Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti used Thursday's "State of the Ravens" address to "preach about the importance of staying the course," dismissing talk of significant changes "following one of the worst years in franchise history," according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore SUN. There were "no significant revelations" in the group interview with Bisciotti, team President Dick Cass, GM Ozzie Newsome and coach John Harbaugh, which was "probably most notable for the lack of drama and emotion, and the insistence on continuity." There was "no tough talk" from Bisciotti, and "no warning of pending change if things didn't improve quickly." The Ravens' top decision-makers will "head to Jupiter, Fla., to take part in organizational meetings at Bisciotti's home starting Jan. 15" (Baltimore SUN, 1/8). In Baltimore, Mike Preston writes after listening to Bisciotti, it "seemed as if the team had a winning season instead of losing 11 of 16 games." Ravens execs "made it appear as if everything was fine," and there were "no ultimatums or idle threats." Preston: "I agree with the owner. I wouldn't make many major changes either, not with a general manager and coach who have been to the playoffs in six of the past eight years. But this group can't have another season like this, or there will be a shake-up" (Baltimore SUN, 1/8). Also in Baltimore, Jon Meoli notes Newsome was asked questions about how long he "expects to stay in the role he has held" since '02. Newsome said that he still "enjoys 'every aspect' of his job, and this season didn’t hamper his enthusiasm at all." Newsome's "likely successor" is Ravens Assistant GM Eric DeCosta, who "always is considered for general-manager openings around the league." Bisciotti said that it "'certainly appears' that DeCosta will be around for a while" (Baltimore SUN, 1/8).
FREEZE IT: In Baltimore, Jonathan Munshaw reported the Ravens "won't increase ticket prices for the third straight year." The team "also froze prices" in '14 and '15 "after prices were bumped up" by 10% following the Ravens' Super Bowl-winning season in '13. Between '01-09, the team "increased prices on an every-other-year basis." The price freeze comes as the Ravens were 5-11 in '15, the "first time they were below .500" since '07 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/7).
