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          NFL Nation

          Ravens' John Harbaugh makes subtle jab at league with $1 bet

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterJun 10, 2016, 07:00 AM ET
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Judging by John Harbaugh's latest remarks, the Baltimore Ravens coach isn't over the hefty discipline for violating offseason rules.

          Harbaugh went on a curious tangent this week when talking about a small wager with linebacker Za'Darius Smith.

          "I had a bet with him last week -- maybe that’s against the rules to have a bet with a guy -- but it was only a dollar, so I have to read the CBA and see what the rule is on that," Harbaugh said, drawing laughter from reporters.

          This week marked the Ravens' first offseason practices since the NFL forced the team to cancel three organized team activities for putting rookies and first-year players in pads. The Ravens were fined $343,057 and Harbaugh was docked $137,223.

          Harbaugh explained the violation was the result of his misinterpreting some amendments to the collective bargaining agreement. On Tuesday, he touched on the topic of modified language in the CBA when addressing whether Smith was in the neutral zone early at a recent practice.

          "[We] went back and watched the tape frame-by-frame, and he was not in the neutral zone," Harbaugh said. "He was right on time, and actually, one of the linemen had even flinched. I have to pay him a dollar, but I’m going to wait until I check my side letter on that.”

          The guess here is Harbaugh won't be too upset about losing a $1 bet. It was probably worth it to give that subtle jab to the league and the CBA.