OWINGS MILLS, Md. — With the Ravens overcoming their December struggles to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in 12 years, much discussion has naturally reflected on the decision to fire offensive coordinator Cam Cameron on Dec. 10.
Needless to say, the move has worked beautifully for the Baltimore offense as Cameron himself even admitted it was a “brilliant” move in an interview with the New York Times, but general manager Ozzie Newsome was asked Friday how involved he and owner Steve Bisciotti were in the decision to part ways with the coordinator. Newsome acknowledged that he and Harbaugh interacted a great deal in discussing the merits and drawbacks of making such a change so late in the season, but the longtime general manager made it clear neither he nor Bisciotti pushed Harbaugh to fire Cameron.
Newsome emphatically denied that notion, repeating the word no multiple times as he shook his head.
“That wouldn’t be fair to John,” Newsome said. “John has to stand before his coaching staff and his players. If at any one point do they ever think that he is overly influenced by Steve and I, then he loses his staff and his players. It has to be him.”
According to Newsome, he and Harbaugh discussed the possibility of making the change on the ride home following the Ravens’ 31-28 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins on Dec. 9.
Harbaugh came to Newsome with the final verdict to fire Cameron on Monday morning.
“When he walked in my office and told me that he was going to make that decision, he had a peace about himself,” Newsome said.
Of course, WNST.net’s Drew Forrester reported a different version of the events leading up to Cameron’s departure HERE.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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