Former Harbaugh player/current Seahawk Baldwin wishes Harbaugh "luck."

Submitted by Moonlight Graham on

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12104523/doug-baldwin-seattle-seahawks-wishes-jim-harbaugh-best-luck-michigan-wolverines

This was obviously a complicated relationship between Harbaugh and Doug Baldwin. Baldwin seemed to waver back and forth from not seeing eye-to-eye with Harbaugh and wanting to transfer to acknowleding that he had a positive impact on his maturation ... And now as a pro, he wishes him luck but then adds the "go Buckeyes" zinger at the end. May simply be a shot at him being the former coach of a current NFL rival but the guy doesn't seem to be able to make up his mind. 

So question and a thought. Does anyone have any further background on what happened between Harbaugh and Baldwin (besides "who cares?")? To me, it seems like Baldwin knows full well that Harbaugh helped make him a better player and person, but is having a hard time coming to grips with fullly acknowledging it. 

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Mr. Yost

January 1st, 2015 at 3:34 PM ^

Played for Harbaugh and don't really like him...it's no secret. They think that Harbaugh sabotaged them and their draft stock.

Nothing to see here.

So can I answer the question and say "who cares?"

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Moonlight Graham

January 1st, 2015 at 4:35 PM ^

The anti-Harbaugh crowd (cough, cough ESPN) might see that as a negative in terms of "getting guys ready for the League" but we all know it's because he doesn't care about how high his players get drafted if he truly believes they have attitude and character concerns. He isn't going to deliver praise if the player didn't earn it. 

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harryddunn

January 1st, 2015 at 5:09 PM ^

that would be a pretty shaky position to take

i watched most of the Stanford - VT bowl game Seth posted the other night and couldn't believe how much of that roster was playing on Sundays right now:

Andrew Luck, Stepfan Taylor, Jonathan Martin, David Decastro, Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz, (Baldwin), Chris Owusu, Griff Whalen, Owen Marecic, Shayne Skov and probably a few others i'm forgetting or not aware of

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amphibious1

January 1st, 2015 at 3:37 PM ^

Doug Baldwin grew up and went to high school in an affluent suburb of my hometown. Just conjecture, but maybe he has a bit of entitlement that drove Jim crazy. The only thing I remember about him was that he was a good receiver, and my lillte brother BLASTED him in a game.

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Class of 1817

January 1st, 2015 at 4:11 PM ^

read this. Stunning what passes for front page news on ESPN.

Also shows how quickly they wanted anything seemingly-positive about Harbaugh to Michigan off their page.

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Glen Masons Hot Wife

January 1st, 2015 at 4:59 PM ^

I know a friend of Baldwin's. She told me years ago that he didnt like Harbaugh. I dont remember the specifics. Something about him being an asshole, having a big ego or something like that? As long as our guys are graduating and becoming great football players, and great teams, i think i can deal with some players thinking hes an asshole. Do you think Brian Kelly's players have warm, cozy feelings about their coach? Lombardi and Bowman were despised... so what. I promise you their players dont regret the experience, playing on those teams.

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itself

January 2nd, 2015 at 10:18 AM ^

From the few pieces I've scene published Baldwin and Sherman both claim Harbaugh wasn't particularly helpful with his report to NFL scouts. I haven't seen anything to confirm that Harbaugh spoke ill of them but more so that he was not quick to roadies either player and both feel that damaged their draft stock.

Baldwin was also asked to compare what it's like to play for Pete Carroll in Seattle to his time under Harbaugh and described Harbaugh's approach as more "military" in tone than Carroll, adding that Harbaugh likes a hands on level of control with respect to his team. Carroll was said to take a more relaxed approach.

I'm not sure about Baldwin but Sherman - who I respect a great deal - is a strong personality and I can see that creating issues with someone as headstrong as Harbaugh. I get the feeling that the Seattle/San Fran rivalry only intensified what was previously a small personal matter. But if others have more insight please share



















 

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itself

January 1st, 2015 at 5:04 PM ^

Was any of Sherman's animosity related to his changing positions in college? He was recruited as and played a few years as a WR before moving to defense

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MichiganExile

January 1st, 2015 at 5:33 PM ^

It's possible. I've never heard or read anything suggesting he was upset about the change. If he was however, it may explain his change of heart and attitude toward Harbaugh in recent years because his move to CB was the absolute best possible thing for his career. 

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MichiganExile

January 1st, 2015 at 5:23 PM ^

Doug Baldwin doesn't have the nickname "Angry Doug Baldwin (ADB)" here in Seattle without reason. Reading between the lines of both published accounts and talk radio reports suggests Harbaugh didn't give Baldwin and Sherman shining reports to NFL scouts. I've heard it suggested that Harbaugh gave detailed reports on both guys strengths and weaknesses. Most of the issue seems to stem from what Harbaugh felt was the right thing to do (give honest evaluations) and what Baldwin and Sherman expected him to do (blow smoke up NFL guys asses). Harbaugh wasn't necessarily wrong though. Doug Baldwin is a good receiver but he's not a world beater. He's consistent and manages to make the most of his abilities. The massive chip on his shoulder may actually be his best attribute. I've never heard or read anything to suggest he has forgiven Harbaugh or given up on his grudge. Regarding Sherman though, he switched positions about halfway through his Stanford career out of necessity for the Stanford defense. It turned out to be a boon for both program and player. Rumor is that Harbaugh's report on Sherman made note that he struggled with smaller, quicker/shiftier receivers. Something that has been identified in the pros as well. He and Harbaugh seemed to have buried the hatchet and had very personal moments with each other after Hawks-Niners games. 

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mgoblue0970

January 1st, 2015 at 6:35 PM ^

Disingenuous link by ESPN. He wished Harbaugh luck. He acknowledged there was friction but credited Harbaugh for making him a better man -- HOW is that a problem????

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