John Harbaugh: Vikings’ False Starts Not Caused by Our Actions
Following the Vikings’ eight false starts during their recent loss to the Ravens, players have voiced concerns regarding the Ravens’ tactics. Running back Aaron Jones suggested that the Ravens were using “move calls” that might have mimicked quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s cadence. However, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell stated he did not observe any such actions from the Ravens during the game.
John Harbaugh’s Response to Vikings’ False Starts
In a press conference on Monday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh responded to these claims. He concurred with O’Connell, insisting that the Ravens’ actions were not the cause of the false starts. Harbaugh remarked, “It wasn’t anything we were doing.” He emphasized this point by explaining that the Ravens had no game plan to induce false starts.
Analysis of Game Tactics
Harbaugh elaborated on the defensive strategies employed during the game. He mentioned that while teams can use move calls, they cannot mimic a cadence such as “set” or “hut.” He stated, “We didn’t stem; we didn’t move.” This observation indicates that the Ravens adhered strictly to legal game tactics.
Implications for the Vikings
Harbaugh suggested that the high number of false starts may stem from the Vikings’ own pre-snap shifts and cadence variations. This places the onus on coach O’Connell to address these internal issues. The Vikings will have to refine their communication and execution as they continue their season.
- Vikings committed eight false starts in loss to Ravens.
- Aaron Jones claimed Ravens used deceptive calls.
- John Harbaugh denied the Ravens’ involvement in causing false starts.
- Coach O’Connell has to address cadence issues for future games.
As the season progresses, the Vikings will need to focus on eliminating such penalties to improve their game performance. Addressing communication challenges will be essential for their success on the field.
