Ravens debates: Was keeping John Harbaugh the right call?

Connor Brooks:

At 4-5, John Harbaugh was all but a lame duck. It wasn’t a question of if Harbaugh was going to get fired, but when it was going to happen. The Ravens fan base (rightfully) was upset at repeated years of mediocrity with no postseason. However, during the BYE week, Joe Flacco injured his hip, and Lamar Jackson then took over at the quarterback position. Since then, the team is 4-1 and if Harbaugh runs the table they will get in the playoffs.

They have had the best rushing attack in the league by far, followed by a phenomenal defense that has commanded games. Lamar Jackson is the Ravens quarterback of the future. If they are winning games with Harbaugh as the coach and Jackson at quarterback, what are we talking about here? This coaching staff has done a phenomenal job turning this ship around when all looked lost. Why would anyone want them out? The worst thing you can do to a young quarterback that is still learning the passing game and working on his mechanics, is find a new coaching staff and throw everything he learned in year one out of the window. Marty Mornhinweg and Greg Roman have obviously found a system and a scheme that works.

Teams know what is coming and they still can’t stop it. James Urban is continuing his work with Lamar Jackson as a thrower, and he is improving throwing the ball every week. He has his slips, sure, we knew he would. But I believe finding a new coaching staff would do more harm to his improvement than good. As for the defense, Don Martindale has built a stout defense that is full of young talent and will only get better. They have a great mix of young guys and veteran leaders on this side of the ball, and Harbaugh and Martindale have done a fantastic job blending in these guys to form a great defense.

Look, say what you want about Harbaugh, but he is a great coach that wouldn’t be out of work for long. He is a winner, a leader of men, and his players love him. What more can you ask for in a coach? Was it his fault the players blew a 4th and 27 last year to get into the playoffs? Was it his fault the players blew a 4th and 9 this year against the Chiefs? Absolutely not, just like it wasn’t his doing that the Broncos blew the game in the 2012 AFC Divisional playoff game. Harbaugh has earned himself at least one more year to have a full season with Lamar Jackson. If the team wins out and makes the playoffs, there should be no doubt about it. With plenty of people coming on the roster next year, along with a good amount of cap space, the sky is the limit for the team