THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

*] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

COMING UP TONIGHT INSIGHTS ON THE EARTHQUAKE AT THE CASTLE.

WHO WILL BE THE NEW HEAD COACH OF THE RAVENS?

WE'LL LOOK AT CLUES COMING UP.

BUT WE BEGIN TONIGHT TALKING ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.

JOINING US IS Dr.

JESSICA LEE AN INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: HAPPY NEW YEAR IF IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO SAY AT.

>> NEVER.

>> Jeff: PERFECT TIME TO TALK ABOUT HEALTH RESOLUTIONS, HEALTH TRENDS WHAT SHOULD EVERYBODY BE THINKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW?

>> WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT WELLNESS.

WE GET SO FIXATED WITH WHAT EVERYONE IS DOING TO BE WELL WE HAVE TO MATCH THAT.

WHETHER THAT'S INCREASING FOODS, EXERCISING MORE MAKING IT A COMPETITION BUT INSTEAD I WANT TO TELL PEOPLE TO LISTEN TO THEIR BODIES YOU CAN REST IF YOU ARE ON YOUR HEALTH STREAK FOR THE YEAR.

GOD FORBID YOU CAN REST A FEW DAYS PER WEEK INSTEAD OF WORKING OUT SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK.

MEETING THE NEEDS YOU HAVE FOR THE EXERCISE ROUTINE FOR 2026 DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Jeff: A LITTLE BIT OF PEER PRESSURE IS GOOD.

>> DEFINITELY.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WIFE GO FOR A WALK AND THE FRIENDLY COMPETITION MY BEST FRIEND AND I GO DID YOU WALK TODAY?

TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MOVING IN A FRIENDLY WAY.

DID YOU GET 2,000 STEPS?

IS IT TIME TO ADD MORE STEPS.

>> AN EXERCISE BUDDY.

>> DEFINITELY AND FINDING SOMEONE THAT SUPPORTS YOU AND DOESN'T DIMINISH YOU OR FEEL YOU HAVE TO BE PUSHING YOURSELF TOO HARD-WORKING THROUGH AN JURY AND YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE GYM.

TAKE THE REST OR WE CAN MODIFY OUR WORKOUTS AND DO YOGA INSTEAD OF THE WALK THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Jeff: SOME OF THE THINGS ARE GROUP ACTIVITIES THE IDEA OF A DRY JANUARY.

CUTTING OUT ALCOHOL TENDS TO BE GROUPS OF PEOPLE MORE THAN INDIVIDUALS.

>> I THINK IT HELPS.

FUNNY THAT YOU BRING THAT UP.

I WAS AT A WORK GATHERING LAST WEEK WHERE THREE PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO DO DRY JANUARY, SOMEBODY BROUGHT SPARKLING SIDER.

AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT FINDING WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

AND I THINK THEY FELT GLAD TO FIND SOMEONE ELSE.

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE DOING DRY JANUARY.

>> IT IS AN INTERESTING TREND PEOPLE NOT SAYING I'M NEVER GOING TO HAVE A BEER AGAIN.

IT IS MAYBE A MATTER OF EXERCISING SOME SELF CONTROL ARE TO PROVE YOU CAN DO IT.

AND ACTUALLY TRUTHFULLY YOU COULDN'T DO A DRY DECEMBER FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE THERE ARE SOCIAL EVENTS.

>> BOTH REALIZING YOU CAN LIMIT YOURSELF AND TRYING TO FIND THE REASONS WHY YOU ARE TRYING TO DO IT.

IS IT FELT LIKE YOU OVERINDIGENOUSED IN DECEMBER OR HOW YOU FEEL DRINKING THREE DRINKS VERSUS ONE AND IT OFFERS INSIGHT IN REALIZING WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH.

LIKE YOU SAID.

NOT DOING THINGS TO COMPETE FOR YOURSELF BUT REALIZING THAT IT IT'S OKAY TO DO LESS AND LISTEN TO YOUR BODY AND TAKE IT SLOW.

>> Jeff: I SEE THAT ON DOCTOR'S OFFICE QUESTIONNAIRES ALL THE TIME DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A SOCIAL DRINKER SOMEBODY WHO NEVER DRINKS ALCOHOL, DO YOU HAVE MORE THAN TWO DRINKS A DAY.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WHAT IS THE PROVIDER LOOKING FOR THERE?

