One of the juiciest subplots of Sunday’s super showdown between the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens?
Vic Fangio gets a crack at John Harbaugh for the first time since the latter made a “bulls—” decision to chase a record at the expense of the former two years ago.
Fangio was the Broncos’ head coach in 2021 when Harbaugh green-lit a competitive running play, up 16 points, on the final snap of the game.
Why? The Ravens needed three rushing yards for 100 or more as a team for the 43rd consecutive game — which would have tied the longest such streak in NFL history.
Lamar Jackson ran around the left end for five yards, putting the Ravens in the history books — and infuriating the Broncos’ locker room.
Has Miami Dolphins DC Vic Fangio Changed His Tune?
A day later, Fangio said this when asked if he had a problem with the last play that Baltimore ran:
“Yeah I thought it was kind of bull—, but I expected it from them. I have 37 years in pro ball. I’ve never seen anything like that. But it was to be expected. We expected it.”
Vic Fangio: “I thought it was kind of bullshit, but I expected it from them. I have 37 years in pro ball. I’ve never seen anything like that. But it was to be expected.”
Why?
“Because I just know how they operate. … Player safety is secondary.”pic.twitter.com/wFjjfPtPlF
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) October 4, 2021
Why did Fangio expect it?
“Because I know how they operate. That’s just their mode of operation there. Player safety is secondary.”
MORE: Mike McDaniel Takes Issue With Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Ravens Narrative
Fangio’s work history lends credibility to his criticism. He worked for Harbaugh for two years a decade and a half ago.
On Thursday, during his weekly news conference, Fangio insisted he has no feelings toward his former boss.
“What happened there was they ran a play at the end of the game instead of taking a knee to get an extra four or five yards rushing, and our players were all upset about it,” Fangio said, per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
“The way the timing worked on Mondays after our games, I would meet with the media before any player would, then I would have a team meeting.
“So I took the hit. I said something publicly. I told the players that, so they would let it go to bed and they never said anything. It was [a way] to finish the story without our players getting involved. I could care less if they run another play.”
Dolphins DC Vic Fangio explains this answer last time he faced Ravens coach John Harbaugh. No feelings remain over this decision. https://t.co/Cp85hh6xFh pic.twitter.com/CS612lBEFI
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) December 28, 2023
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