Danny does not agree with good ping pong being blamed for Ravens’ poor play 🤔 #NFL #ravens

Danny does not agree with good ping pong being blamed for Ravens’ poor play 🤔 #NFL #ravens

Welcome into First Things Last. On the surface, you would think Lamar Jackson’s absence would be the reason for the Ravens disastrous one and five start. And if that’s too simplistic, it would be the rest of their injury report littered with first round picks and big contracts. But think again. According to a story in the Baltimore Sun, the issue was pingpong. That’s right. Forest Gum’s favorite game was a distraction. and John Harbaugh decided they’ve reached the point of the year where it’s the only thing you can do with distractions and that is eliminate them. He has removed the Ravens ping pong tables. Now my love language is sarcasm with a healthy mix of condescension. So my initial instinct here is like many of you I’m sure to mock this. However, good pingpong being blamed for bad football is a tale as old as time and I like to consider myself a bit of an expert on this subject. The first time I remember noticing this phenomenon was back in 2013 when Mike Tomlin tried to salvage an 0 and4 season by removing ping pong. Another noteworthy example came in 2017 when renowned disciplinarian Tom Coughlin joined the Jaguars front office and one of his first orders of business was removing the tables. Finally, upon taking the job in Washington in 2020, Ron Rivera also prioritized the removal of table tennis. So, why would three legendary coaches across different years keep turning to pingpong instead of, oh, I don’t know, their play callers or blocking schemes when addressing their team’s problems? To the data, the Steelers finished 8-4 after an 0 and4 start. That’s right. We wouldn’t have everyone’s favorite Mike Tomlin had never had a losing record stat if it weren’t for Pingpong’s removal in Pittsburgh. Tom Coughlin heard your mocking and dismissed it as Jacksonville went from 3-13 in the pingpong era to 10-6 in a trip to the AFC title game in the postpong era of Duvall. And Ron Rivera, he merely guided Washington to its first playoff appearance in 5 years and a worst to first finish in the NFC East after removing the scourge on our society that is table tennis. So Lamar Jackson is back at practice. It’s a Rocoan Smith revenge game. The Ravens are at home in a must-win spot. But the real reason the Bears have to worry if history is to be our guide is that Baltimore is now focused on the football and not the pingpong ball. That’s all I’ve got. Thank you so much for being with us on First Things First. Oh, that was an awesome shot right off the camera. I can never do that again.

#FirstThingsFirst #NFL #Ravens

Download the FOX Sports App: https://tinyurl.com/y4uouolb

► First Things First’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstThingsFirst

About First Things First:
Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes team up on First Things First. The trio offers their take on a bevy of sports stories alongside special guests from across the sports world.

www.youtube.com/@FirstThingsFirst