>> IT REALLY TO GET -- UPDATED SCREENINGS SPECIFIC DRINK NUMBERS WHEN WE LABEL IT AS SOCIAL PEOPLE SAY THAT TO ME ALL THE TIME WITH NEW PATIENTS WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

TWO DRINKS IN A SOCIAL SETTING OR FOUR TO SIX.

WE ASK THAT TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR DISCUSSION TO GET A SENSE OF IT'S FINE IF YOU ARE A SOCIAL DRINKER BUT BING CRINGING IT'S FOR US TO FIGURE OUT IF YOU ARE DRINKING ON WEEKENDS BUT SIX BEERS THAT IS BINGE DRINKING.

>> WHERE DOES THE DISCUSSION GO WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT HEALTHIER HABITS YOU WANT TO SUGGEST THAT SOMEBODY DIAL IT BACK A LITTLE BIT OR PROBE TO FIND OUT IF THEY'VE LOST CONTROL OF IT.

>> I TRY TO BE A HUMAN BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE IT FEELS EASY AND BASIC.

I LOVE TO EAT FRENCH FRIES BUT IF YOU ARE EATING TAKE OUT FIVE DAYS A WEEK AND YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND IT'S CONTRIBUTING TO THE BAD NUMBERS TALKING TO THEM ABOUT SAYING IF YOU CAN'T DO LESS FAST FOOD BECAUSE OF YOUR SCHEDULE WORKS, COULD I OFFER DOING A SALLIED OR THE WRAP INSTEAD OF THE FRIES FINDING WAYS TO MAKE EASY ADJUSTMENTS.

SO MUCH OF US FEEL LIKE IT'S GOT TO BE ALL OR NOTHING.

I NEED TO LOSE 20 POUNDS BY CUTTING CARBS.

I'M NEVER SOMEONE TO SAY GET RID OF IT ALL.

IT'S TRULY, TRULY MODERATION AND MODERATION FOR YOU LOOKS LIKE WHETHER THAT IS ONE SERVING PER WEEK DOWN FROM FIVE OR HAVING THAT ONE BEER INSTEAD OF THREE.

>> Jeff: HOW DO YOU ADVISE PATIENTS MAYBE IT IS A JANUARY VISIT SETTING GOALS FOR THE YEAR, AND THEY SAY BASED ON YOUR NUMBERS I NEED TO LOSE 20 POUNDS AND I WANT TO DO THAT.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE?

>> I TELL THEM WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING THIS WHOLE PROGRAM WHICH I REALLY BELIEVE IS TAKE IT SLOW.

I TELL THEM TAKE A 10-MINUTE WALK.

I KNOW YOU ARE ON YOUR PHONE FOR 10 MINUTES YOU ARE TAKING A POTTY BREAK STAKE THAT WALK.

TAKE THAT WALK.

NONE OF US ARE 21 ANYMORE YOU CAN'T RUN A MILE AND LOSE THE POUNDS YOU HAVE TO BE GENTLE AND LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.

I WANT YOU TO WALK 10 MINUTES EVERYDAY THIS WEEK AND SETTING REALISTIC GOALS SO MANY OF US FEEL THROWN OFF THE ONE DAY YOU WERE OFF.

YOU COULDN'T STOP YOURSELF AT THE HAPPY HOUR.

LET ME FINISH EATING ALL THE CRAP I WANT TO EAT AND START OVER TOMORROW.

YOU CAN IT'S OKAY TO START FRESH.

I TRY TO TELL THEM LET'S DO 20 POUNDS REALISTICALLY SIX MONTHS TO ONE YEAR CAN.

IF YOU COME BACK IN TWO MONTHS AND YOU ARE 20 POUNDS LIGHTER, I'M HAPPY FOR YOU BUT I WANT IT TO BE SUSTAINABLE.

>> Jeff: WHEN YOU LOST FIVE THE MOTIVATION DES PARTICIPATES.

AND THEN YOU LOSE INTEREST IN THAT BAKED POTATO STARTS LOOKING BETTER.

>> IT DOES.

WHAT IT IS IS REALIZING THAT AND WHAT DOES STARTING SLOW CAN DO FOR YOU IS HOPEFULLY SOME OF THE HEALTHIER HABITS STARTED AND IT LOOKS LIKE EATING LESS OR LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF CARBS OR ALCOHOL AND TRYING TO USE THAT AS MOMENTUM.

