Rosenthal stirred things up a little on Friday, pointing out a Baltimore Sun report that the Ravens parted ways with quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn because the team feared he would become insubordinate. The report, and Rosenthal’s decision to mention it, resulted in a statement from coach John Harbaugh that disputed the report, and that mentioned we had mentioned it.
So what really happened? We’re told that the Ravens simply feared the presence of “too many voices” on the offensive side of the ball.
Of course, that could be regarded as a very kind way of saying that the Ravens eventually feared Zorn would become insubordinate, especially if the alternative to firing him was telling him to shut up, which then would have increased the possibility that he would have become insubordinate.
The statement from the Ravens didn’t address something else Rosenthal mentioned on Friday -- that quarterback Joe Flacco spoke out on behalf of Zorn. A separate source confirmed that, indeed, Flacco was happy with Zorn and supported him.
Apart from Flacco being happy with Zorn, we can understand why Flacco would prefer that the quarterbacks coach not be fired. Dumping the offensive line coach sent a message to the world that the Ravens didn’t think the offensive line is performing up to snuff. In turn, firing the quarterbacks coach possibly sends a message to the world that the Ravens don’t think the quarterback is performing up to snuff.
That perception isn’t accurate. Flacco’s career numbers compare favorably to Matt Ryan’s, and Flacco has won four playoff games in three years, all on the road. Flacco has been improving each season, with 2010 being the best of his three-year career in yardage, touchdowns, interceptions, and passer rating.
These developments serve only to place more pressure on offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. With the Ravens’ moves arguably sending the message that the team isn’t happy with the performance of 6/11ths of the offense, Cameron could be the next one to go.