Ozzie Newsome (Merged)

[I AM LEGEND]

Is it time that we put his feet to the fire?

How much is he to blame for the mess this year? Or the front office in general?

Year after year the Ravens usually get away with letting a key group of guys go in the off-season...it seems this year it finally caught up to us.

What area would yall like to see Ozzie/Front office focus on more in the future?

[redrum52]

I want to say tank, but damn it, SSS can't go out like that. There's nothing he can or should do now. Just have to let the dumpster fire burn.

Edited October 12, 2015 by redrum52

[PurpleCity5]

When you don't have cap, then it's going to be tough. I think we'll make moves this offseason. 

[I AM LEGEND]

When you don't have cap, then it's going to be tough. I think we'll make moves this offseason.

So speaking on the cap...I think it's been a huge problem since the superbowl season..

Bad Contracts..with no outs.

But honestly if your name isn't Brandon Williams/davis/Jernigan/Mosley or Jimmy...then I think Ozzie should look into letting them go depending on cap hit of course..this team from a cap standpoint has to start over.

[PurpleCity5]

So speaking on the cap...I think it's been a huge problem since the superbowl season..

Bad Contracts..with no outs.

But honestly if your name isn't Brandon Williams/davis/Jernigan/Mosley or Jimmy...then I think Ozzie should look into letting them go depending on cap hit of course..this team from a cap standpoint has to start over.

Bad contracts but we really lucked out. If Webb never had that torn ACL we wouldn't even be bringing up his contract, same with Pitta. 

 

When it comes to drafting when was the last time we picked as high the top 10? Long ago. I think with a top ten pick Oz will be putting in some serious work. 

[I AM LEGEND]

Bad contracts but we really lucked out. If Webb never had that torn ACL we wouldn't even be bringing up his contract, same with Pitta.

When it comes to drafting when was the last time we picked as high the top 10? Long ago. I think with a top ten pick Oz will be putting in some serious work.

Yea but Oz has some stinkers...that elam/brown draft....ugh...that's ur first 2 picks that most likely won't be on ur team in 2 years.

[PurpleCity5]

Yea but Oz has some stinkers...that elam/brown draft....ugh...that's ur first 2 picks that most likely won't be on ur team in 2 years.

That was a weak class and it returned with Brandon Williams and Ricky Wagner. Yeah, those first two picks didn't pan out, if you ask me I'd trade both of them for DeAndre Hopkins. 

[Tru11]

injuries are part of the game.

 

cant really pinpoint who is to blame for that.

[Static]

Bad contracts but we really lucked out. If Webb never had that torn ACL we wouldn't even be bringing up his contract, same with Pitta.

When it comes to drafting when was the last time we picked as high the top 10? Long ago. I think with a top ten pick Oz will be putting in some serious work.

1996 - Ogden @ 4

1997 - Peter Boulware @ 4

1998 - Duane Starks(?) @ 10

1999 - Chris McAlister @ 10

2000 - Jamal Lewis @ 5 & Travis Taylor(?) @ 10

2003 - Suggs @ 10

2006 - Ngata @ 12

[I AM LEGEND]

Splitting with Boldin over 2 million still hurts.

Paying pitta and rice for 0% production hurts.

Not too upset with parting ways with ngata bc of the money...but I do think Ozzie gave the reigns to Williams/Jernigan way to fast.

I think Oz and ALL OF US..took Torrey for granted. Now maybe none of us would've matched 40 million. But maybe if our cap situation looked better maybe we could have gave that to him.

I think Ozzie needs to look at anyone making more than 4 million a year and seriously evaluate whether or not we can get rid of them..this team has money tied up in positions that aren't getting the job done.

I'd rather start over with draft picks then to watch players making 3-8 million a year stinking it up..

[Tru11]

 can people stop with the bad contracts ?

 

when rice signed his deal nobody could predict that he would slap his wife on camera in the future.

at the time he signed the contract he was 1 of the top players at his position.

 

webb same as well.

when he signed his contract in the offseason of 2012 he being viewed at 1 of the top corners in the NFL.

aint no way anyone could predict he would get a bad injury later that season and never be the same since.

 

pitta many seem to forget he got back after his first injury and played some games with out getting an injury.

he played week 14 of the 2013 season all the way to week 17 without much issues.

he then signed his new deal in feb 2014 and everything was fine till sept 21 when he got re injured.

 

again you could not have predicted this.

[GrimCoconut]

No, Ozzie shouldn't go anywhere yet but some blame is certainly shared on his end. I'd like Ozzie and John to decide what kind of identity they want this team to have and draft players to fit that identity. If we're to be a top offense with a bad defense, then so be it.

