One of the most intriguing things about John Harbaugh's first season with the Ravens is that he never had to find his way.
It was there, in front of him, all along, mapped out with the wisdom of a seasoned coach.
He may be a rookie head coach in the NFL, but he never lacked confidence.
He may be a private, humble man, but he doesn't shrink at taking a stand.
He may have coached special teams for nine years in Philadelphia, but he knows how to command the respect of an entire locker room.
From that solid platform, the Ravens' playoff season was born, was nurtured and continues to grow. Sunday's AFC wild-card game in Miami against the Dolphins is as much a validation of the Harbaugh system as it is the Ravens' franchise.
One year after a profoundly disappointing 5-11 season that cost Super Bowl-winning coach Brian Billick his job, the Ravens have regrouped behind their energetic leader, 46. They are healed, focused and healthy - at least as much as a team in the 18th week of the season can be.
"It's been a great transition," defensive tackle Trevor Pryce said. "You know what? I'm proud for the team, but I'm happy for him. ... He didn't blink - not once - from the things he wanted to do."
Harbaugh knew precisely what he wanted to do - and where he was going - when he arrived in Baltimore. The tenets of his program would be a team concept, a stout work ethic and an uncommon bond of brotherhood.
While some of his sayings may seem trite - he liked to refer to his players early in the season as "mighty men" - they all bear the element of football truth.
On several occasions, he privately told the players how proud he was to stand on the sideline with them each Sunday.
Said Pryce: "How could you not want to play for somebody that's proud to stand there with you?"
Indeed, how could they not want to play for a coach who solicits their opinions on anything that happens inside the team's Owings Mills training facility?
Asked a month ago by Harbaugh how they wanted to handle Christmas week, a group of veterans couldn't agree on anything - until Harbaugh suggested the unimaginable: work Tuesday, take Thursday, Christmas Day, off. Tuesday is typically the players' day off and Thursday a critical work day.
The veterans couldn't believe their good fortune, or that the idea came from Harbaugh. Problem solved.
