AFC North Notes: Bengals, Ravens, John Harbaugh

Bengals

Regarding the decision to fire DC Teryl Austin, Bengals HC Marvin Lewis explained that it was a “very difficult” move, but something needed to be done.

“It’s very difficult,” Lewis said, per Katherine Terrell. “The easiest thing to do is to change somebody. The hard thing to do is try to help that person get better and I tried very hard to be a resource, to be part of it. … And it just wasn’t fitting right.

According to Lewis, they won’t be overhauling the defense now that he’s taking it over.

“We don’t have to change schematically. We just have to change things we’re doing and make sure our players have a great understanding,” Lewis said, per Terrell. “We’re not overhauling anything. But I’m responsible for ultimately everything that goes on in this building.

“…The system hasn’t changed a great deal. We have to install with our players better … we have to get them to understand how to do their jobs better. No matter who is in the game, they have to do a better job of executing.”

Ravens

• Ravens HC John Harbaugh said of QB Joe Flacco‘s hip injury: “It’ll be based on the health of Joe. If Joe can play, he’ll play. And he’s rehabbing to play. Joe does not have to practice to play. He’s practiced the whole season. He’s practiced for 11 years. But he might practice.” (Jamison Hensley)
• Interestingly enough, Harbaugh mentioned that Lamar Jackson and Robert Griffin III would both be candidates to start if Flacco can’t.

John Harbaugh

• Regarding the recent reports about his future in Baltimore, John Harbaugh said: “It’s just noise. It doesn’t matter.” Harbaugh added that he speaks to owner Steve Bisciotti regularly. (Jamison Hensley)