Just as the Bears open another season, they run into Jim Harbaugh again and are reminded that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Since coach Dave Wannstedt decided Harbaugh couldn’t read defenses and switched to Erik Kramer in 1994, the difference has been smaller than their inch in height or 11 months in age. Harbaugh started eight more games and was a more efficient passer in Indianapolis. Kramer threw five more touchdown passes over the last four years. The Bears and Colts each compiled 29-35 records.
Harbaugh took the Colts to the playoffs twice. Kramer was hurt for most of the only year the Bears made it to a postseason.
Now Harbaugh rejoins coach Ted Marchibroda with the Baltimore Ravens and tries to replace nice-guy Vinny Testaverde. Harbaugh passed the first test by joining fans in the stands for autographs the first day of training camp. Harbaugh actually thanks fans for asking.
Harbaugh, traded by the Colts in February for a third-round pick and swap of fourth-rounders, says he would have done exactly the same thing to make way for Peyton Manning. Nobody ever said Harbaugh couldn’t read handwriting on the wall. By guiding the Colts to their 3-13 record and No. 1 draft position, he assured enduring popularity in Indianapolis.
He only faced Wannstedt and the Bears once in the 1995 preseason and uncharacteristically gloated during the Colts’ 29-7 victory. He said he won’t feel similar emotion this time, admitting he could be saving it for his first visit back to Soldier Field, Dec. 20.
“I think that will be something special, Harbaugh said. “It will mean a lot to me, even though I don’t know many of the players anymore. I’m so far removed from the situation I’m not even looking through the keyhole.”
At the moment, Harbaugh is giddy with the prospect of having his oft-abused backside protected by one Jonathan Ogden, a 6-foot-8, 320-pound 21st-Century prototype left tackle.
“He just stops them cold,” Harbaugh said. “It’s something new. Hopefully, I’ll be able to see over him and play with a little protection.”
Harbaugh counts his years in the NFL not on his fingers but on his left tackles, a right-handed quarterback’s best friend.
He remembers Jim Covert in the twilight, Stan Thomas in the darkness, Troy Auzenne in Chicago and Indianapolis, Jay Leeuwenberg two spots out of position, Will Wolford as the only two-year holdover, and rookie Adam Meadows last year.
“The lines I’ve played with in the past, it’s always new guys in and out or a guard moving to tackle,” Harbaugh said.
Ogden and last year’s top pick, pass-rusher Peter Boulware, are the kinds of young cornerstones Harbaugh did not see in Indianapolis and nobody has seen lately in Chicago.
“Every team is pretty close. When you get a chance to get a guy in the top part of the draft and he comes in and is a Pro Bowl player, it makes your team so much better,” Harbaugh said. “When they’re not great players, that’s when you see teams end up going 4-12.”
Harbaugh’s reunion with Marchibroda rekindled good memories of the Colts’ 1995 AFC title game run rather than bad memories of Marchibroda trying to bench Harbaugh for Craig Erickson early in the year.
“I got over it,” Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh always credited former offensive coordinator and Marchibroda successor Lindy Infante for most of his success, but liked Marchibroda’s positive nature.
The Ravens not only jettisoned Testaverde but also top receiver Derrick Alexander and top rusher Bam Morris, so name tags are a requirement in Harbaugh’s huddles.
“It’s not the easiest thing in the world, but I’ve done it a couple times now,” Harbaugh said.
He also is experienced at opening new stadiums like the one Maryland unveils Saturday night. In 1987, the Bears opened Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami when Harbaugh was a rookie.
“My first pass I threw for a touchdown to Ron Morris,” Harbaugh said.
That’s Bam’s brother. Now Bam is running for the Bears, and his ex-teammates are smiling.
“He’s like a bowling ball rolling downhill, like Jerome Bettis, only Bam has more fat,” Ravens linebacker Jamie Sharper said. “I’m looking forward to giving him a shot, so I can talk some junk and tell him to get in shape.”
