With Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti holding his season-review press conference on Friday, Iโve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. The news of the day was Bisciotti revealing Ozzie Newsome would step down as general manager after 2018 with Eric DeCosta then taking over. Newsome doesnโt like the limelight and did release a statement confirming heโd retain a โsignificantโ role, but he should have been the one to announce this.
2. Meanwhile, Bisciotti admitted firing John Harbaugh was a โconsiderationโ after the season, but the owner refused to give a โplayoffs or bustโ edict for 2018. I respect that, but youโd think it would take some extreme circumstances to preserve Harbaughโs job if Baltimore misses the postseason again.
3. Itโs telling that Bisciotti remains steadfast to the long-term plan of DeCosta taking over as general manager while Harbaughโs seat appears so warm, especially when looking at the lack of playmakers and underwhelming drafts in recent years that havenโt exactly helped the 53-man roster.
4. Beyond the Newsome news, Bisciotti acknowledging the loss of heralded scouts like Joe Douglas having a harmful effect was arguably the most significant nugget. The Ravens have developed many great scouts over the years, but infusing some experienced eyes from outside the organization wouldnโt hurt.
5. I havenโt put much stock into the narrative of the coaching staff having too much influence on recent drafts, but Bisciottiโs theory that the Ravens have โover-analyzedโ their top 60 prospects in recent drafts with too many opinions is interesting. Is he talking about the scouts, the coaches, or both?
6. Bisciotti saying he has โbigger fish to fryโ than finding Joe Flaccoโs successor should squash notions of the Ravens drafting a quarterback early. Itโs the only logical way to proceed now, but the clock is ticking before it becomes possible to cut him starting next year and especially after 2019.
7. I buy Flaccoโs injured back being a major detriment to his play early in the season, but color me skeptical hearing Bisciotti say the offseason focus will be on acquiring weapons for the quarterback. Perhaps itโs fitting this presser took place on Groundhog Day since weโve heard that one before.
8. Bisciotti comparing the losses to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati the last two seasons to Jacoby Jonesโ touchdown against Denver falls flat when considering these defeats occurred in the regular season โ not the divisional round. The โweโre closeโ narrative conveniently overlooks all the mediocrity leading up to those defining moments.
9. As the owner noted, the Ravens arenโt going 4-12 every season and remain competitive, but I couldnโt help but recall the days when Bisciotti would dwell on his team not securing enough home playoff games. In that context, itโs difficult not to feel the standard has diminished recently.
10. Baltimore is again tight against the salary cap, but the mention of restructuring Brandon Williamsโ contract isnโt ideal when the 29-year-old already has scheduled cap figures north of $12 million from 2019-21. This practice typically results in diminished value from otherwise-still-productive veterans having cap numbers that are too expensive.
11. Bisciotti bristled at questions about the Ravens being stagnant and at a crossroads, but missing the playoffs four out of five years, a pending general manager change, a coach on the hot seat, an under-producing quarterback with recent health concerns, and declining attendance pretty much speak for themselves, donโt they?
12. Bisciotti deserves credit for answering questions and reaffirmed his passion for owning the Ravens. Thereโs work to do on and off the field, but fans should be encouraged to hear heโll be around for the โforeseeable futureโ as owner. Old Colts fans can remind you the grass isnโt always greener.
Twelve Ravens thoughts on Steve Bisciotti's press conference
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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