OTHER WAYS I ALSO TELL PATIENTS JUST IF YOU THE WEATHER IS COLD LIKE IT IS NOW AND YOU CAN'T DO YOUR WALK, GO ON YouTube THERE ARE EXERCISE VIDEOS FOR 10 MINUTES TO START, 15 MINUTES SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO MOTIVATE YOU.

>> Jeff: COUPLE OF TRENDS WE'RE NOTICING.

BACK TO FAST FOOD, CHIPOTLE IS ADVERTISING A HIGH PROTEIN MENU, WHICH I THINK JUST MEANS ANOTHER SCOOP OF CHICKEN OR WHATEVER WHY ALL THE FOCUS ON PROTEIN?

>> PROTEIN IS A NATURAL BUILDING BLOCK FOR BUILDING MUSCLE AND WHAT A LOT OF PATIENTS AND PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IS THAT WE THINK BY CUTTING OUT THE CARBS AND FOODS AND LIMITING FOODS WE ARE BURNING FAT YOU BURN MUSCLE FIRST BEFORE YOU LOSE THE FAT.

EXERCISING IS SO IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN YOUR MUSCLE MASS AND PROTEINS ARE THE BUILDING BLOCK FOR THAT.

AND THE OTHER NICE THING ABOUT PROTEINS NUTRITION WISE THEY OFFER HIGHER PROTEIN CONTENT THEY MAKE YOU FEEL FULLER FASTER.

AND THEY TREND TO HAVE LESS CALORIES.

IT MEETS EVERYONE'S DIETARY GOALS TO HELP THEM LOSE WEIGHT BY HITTING YOUR PROTEIN FOR THE MUSCLE BUILDING AND MAKING YOU FEEL MUELLER FASTER.

>> Jeff: THE GLP-1 DRUGS THAT ANYBODY HAS SEEN IN ANY FOOTBALL GAME YOU'VE WATCHED THIS MONTH LAST OR NEXT MONTH, THERE'S NEWS.

THEY ARE COMING OUT WITH A PILL VERSION AND THERE WAS NEW DATA THAT WHEN YOU STOP THESE MEDS, THE WEIGHT COMES BACK FOR ALMOST EVERYBODY.

>> IT DOES.

>> >> Jeff: YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I THINK IT IS A GREAT MEDICATION I AM NOT A WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST BUT IT'S UBIQUITOUS IN HEALTHCARE.

IT'S BEEN APPROVED AS YOUNG AS 12 FOR KIDS.

IT IS A FANTASTIC MEDICATION THAT WORKS.

AND IT DOES A LOT, TOO.

THERE'S ADDITIONAL STUDIES SHOWING IT CAN HELP WITH ADDICTION PATHWAYS SMOKING OR ALCOHOL IT CAN HELP LOWER THOSE.

I ALSO TELL MY PATIENTS THAT CORRECT IF YOU WANT TO START IT YOU ARE A GREAT CANDIDATE FOR IT, BUT YOU WILL GAIN THE WEIGHT BACK WHEN IF YOU EVER STOP THE MEDICATION WE TALK ABOUT A GAME PLAN OF USING WHAT THE GLP-1 TEACHES YOU BETTER PORTION SIZES, HOPEFULLY OVERALL HEALTHIER HABITS AND GETTING TO THE POINT IF WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THEM OFF WEANING OR DECIDING IF THEY STAY ON IT LONG-TERM IT IS A TRUE DISCUSSION YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT COULD BE A LIFELONG MEDICATION OR THERE WILL BE WEIGHT GAIN AND ACKNOWLEDGING WE HAVE TO MEET THE HEALTHY HABITS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TO KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF.

>> Jeff: HOW MUCH ARE YOU ABLE TO FOCUS ON PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE AS A PRACTITIONER WITH A LOT OF THINGS ON YOUR PLATE, MAYBE THE PATIENT COMES IN WITH SOME URGENT OR SEMI URGENT CONCERN.

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU CAN HELP IN AN AVERAGE CLINIC APPOINTMENT?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

I WORK IN AN ACUTE CLINIC MONDAY MORNINGS AND WE TALK ABOUT FINDING THAT BALANCE THEY PROBABLY HAVE A BROKEN ANKLE.

TODAY IS NOT THE DAY TO DISCUSS THE MAMMOGRAM.

