Results Are In: Harbaugh vs. Tomlin
|
Harbaugh |
Tomlin | |
|
Record |
63-30 |
68-36 |
|
Win percentage |
.677 |
.654 |
|
Division titles |
2 |
3 |
|
Super Bowl titles |
1 |
1 |
SportsNation poll voters say that the Steelers' Mike Tomlin will end up being a more successful head coach than the Ravens' John Harbaugh.
Of the 16,450 votes, Tomlin received 54 percent while Harbaugh accumulated 41 percent. Five percent were undecided.
As can be seen in the comparative ESPN table to the right, the two coaches have achieved similar accomplishments in their five- (Harbaugh) and six-year (Tomlin) careers. So what were voters' arguments to choose one over the other as the more successful going forward?
Jamison Hensley selected a few explanations from fans below (and kudos to at least one Steelers fans for being objective enough to pick Harbs):
Zach from Fairfax, Va.: Although I'm a huge Steelers fan, I think Harbaugh is the better coach. Tomlin inherited a good team from Bill Cowher and won a Super Bowl with that team. Harbaugh inherited a mediocre team from Brian Billick and turned them into Super Bowl champs. The distinction has come over the last couple of years where the Steelers have gradually been declining, while the Ravens have gotten better and better, even in years when they're not supposed to.
Stephen from El Dorado, Ark.: Ability-wise I'd say it's a toss-up between the two coaches but I believe Harbaugh has the edge because of his QB and GM. Tomlin will be searching for a franchise QB much sooner than Harbaugh due to Big Ben's age and injuries. Also, Kevin Colbert's penchant for mortgaging the future with contract restructures and overall roster age means Steelers are due to pay the price and turn the roster over in the next few years. Meanwhile, Ozzie Newsome remains the best in the biz and always a step ahead.
Matt from Berlin, N.H.: Tomlin will easily have the better career. Steelers coaches have longevity. Being that Tomlin will be coaching the Steelers, a team with one of the highest winning percentages in the NFL, for at least another 10-plus years allows him several more opportunities than Harbaugh. Steelers have been rebuilding for about three years, so missing the playoffs shouldn't count against Tomlin. The Ravens are entering a rebuilding era with the loss of many players and a salary-cap hit with Joe Flacco's ridiculous contract. Let's touch on this subject again in five years.
James from Laredo, Texas: Jamison, a disclaimer is warranted, I am a huge Steelers Fan as I am from Pennsylvania. That said, I have enormous respect for the Ravens and Coach Harbaugh. I believe in 10 to 15 years, Tomlin will have the better record and more championships, for two reasons. I think the Steelers' front office has proven to be the reference standard in all sports, and I think the Steelers have more depth (at this time).
Suggs/Dumervil Most Productive Ravens' Pass-Rushing Duo Ever?
Suggs and Elvis Dumervil have only played together during one week of minicamp, but the expectations for the duo are high.
Based on their individual histories and the beefed up interior of the Ravens defensive line, The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec believes that the two could become the Ravens' most productive pass-rushing duo ever.
Suggs was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, and Dumervil is two seasons removed from leading the NFL with 17 sacks. Suggs is the franchise leader with 84 1/2 sacks and 11 forced fumbles. Both have earned multiple Pro Bowl selections.
Per Zrebiec, former pass-rushing duos in Ravens history that have set the standard include:
- Michael McCrary and Peter Boulware: totaled 20.5 sacks in 1997, 23 in 1998, 21.5 in 1999 and 22.5 in 2001.
- Trevor Pryce and Adalius Thomas: totaled 24 sacks in 2006 (year of team record of 60 sacks)
- Suggs and Boulware: totaled 20.5 sacks in 2003
- Suggs and Pernell McPhee: totaled 20 sacks in 2011
"If Suggs and Dumervil stay healthy, they should be able to eclipse that [20 sacks] number, but Pryce and Thomas' 24 total sacks in 2006 probably should be the measuring stick for this talented duo," Zrebiec concluded.
Hungry Jones Getting Grouchy
Art Jones needs a big season as he enters a contract year in 2013, and he's taking it seriously even in June – a month of vacation and down time for NFL players.
"Losing the weight I wanna lose," Jones tweeted yesterday. "But I'm hating life! I want to eat all the things I can't eat. I been going 2 weeks strong with no cheat days. I've been the biggest grouch ever. I feel like I'm in a 12 step program. MY NAME IS ART JONES...& I LOVE FOOD!!! HI ARTHUR Lol"
A grouch? I find that hard to believe. Jones is one of the friendliest Ravens on the roster and is always wearing a bright smile. But he's serious about improving.
A fifth-round selection out of Syracuse in 2010, the Ravens showed their happiness* *with Jones by assigning him a second-round restricted free agent tender in March. He had a breakout season, playing in all 16 games while notching 47 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Vote Ravens Mt. Rushmore
Ooof, this is a tough choice.
ProFootballTalk.com is running its own run-out-the-offseason-clock-until-we-have-real-news feature with Mt. Rushmore voting for all 32 teams. At least it's a fun one, and I'm interested in the results.
Which four faces would you select to represent the Baltimore Ravens franchise on a mountain? The team has only been around since 1996, but the franchise has had some of the most respected names in the league.
Twelve Ravens were nominated (feel free to complain about those who were snubbed from the list), but only four will represent.
Polls are open, and here's who you can choose from:
- Steve Bisciotti
- Peter Boulware
- Joe Flacco
- John Harbaugh
- Jamal Lewis
- Ray Lewis
- Art Modell
- Ozzie Newsome
- Jonathan Ogden
- Ed Reed
- Matt Stover
- Terrell Suggs
Quick Hits
- @ravensinsider: Dolphins are extremely serious about trying to acquire Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach. Efforts, dialogue is ongoing [Twitter]
- @vleach44: Players that will be at my events this weekend include @TheRealJacoby12 @TorreySmithWR @MichaelOher @TyrodTaylor @TeamFlacco @RayRice27 [Twitter]
- Ravens are listed at No. 6 in the NFL.com's June Power Rankings. Ahead of Baltimore are mostly NFC teams: the Seahawks, 49ers, Broncos, Falcons and Packers. "When we last supplied these rankings, the Baltimore Ravens were devoid of a left tackle," wrote Elliot Harrison. "Then the club re-upped Bryant Mckinnie. Considering what a Statue of Liberty Joe Flacco is back there, that's a big signing. And now John Harbaugh says Elvis Dumervil is emerging as a leader. How do you not love GM Ozzie Newsome? Picking up the guys he needs when he needs them – without overpaying." [NFL.com]
- Hey Jamison, if Arthur Brown, Jameel McClain, and Daryl Smith are all healthy, who will start at inside linebacker? "If they're healthy, I see McClain and Brown starting. Smith, who is very good in coverage, would see time in passing situations." [ESPN]
- @mattvensel: Suggestions, anyone? RT @AskAnNFLAgent The Bachelor is looking for #NFL players. Multiple agents replying they've also been contacted.
- @bryantmckinnie: Took the boxing class earlier, now I'm bout to get back out on this tennis court. [Twitter/Instagram]
