Baltimore Ravens

Gregg Rosenthal Calls John Harbaugh A “Middle Of The Pack” Head Coach

posted on

Aug 23, 2012

It’s not often that you hear someone not give Ravens head coach John Harbaugh rave reviews. NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal Power Ranked all 32 NFL head coaches as gave Harbaugh a meh review.

“Harbaugh is an effective coach that inherited a great situation,” Rosenthal writes. “He fits the Baltimore Ravens well.” Harbaugh ranked in the “middle of the pack” category with Mike Smith, Jeff Fisher, Gary Kubiak, Lovie Smith, Marvin Lewis, Pete Carroll and Ken Whisenhunt.

Some notable coaches that Rosenthal ranked above Harbaugh are Rex Ryan and Jim Schwartz (“knocking on the door” category) as well as Mike Tomlin and John’s brother Jim Harbaugh (“top shelf” category).

John Harbaugh is a career 44-20 in his four seasons with the Ravens with a 5-4 postseason record. His Ravens have lost two AFC Championship games and won 12 regular season games in back-to-back years. It is tough to argue Rosenthal’s point that Harbaugh “inherited a great situation.”

Even as a Ravens fan, I tend to think he’s spot on with his analysis as I see Harbaugh as more of a game manager and motivator than a hands-on coach. He’s not calling plays on offense, his clock management hasn’t been the best (just ask Billy Cundiff) and like most coaches his challenges have often been questioned. I’m sure Baltimore will still be upset at Rosenthal’s thoughts though.

Zach Wilt

Zach Wilt is the Founding Editor of Baltimore Sports Report and lifelong Orioles, Ravens, and Capitals fan. He grew up on Maryland’s eastern shore, graduated from Towson University, and now lives in Central Florida where he roots for his teams from afar. The best sports moment he witnessed live was when he witnessed Delmon Young drive in three on a double down the left field line in game two of the 2012 ALDS.

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MGW 13 years ago

I wonder if Sadler read this article…
1. Matt Sadler 13 years ago
  
  I wonder why Brian Billick hasn’t been hired by anyone else?
  1. MGW 13 years ago
    
    Up until last year, Billick was cashing Bisciotti’s checks and had no reason to work for a living. He has a nice palatial estate on the Wye River, cushy job on NFL Network and a big, fat, shiny Super Bowl ring.
    
    He never “made the playoffs” 4 years in a row, though.
    1. Nip and Tuck 13 years ago
      
      Every once in a while an idot finds a gold nugget. Billick in 2000 had the stars aligned and a horseshoe up his @ss that season. Tell me another SB winner that didn’t score a TD in five straight games? It was a fluke and he knew it, that’s why he hasn’t gotten back into the game, he knows he’d be found out as a fraud.
    2. Anvil 13 years ago
      
      Every once in a while an idiot finds a gold nugget. Billick in 2000 had a horseshoe shoved up his @ss and a great defense. Name me another SB winner that didn’t score a TD in five straight games? That’s why he hasn’t come back, Billick knows he’ll be found out as a fraud if he ever dipped his toe back in the pool.
      1. spy 13 years ago
        
        Billick may be a fraud but he is as good as some of the other bums out there, i/e rex ryan and crew……
    3. spy 13 years ago
      
      sounds like my life…..
spy 13 years ago

This article is pretty close to being right on target,,,,,,,,,,,,I think he gives Harbaugh a little too much credit,,,,,,,,,,,,I believe he is less than average , just wait until the time comes when he has to ‘coach’em up , and that time is fast approaching…………….I may be wrong but I may be right……………………
Luigi 13 years ago

I have heard that the Ravens players don’t really like Harbaugh and that they tolerate him because they’re winning. He’ll probably write his own ticket out of town if they ever have a season like 2005 or 2007.
1. spy 13 years ago
  
  JJ and Corey left because they didn’t like Harbaugh,,,,,,,,,,it must be tough to put up with him for several years , I can’t stand to listen to him for five minute…………..