John Harbaugh is coming into his ninth season as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, already making him the longest-tenured coach in the franchise’s short history. After signing a one-year contract extension that will keep him wearing a whistle through the 2019 season.
Harbaugh is not only coached the Ravens (as of this season) longer than anybody, he has the best record of the two previous coaches. Harbaugh is 95-64 with a Super Bowl win and 10-5 record in the playoffs. The guy he replaced, Brian Billick, was 85-67 with a Super Bowl win and 5-3 in the postseason. Billick coached the team from 1999-2007 and is currently an analyst for the NFL Network.
Ravens give HC John Harbaugh contract extension: https://t.co/eq6LD74OiU pic.twitter.com/GFmnrXf1YF
— NFL (@NFL) August 28, 2017
It’s a smart move to keep Harbaugh locked up and happy. If Baltimore did cut him loose, he’d not be unemployed any longer than a day as another team tried to woo him for his services. Since Harbaugh took the helm in 2008, the Ravens have made the playoffs five times, won the aforementioned Super Bowl and only the New England Patriots have more playoff victories. Not too bad.
Harbaugh is the third head coach in Ravens history. The first was Ted Marchibroda from 1996-1998. Marchibroda compiled a 18-31-1 record coaching the team.
In other Ravens news, Harbaugh celebrated his new contract extension by telling reporters that quarterback Joe Flacco should be ready to play in the team’s season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“He (Flacco) will be back for the Bengals game and he’ll be ready to play,” Harbaugh said. ” I promise you that.”
Flacco has missed the entire preseason with a back issue. Last season the Ravens went 8-8 with Flacco under center. He completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 4,317 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Kony Ealy claimed by the Jets
Well, hey, look here. The New York Jets actually made a move that didn’t make their team significantly worse. Sunday, the team claimed defensive end Kony Ealy off waivers after he was cut by the New England Patriots.
Ealy, if he makes the team, will get to play alongside his cousin, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. Ealy has worn out his welcome with two teams this calendar year. The Carolina Panthers traded Ealy to the Patriots for a second round draft pick, then the Patriots cut him.
Patriots have had Rob Ninkovich & Andrew Hawkins retire, Kony Ealy released and Julian Edelman tore his ACL. (Brady on the cover of Madden)
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 27, 2017
Ealy was a Panthers victory away from being Super Bowl 50 MVP, so it’s a mighty fall for a player with such a promising skillset. Even in Carolina’s doghouse last year, Ealy still started six games, played in all 16 and recorded 37 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, three passes defended and an interception.
The Jets weren’t done with their roster with the addition of Ealy. They also traded safety Ronald Martin to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for long snapper Thomas Hennessy. To replace Martin, they signed free agent all-names team member Armagedon Draughn who formerly played in the CFL for the Ottowa Redblacks. They cut defensive lineman Devon Still to make room.
Cowboys will now host the Texans in the preseason
The Houston Texans will lose a preseason home game and, with maybe the worst flood in a century ongoing in Texas, let’s hope that’s all they lose. Thursday’s preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys has been moved to AT&T stadium in Arlington, Texas as Houston continues to deal with its Hurricane Harvey fallout.
“Due to public safety concerns resulting from the ongoing weather emergency related to Hurricane Harvey, Thursday’s Dallas Cowboys-Houston Texans game originally scheduled to be played in Houston at 7 p.m. CT has been relocated to AT&T Stadium in Arlington,” the NFL said in a statement. “Kickoff on Thursday will remain at 7 p.m. CT. Details on tickets, parking and other game day logistics will be announced later this week.”
Mr. McNair and the #Texans are pledging $1 million dollars to the United Way of Greater Houston Flood Relief Fund. #HoustonStrong pic.twitter.com/emzPzGdnr7
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 28, 2017
According to local news sources, the Texans home field, NRG Stadium, suffered no damage but nearby floods made it a hazard to play in Thursday. It should be fine when the Texans host their first home game on Sep. 10 against the Jacksonville Jagaurs. Let’s hope all of Houston can say the same thing.
In the meantime, the Texans are donating $1 million to the United Way Greater Houston Flood Relief Fund. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is matching up to $1 million in donations to the American Red Cross and All-Universe defensive end J.J. Watt has raised over $800,000 in flood relief cash with a goal of hitting $1 million.
Recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey will be massive.
We must come together to help rebuild our communities.https://t.co/SR6DmnNbyM pic.twitter.com/iiMsG2i4dl— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) August 27, 2017
Just to be safe, the season-opening college football game scheduled between LSU and BYU on Sep. 2 has been moved from NRG Stadium to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La.
Other NFL News
The Cowboys will lose linebacker Anthony Hitchens after he fractured his tibial plateau in their most recent preseason game. It could have been worse as the Cowboys feared Hitchens would be lost for the season. Hitchens was a fourth round pick for Dallas out of Iowa back in 2014. He’s started 36 games over three seasons and every game last year, recording 78 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one pass defense.
The Indianapolis Colts parted ways with punter Jeff Locke Monday after signing him to a one-year contract this off-season. Locke was beaten out by rookie Rigaberto Sanchez out of the University of Hawaii. Last season with the Warriors, Sanchez averaged 44.6 yards per punt and kicked filed goals and extra points as well. He was 49-of-50 on extra points and a perfect 13-of-13 on field goals.
With only one healthy unconcussed quarterback on the roster, the Buffalo Bills signed free agent Keith Wenning to at least fill out the depth chart for the final preseason game. Both starter Tyrod Taylor and his back up T.J. Yates are in the concussion protocol. Wenning was a sixth round draft pick for the Baltimore Ravens out of Ball State back in 2014 with the Baltimore Ravens. With the Cardinals, Wenning completed 64.1 percent of his passes his senior season in 2013 for 4,148 yards, 35 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The Detroit Lions cut two players, wide receiver Keshawn Martin and tight end Tim Wright. Martin was a fourth round pick by the Houston Texans back in 2012. Last season he saw action in one game for the San Francisco 49ers and returned two kicks for 37 yards. Wright saw no action last year, even though he’s been off and on the Lions roster since 2015.
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