BUT IF WE HAVE NOT SEEN THEM IN A WHILE AND COMING IN WITH A COMPLAINT I'VE HAD THE SHOULDER INJURY FOR TWO MONTHS, YEP WE'LL ORDER THE X-RAY AND IF YOU ARE HEAR LET'S GET YOUR CHOLESTEROL SCREENING, DIABETES SCREENING BECAUSE A LOT OF THE CANCER SCREENINGS AND OTHER SCREENINGS TAKE ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS WE TRY TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN IN THAT MOMENT WITH VACCINES AND ANY LABS THAT HELP US IDENTIFY CHRONIC MEDICAL PROBLEM PRESIDENT.

>> Jeff: THIS TIME OF YEAR, IT'S DARK.

AND IT'S COLD.

AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GOING OUTSIDE FOR A WALK BUNDLE UP AND DO IT IT IS A GREAT IDEA IF IT'S NOT ICY OUT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TROUBLE THIS TIME OF YEAR SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER, THE WINTER BLUES HOW DOES THAT FIT INTO THE REALM OF THINGS WE CAN ATTACK IN A COUPLE OF SENTENCES?

>> SEASONAL DISORDER IS REAL I HAD IT IN MY MEDICAL SCHOOL THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR THAT I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT THIS IT MIGHT BE A TREND AND LITTLE THINGS LIKE YOU SAY EVEN IF YOU CANNOT GO OUTSIDE WHEN IT'S COLD PEOPLE BUY VITAMIN D LIGHTS GETTING TO A WINDOW HELPS WAKE YOU UP AND HONESTLY IMPROVE YOUR MOOD, TOO.

>> Jeff: Dr.

JESSICA LEE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU.

AND WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

[*] >> Jeff: NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALMOST TWO DECADES, THE BALTIMORE RAVENS ARE WITHOUT A HEAD COACH.

JOINING US NOW IS LONG TIME SPORTS WRITER JOHN EISENBERG, AUTHOR OF THE LEAGUE, THE EARLY YEARS OF THE NFL.

JOHN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU, JEFF.

>> Jeff: IN ADDITION TO YOUR NEWSPAPER CAREER, YOU ALSO WROTE COLUMNS FOR THE BALTIMORE RAVENS WEBSITE FOR ABOUT A DECADE.

SO YOU'VE BEEN AROUND THIS TEAM.

WERE YOU SURPRISED AT THE COACHING CHANGE?

>> I WAS VERY SURPRISED.

THESE -- I THOUGHT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A CHANGE AFTER THIS YEAR IT WASN'T A GREAT YEAR IT WOULD BE JOHN HARBAUGH SAYING WELL, MAYBE IT'S TIME AND I JUST READY FOR A NEW CHALLENGE OR WHATEVER.

SOMETHING.

I THOUGHT JOHN WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE DECISION.

AND AS NEAR AS I CAN TELL HE WAS NOT.

HE WAS FIRED.

AND FIRED REPORTEDLY ON THE PHONE.

THAT SHOCKED ME, BECAUSE THESE TWO GUYS ARE PARTNERS.

STEVE AND JOHN HARBAUGH WALKED TOGETHER FOR MANY YEARS AND SEE THEMSELVES AS PARTNERS IN THE FORTUNES OF THE BALTIMORE RAVENS.

SO THE FACT THAT IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED I HAVE TO SAY WAS SHOCKING TO ME.

>> Jeff: HARBAUGH HAD AN EXCEPTIONALLY LONG TENURE IN NFL TERMS, OF COURSE, NFL ALSO STANDS FOR NOT FOR LONG.

WHAT SURPRISED YOU ABOUT THAT TENURE?

WHAT STANDS OUT?

ARE THERE STORIES AS A QUASI INSIDER THAT YOU CAN TELL?

>> WELL, TRULY YES.

WHAT SURPRISED ME WAS THAT IT WENT ON AND WENT, 18 YEARS AND HE WOULD BE I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM.

HE WAS WELL AWARE THAT 18 YEARS, I MEAN I HAD NOT RECENTLY, BUT 18 YEARS IS REALLY LONG HE IS WELL AWARE COACHES ARE HIRED TO BE FIRED.

AND SOMETHING COULD EVENTUALLY HAPPEN.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT DID SURPRISE ME IT LASTED THAT LONG BUT I UNDERSTAND WHY IT DID.

I MEAN WHEN STEVE MADE THE CHANGE, FIRED BYIAN AFTER THE 2007 SEASON AND HIRED HARBAUGH AND SAID IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE, WHAT HE DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT BELAK IT WAS ONE GOOD YEAR ONE BAD YEAR.

