Ravens Forfeit Last Two OTAs, Fined For Violating Collective Bargaining Agreement Rules

The Baltimore Ravens this week were forced to forfeit their last two organized team activities after the NFL determined they had violated “offseason workout rules under the league’s collective bargaining agreement,” according to NFL.com.

Ravens Lose Final Two OTAs Over Rules Violations

Former Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec said owner Steve Bisciotti and head coach John Harbaugh have both been fined for the violations. The league later revealed those fines were of $100,000 and $50,000, respectively. Baltimore’s final two OTAs had been scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

“We have heavily emphasized these CBA pass coverage rules in meetings, and coached them diligently on the practice field,” Harbaugh said in a statement. “It has also been our priority to include our veteran players, along with new Ravens who have practiced and played for other teams, in the process and use their input and ideas. Even with consistent and repeated teaching, these rules pose considerable adjustments for the young players.”

“We have tried very hard to eliminate contact in pass coverage during OTAs, even so far as to pull players out of practice who struggle with these adjustments. I am confident we have done everything within our power and ability to practice within the rules, and we will continue to focus on preparing, teaching and practicing the right way.”

The Ravens will reportedly resume mandatory minicamp next week. Harbaugh and the organization were previously fined in 2016 for similar violations, and also lost OTA days at that time.

Harbaugh has repeatedly made severe criticisms of the NFL’s 2011 CBA and the rules that resulted from it. At one point, the coach even called the offseason rules “un-American” and that there was too much “politics” in the regulations.

Article by Pablo Mena