Ravens still have a great core and they’re in the middle of a legitimate Super Bowl window. But that type of doubt and weariness can spread beyond just this season if Harbaugh doesn’t nip it in the bud immediately. That, beyond any other problem they face, is the most concerning right now.

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One person every NFL team has to be thankful for this season

Reasons for all 32 NFL teams – and their fans – to be thankful this Thanksgiving.

We have reached Thanksgiving Week, that traditional time on the NFL calendar where some teams and their fans start thinking about the playoffs, while others start dreaming of a new future delivered via the draft and free agency.

Of course, 2020 has been a year unlike any other. It has been a year that recalibrated our expectations, our beliefs, and our thoughts about what truly matters. For many, this holiday will be marked in new and different ways. Trips to grandma’s house will be done virtually, the stuffing will be passed over Zoom, and the family games of football in the backyard might be done through Madden on a new XBox or Playstation.

And sadly, for some who gather there will be an empty chair at the table, a brutal reminder of the year we have lived through together.

But this year has also taught us some lessons. Lessons about the beauty that can be found in both the new and the mundane. Lessons about what does matter. Stolen glances while teaching the kids math that neither of you ever learned. Giggles as Grammie and Grampy figure out their first Zoom meeting. Smiles as Grandpa and Grandma come outside to see a distanced birthday party and a house decorated under cover of night. Smiles as the kids log in to school each morning and a chorus of voices ring out, calling their names.

For as hard as 2020 has been, there is still beauty and goodness to be found, and things to be thankful for this holiday season. Sometimes, it just takes a little longer to look for them.

The same can be said for all 32 NFL teams. Each organization and fan base has something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. But for some, it takes a little longer to find it.

In that spirit, our weekly Overreactions piece is a bit different this holiday week. Here is something every team and fan base can be thankful for right now.

Titans’ A.J. Brown, Mike Vrabel talk heated pregame spat with Ravens

The Titans appear to be living rent free in the Ravens’ heads.

No heated rivalry between two teams like the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens is complete without some kind of scuffle, is it?

Well, it took no time at all for things to get a little scrappy ahead of the game, as Ravens head coach John Harbaugh confronted Titans players at midfield on the Ravens’ logo before the action had even started, leading to a shouting match between the two parties.

The Ravens head coach also had words with Titans head coach Mike Vrabel about the situation, and it even appears that Harbaugh waved Vrabel off and denied him a hand shake when the two met at midfield following the game.

Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown, who was in the middle of the pre-game confrontation, shared his thoughts on what happened with NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo after the game.

“(The Ravens) kind of set the bar real high when we came in. The coaches — not even the players — the coaches came at us, so it was like, ‘We see what type of game it is.’ It was going to be a big-boy fight.”

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel asked Harbaugh what the pre-game issue was all about, and Harbaugh simply said there was no issue.

Vrabel also said that Harbaugh did shake his hand after the game, but the video appears to show otherwise.

The video doesn’t lie, folks:

Rent. Free.

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Watch: John Harbaugh refuses to shake Mike Vrabel’s hand after game

Clearly Harbaugh was not over the heated pre-game exchange with the Titans.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh refused to shake the hand of Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel following the Titans’ 30-24 overtime victory over the Ravens on Sunday.

The bad blood between these two teams started prior to kickoff, as Harbaugh apparently took exception to the Titans meeting at midfield on the Ravens’ logo, something Tennessee often does before games.

That led to a heated exchange between Harbaugh and Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler, and then the Ravens head coach had words with Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel shortly after.

In case you missed it, here’s a look at the pre-game scuffle that likely led to Harbaugh’s refusal to shake Vrabel’s hand:

Clearly Harbaugh was not over it by the end of the game, and the fact that his team lost also certainly didn’t help.

With the win, the Titans move to 7-3 on the season and now have an leg up on the Ravens, with both teams jockeying for playoff positioning. And, in the bigger picture, the Titans now appear to be living rent free in the Ravens’ heads.

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