STEVE SAID WE AIM TO EMULATE OUR RIVALS THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS WHO ARE GOOD EVERY YEAR.

WE WANT TO CONSISTENT CONTENDER AND JOHN HARBAUGH HE DID THAT.

HE CHECKED THAT BOX.

HE STARTED STRONG AND IT WAVERED WASN'T QUITE AS STRONG AS THE START.

BUT, THE RAVENS WERE CONSISTENT CONTENDERS.

AND HE DID WHAT BISH SHOTTY WANTED HE IS A VICTIM OF HIS OWN SUCCESS.

>> Jeff: JOHN HARBAUGH IS INSTANTLY AT OR NEAR THE TOP OF THE LIST OF COACHES WHO ARE AVAILABLE.

A LOT OF TEAMS HAVE FIRED THEIR HEAD COACHES.

JOHN EISENBERG, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF LET'S SAY THE GIANTS, WOULD YOU HIRE JOHN HARBAUGH?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IF I'M THE NEW YORK GIANTS WHO CAN'T GET OUT OF THEIR OWN WAY THE LAST 10 YEARS, I WOULD SAY ABSOLUTELY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF TEAMS THAT, I THINK JOHN HARBAUGH WOULD BE A GREAT FIT FOR BECAUSE HIS TRACK RECORD HE IS GOING TO BRING IN QUALITY COACHES AND HE IS GOING TO PUT TOGETHER A PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO BE YOU'RE GOING TO RISE UP YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE JUST A BOTTOM FEEDER YOU WILL BE COMPETITIVE EVERY WEEK.

THE BEST THING HARBAUGH DID IS PLAYERS PLAYED HARD FOR HIM.

THEY WERE COMPETITIVE EVERY WEEK.

SO, YEAH, IF I AM THE NEW YORK GIANTS IF I'M THE CLEVELAND BROWNS WOULD KILL FOR IT TO HAVE SOMEBODY TO HAVE A RECORD LIKE THAT.

YEAH, I WOULD HIRE HIM.

>> Jeff: HEAR THIS PHRASE ALL THE TIME THAT COACH SO AND SO LOST THE LOCKER ROOM.

YOU DON'T THINK THAT WAS THE CASE HERE?

>> I DON'T.

I DON'T THINK THAT WAS THE CASE.

THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF GRUMBLING THAT GOES ON WHEN YOU ARE NOT WINNING AND ESPECIALLY YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO WELL AND YOU ARE UNDERACHIEVING.

THAT CAN GET TRICKY IN THE LOCKER ROOM BUT I DON'T HE THINK ANYTHING WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY.

I THINK WHAT HAPPENED, I THINK STEVE PRETTY MUCH HE IS GOING TO SPEAK TO THE MEDIA AND THUS TO THE FANS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR YEARS THIS WEEK.

I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY.

HE TIPPED HIS HAND A LITTLE BIT IN HIS STATEMENT, THE DAY THAT WAS THE FIRING WAS ANNOUNCED, BECAUSE HE SAYS OUR GOAL HERE IS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS.

THE RAVENS AND RIGHTFULLY SEE THEMSELVES AS AN UPPER-LEVEL NFL FRANCHISE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THEY DRAFT WELL.

THEY ARE CONSISTENT CONTENDERS AS I SAID.

HOWEVER, WHAT'S HAPPENED IS THEY ARE NOT GETTING WHERE THEY WANT TO GO.

STEVE SAID WE AIM TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS.

THEY'VE ONLY BEEN IN THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ONE-TIME SINCE THEY WON SUPER BOWL XLVII, 12, 13 YEARS AGO.

AND THAT WAS A HOME GAME AND THEY LOST IT.

OTHER THAN THAT THE RECORD IS 4-7 IN THE PLAYOFFS OVER THOSE 13 YEARS.

SO I THINK STEVE AS THE C.E.O., HE IS NOT A MICRO MANAGER HE DOESN'T GET INVOLVED HE LETS PEOPLE DO THEIR JOBS BUT SEES HIMSELF WHEN IT'S TIME TO MAKE A BIG DECISION I WILL MAKE IT AND THIS IS A TEAM THAT HAS NOT BEEN GETTING WHERE IT WANTS TO GO PERIOD.

