Never let them know your next move. Or announce it to the world and deal with the fallout... at least, that’s how it feels digging through the archives of John Harbaugh’s past interviews.
The now–New York Giants head coach’s comments from 2009 are circling social media, as fans do their best National Treasure impression -- looking for clues hidden throughout the internet in hopes of finding treasure, or in this case, a once-standard, now-semi-juicy quote that might give insight into what Big Blue’s draft plans are come April.
In an interview with The Patriot Ledger, Harbs was asked how the safety position has changed over time, going from the big, in-the-box-type guys to the more athletic types, and his response was eye-opening:
"You need a more athletic kind of guy. You need a guy that can run, but at the same time can get in there and tackle. Those guys are becoming as valuable as and more valuable than the so-called 'Glamour Positions,' I’d say."
Who would have thought something as little as responding to a question almost 17 years ago about how the safety position has evolved would hint at the Giants drafting Ohio State's Caleb Downs, but here we are.
John Harbaugh’s old safety take could hint at Giants drafting Caleb Downs
We'll get this out of the way because it's making me feel old, and I don't want to be the only one -- Downs would have been four years old when the then-Ravens HC made those comments.
You're welcome.
Back to Harby's thoughts on safeties, Downs clearly fits the mold he was talking about years ago. The 6-foot, 205-pound Jim Thorpe Award winner (best DB in college football) checks every box the Giants’ secondary has been missing for years -- a rare blend of instincts, range, and toughness.
The 21-year-old is a two-time All-American and the 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. The OSU standout would instantly bring leadership and identity to a defense still searching for both.
And I'd hate to pat myself on the back here, but before Harbaugh was hired, I just had a feeling that if he were to become the next head coach, he would eye a defensive back. I thought LSU's Monsoor Delane, but did mention Downs in there at the end if you're up for it:
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It's not hard to see why a player of Downs' caliber could excite Harbaugh, even with the No. 5 pick. Safeties don't typically go that high, but the 63-year-old's track record with elite safeties speaks volumes. He coached Brian Dawkins in Philadelphia before working with players like Ed Reed, Eric Weddle, Marcus Williams, Earl Thomas, and Kyle Hamilton.
Maybe it's not so far-fetched to think Harby manifested this exact scenario some 17 years earlier.