Ravens coach John Harbaugh doesn’t appreciate the Steelers calling his offensive line dirty.
Responding to comments from the Steelers that the Ravens were taking dirty shots at their knees, Harbaugh vehemently defended his players and coaches.
“The blocking scheme that’s come up this week is one that almost every team in the National Football League runs,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve been running it for years. Some teams do it better than other teams. The block is absolutely legal. It’s 100 percent legal, and it’s 100 percent ethical, and there is no danger whatsoever in the way the block is being executed because it’s in front.”
Harbaugh is right that the blocks the Steelers were complaining about are legal, but claiming “there is no danger whatsoever” seems to be taking it too far. Just because the blocks are allowed doesn’t mean they can’t injure someone.
But Harbaugh says it’s on defensive linemen to protect themselves.
“It’s the defender’s responsibility to not hold the center and keep him from getting up on the linebacker the center’s trying to block and expose himself,” Harbaugh said. “It’s his job to let that guy go and to defend himself. So, when you choose to keep that center off the linebacker, you’re choosing to leave yourself vulnerable to being cut in front. So, just play defense, I would say.”
I have a feeling that’s not an explanation that will satisfy the Steelers.