It's Over
Yes, it's time for the Ravens to move on from John Harbaugh
It's Time.
I am not the kind of person who believes that firing the head coach is the appropriate response for all that ails a sports team. Sure, sometimes it works, even in mid-season. Tony Mansolino had a winning record as interim Orioles manager after the team fired Brandon Hyde this year, for example.
But I think it's time the Ravens move on from John Harbaugh.
I am not one of those folks who have been yearning for Harbaugh's replacement for years. For some reason, a chunk of the fanbase has been calling for Harbaugh's head for years at this point. Those folks I think we're a little ahead of their skies. After all, the Ravens are looking at only their 3rd losing season in Harbaugh's 18 years as head coach. That time includes a Super Bowl championship, 6 division titles and 12 playoff appearances.
But this team can't hold a lead and that ultimately falls on Harbaugh's shoulders. It is a trend that cannot be ignored.
From the time Derrick Henry scored a touchdown in the 4th quarter of Sunday night's game with the Patriots, Henry did not touch the ball a single time. Not once. Nevermind the fact that he is a hall of fame running back with wrecking ball speed. Never mind that the Ravens had a lead for most of the 4th quarter. Never mind that Henry was averaging 7.1 yards per carry or that tLamar Jackson was hurt and out of the game the entire second half.
Harbaugh left Henry on the sidelines for the most important drive of the Ravens season.
The Ravens have had a history of blown leads in recent years. In the playoffs. In the regular season. When the games matter most, the Ravens choke up the lead. And while this happens to all teams, it has been happening to the Ravens with alarming regularity for years.
At some point, that ultimately falls on the head coach to take responsibility for that.
That the Ravens should replace Harbaugh does not mean that the decision should be easy. It should be made with an understanding that Harbaugh is a good coach whose expiration date has passed. It should be made understanding that the next Ravens coach may not be as good of a coach as Harbaugh has been. But at some point, change is necessary. It was necessary with the Orioles and Buck Showalter, it was necessary with the Orioles and Brandon Hyde, and in 2006 it was necessary with the Ravens and Brian Billick.
The time has come to wish John Harbaugh the best in his future endeavors.