Ozzie Newsome’s job is to bring in enough talent for the Ravens to contend for the postseason, each and every year. He has done just that.
Over the last few weeks I’ve heard a lot of Ravens’ fans point the finger at GM Ozzie Newsome. He’s the reason, they say, why the team has struggled since winning the 2012 Super Bowl.
Here’s what I think: I’m absolutely sick of the whining!
Ozzie Newsome’s job is to bring in enough talent for the Ravens to contend for the postseason, each and every year. In my opinion he has done just that!
Look at the draft.
Ozzie found multiple diamonds-in-the-rough, players like Phernell Mcphee, Zardarius Smith, Kenneth Dixon and Tavon Young. Yes, you can point to misses, but every team has those from time-to-time. The Ravens are no different.
Ozzie also has a great track record in free agency. He has a knack for getting great locker room guys without overpaying. Consider Eric Weddle, whom Ozzie brought in to bolster the secondary. Weddle, a leader on the team, has also become a fan favorite. Another example is Ben Watson. Ozzie brought him in despite being injured. Watson has community presence and is a leader in the locker room.
If you want to point the finger, point at the coaching staff. You can’t blame Newsome for Marc Trestman’s and Marty Mornhinweg’s reluctance to run the ball. You can’t blame Newsome for John Harbaugh’s questionable clock management.
All I’m saying is this: Lay off Ozzie!