Why not make Mike Preston coach of the Ravens in 2014? He seems to see and understand more of the Ravens' problems and the Ravens' needs than John Harbaugh. Mike commented that "the Ravens gambled and lost." Yes, they have made bad decisions and "stuck by their guns," much to the dismay of many Ravens fans. John Harbaugh is not honest, or at least he is not candid and forthcoming like he should be with the media. It is refreshing when we read Mike Preston's comments after a game. He pulls no punches. He calls a spade a spade, and most fans seem to see better the true picture than after a "brainwashing" press conference with Mr. Harbaugh.
Mike could walk up and down the sidelines like Mr. Harbaugh does, but he would shake up the coaching and make it more imaginative and less predictable. We became stale in the last two games. It was almost as if the opponents' offense or defense knew what to expect on each play and quickly adjusted to it. Giving the ball to Ray Rice was a disaster. What a shame! Fans would have appreciated any new twist to make the game more exciting. How can Joe Flacco repeatedly throw to Dennis Pitta when the opposition knows that is all you've got?
I think that Mr. Preston would have changed all of that. He would not have put up with it. Can a sportswriter become a coach in today's world? Why not? Charlie Eckman was only a referee when he took over the Detroit Pistons in basketball and led them to a championship.
If not the coach, how about a consultant's role that could help the team? Egomania may set in, but the Ravens would be better. We paid a lot of money this year for our coach and our quarterback. It was not all just the owner's money but the fans' money as well. We expect a better performance in 2014. Most likely, Mr. Preston will not become our coach or a consultant next year, but the least we can do is to Listen to his voice!
Raymond D. Bahr, Baltimore
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