So much for the “setback” of Jason Garrett turning down the Ravens. Following the NFL injury theme of “next man up,” the Ravens spend no time dwelling on rejection and turn to Jim Harbaugh who’s hired as the new head coach. Harbaugh’s not only happy to have the job, he basically told the Ravens to give him the job. Ravens vice-president Kevin Byrne was part of the interview process and in the room when Harbaugh told the hiring panel (after two days and 15 hours of discussions) that they should hire him. Byrne tells me that team owner Steve Bisciotti (who was mostly convinced that Harbaugh was the pick) took Harbaugh up on the offer- and a deal was done. Bisciotti himself is a renowned risk-taker with the confidence to trust his gut, and Harbaugh’s hard sell to him fit right in with what the owner is looking for in a new coach.

The press conference to introduce the new coach was like many I’ve covered for any number of teams in different sports. I liken that event to a wedding: it’s all smiles, hugs, handshakes and photographs amidst renewed hope and a fresh start. The guests at the wedding all nod and smile, it’s the respectful thing to do, but when the event ends, and the confetti and rice are swept up- the hard work and tough questions begin. How good is this hire really? What difference can this guy make with an aging and sometimes selfish roster of players? What direction is the franchise headed? What if they struggle early under the new coach- how will the fans react? Ah, yes- marital bliss.

My opinion is that John Harbaugh is a solid, risk-free hire. He comes in with a fresh, take command attitude which Baltimore will appreciate. Given the state of the roster (which I believe will have to change significantly in the next few months), Harbaugh can’t lose. Remember, the Ravens fired Brian Billick after a 5-and-11 season, so Harbaugh’s inheriting a clunker (an injured one at that). Is he expected to go 11-and-5 with the same guys? Of course not. Too early to say what the roster will eventually look like, but at the moment it’s reasonable to say that 8-and-8 might be just fine (again, too early to say, but I said it). If they’re worse than that, then Harbaugh gets the leeway of being a new coach with a rebuilding team. If they’re better than that, it’s all gravy for the Ravens. Again, nothing to lose for the first couple years with Harbaugh.

Posted on Monday, January 21st, 2008 at 5:09 pm.
Categories: Opinion.
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