John Harbaugh will never be forthcoming with information that he believes might strategically aid an opponent. Unfortunately this behavior extends to injuries.
Harbaugh is very dodgy when asked about the status of players and their respective injuries. Revealing the truth, he believes, helps an opponent prepare. Perhaps it can even be part of an effort to disguise potential roster moves. Think about it this way. If the Ravens have an injured player at linebacker for example, why share with the media the seriousness of the injury if it might weaken the team’s leverage when pursuing an attractive free agent.
I get it. It makes sense – most of the time.
But sometimes Harbaugh’s protective nature as it relates to information about injuries works to the detriment of the player. You may recall that during his very first training camp as a rookie in Baltimore, Breshad Perriman suffered a knee injury. When asked about the injury Harbaugh said it was a bruise and inferred that Perriman’s return to the practice field was imminent. Perriman missed most of training camp and would start just 1 game for the Ravens in 2016. By 2018 he was an ex-Raven.
But Perriman’s injury was a bit more serious than Harbaugh let on and consequently, Ravens fans labeled Perriman “soft”, a description no player wants. Withholding the information became an injustice to the Ravens 2016 first-round pick.
Now, Harbaugh is withholding information pertaining to the extent of Lamar Jackson’s injury. Consider the time lapse video below of Harbaugh’s responses over the past couple of weeks as it relates to the extent of Lamar’s injured knee
A time lapse of John Harbaugh discussing the Lamar Jackson situation over the last month pic.twitter.com/QjkziMCpxe
— Ronald Toothe (@_QuoththeRavens) January 5, 2023
And once again, the fans and even the media have no choice but to speculate because the story, the behaviors, the injuries, just don’t add up.
Ravens v. Steelers Rivalry
The best rivalries require that two rivals remain competitive and for the most part, both the Ravens and the Steelers are regularly in the mix of the playoff conversation. But in recent years, the intensity of this rivalry seems to have faded a bit.
To some extent, one could argue that the big personalities that dominated the rivalry such as Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs for the Ravens, and Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward and James Harrison have faded away. Add in the fact that the NFL has legislated this rivalry’s physicality out of the game and the vibe hasn’t been quite the same in recent years when these two tango.
Perhaps the pendulum has begun to swing back toward an uptick in intensity.
Assuming of course the Ravens can match that of the Steelers.
Need more rivalries in sports like the Steelers/Ravens pic.twitter.com/3WVUULfXgw
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 2, 2023
WALK IN YO 🏡 TAKE OVER YO 🏡pic.twitter.com/EkIGsRA9qt
— Barstool Yinzers (@BarstoolBurgh) January 2, 2023
Damar Hamlin
The way the league has handled the aftermath of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac incident on the field during the Monday Night game between the Bills and Bengals, has been exemplary. It is intrinsically rewarding to see everyone set aside the importance of this premier game for something more important – the survival of one of its players.
The Hamlin Family is front and center as they should be. These are the times when humanity shows its true colors; when compassion and care trump competition and commerce. The outpouring of love and kindness is a win despite the lack of a winner in the game.
You've probably heard and read about the philanthropic ways of #BillsMafia. They've made contributions to Baltimore-based causes. Now it's our turn. #prayersforDamarHamlin https://t.co/LlVT5El755
— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) January 3, 2023
Chills man…praying for Damar 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Ky1deySQ5r
— Ramey (@HoodieRamey) January 3, 2023
Like many of you, I watched ESPN’s coverage of the game and its unexpected twists and turns. The worldwide leader handled the difficult assignment with grace and style, particularly Ryan Clark who is regularly insightful, dialed in and on-point.
Powerful words by Ryan Clark pic.twitter.com/pLfPVkw2Tv
— JPA (@jasrifootball) January 3, 2023
I can’t however, say the same about Dov Kleiman, a popular follow on Twitter for NFL fans. Here Kleiman reads a bit too much into comments from former Raven Bart Scott. Kleiman claims that Scott is blaming Bengals WR Tee Higgins for Hamlin’s injury on Monday Night. I think his accusation is a stretch. I’m curious to hear what you all think.
On ESPN, Bart Scott blamed #Bengals WR Tee Higgins for the incident with Damar Hamlin.
That is totally ridiculous, what happened was a freak accident.pic.twitter.com/5Sbh3GxslC
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 3, 2023
It's important to post the video of Damar Hamlin's injury because it provides context. It's a reminder that this can happen even during a rather routine play. Plus, for some reason, Tee Higgins is unfairly being cast as a villain & it's rather obvious that he shouldn't be. pic.twitter.com/cuc5CSkkge
— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) January 5, 2023
Now That’s Dirty
I’ve admired the play of Edge Defender Trey Hendrickson for quite some time, dating back to his days with the Saints. I don’t admire the man. He’s a bit of a meathead and his play can be dirty.
You may recall his punkish antics against the Ravens in 2021 when he trash talked one of the league’s more upstanding guys, Alejandro Villanueva.
Okay here's is the next two different videos what taunting looks like.
(1) first one when my hometown team @ravens was going against the Bengals back in week 7 anyway when Trey Hendrickson the defensive end from Bengals he was taunting with Alejandro Villanueva more notes coming pic.twitter.com/xZVC0pLrDQ— Sebastian Martinez (@Ravensfanleader) November 9, 2021
Here Hendrickson shows his true colors again, this time with a cheap shot on Bills QB Josh Allen. Wonder if the league will fine Hendrickson, despite this being a suspended game?
@NFL @PatMcAfeeShow Trey Hendrickson is a dirty player. Intentionally rolled into Josh Allen’s legs. pic.twitter.com/PWpzeitosw
— ken (@kenjATX) January 3, 2023
Prayers Up For Damar
The outpouring of love, concern and philanthropy (as of this writing $7,087,450 have been donated to Damar’s charity) extended to Hamlin and his family has been quite heartwarming. From his teammates, to players around the league, to coaches, teams and owners, it invites all the good feels, it galvanizes the league and those who cover it.
Many have prayed for Damar. Many have encouraged continue prayer. And in a unique display, one that I’ve never witnessed before on a national sports program, prayer concluded a recent episode of ESPN’s NFL Live.
Enjoy your day everyone. And keep those prayers coming.
4 Responses
The second video vs. Josh Allen was NOT dirty. He barley touches him, he’s on the ground rolling to the QB and never once touches his knee.
Watch him “take a peak” then accentuate the roll.
I was watching the game and the minute I learned he was administered CPR on the field surmised he suffered cardiac arrest! It took the league an hour to announce that the game was postponed when it should have been announced the moment they knew of the cardiac arrest and that the young man’s heart had stopped!
It only backfires on the players this game of deception. I get it keeps opponents guessing, but the knock on effects are just not worth it.Players careers are being put in jeopardy.Chris