Newsome soaking in final run as Ravens' GM
INDIANAPOLIS -- Ozzie Newsome said the succession plan to hand over the Baltimore Ravens' general manager duties to longtime assistant Eric DeCosta was set during a meeting in Florida with owner Steve Bisciotti five years ago.
Bisciotti announced earlier this month that 2018 would be Newsome's final year as GM, but that he will remain with the team in an unspecified capacity.
"Five years has gone really, really fast," Newsome said at the Scouting Combine on Friday, the first time he has met with the media since the announcement. It's a little bit like when I announced my retirement as a player. You get a chance to get the pats on your back."
Newsome, who moved with the franchise from Cleveland in 1996, has spent 16 years as the Ravens' GM. During that time, Baltimore has won two Super Bowl titles. Meanwhile, the other 31 NFL teams have gone through a combined 149 general managers. That includes a league-high by the Browns since 1999.
Newsome has drafted two Hall of Fame players in offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and linebacker Ray Lewis. At least two more are likely to join them in safety Ed Reed, who is eligible, and linebacker Terrell Suggs, who is still active. Also among his draft picks have been three NFL Defensive Players of the Year and an Offensive Player of the Year.
"You understand the wins and the losses, but I think the biggest thing that i've gained is my relationship with the players," Newsome said. "I get a chance to be a bit of a life coach because of my experiences as a player and as a coach. That has probably been my most enjoyable experience."
DeCosta has been by his side for much of that run, and has turned down multiple opportunities to take over the GM role for other teams.
"No. 1, he's a very good person," Newsome said, adding that DeCosta saw the Ravens as a "bare-bone" organization. "He's a very good talent evaluator. He'd had a chance to watch how this thing has grown, but he has also seen how this thing was built."
Newsome said his future role hasn't been determined, but he'll "be in the building" as a resource to DeCosta and Bisciotti.
For now, Newsome's focus is on next month's NFL draft, and restocking the roster will players who can help the Ravens return to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
"I don't like not playing in January," he said. "I think we all should have that burning on us, but that's part of it. That's why we get up and go to work every day. We want to be like Philadelphia, we want to be Super Bowl champs."
--Derek Harper, Field Level Media
