DeCosta said the Ravens will move "boldly" to embrace the vanguard of football analysisRAVENS
The Ravens yesterday formally introduced new Exec VP & GM Eric DeCosta, who is succeeding Ozzie Newsome, and what made DeCosta "so attractive to outsiders" is also "what might separate him from his predecessor," according to Jonas Shaffer of the BALTIMORE SUN. While serving as Assistant GM, his "role as Newsome’s lieutenant, DeCosta offered opinions and supported decisions." He laid out a "future for the franchise where the Ravens would be on the cutting edge of analytics, technology, teaching principles, research and scouting." It is a "new approach for a new era." DeCosta "knows well the challenges of replacing a GM whose front-office career is worthy" of Pro Football HOF consideration. His task now is to "perpetuate what Newsome did well and address what he did not" (BALTIMORE SUN, 1/31). In Baltimore, Childs Walker writes DeCosta will "move aggressively to create salary-cap room but not in the name of chasing big-ticket free agents." The Ravens could "trim a long list of expensive veterans if they want to reshape their budget aggressively." However, "don’t expect the Ravens to go hog wild on the open market," as DeCosta "preaches fiscal responsibility as fervently as his predecessor." DeCosta said that the Ravens will "move boldly to embrace the vanguard of football analysis." DeCosta: “In terms of other sports, we’re definitely behind, in general. Baseball, the NBA, Premier League soccer, those guys are doing some really cutting-edge stuff. We talk to those teams. We try to network” (BALTIMORE SUN, 1/31).
STICKING AROUND: The SUN's Shaffer noted Newsome's role with the Ravens after stepping down as GM is "still unclear." DeCosta said Newsome will “play such a significant role moving forward for this organization.” Shaffer noted he will have an "office at the team facility" and "help out in the predraft process." However, details on his role in the organization, including title, are "otherwise vague." DeCosta said that Newsome’s long-standing connections would help him address "some of his blind spots ... from the league office to help with 'old-school, old-time agents'" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 1/30).
