Coach John Harbaugh Delivers on Promise to Crank Up Intensity
-
Camp Harbaugh opened at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD showing to be a much harder hitting, thorough workout than the laid back atmosphere of the Billick era. While players have been quick to comment on the physical, aggressive style of this year's tune up, they also comment that they feel a sense of accomplishment and growing together as a unit as one player noted, "We're facing adversity together." As long as this approach prepares the team for a challenging season and doesn't have too many players carted off for medical attention, the benefits should be enormous. The Quarterback situation remains wide open though top draft choice, Joe Flacco, has observers talking about his powerful arm and intense work habits.
-
From the "bird's eye view," the 2008 Ravens are a team in transition. With Jonathan Ogden retired, Ray Lewis and Matt Stover are the only original Ravens left. Stover has long been the only surviving player from Cleveland. Veteran Cornerback, Chris McAllister, is the only other player left from their Super Bowl run from the 2000 season.
-
The one real sour note is the holdout of versatile defender, Terrell Suggs, still fuming over being tagged as the team's franchise player. The two time Pro-Bowl standout, 2003 AP Rookie of the Year, and consistent starter having missed only one start since 2004, Suggs is one of the NFL's leading pass rushers, in the prime of his career, a vital part of Rex Ryan's bone-crunching defense. Coddling holdouts sets a poor precedent for a team's management especially when a new coach is attempting to assert control, but given Suggs seldom misses a down, can be effectively moved around as mandated by game situations, and has an uncanny knack for knocking the opposing offense senseless, Suggs is an important cornerstone to the Ravens defense with Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, and Bart Scott. Holdout scenarios are "no win" situations. The Ravens gave themselves no wiggle-room when they designated Suggs as their franchise player. How much more market value Suggs could realize is hard to determine. The argument is players in his position are one play, one injury, away from early retirement, instant gratification is a necessity. Still, from this fan's standpoint, playing in the NFL on one of the league's most historic defensive units is a honor. The betting money is that Suggs will be a much wealthier man one year from today whether in Baltimore or some place else. Being on the field beats watching the game, NASCAR, or info-mercials at home, right?
-
On a final sour note, Fabian Washington, cornerback aquired from Oakland expected to enhance a problem area for the Ravens last year, is suspended for game one for violating the league's personal conduct policy for slapping around his girlfriend. This behavior is unacceptable, period. Hopefully, Ozzie Newsome and staff have adequately vetted this player as the Ravens don't need the negative publicity that off-field attrocious behavior brings. Fans deserve better. Fathers should not have to explain to their sons why players who've brought such shame on themselves won't be playing on Sunday. Kudos to the commish, Roger Goodell for his tough stand on team discipline. After the embarassment in Cincinnati and the Michael Vick scandal, setting high standards for conduct are proving long overdue.
No comments:
Post a Comment