>> Jeff: A LITTLE BIT SURPRISING AN OWNER WHO DOESN'T DO PRESS CONFERENCES IS SUDDENLY DOING ONE TOMORROW.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WE MIGHT LEARN OUT OF THAT OTHER THAN SOMEBODY ASKED DID YOU REALLY FIRE HIM IN THE CAR AND WHY?

>> YEAH, I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO ASK HIM THAT I SURE HOPE SOMEONE ASKS HIM THAT.

I THINK HE IS TALKING ABOUT I MEAN, HE HATES IT.

HE DOESN'T WANT TO TALK HE DOESN'T LIKE THE QUESTIONS BUT I THINK HE REALIZES THAT IT IS TIME.

I MEAN, LISTEN THIS SEASON WHEN YOU LOSE SIX OUT OF YOUR NINE HOME GAMES THERE IS A LOST OF OF EMPTY SEATS AT THOSE GAMES.

YOU'RE DISAPPOINTING AT NIGHT GAMES YOU FALL FLAT YOU ARE BLOWING LEADS YOU ARE THE OWNER HERE WHAT DO YOU THINK?

THE TIME DOES COME.

HE CAN SORT OF GO WITHOUT WHEN YOU GET KNOCKED OUT AFTER A SEASON AND WIN A DIVISION AND YOU LOSE IN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS THAT IS FINE YOU CAN WALK AWAY BUT A SEASON LIKE THIS I THINK THE FANS NEED TO HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Jeff: SO YOU THINK THAT FIELD GOAL KICK AT THE END OF THE GAME IN PITTSBURGH IF IT HADN'T GONE OFF TO THE RIGHT, AND THE RAVENS HAD WON THAT GAME MAYBE THEY WOULD BE PLAYING MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL TONIGHT THAT HARBAUGH'S JOB WOULD BE SAFE OR NO?

>> THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

THAT ONE'S TOUGH TO SAY.

I MEAN, OKAY LET'S SAY THEY WIN THE DIVISION.

WITHOUT A DOUBT, EVEN IF THEY WON THAT DIVISION WITH A 9-8 RECORD AND THEY WERE PLAYING TONIGHT THEY WOULD COME IN UNDER EXPECTATIONS FOR HOW THEY EXPECTED THE SEASON TO GO.

THEY ARE GOING ON A PLAYOFF RUN, AND WIN TWO GAMES AND GET THEMSELVES INTO A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME COULD EASILY HAVE CHANGED THE DECISION, YES.

IT COULD HAVE CHANGED THE DECISION.

I THINK IT WAS HARD TO ENVISION THAT HAPPENING WITH THIS TEAM THIS YEAR, WHICH I THINK IS ANOTHER REASON WHY A CHANGE WAS MADE.

THIS TEAM, YOU KNOW, WAS LACKING IN CERTAIN WAYS.

THERE'S BEEN A TRADITION HERE UNFORTUNATELY OF BLOWING LEADS LATE IN GAMES THAT HAPPENED.

THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF PASS RUSH, INTERIOR, THE OFFENSIVE LINE WASN'T GREAT.

UP AND DOWN.

SO, IT WASN'T THERE WERE MISTAKES A LOT OF PENALTIES IN THAT LAST GAME DIDN'T LOOK LIKE A CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER TEAM AND THE DEFENSE REPEATEDLY NOT DELIVERING IN KEY SITUATIONS WHEN THERE WERE LEADS LATE IN GAMES.

IT'S HEART TO IMAGINE THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CHAMPIONSHIP RUN.

BUT CERTAINLY IF ONE HAD HAPPENED IT COULD HAVE CHANGED THINGS DRAMATICALLY.

>> Jeff: THE LIMITED RECORD THAT WE CAN LOOK AT IN TERMS OF STEVE HIRING HEAD COACHES HE HAS ONLY DONE IT ONCE AND HE WENT A LITTLE OUTSIDE OF AN OBVIOUS CHOICE HE PICKED SOMEBODY WITH MAYBE SMALLER RESUME, HADN'T BEEN A HEAD COACH, HADN'T BEEN AN OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CURRENT SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE A QUARTER BACK MVP CALIBER QUARTERBACK IN HIS PRIME WHAT KIND OF COACH DO YOU THINK THEY ARE LOOKING FOR?

>> I THINK, WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IT'S HARD FOR ME TO KNOW EXACTLY.

THERE ARE SEVERAL DIRECTIONS YOU CAN GO.

YOU CAN GO FOR I MEAN COACHING IS CHANGED SINCE JOHN HARBAUGH WAS HIRED.

