In Baltimore, Mike Preston writes Ravens coach John Harbaugh's behavior lately "has been bizarre, to say the least," and it is time for ownership "to rein him in." Observers recently "have seen Harbaugh Unplugged." Preston: "We saw the first signs about two weeks ago with his comments about supporting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's idea to build a wall at the border." It was "unprompted, a Harbaugh tangent." This is a "great time" for Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti to "remind Harbaugh that sports are the great escape." This is "supposed to be about fun and games" (Baltimore SUN, 9/1).
FORGETTABLE OFFSEASON: In S.F., Ann Killion writes the past year for the 49ers has "produced one regrettable, embarrassing moment after another, significantly tarnishing" the team name and reputation. A successful coach and his staff "were ousted, the new coach flopped in his first news conference, the owner offered hollow platitudes, the team signed another player with a troubled past, more players were arrested, charged, suspended or dismissed, others unexpectedly retired and even the sod was unreliable" at Levi's Stadium. There also is "another batch of evidence, mostly anecdotal, that reveals a disgruntled, even disgusted, fan base." Longtime fans are "appalled that the team that once was the class of the NFL ... has devolved into an ethical embarrassment" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/1).
CAT FANCY: ESPN BOSTON's Mike Reiss wrote after spending a "beautiful afternoon/evening in Charlotte" last week for Patriots-Panthers, which "included a walk to open-air Bank of America Stadium from a downtown hotel -- the thought crossed my mind: Why hasn’t the city ever really been in the Super Bowl mix?" Hotel space and weather "have apparently been the primary reasons," although the hotel situation "has since improved." Reiss: "Every time I’m in Charlotte, I sense a strong connection between community and franchise." A Super Bowl "would be a nice reward for the good folks there" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 8/30).
