So one of the most respected current football executives will once again run the Baltimore Ravens War Room on draft day. Ozzie Newsome has been working in the front office of this team since they still wore the Brown and Orange in a different city. He started off as the Director of Pro Personnel but since 2002 he has been the Ravens GM, and over the last five years has helped the Ravens be one of the better drafting teams in the NFL.
That is saying a lot since his 2010 first pick has yet to play a down of football, and his second second round pick is due to see a big increase in his playing time. The fact here is Newsome has a knack for finding guys who produce for his team. Not only first rounders like QB Joe Flacco or OG Ben Grubbs, but also in the second round like RB Ray Rice. We know that he likes to draft guys from the SEC, and that he likes to stockpile draft picks, so he could move down.
Over the last five years he has made 40 draft picks for the Ravens and 28 of them are still wearing the purple and black of his team. Not a great number but the ones that have stayed have made big impacts. Three of them have been to the pro bowl, 11 are starters, and 19 more are backups. Only three of these men are currently out of the NFL. Overall those are pretty good numbers.
Related Links:
- Baltimore Ravens news and notes
- Joshua Lobdell.com