Harbaugh a Success in 2008

Leadership comes from the top. With that in mind, John Harbaugh’s rookie campaign as head coach deserves an A-plus. Harbaugh’s NFL experience prior to his arrival in Baltimore was mainly as special team’s coach in Philadelphia. One of four assistants invited to remain on staff when Andy Reid replaced Ray Rhoades, Harbaugh held that position for nine seasons before coaching the Eagles’ secondary in 2007.

Harbaugh’s prime pupil in Philadelphia was kicker David Akers, who became a three-time Pro Bowler after failing to land with Washington, Carolina or Atlanta. He also turned punter Dirk Johnson into a reliable player.

With his background, it’s no surprise that his assistant head coach, Jerry Rosburg, also serves as special teams coach with the Ravens. Rosburg has spent nine seasons in the NFL, including stints with Cleveland and Atlanta. He’s entering his second year with Baltimore.

Rosburg will by aided by Marwan Maalouf, the assistant special teams coach, who has coached in Cleveland and Baltimore during his five years in the league.

Harbaugh has left the offense and defense in reliable hands, starting with Cam Cameron as offensive coordinator. Cameron, a former head coach with Miami, helped ease Harbaugh into his role a year ago with innovative play-calling. His ability to get wide receiver Michael Clayton in open space on reverses and to use quarterback Troy Smith in the Wildcat formation made both Harbaugh and rookie signal-caller Joe Flacco successful in 2008.

Cameron was an easy choice to run the offense when Harbaugh arrived because of his five-year run in San Diego, helping the Chargers’ offense flourish.

Cameron, who has experience working with quarterbacks, including Harbaugh’s brother, Jim, combined with quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson to develop Flacco into an NFL starter from Day 1. Jackson has worked as offensive coordinator in both Washington and Atlanta, along with a pair of Pac-10 schools (USC and California).

Jim Hostler (wide receivers coach), John Matsko (offensive line coach), Andy Moeller (assistant offensive line coach), Wilbert Montgomery (running backs coach) and Wade Harman (tight ends coach) round out the offensive coaches.

Hostler, like Jackson, has served as offensive coordinator in the NFL. He held the position during the final of his three years in San Francisco. His ability to develop wide receivers paid dividends with the young group in 2008.

Matsko has worked with six NFL teams, spanning 18 years, while Moeller is in his second season with his first NFL squad.

Montgomery’s specialty is working with versatile running backs that can carry the ball and catch passes. His top protégé is Marshal Faulk from his time with the St. Louis Rams.

Harman is the most tenured coach with the team and the only one left from Baltimore’s Super Bowl XXXV victory.

While the offensive staff has stayed the same as last year, the defensive staff has experienced some change, starting at the top. Former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is now in New York, leaving Greg Mattison as the team’s fourth man to hold that position. Mattison, who served as linebackers coach a year ago, possesses 38 years of coaching experience but only two in the NFL.

Mattison’s defenses are traditionally fast and aggressive, meaning he should fit well with the Ravens. Expect aggressive play-calling.

Vic Fangio replaces Mattison as linebackers coach, promoted from special assistant to the head coach/defense. However, Fangio possesses 24 years of NFL coaching experience, including stints as defensive coordinator with Indianapolis, Houston and Carolina.

Other defensive coaches include Clarence Brooks (defensive line coach), Mark Carrier (defensive backs coach) and Chuck Pagano (secondary coach).

Brooks, in his fourth year with the Ravens, has 17 years of NFL coaching experience. His defensive line has been one of the best in the league since his arrival in Baltimore.

Carrier possesses three years of coaching experience in the NFL. A former NFL safety, he played a crucial role in the development of Jim Leonhard last season.

Pagano has eight years of coaching experience in the NFL and works closely with Carrier.

Bob Rogucki (strength & conditioning coach), Craig Ver Steeg (offensive assistant), Jason Brooks (offensive assistant), Roy Anderson (defensive assistant) and Matt Weiss (head coaching assistant) round out the staff.