Harbaugh – Ravens’ name on kicker job to be ‘primarily based on soccer’

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — On the finish of the month, the Baltimore Ravens may face a state of affairs wherein kicker Justin Tucker shares the sphere along with his potential successor, Tyler Loop.

Requested how the Ravens would deal with the dynamic of Tucker and Loop being in the identical constructing, coach John Harbaugh mentioned, “Each determination we make needs to be primarily based on soccer. There’s numerous layers to that. You’ve got received a rookie kicker and right here you took him within the sixth spherical, early within the sixth spherical. He is a gifted man. Simply from a soccer standpoint — wage cap, all of the various things that you simply simply consider — no matter we resolve to do over the subsequent few weeks might be primarily based on soccer.”

This offseason, Tucker has been accused by 16 therapeutic massage therapists of inappropriate habits, together with sexual misconduct, in accordance with The Baltimore Banner. He has twice publicly disputed the allegations.

Tucker has been on the Ravens’ facility the final couple of weeks kicking and figuring out. On Sunday, rookie sixth-round choose Loop kicked for the primary time on the Ravens facility, the place the staff started its rookie minicamp.

The primary time Tucker and Loop would observe on the identical subject is Might 27, which is the beginning of Baltimore’s offseason coaching actions.

Staff officers beforehand mentioned the staff would not make a dedication on Tucker till the NFL had completed its investigation. A month later, the Ravens drafted a kicker for the primary time in franchise historical past after they chosen Loop with the No. 186 choose.

“I might simply say from a standpoint of the investigation and all that, I imply we do not know something,” Harbaugh mentioned. “We have not been given any data, and appropriately. It is all accomplished the way in which it is accomplished. So, we do not know something alongside these traces, so we won’t make any selections primarily based on that.”

Tucker, 35, is probably the most correct kicker in NFL historical past, however he’s coming off the worst season of his 13-year profession. He missed 10 whole kicks final season.

If the Ravens half methods with Tucker, they seemingly might want to designate him as a post-June 1 lower to separate the $7.5 million in lifeless cash over two seasons and acquire $4.2 million in wage cap house this yr. However no determination seems imminent.

Loop, who was the Ravens’ top-rated kicker on this draft, is understood for his constant approach and leg energy. Loop has transformed 6 of 9 makes an attempt from 50-plus yards, together with a 62-yarder final season. On the NFL scouting mix, Loop hit 13 of 14 subject purpose makes an attempt (93.3%) and completed by connecting on a 60-yarder.

After watching Loop kick in particular person for the primary time, Harbaugh mentioned, “I believe as a lot as something, it is good to listen to a kicker and the way in which the ball comes off his foot is spectacular.”

Additionally at Ravens minicamp, second-round linebacker Mike Inexperienced declined to particularly deal with the 2 sexual assault allegations in his previous.

“Each staff requested me [about past sexual assault allegations], and I have been fully open about all the things,” mentioned Inexperienced, who led the FBS with 17 sacks. “It’s one thing that I needed to undergo, and I received by it. At this level ahead, I am simply centered on transferring on with my profession on the Ravens.”

On the mix in February, Inexperienced mentioned that he was accused of sexual assault at Virginia, resulting in his switch to Marshall, and that he had confronted one other sexual assault allegation in highschool. Inexperienced was by no means charged and insisted he did nothing flawed.

When requested to make clear the 2 accusations, Inexperienced mentioned, “Like I mentioned, I am simply centered, proper now, on transferring ahead with my profession on the Ravens. I am blessed to be right here. It is an honor, and like I mentioned, I am glad to see what the long run would possibly maintain for me.”