A LOT OF THE GUYS ON THE SIDELINES WITH PLAY SHEETS THEY ARE CALLING THE PLAYS OFFENSIVELY.

A LOT MORE OF THOSE GUYS THE BEST COACHES IN THE NFL ARE DOING THAT.

STEVE HAS TO DECIDE AM I GOING TO HIRE ONE OF THOSE YOUNG GUNS OR DO I WANT MORE OF A C.E.O.

TYPE LIKE JOHN HARBAUGH WAS?

OR AM I GOING TO HIRE A DEFENSIVE MINDED COACH.

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GO WITH IT.

I THINK GOING INTO THIS, I'M NOT SURE IT'S CLEAR, I MEAN IT COULD BE AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY WHETHER HE KNOWS.

HE WAS BLOWN AWAY BY JOHN HARBAUGH IN THE INTERVIEW AND HE IS WAITING TO BE BLOWN AWAY AGAIN.

AND HE OPERATES ON FEEL IN THESE SITUATIONS AND I THINK HE IS GOING TO LET IT UNFOLD A LITTLE BIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Jeff: HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DO YOU THINK LAMAR JACKSON OUGHT TO HAVE ON THE PROCESS?

>> MY TWO CENTS I DON'T THINK HE SHOULD HAVE A TON OF INFLUENCE ON THE PROCESS.

NOT ZERO.

I MEAN THE NEW COPE, I THINK, CERTAINLY NEEDS TO GET ALONG WELL WITH LAMAR AND BE SOMEONE THAT LAMAR LIKES.

AND THEY NEED TO HAVE -- I'M NOT SURE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAMAR AND HARBAUGH WAS BAD.

I'M NOT NECESSARILY ALL IN ON THAT.

IT SEEMED TO BE EARLY ON WHEN I WAS IN THE BUILDING IT WAS FINE.

AND WHETHER IT WEATHERED A LITTLE BIT MAYBE, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH WHAT HAPPEN HADED WITH THE TEAM THIS YEAR AT YOU WILL A. THE INJURIES TO LAMAR WERE A LOT BIGGER IMPACT ON LAMAR'S PLAY THAN WHATEVER HIS RELATIONSHIP WAS IT THE COACH.

IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A NEW COACH THAT GETS ALONG HE IS IMPORTANT TO THE TEAM.

THERE NEEDS TO BE A GOOD CONNECTION THERE.

>> Jeff: WELL, SPEAKING OF LEADERSHIP CHANGES IN SPORTS, THE ORIOLES ARE GETTING A NEW MANAGER FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON.

ONE OF MANY REASONS WE LOOK FORWARD TO SPRING AND YOU CAN TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT IF YOU WANT, AND ALSO YOUR PROJECT CALLED THE BIRD TAPES?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THANKS FOR MENTIONING THAT.

THAT IS WHAT MY CURRENT PUBLISHING PROJECT IS.

I HAVE A BALTIMORE ORIOLES HISTORY PROJECT ON-LINE AT BIRD TAPES.COMMON IT IS A DEEP DIVE IN THE HISTORY OF THE ORIOLES INCLUDING INTERVIEWS WITH SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NO LONGER LIVING, EARL WEAVER AND BROOKS ROBINSON I'M DOING NEW INTERVIEWS WITH PEOPLE.

I'M WRITING ABOUT THINGS IT HAS A LOT OF SUBSCRIBERS AND IT'S DOING GREAT.

YOU KNOW, IT IS A A INTERESTING PROJECT THAT I'M ENJOYING IN LIEU OF A BOOK.

I LIKE THAT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEASON WITH THE ORIOLES.

AGAIN, NOT A LITTLE BIT SHOCKED BY WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE OFF SEASON THEY SPENT A LOT OF MONEY THEY HAVE A NEW MANAGER WHO I HAVE NOT BEEN AROUND HIM BUT I LIKE THE VIBE.

AND I THINK IT'S DIAGNOSE TO BE AN INTERESTING SEASON AND A MUCH BETTER SEASON THAN LAST YEAR.

>> Jeff: SPORTS WRITER JOHN EISENBERG ALWAYS A PLEASURE WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: JOIN US FRIDAY AT 7:00 P.M.

FOR "STATE CIRCLE" WE WILL HAVE COVERAGE.

NEW SESSION OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" THIS FRIDAY AT 7:00 P.M.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "DIRECT CONNECTION".

AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[*]