WILL TO
WORK WORK, WILL TO WILL WIN TO WIN WILL TO
John Harbaugh’s relentless work ethic remains second to none. By David Wolf
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BALTIMORE RAVENS GAMEDAY
It’s 5:30 a.m. on a Monday morning during the NFL offseason, and beads of sweat are dripping down John Harbaugh’s face as he completes another set of rigorous pull-ups. Ravens director of performance Steve Saunders looks on and tracks the coach’s numbers – emphasizing the commitment to constant improvement. The gritty work ethic “Harbs” displays multiple times a week in the weight room isn’t limited to fitness, however. This idea of “outworking the competition” and “attacking each day” is the mindset he brought to Baltimore as a new head coach in 2008. It is the same mentality he embodied in 2012 when the Ravens captured the franchise’s second Super Bowl championship. And, it’s the exact attitude Harbaugh carries into the 2017 season. While some people depend on naysayers to provide motivation or to fuel a desire for success, that’s never been Harbaugh’s style. Criticism certainly drives him – he wouldn’t be a competitor if it didn’t – but he doesn’t need it.
WE GO TO WORK. THAT’S WHAT YOU DO AFTER ANYTHING, REALLY – WIN, LOSE, TIE: IN LIFE, YOU GO BACK TO WORK. – John Harbaugh
Harbaugh’s relentless pursuit of greatness is simply the way he’s wired. “You can’t look at it like that,” Harbaugh answered when asked by a reporter if he’s more motivated in 2017 after narrowly missing out on the playoffs in 2016. “I
look at it like I want to be successful. It’s no different than my first year as a volunteer coach at Western Michigan or my first year as a special teams coordinator at Philadelphia or my first year as a secondary coach at Indiana. You’re motivated to do your best and to put your players in positions to be successful and to win. You’re motivated by that. That’s what we live and die for.” The head coach’s toughness spreads throughout the entire Ravens team.
JOHN’S THE KIND OF GUY PEOPLE RALLY AROUND. – ESPN Broadcaster Sean McDonough
RAVENS UNDER HARBAUGH NFL WINS / INCLUDING PLAYOFFS (2008-16)
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BALTIMORE RAVENS GAMEDAY
Rk. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Team Total Wins New England Patriots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Green Bay Packers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Pittsburgh Steelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Baltimore Ravens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Denver Broncos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 BALTIMORERAVENS.COM 23
“‘Sizzle,’ is there any reason we can’t be the most physical team in the league?” Harbaugh boomed. It’s impossible to accurately predict a team’s record before the season, although fans and media will try. There are always variables during an NFL campaign, from injuries to player performance. However, in Baltimore, one thing can be guaranteed: Head coach John Harbaugh will make sure the work is completed every day.
Coach Harbaugh doesn’t allow losses to linger for long. Shortly after the 2016 season ended in a defeat at Cincinnati, he went to work on the 2017 Ravens. “Harbs” made critical decisions regarding the coaching staff and assisted the personnel department in the signing of Pro Bowl wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, running back Danny Woodhead, safety Tony Jefferson and cornerback Brandon Carr – all significnt additions – as well as retaining the dominant free agent Brandon Williams.
Due to these moves and a promising draft class, there is a sense of confidence from the head coach that many building blocks are in place. Players and coaches alike are working as hard as ever, and one theme Harbaugh has preached throughout this offseason is, “Work!” When Baltimore held its first meeting of this year’s training camp, he directed a rhetorical question to the acknowledged team leader, Terrell Suggs.
MAKING HIS MARK
Entering 2017, John Harbaugh owns the sixth-best winning percentage (.597) among active NFL head coaches, compiling a 95-64 overall record (including playoffs). For active head coaches who have coached a minimum of 90 games, Harbaugh ranks fourth behind Bill Belichick, Mike McCarthy and Mike Tomlin. ACTIVE HEAD COACHES / CAREER WINNING PERCENTAGE (Totals Include Regular Season and Playoff Games / Min. 40 games) Rk. Coach Team Seasons Record Pct. 1. Bill Belichick Browns/Patriots 1991-95, 2000-16 263-125 .678 2. Mike McCarthy Green Bay Packers 2006-16 124-69-1 .642 3. Mike Tomlin Pittsburgh Steelers 2007-16 111-63 .638 4. Bruce Arians Arizona Cardinals 2013-16 42-24 .636 5. Chuck Pagano Indianapolis Colts 2012-16 52-34 .607 6. John Harbaugh Baltimore Ravens 2008-16 95-64 .597 24
BALTIMORE RAVENS GAMEDAY
HARBS QUICK HITS • The Ravens are one of only seven teams with at least six playoff berths in the past nine seasons: Green Bay (8), New England (8), Baltimore (6), Cincinnati (6), Indianapolis (6), Pittsburgh (6) and Seattle (6). • The Ravens’ 10 playoff wins since 2008 rank as the NFL’s second most (New England, 11). Of those Ravens’ victories, an NFL-best seven have come on the road.
IS THERE ANY REASON WE CAN’T BE THE MOST PHYSICAL TEAM IN THE LEAGUE? – John Harbaugh