CUP OF JOE: “John, we need to talk…”

In big games, most coaches will lean on their star players. Sunday night was a big game for the Ravens. Derrick Henry is a star player. And most coaches aren’t John Harbaugh.

With a 17-13 lead, the Ravens took over on downs at the New England 44-yard line with 1:53 left in the third quarter. Seven plays later, the Ravens were up 24-13 at the 12:50 mark of the 4th quarter. Henry carried the ball four consecutive times for 32 yards to finish the drive with a 2-yard TD run. Henry would not step foot on the field again.

The Ravens opted not to call on their bell cow in a game situation that screams for his involvement. Henry was hired to be a closer; to wear down opponents in the fourth quarter; to break the will of the players donning different colors. Without Henry on the field, the Ravens ran just 8 more plays for a total of 13 yards.

So naturally, Harbaugh was asked, “In real time, were you aware that RB Derrick Henry had not touched the ball after his second touchdown?”

Harbaugh’s response was mind-blowing and left me wondering what he actually does along the Ravens sideline other than mismanaging the game clock.

“Well, we’re talking about six plays. So, we’re talking about six plays that went back-to-back in a series, and we’re trying to get the first down. So no, the conversation is not really geared toward who’s going in the game on a play, because plays are getting called fast. Players are running on the field fast based on the gameplan, what the rotating coach decides to do, what the tag on the play is, and who’s got that play, and there’s reasons for all that that are in the gameplan. So, I’m not defending all that and – heck no – you can pick plays or who goes in, or when they go in, but it’s not just as simple as, ‘Oh, Derrick Henry didn’t play the whole fourth quarter.’ It was those plays back-to-back; he was going to go in. That was part of the plan, and it was felt, in making those decisions, guys are running on and off the field as players are being called in the rotation to go in that direction. As I look back on it, I’m like, ‘Sure, I see the point.’ But I’m also not in the midst of saying, ‘Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa. Timeout. Keaton, come on. I want Derrick in the game,’ in that moment. So, that’s a reality, too. So just – I’m not trying to make excuses for it, but I am trying to put it in perspective. That’s how it works.”

Harbaugh continued…

“The last series was a conversation between [assistant head coach/running backs coach] Willie [Taggart] and Derrick, and they decided that Keaton was going to start the series off as part of the rotation. Then, Derrick was going to come in on that series. Looking back at it right now, to your point, I’d have grabbed it, and I would have said, ‘No, put Derrick in the game.’ But that’s not really the way it works in real time. It’s the guys doing the rotation, the [position] coach doing the rotation, and it’s also the plays that are called. Certain plays are set up for Keaton, and that opening play was more of a ‘Keaton play’ of the series. So, I think that had a lot to do with him starting the series.”

Keaton Mitchell is a fine change-of-pace tailback. He is a house call waiting to happen – provided there’s an opening that he can scoot through. But it was the fourth quarter AND…your backup quarterback is in the game. Mike Vrabel knew that the Ravens wouldn’t risk any dangerous throws, so he has his defense compress the line of scrimmage. Seeing Mitchell in the backfield must have brought tears of joy to Vrabel’s face.

Merry Christmas Mike!

Love, John

For Harbaugh to spew this load of bullshit (at least I hope it was) is embarrassing for him if he means it, insulting to everyone else if he’s disingenuous (which he oftentimes is). How can an offensive coordinator run his offense if the head coach allows his running backs coach to determine who’s up? It’s not as if the backs are even remotely similar. Their skillsets are widely disparate!

John has a headset. He’s the boss. He can interject. Unless of course he’s just listening to the Hallmark Christmas channel on Sirius XM!

Fourth quarter.

Must win game.

The defense is struggling.

You need to chew up clock.

Your backup quarterback is behind center.

And Derrick Henry is on the bench?

For this and so many other instances of coaching malpractice, it’s time to move on.

Steve, please make the call…

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/12/23/cup-of-joe/harbaugh-and-bisciotti/