Harbaugh says he didn't provoke Saints before preseason game

papz · 01-10-2012, 06:18 AM

SANTA CLARA – Building close, congenial relationships with other NFL coaches isn't exactly Jim Harbaugh's forté. Just ask Lions coach Jim Schwartz. Or Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.

But Harbaugh on Monday insisted he did nothing wrong before the Aug. 12 exhibition opener in New Orleans to anger the Saints into blitzing the 49ers as if an NFC Championship Game berth was on the line.

Bucking typical preseason protocol, New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams regularly sent six or seven pass rushers during the game, sacking the 49ers' quarterbacks six times and leveling starter Alex Smith several times in the first quarter.

The scuttlebutt out of New Orleans afterward was that Harbaugh offended Saints coach Sean Payton by not telephoning Payton so the two head coaches could discuss the parameters of the upcoming game.

"Sean Payton sort of expected Harbaugh to call him throughout the week and kind of figure out a gentleman's agreement as to how the game would be played," Saints radio play-by-play man Jim Henderson said after the game.

"When that didn't occur, Sean just said to Gregg, 'Let the dogs out.' And they did."

Harbaugh on Monday said he was unaware of a gentlemen's agreement among coaches in the preseason and even asked around during the summer to see if he was following the proper procedure.

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Harbaugh says he didn't provoke Saints before preseason game - Sacramento Sports - Kings, 49ers, Raiders, High School Sports | Sacramento Bee

01-10-2012, 06:18 AM	#1
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,720	Harbaugh says he didn't provoke Saints before preseason game SANTA CLARA – Building close, congenial relationships with other NFL coaches isn't exactly Jim Harbaugh's forté. Just ask Lions coach Jim Schwartz. Or Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. But Harbaugh on Monday insisted he did nothing wrong before the Aug. 12 exhibition opener in New Orleans to anger the Saints into blitzing the 49ers as if an NFC Championship Game berth was on the line. Bucking typical preseason protocol, New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams regularly sent six or seven pass rushers during the game, sacking the 49ers' quarterbacks six times and leveling starter Alex Smith several times in the first quarter. The scuttlebutt out of New Orleans afterward was that Harbaugh offended Saints coach Sean Payton by not telephoning Payton so the two head coaches could discuss the parameters of the upcoming game. "Sean Payton sort of expected Harbaugh to call him throughout the week and kind of figure out a gentleman's agreement as to how the game would be played," Saints radio play-by-play man Jim Henderson said after the game. "When that didn't occur, Sean just said to Gregg, 'Let the dogs out.' And they did." Harbaugh on Monday said he was unaware of a gentlemen's agreement among coaches in the preseason and even asked around during the summer to see if he was following the proper procedure. Read more. Harbaugh says he didn't provoke Saints before preseason game - Sacramento Sports - Kings, 49ers, Raiders, High School Sports \| Sacramento Bee Attached Thumbnails
	Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege. All little common sense goes a long way.