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Baltimore Ravens Punishment Nothing Serious

By Joe Serpico

Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (left) and team owner Steve Biscotti (right) meet prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (left) and team owner Steve Biscotti (right) meet prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens have been punished by the NFL for wearing pads during a rookie minicamp, but it is nothing that will hurt them this season.

John Harbaugh and the Ravens have learned their fate about breaking CBA rules by wearing pads during a minicamp practice. They must cancel a week of organized team activities and face fines for five minutes of work.

The Ravens claimed that they did not know they were in breach of the collective bargaining agreement when players wore pads during a rookie minicamp early this month. They practiced for five minutes before being made aware that they were breaking the rules.

The NFL disagreed, saying that Harbaugh knew he was in violation of the rules and the league issued punishment today. The Ravens issued a statement shortly after the ruling:

“We made a mistake and we are sorry for that. We accept the NFL discipline.” 

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It is never fun to be a part of the news. The reality is a fine and forfeiture of a few OTA practices is nothing worth anyone getting worked up over.

The team will not be able to hold its practices scheduled for June 1-3, and Harbaugh and the team will both be missing some money. Harbaugh was fined $137,223, and the team $343,057, according to ESPN’s Jim Trotter.

It is a similar punishment to one that the Seattle Seahawks received in 2014 for violating the non-contact rules. Pete Carroll was fined $100,000, and the team $200,000. They also lost two days of practices that offseason.

The Ravens still have another session of OTAs from June 6-9 before a mandatory minicamp June 14-16.

Let’s be honest. The fine is not significant enough to damage the club or Harbaugh. Three days of practices lost is not the end of the world. The Seahawks went on to win the Super Bowl the year they were punished.

Maybe the Ravens get the same fortune.

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