On today's "Straight Outta Vegas with RJ Bell," RJ and the Straight Outta Vegas crew discuss if the Ravens and John Harbaugh made the right decision in playing starters in their third preseason game to pursue an NFL record. Baltimore won their 20th consecutive preseason game, but RB J.K. Dobbins suffered a season-ending injury. Were the Ravens risking the health of their team to pursue a seemingly meaningless preseason record? RJ and the crew believe that this was just standard procedure, since most teams treat the third preseason as a dress rehearsal for their starters.
AJ Hoffman: “I don’t understand why J.K. Dobbins was on the field in the final game before the regular season starts. It makes no sense. But what it boils down to, is Harbaugh likes to win these football games, and unfortunately it seriously cost him this time.”
RJ Bell: “Some of the best coaches in the game like Bill Belichick and Andy Reid are known for playing their starters often in the preseason, and their teams tend to have a lot of regular season success. I would argue John Harbaugh is certainly on that list as well, so it begs the question: Did the Ravens set that NFL record because they played their starters so much? My sense is Harbaugh is playing his starters in the preseason as much as he has in the past. The only way you can get better at football, is by playing football.”