Baltimore Ravens Lose Final Two Days of OTA Practices for Violating NFL Rules
In what seems like a reoccurrence, the Baltimore Ravens will forfeit the last two days of OTA practices due to a violation of NFL rules.
The NFL has penalized the Baltimore Ravens due to violating the league’s contact rules during offseason drills, per Childs Walker of The Baltimore Sun.
As a result, the Baltimore Ravens lose two days (June 7 and 8) of Organized Team Activity (OTA). Along with losing two days of OTA practices, the NFL has handed down fines to the Ravens football team and head coach John Harbaugh from the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the Ravens’ intense aggressiveness in OTA practices has resulted in a fine of $50K to Harbaugh and a $100K fine to Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti.
This year’s violation comes from what Harbaugh says as pass coverage contact during the early part of OTAs.
The Ravens head coach goes in-depth with Walker by stating:
"We have heavily emphasized these CBA pass coverage rules in meetings, and coached them diligently on the practice field,” he said. “Even with consistent and repeated teaching, these rules pose considerable adjustments for the young players. We have tried very hard to eliminate contact in pass coverage during OTAs, even so far as to pull players out of practice who struggle with these adjustments. I am confident we have done everything within our power and ability to practice within the rules, and we will continue to focus on preparing, teaching and practicing the right way."
The Ravens’ offseason violation marks the third time since 2010 and the second time in the past three years the team has been disciplined for violating the NFL’s offseason rules. Just last year, both the Ravens and Harbough were fined for similar violations during OTA practices. The violation resulted in forfeiting three days of OTAs.
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The Ravens team will meet again on June 12 as they begin mandatory minicamp that will last through June 14. Soon after, Ravens training camp will open with joint training camp practices with the Los Angeles Rams.