Has The John Harbaugh Era Gone Stale in Baltimore?

Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The bengals won 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

John Harbaugh has taken the Baltimore Ravens to some pretty incredible heights. The Ravens have now lost three straight games. Harbaugh had historic success. However this could be the beginning of the end of his time with the Ravens.

I never imagined writing this article. John Harbaugh has been one of the most incredible people the Ravens organization could have ever asked for. He gave new life to the Ravens after a shocking 5-11 2007 season. The 2008 Ravens marched all the way to the AFC Championship game after building an 11-5 record.

The Ravens went to the playoffs five years in a row. Harbaugh’s Ravens won a game in each postseason appearance. The Ravens went to three AFC Championship Games and won Super Bowl XLVII. I never imagined that I would be writing an article about John Harbaugh being on the hot seat.

The Ravens have only ever had three head coaches. First there was Ted Marchibroda. Secondly came Brian Billick. Then there was John Harbaugh. The Ravens have always been willing to be patient when their team takes steps in the wrong direction. Stability after all is one thing that separates the good teams from the bad ones.

When the Ravens finished 5-11 in 2015, Harbaugh was given a vote of confidence from owner, Steve Bisciotti. No major changes were imposed on Harbaugh’s staff. The theme of the end of the season press conference was surely one of continuity. The Ravens bet that Harbaugh’s Ravens would get back on track. Losing was just an aberration brought on by a litany of injuries and every excuse in the book. After the Ravens third straight loss, the 2016 season is beginning to look like the disastrous season that we’ve just endured.

Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh looks on from the sideline during the game against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

The First Sign: Going Through The Motions

In the beginning of the Harbaugh era, there was a toughness about this team. The team reflected the determination and will of their fierce head coach. The Ravens always were given a mantra that meant something, more than just a sports cliche. It started when Harbaugh drew from a famous story about Muhammad Ali, when his opponent refused to acknowledge that he was no longer Cassius Clay. “What’s Our Name” was a rallying cry for a Baltimore football team that wanted respect. Now the Ravens just repeat “Play Like A Raven,” over and over again. It’s not a powerful message. It’s just something people say, a place holder for the coach’s next motivational nugget.

The purple and black just don’t seem to have any fire. Without Steve Smith Sr. on the field, there is no emotional leader on the offense. Everything feels flat. It isn’t fun. It isn’t exciting. The Ravens are saying the right things. They’re playing football games, it just doesn’t seem like they have the fight that this team has always been known for.

I think the Ravens got a little cocky when they started out 3-0. In their first real test against the Oakland Raiders, the Ravens failed. The things that they got away with when they played teams like the Bills and the Browns, has cost them against more challenging competition. When things are going well, it lowers the volume of all your screeching problems.

The Second Sign: A lack of accountability:

There was a time when Harbaugh’s dog house was the scariest place a player could be. When a Ravens player messed up, that’s where he went. When a player made a stupid mistake, like fumble the ball or commit a dumb penalty, Harbaugh wasn’t having it. It’s almost as if going the hard way is condoned. It seems like Harbaugh cannot instill discipline into his team. We have to stop and wonder if the team’s unraveling dismay is simply a reflection of a head coach that has lost his grip on his winning ways.

When you commit 16 penalties in a football game there is a problem. When you have to call a time out on a critical third down (because you have no clue what you’re about to do) there is a problem. Most importantly, when your team gets off to a 10 point lead against a team that has lost three straight games, and loses, the coach has to take responsibility.

It seems as if every week players make the dumbest mistakes imaginable. Every week the Ravens invent ways to make things difficult. It just seems that each and every week is the Ravens attempt at having their most frustrating game. In the heat of desperation Harbaugh fired Marc Trestman. However since the beginning of the 2015 season, that may be the only thing that has changed. When just scraping by is okay, sometimes this team will cut it a little too close.

Aug 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts to a call during a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

Final Statement: Could another losing season be the last straw?

I really admire John Harbaugh. The veteran coach has done some incredible things and has been a great leader of the organization. However the glory of the 2012 Super Bowl has really begun to fade. The 2014 playoff win against the Steelers was nice, but it was sandwiched between 8-8 and 5-11 seasons. The only reason the Ravens got into the playoffs in 2014, was the Chiefs beating the San Diego Chargers in week 17. The Ravens lost control of their own destiny that season, and they got lucky.

Harbaugh is on the hot seat. If this season gets out of control and the Ravens spiral further into mediocrity it would be hard to imagine him keeping the job. Harbaugh is a legend. His name belongs in the ring of honor, whether or not he figures it out and saves this season. However, he’s burning through the good will that he has earned. When the Harbaugh era ends, it will not be a happy day in Baltimore. However there will come a time when the Ravens have to stop underachieving.

When you take a long hard look at this Ravens team, it seems like they’re underachieving. First and foremost a coach’s job is to put the players in the best situation to be successful. Secondly, he has to be a stern leader who accepts only the best from his players. Finally, the coach has to energize and motivate the team. It doesn’t seem like Harbaugh is meeting these requirements right now.