Ravens' Harbaugh: Cutting Monroe about football, not marijuana advocacy

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh dismissed the notion his team's release of offensive tackle Eugene Monroe had anything to do with Monroe's controversial stance on marijuana.

Harbaugh told reporters Thursday that Monroe's release was purely a football decision and not influenced by Monroe's stated belief that the NFL should permit players to use marijuana as a painkiller.

"I have the utmost respect for Eugene Monroe," Harbaugh told reporters Thursday. "Football circumstances changed from the end of the season until now. 100 percent football circumstances. That's all it ever was. It's no reflection on Eugene Monroe in any way."

Monroe, who's coming off shoulder surgery, was released Wednesday after the Ravens failed to find a trade partner.

He suggested after his release that his marijuana stance could've been a factor.

"As I've said in the past, (the Ravens) have distanced themselves from me and made it clear that they do not support my advocacy," Monroe said.

In hindsight, the Ravens have likely been planning to cut ties with the oft-injured Monroe for months. The team tried to retain versatile lineman Kelechi Osemele in free agency (perhaps with the promise Osemele would move to left tackle) and spent its first-round pick on Ronnie Stanley, Monroe's replacement.

Could Monroe's beliefs have played a role? Certainly. But it's apparent the Ravens will do everything they can to quash that notion.