A year ago, Ravens coach John Harbaugh was a rookie, leaving us to wonder how he was going to take control of this team. With such strong player personalities, the question was when this was going to become Harbaugh's team.
After several minicamps and a rookie camp that was completed last week, it's official now. This is Harbaugh's team.
All you have to do is look at the recent camps and the offseason weight program. Most of them were highly attended and included such veterans as inside linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed. When that happens, it's a reflection on the coach and his ability to impose his work ethic upon the players.
In years past, there was little doubt this was Lewis' team. But the Ravens have gradually taken away some of his control, and rightfully so. As a superstar gets older and his abilities start to diminish, he should relinquish some of his power. Lewis' was taken away, but in a decent and honorable manner. A lot of it was stripped away during offseason contract negotiations when Lewis failed to command a big payday on the open market.
This is still Lewis' defense, and it should be. He is the catalyst - and will be until he either retires or wears another uniform. There will be some tests for Harbaugh in the coming season, and he still has to deal with some feisty veterans. He still needs to improve the way he talks to players. But at least now they know how far they can go before Harbaugh reels them in. Harbaugh has laid a solid foundation, and he has drafted players willing to adhere to his policies.
It's Harbaugh's team.
On second thought ...
I read recently that Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron thought about using Reed as a wide receiver last year because of injuries to receivers Demetrius Williams and Derrick Mason and tight end Todd Heap.
I'm glad that idea never got off the drawing board.
Cameron did an excellent job working with the players he had last season and was creative with the trick plays and the unbalanced line. But if he had used Reed as a receiver, and he had gotten hurt, that would have significantly damaged the defense. Reed was one of the best playmakers in the NFL last season despite struggling with neck and shoulder injuries. As a receiver, he would have been exposed to greater risk.
Sometimes, these offensive coordinators have a tendency to outsmart themselves when they are tinkering in the laboratory.
Heap's trouble
