Baltimore, MD

In a bold decision, Baltimore Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh has fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and replaced him with quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell.

Despite a 9-4 record, the Ravens rank just 18th in the league in average yards per game and ninth in scoring with 25.5 per game.

Harbaugh said firing Cameron, one of his original staff when he took over the Ravens in 2008, was the "hardest thing I've ever had to do as a coach".

"This is my decision," Harbaugh said. "Really, there's not a lot of places you go to make a decision like this."

Harbaugh clarified that fifth-year quarterback Joe Flacco has nothing to do with Cameron's firing, explaining that "this is a coaching decision."

He also refused to confirm if owner Steve Bisciotti was involved in the decision but did say that general manager Ozzie Newsome is "on board" with the move.

"I'm not getting into any of that," Harbaugh said. "We do a great job in this organization of communicating and talking, and we have great leadership here, all across the board, and I'll just leave it at that."

Harbaugh also refused to give reasons behind Cameron's firing, which came after the Ravens lost their second straight game to the Washington Redskins, 31-28, in overtime.

However, Harbaugh said the decision wasn't related to one specific issue or incident from Sunday's game.

"It's not that," he said. "I think that's really important to point out. It'd be real easy to go the route that is saying it's a result of something and somebody is taking the blame for something. It is not that. People are going to believe what they want to believe. It's what I believe is best going forward for our offense and for our football team."

After assuming Cameron's post, Caldwell immediately went quickly went to work, meeting with players and the offensive staff Monday and starting the planning for Sunday's game against Denver.

The Ravens have the chance to clinch a playoff spot and the AFC North title with a victory over the Broncos.

"The move was made to give us a chance to be the best that we can be," Harbaugh said. "And that's not saying anybody can't do it, but it's just an opportunity to try to get this thing going and become the best offense and the best team we can be, and we feel like it's what is best for the team at this time. And, that's why we made the move."

 

 

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