Communication costing Ravens
Team violated on-field policy with players during preseason games
The Ravens were fined Wednesday by the NFL for improper use of headset-equipped helmets by multiple players during games in the preseason.
The team was docked $200,000 for violating the league’s Coach-to-Player Communications policy, according to the NFL Network. The rule prohibits multiple players from being on the field at the same time with the communication devices.
The organization did not dispute the penalty, saying in a written statement, “The Ravens’ equipment staff misunderstood that this league rule applied in the preseason. Ravens coaches were unaware that multiple players had communication devices in their helmets while on the field at the same time.”
The disciplinary action comes three months after the team was forced to forfeit two organized workouts and was fined because it had violated league rules governing contact during offseason drills. That marked the second time in three years and third time since 2010 that the Ravens had lost offseason practices for violating workout rules regarding physical contact.
In 2010, the Ravens had to cancel an offseason camp after the NFL Players Association lodged a complaint over the intensity and tempo of drills conducted at their offseason workouts, as well as the length of time players spent at the team's facility.
Two years ago, coach John Harbaugh was fined $137,223 and the Ravens were docked $343,057 and three OTAs for having rookies in full pads for the start of a minicamp practice. Stanley’s status uncertain: Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley said Harbaugh would make the final decision whether he would start Sunday against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium.
Stanley, the team’s top pick out of Notre Dame in the 2016 draft, had to leave late in the fourth quarter of the Ravens’ 34-23 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last Thursday. Although he would say only it was an upper extremity injury, he wore a brace on his right arm during Wednesday’s practice and was listed afterward as limited.
“We’ll have to wait and see, it is Coach Harbaugh’s decision,” Stanley said before practice.
When asked what the percentage likelihood was that he would play Sunday, Stanley replied with smile: “I was never a big numbers guy. I can’t give you a number right now, just playing it by ear.”
WhenStanley went down Thursday night, the Ravens movedJames Hurst from right tackle to left and inserted rookie Orlando Brown Jr. to replace Hurst. John Brown feeling validated: John Brown leads all Ravens receivers in yards (136) and touchdown catches (two), which has served to confirm what he thought of himself even after the Arizona Cardinals released him earlier in the offseason because of concerns about his lengthy injury history.
“It feels great,” Brown said Wednesday. “I know what I can do. Most people had doubt about what I can do because of injury. I just want to keep rolling and focus on winning and focus on the team.”
Brown, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Ravens, has developed into one of quarterback Joe Flacco’s favorite options. Brown is tied with Willie Snead IV for second on the offense in targets with 14, trailing only Michael Crabtree’s 16 targets. But Brown said he is not content just yet.
“I don’t feel like I did as much as I know I can do,” he said. Ravens coach John Harbaugh had his team fined $200,000 for coach-toplayer communications during preseason games this year. Extra points: Cornerback/return specialist Cyrus Jones was signed off the Ravens practice squad by the New England Patriots on Wednesday morning. The former Gilman standout returns to the organization that selected him in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft and released him Sept. 1. The Ravens filled their vacancy on the practice squad by signing defensive back Makinton Dorleant, who started his college career at Maryland before playing at Northern Iowa. He had bounced around with the Green Bay Packers in 2016 and the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018. … Former Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace was placed on injured reserve by the Philadelphia Eagles after breaking his right fibula in Sunday’s 27-20 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. … Harbaugh opened his news conference by recognizing the state of North Carolina, which absorbed the brunt of a weakened Hurricane Florence over the weekend. “Just a high-five to everybody down in North Carolina, all of the responders and everybody doing an amazing job,” he said. “Wehave a lot of friends down there personally, and everything’s OK with all of our friends.”