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An 8-8 record simply isn't acceptable in Pittsburgh or Baltimore for their NFL teams. Both have become two of the top franchises in professional football and when the don't make the postseason, fingers will be pointed towards the exit for coaches and players. With Mike Tomlin firmly entrenched as the Steelers head coach and John Harbaugh set for a long time as the Ravens head man, eyes go towards their assistants.
Per Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun, the Ravens have let go of their running backs coach.
Ravens announce running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery won't be returning. Ravens' running game was dreadful this season
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) January 3, 2014
Wilson's use of the word "dreadful" is being kind. Ray Rice was a shell of his former Pro Bowl self, racking up a 3.1 yards per carry average and 660 rushing yards. Rice's backup, Bernard Pierce also had an awful year with a 2.9 yards per carry average and just 436 yards on the ground. Both players looked tentative when there was the rare hole that opened up for them.
Ultimately, the lack of a running game doomed the Ravens' season and caused them to be one-dimensional. Joe Flacco took a lot of hits during the year and Baltimore was eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in Harbaugh's stint as the Ravens head coach.