Dear Coach Harbaugh,
Usually, John, I'm just writing to tell you about the things you need to tell your players. But this week I'm talking directly to you.
What exactly were you thinking on that ill-fated challenge in the fourth quarter, John?
First, the spot of the ball wasn't ever in doubt. I feel it was fairly obvious the play resulted in a first down. Now, I can understand needing to take a chance there. It could have been the game if your challenge reversed the decision. No matter how unlikely.
What I don't understand, John, is how you ended up using two timeouts on that series of events -- one before throwing the red flag, the other after you lost the challenge.
What happened, John? Once you called that timeout, you forfeited your right to challenge the play. At that point, you can't risk losing that second timeout.
It was a huge coaching error, and you admitted that much today in The Baltimore Sun. But saying sorry doesn't help, John.
Because you wasted two timeouts, the Ravens essentially lost 40 seconds on the gameclock. Had you not challenged the play -- or at least not called a timeout before challenging -- Ed Reed fields that punt with over a minute remaining in the game, not less than 20 seconds.
Reed's ill-fated lateral cannot be covered up or excused, John. It was a boneheaded move by a player who succeeded in dramatic fashion on lateral plays once or twice and has now become drunk with the notion of the big play.
But maybe, just maybe, Reed doesn't pitch that ball if he realizes his offense has plenty of time to get down the field and kick a field goal to win the game, with a timeout allowing them to use the middle of the field for a large chunk of yardage.
But Reed knew the offense didn't have that time out, John. He knew that 18 seconds to move the ball a minimum of 50 yards just wasn't enough time, not without that timeout allowing them to use the middle of the field. It was still the wrong play -- a tragically stupid play -- because Joe Flacco could have moved the ball downfield and set up a long attempt for Billy Cundiff, who went a respectable 5-for-6 on the day.
The point is, John, Flac needed to have that opportunity. Reed's colossal error prevented the second-year quarterback to from giving it an honest shot.
Players will throw interceptions and fumble, but coaches can't give away yards or time on the clock. Flac threw a terrible pick and Reed made a terrible decision.
But your colossal mistake a few minutes earlier was the one that set it up the loss, John. I'm sorry, but this one falls squarely on you.
Your pal (still),
ap
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