[Blogs] DeCosta Chooses To Stay In Baltimore

[BR News]

The Ravens are keeping one of the NFL’s top player evaluators and front office executives in Baltimore.

Director of Player Personnel Eric DeCosta has chosen to turn down interviews from multiple teams looking for their next general manager.

“Since this franchise started in 1996, we’ve established a strong history of retaining our most important executives, players, coaches and personnel experts,” Ravens General Manager and Executive Vice President Ozzie Newsome said in a statement.

“Eric, who has had opportunities to interview with other teams recently and over the years, is another one we want to keep and will keep. He has chosen to stay with the Ravens, and we’re excited that he will. He is a most valuable asset and will continue to help us win championships.”

DeCosta has been a hot name around NFL circles, particularly this past week as teams are shaking up their leadership. Reportedly, the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams all requested to interview him.

But DeCosta has a deep loyalty to Newsome and the Ravens, and ties to the region. His wife is from Maryland and he has young children in school here.

“I’ve been part of this organization for 15 years,” DeCosta told BaltimoreRavens.com in April. “This club gave me a chance. I started here and I want to finish here.”

DeCosta rose from an entry-level position to area scout, then director of college scouting, and was subsequently promoted to director of player personnel in 2009.

During DeCosta’s tenure as scouting director, the Ravens drafted Pro Bowlers such as linebacker Terrell Suggs (2003), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (2006), fullback Le’Ron McClain (2007), and running back Ray Rice (2008) and a number of other key contributors including quarterback Joe Flacco (2008) and linebacker Jarret Johnson (2003).

With even more responsibility now, he largely sets the Ravens’ draft board.

DeCosta has been called Newsome’s general-manager-in-waiting.

“I think Eric knows how highly regarded he is in Baltimore, but when you have a guy as successful as Ozzie Newsome in the job, there’s not a ton of promises that you can make,” Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti said in March 2010.

“His relationship with Ozzie is just as solid as any relationship I’ve seen in the NFL. He’s so happy in his job that I think it will take a perfect job to get his serious consideration. Eric is going to make a great GM someday.”

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2012/01/06/decosta-chooses-to-stay-in-baltimore/]View the full article[/url]

[WNC-Raven]

Your the best Eric!
Here's to many more years of prosperity in Maryland.

[RavensInNC]

[quote name='BR News' timestamp='1325872510' post='936531']

“This club gave me a chance. [url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2011/04/Inside_DeCostas_Draft_Mind.aspx"]I started here and I want to finish here.[/url]”
[/quote]

I like this guy! Yet another true Raven!

[ZooDane]

Great news. This guy knows his stuff and we're lucky that he wants to, and will, be around for years to come.

[RavenSwag]

Glad you're staying here in Baltimore Eric. Looking at the players you drafted to our team is very impressive. You definitely have "the eye" for talent. Hope you stay here until the wizard of Oz steps down...then the slogan will be In Eric We Trust.

[RexGdubb]

This is very good news 2 me another key piece stays put in b-more!Thanx eric for showing other people the true meaning of LOYALTY/RAVEN 4 LIFE!

[POE]

I love this kind of stuff! This is why the Ravens' franchise continues to climb up the charts as best sports franchise in the world. Love this team!!!

[Purple&Black]

this speaks not only about him as a person, but how great this organization is. aren't many other organizations that can say the same

[Purple&Black]

happy to say this man went to my college

[RaYvens11]

This guys is incredible! instead of in Ozzie we trust, we have to add Decosta in there, these two dont make any decision without eachother,

"In Ozzcosta we trust"

[HardKnocks]

Where is the success, where is the loyality... Right here in Baltimore. Why try to build another team that may not hold loyal to you like the Ravens. Very good decision young jedi. You serve your team well and you will be rewarded.

[parksprodigy]

Awesome! Another top exec sticking around a great organization. Now let's put some rings on all those fingers!

[WestCoastRaven20]

I love the loyalty within this organization. From front office personel to the players. Thats what keeps the talent coming in!

[Dr. Death]

Probably echoing 10 previous posts, but this is just ONE MORE example that what we have with this team is special. From top to bottom, this team is special and people want to be a part of what we have here.

Dr. D

[Purple&Black]

this is going to be a fun playoff run. i can feel it.

i want a superbowl for more than just one reason. we can finally get the analysis off our back and off our qb. since everyone other than ravens fans seem to think we are in pitts shadow, we can finally move from under that. have ray lewis go out on top if this is his last year. and finally give ed reed and suggs a ring that they deserve. plus how sweet would it be to win in indy...

[AsianRice]

Damn, I'm so happy that Eric is loyal to the Ravens nation; we're fortunate to have Eric as closed as to Ozzie in term of football intelligent wise, who is going to be the Ravens GM succesor someday. Thanks Eric for your loyalty......

[ravens7575]

Thanks for staying in Baltimore Eric! Your loyalty is not going unnoticed, I promise you that! Any decision made by Steve Bisciotti and Ozzie Newsome is OK by us! Whenever Ozzie retires (hopefully not anytime soon), we'll be saying "In Eric We Trust."

[I Roll With Purple n Black]

We already have Play Like A Raven and Coach Like A Raven! DeCosta is the embodiment of being Loyal Like A Raven. I love it! We love you Front Office! You guys are doing a phenominal job and have been for many years. Keep it up.

LOYAL LIKE A RAVEN !

[RavensRumRunner]

"I started here and I want to finish here!"

You just gotta love it.

Baltimore Ravens - Best Franchise in the NFL!!!

[Zeus]

I hope the steelers lose this weekend

[grape drank]

THANK YOU ERIC!

[Marc Eaton]

Thank you Eric for putting family first! Ravens are a family. Now bring on the Squeelers.

[cobrajet]

This is the best organization in the NFL. Sometimes is is not about the money. Eric, you will not regret it.

[balfan23]

YES! Look at so many organizations around sports (and with the Orioles in town, you don't have to look far) that just appear to be diseased. It is great that the Ravens are a model organization and that we have quality people like Eric that understand that, are comfortable here and know that one day that top job will be theirs.

[RR27Raven]

We r easily the best Organization in the NFL. Thank u Eric! Ur patience and loyalty will b rewarded.

[jrs034]

he is great he's obviously very loyal but I am ver surprised he at least didn't go for the interview and possibly leave for the Colts because in my opinion they're in the best position in the entire NFL considering they have the #1 pick and Peyton Manning but I am so happy he's deciding to stay

[coreyadams]

"Good things comes to those that wait!"
Good decision DeCosta.

[kuhl_ravens]

YES!!! im soooo happy to hear this, i was worried, decosta is the man!!! thank you for staying!

[Rice Rice Baby]

Kudos to the front office! Always handling their business!

[The Greek]

this means that ozzie will retire within 5 years. smart of you to stay on