OTL: Ed Reed, Head Coach!

Tuesday night brought somewhat surprising but super exciting news, as Ravens legend Ed Reed was hired by Bethune-Cookman as the school’s Head Coach. While Baltimore will remember Reed as a ball-hawk and outright playmaker, the program is hoping the former Safety can make a similar impact by simply being a winner.

Reed’s former coach John Harbaugh commented on the news on Wednesday:

“Bethune-Cookman made a great hire!”

Coach Harbaugh talks about Ravens Legend Ed Reed getting the head coaching job at Bethune-Cookman. pic.twitter.com/TDqXFNMsVI

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 28, 2022

Outside of his own advice, Harbaugh has quite the contact for Reed if he wants help with the ins-and-outs of college football. While he may not be the biggest Reed fan given the interception against the 49ers in Baltimore’s last Super Bowl, I’m curious if Jim Harbaugh will give a call.

If Reed wants a standard to shoot for, he won’t have to look much beyond the formula at 1 Winning Drive on Wednesday. By clinching a playoff spot last Sunday, John Harbaugh led the Ravens to the postseason for his tenth time.

Fans may not realize this, but that makes him one of the most successful Head Coaches in the NFL during his tenure:

John Harbaugh has now led the Ravens to the playoffs in 10 of his 15 seasons in Baltimore.

The only teams that have been to the postseason more times than the Ravens since Harbaugh became coach in 2008: the Patriots (12) and Packers (11).

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 28, 2022

I’ve started to hear some distaste for Harbaugh in recent weeks across Baltimore, but I have to say, I think that’s bogus. It is hard enough to be average in this league, and Harbaugh has been in the top group of his peers for years now.

Just because the team isn’t looking great right now does not mean there’s a better coach available.

The argument can be made that recent success has been limited to the regular season, but a great example of someone at Harbaugh’s level will be opposite him on the sidelines Sunday Night: Mike Tomlin.

Sure, we hate the Steelers. Regardless, I have great respect for Mike Tomlin. Does anyone think he should be fired despite less overall success than Harbaugh of late? No.

The same should therefore be said for Baltimore’s coach.

Harbaugh will actually have a chance to knock Tomlin down a peg Sunday, as the Pittsburgh coach is poised for his first ever losing season. If the Ravens win, that will be clinched:

The Ravens handing Mike Tomlin his first losing season ever next week pic.twitter.com/wigJuYL3lh

— Ramey (@HoodieRamey) December 25, 2022

Looking ahead to that game, there were a few massive names on the injury report Wednesday:

Today’s injury report. pic.twitter.com/mOQXWS1NcI

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 28, 2022

The Ravens will not want to be without Houston or Campbell, much less QB Lamar Jackson. Ultimately, I do think he’ll be out, but I’m not sure it’ll matter. Historically, Baltimore has been very strong under the lights at the Bank:

#Ravens on The Big Stage! pic.twitter.com/St6mgivji8

— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) December 28, 2022

I believe the Ravens should be favored, but it’s not only because of their Primetime record. Instead, I’ve seen stronger performance from the running game.

The games haven’t been flashy, but don’t look now – the Ravens might be getting on a roll.

Through 16 weeks, the Ravens have out rushed their opponents by a total of 1,177 yards. pic.twitter.com/FLemCJi75t

— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) December 28, 2022

Let’s hope they keep that roll going.

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