With general manager Eric DeCosta meeting with local reporters last week, I’ve offered a dozen Ravens thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. The longer negotiations linger, the more I feel Lamar Jackson is making a mistake not having a certified agent. DeCosta saying Jackson feels he has “unfinished business” on the field is exactly why someone should be handling real business for him. A former MVP doesn’t need to “bet on himself.”
2. Credit DeCosta saying it was his own mistake to expect Ronnie Stanley to return to form in 2021 when the explanation for the “big setback” is likely more complicated. While expressing optimism for next season, the executive acknowledged the need to focus heavily on building the offensive line.
3. DeCosta said the Ravens will “probably add two guys possibly” on the offensive line this offseason, which sounds about right. You’d anticipate one being a center — either re-signing Bradley Bozeman or adding someone else — and the other to be an offensive tackle with legitimate ability to play both sides.
4. It’s long been a reflex to scoff at expressed optimism about Ravens receivers, but they’re in much better shape than they’ve been in a long time, especially when you include Mark Andrews in that conversation. That doesn’t mean they should close the door on opportunities to improve there, of course.
DeCosta “very comfortable” with Ravens wide receivers entering 2022: https://t.co/W8Z7T8opJT
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) February 7, 2022
5. DeCosta confirmed the expected return of Marcus Peters and compared him to Michael McCrary, Matt Birk, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Smith as veterans who made a profound mark on the organization despite beginning their careers elsewhere. “He provides such an authentic perspective on what this game is all about.”
6. It was interesting to hear DeCosta express the opinion that Tyus Bowser will be “full strength” and “ready to go” for training camp despite tearing his Achilles tendon in the Jan. 9 season finale. That optimism shouldn’t alter the overall outlook at outside linebacker, a position needing impact depth.
7. In contrast, he was cautious speaking on J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards despite each being several months removed from their knee injuries. Perhaps the answer was a result of the question coming at the end of a 45-minute presser, but drafting a running back on Day 3 wouldn’t be surprising.
8. Despite knowing they “need to get younger” on the defensive line, the Ravens shouldn’t close the door on Calais Campbell returning at the right price. He’ll be 36 and doesn’t offer the same pass rush, but he still played well in 2021 and multiple additions in the trenches are needed.
9. DeCosta made clear the secondary will remain a major focus from a roster-building standpoint with a desire to add more dynamic ability. “I would love to see us make the play this year coming up — intercept more passes, cause more fumbles, be more disruptive.” The Ravens finished 29th in takeaways.
10. Asked about Joe Hortiz interviewing for the Giants general manager opening — Joe Schoen ultimately got the job — last month, DeCosta said, “A smart team is going to hire him.” He also went out of his way to praise national scout David Blackburn as “an excellent evaluator” for the Ravens.
11. Beyond laughing at silly fan criticisms of incoming team president and former Cleveland Browns executive Sashi Brown with the Ravens having made clear he’ll handle all “non-football” business, there’s no denying the colossal challenge of filling the shoes of the retiring Dick Cass. It’s the end of quite an era.
12. The Friday evening timing of the announcement was peculiar, but you can’t help but think Cass preferred as little fanfare as possible. In the wake of the Brian Flores lawsuit, however, I suspect the NFL would have liked more attention on Baltimore hiring the league’s second Black team president.
