January 18

Coaching stability key for Patriots, Ravens

The Associated Press

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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, center, smiles as he talks with quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Aaron Hernandez (81) during practice at the NFL football team's facility Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots will play the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game for the second year in a row at Foxborough this Sunday. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

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Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks at a news conference at the team's NFL football practice facility, Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, in Owings Mills, Md. The Ravens are scheduled to face the New England Patriots in the AFC championship on Sunday in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

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If you stop learning in the NFL, you will be left behind. If you stop adapting, you won't contend for championships.

Harbaugh, a former special teams coach who reached the Super Bowl with the 2004 Eagles, has adjusted well throughout his tenure in Baltimore (12-6). When he joined the Ravens, they had a premier, shutdown defense. Recently, they've become more dependent on their offense.

Regardless, Harbaugh approaches the job in the same way: tirelessly.

"We get after it in practices and games. We try to bring a physicality and toughness to everything we do," said veteran center Matt Birk. "We have a willingness to work hard, and we do, and that comes from coach Harbs."

Harbaugh is 6-3 in the playoffs, including a 33-14 victory at Gillette Stadium three years ago. He's lost in both trips to the AFC title game, including 23-20 to New England last January.

Should he help the Ravens get to their first Super Bowl since the 2000 season, he just might meet his younger brother, Jim, in the Big Easy. Jim Harbaugh's 49ers are playing at Atlanta for the NFC championship.

"I haven't taken a DNA sample lately," John Harbaugh said, "but it's a pretty cool thing."

 

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