NEW ORLEANS — The Ravens moved indoors Thursday.
After practicing in the wind on Wednesday inside Tulane’s baseball stadium, the Ravens decided to move their practices for the rest of the week to the Saints practice facility, where the 49ers are practicing.
Tulane’s football stadium is currently under construction, so the NFL helped make a football field inside the baseball stadium. But the Ravens complained about the surface being hard on Wednesday. The Ravens had to get approval from the 49ers to practice at the Saints’ practice center, which also has an indoor field.
“This wouldn’t have worked out if the coaches didn’t know each other,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh told ESPN.
Harbaugh’s brother Jim may not have signed off on it for anyone but a relative. So, the Ravens practiced and the 49ers practiced there at roughly the same time.
“The field at Tulane University was a little hard. The wind was OK, but we would rather be inside for the timing of our passing game,” Harbaugh told ESPN.
To avoid the leaking of any state secrets, the NFL — with the help of the Saints and local merchants — was able to acquire about 100 feet of piping drapes to block the views of both teams.
The league covered up all the windows in the weight room. The brothers worked together on the arrangements.
“Just cooperating spirits,’’ 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said.
* Ravens quarterback J
oe Flacco is scheduled to become a free agent in March, but it doesn’t sound like the Ravens will let that happen.
“We have a franchise quarterback, he’s going to get franchise money,” team owner Steve Bisciotti said. “We’ve got our quarterback for the next 10 years and we’re going to ride Joe.”
Flacco has won a playoff game in each of his first five seasons and has the Ravens a win away from a Super Bowl title. The Ravens could use the franchise tag on Flacco at about $14.6 million if they can’t reach a long-term deal.
Flacco said the contract uncertainty has not been a distraction.
* Earlier this week, Flacco said having the Super Bowl next year at cold-weather MetLife Stadium was “retarded’’ before catching himself and settling on ‘‘stupid.’’ Beth Hirschhorn, the MetLife Chief Marketing Officer, was on the scene and eagerly waiting to respond.
“Joe Flacco should be dreaming of playing at MetLife Stadium this Sunday because against the 49ers he would have a huge cold-weather advantage,’’ Hirschhorn said.
Asked if Flacco’s comments were upsetting, Hirschhorn said “Initially it was, but now that everybody is talking about it, it’s a benefit. MetLife Stadium is a cold-weather location and it’s going to be great.You heard the commissioner [Roger Goodell] say it himself, that football is meant to be played in the elements. I couldn’t have said it any better.’’
Though the idea of a Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium was promoted as a one-shot deal, that’s not currently the thinking. Osi Umenyiora, on hand to support the New York/New Jersey Super Bowl, agreed with Hirschhorn’s assessment.
“We hope this is the first of many Super Bowls in New York and that it will be such a successful event for the community, the fans, the players and the teams that they will not cross off cold-weather locations after this Super Bowl 48 in New York and New Jersey,’’ Hirschhorn said.
“Football’s made to be played in the elements,” he said. “I think it’s a brilliant idea to have one Super Bowl at least at MetLife Stadium.’’
* Justin Tuck said the Giants are planning on changing the way their defensive line rushes the passer, adjusting to having Robert Griffin III in their division, which now also includes coach Chip Kelly with the Eagles.
“I think we’re going to have a different way of attacking those offenses,’’ Tuck said. “I think we’re going to be a little bit more successful with it. The game is constantly changing and you have to be versatile and multi-versed and do different things.
“Guys did different things against us and we didn’t adjust as we needed to. In no way am I saying the coaching staff didn’t do their job. We got to figure out ways to click again.’’
* Ravens safety Ed Reed, asked if there’s a trend that Super Bowl teams have two great safeties, gave a shout-out to two Giants players.
“Yeah, I mean, look at New York,’’ Reed said. “ With Antrel [Rolle] and Kenny Phillips over there, who just so happen to be Miami guys. But yeah, you have to have somebody in that last line of defense who is getting guys lined up and making plays back there.’’
* 49ers LBs Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks were limited in practice for the second consecutive day.