[Edgar]

No, Ozzie shouldn't go anywhere yet but some blame is certainly shared on his end. I'd like Ozzie and John to decide what kind of identity they want this team to have and draft players to fit that identity. If we're to be a top offense with a bad defense, then so be it.

So be it? I don't think that would be ozzie's intent in any way and I couldn't get on board with that sentiment. A head scratcher.

[GrimCoconut]

So be it? I don't think that would be ozzie's intent in any way and I couldn't get on board with that sentiment. A head scratcher.

I'm saying we need an identity and that's what seems to lack on this team. It's an exaggeration to make a point.

[Ravens2343]

Splitting with Boldin over 2 million still hurts.

Paying pitta and rice for 0% production hurts.

Not too upset with parting ways with ngata bc of the money...but I do think Ozzie gave the reigns to Williams/Jernigan way to fast.

I think Oz and ALL OF US..took Torrey for granted. Now maybe none of us would've matched 40 million. But maybe if our cap situation looked better maybe we could have gave that to him.

I think Ozzie needs to look at anyone making more than 4 million a year and seriously evaluate whether or not we can get rid of them..this team has money tied up in positions that aren't getting the job done.

I'd rather start over with draft picks then to watch players making 3-8 million a year stinking it up..

 

The only players making over 4 million that are worth keeping are Flacco, Yanda, Suggs, Dumervil and Jimmy Smith IMO.  Guys like Zuttah, Canty, Webb (although he has played better, he is older and injury prone) and Daryl Smith need to go.  We need to get younger and more importantly faster at many positions.  I wont ever fault a player for getting as much money as he can, but Torrey Smith has to know he made a mistake.  I hope we can nail a few of our picks this year and get guys who play hard and are relentless.

[52520Andrew]

No, Ozzie shouldn't go anywhere yet but some blame is certainly shared on his end. I'd like Ozzie and John to decide what kind of identity they want this team to have and draft players to fit that identity. If we're to be a top offense with a bad defense, then so be it.

 

Yeah we have certainly missed on some picks here lately. Kindle, Elam, Brown, I mean every team misses picks but when you are drafting back at the end of the draft every year, you are under more pressure to get it right with your picks. We really do miss that impact player as well, either an offensive weapon who can really help carry the offense or another big time defensive player who has leadership skills as well. I honestly don't think we are far off but the issues we do have aren't going to magically go away. O-line is another thing we need to address and we really need better play from our secondary.

[JEEPercreepermd]

This isn't on Ozzie at all.

The FO had to make some moves with the long term in mind.

Ozzie isn't the one out there getting hurt. Our WR's and DB's are dropping like flys. There just isn't enough healthy talent to put on the field right now to win. Actually, these games are close because of Joe and maybe a handful of other guys.

Seasons like this happen unfortunately. It's not really anyone's fault, just bad luck.

[pep_meister]

who's responsible for firing dean pees? they may need to go because they lack backbone

[balfan23]

I think something that fuels the Ozzie haters is overly effusive praise of him in just about everything he does. They feel that praise is based more on his reputation than what he's actually done for the team lately. 

 

It might be best if people stopped labeling every move he makes as wizardry the moment he makes it and let the proof be in the pudding. 

 

As for the current state of things ... I don't know what the original poster means by "holding his feet to the fire". If it means firing, well, that's not currently on the table. Steve is not a meddlesome owner, but he's certainly not going to stand by and watch his team be an NFL embarrassment without requiring some action. 

[I AM LEGEND]

One of my biggest beefs with Ozzie and the Front office this year is the WR situation..

These guys sat down and decided that a WR entering his late 30s/an unproven rookie with droppies/and some other unproven wrs were gonna get the job done. Unacceptable.

[RavensMillz]

One of my biggest beefs with Ozzie and the Front office this year is the WR situation..

These guys sat down and decided that a WR entering his late 30s/an unproven rookie with droppies/and some other unproven wrs were gonna get the job done. Unacceptable.

 

I have always had a beef with Ozzie and the Front Office when it comes to WR talent and the offense in general. From 09-2015 we have had about 14 offensive draft picks from rounds 5, 6, 7 while the early rounds have been mostly defensive. That's why the Offensive talent has been subpar for years...we have not drafted guys that are expected to be starters. Therefore, they are always looking towards free agency for help. A team may hit in those late rounds one or two times, but to pick from there 14 times and expect a better return is laughable.

[izvoodoo]

It's incredibly improbable that replacing Ozzie will result in a better quality team.  Period.  

[Moderator 3]

Looking forward, Ozzie has given us something to build on:

Flacco just entering his prime years.

3 young TEs who look like they can succeed

2 (or 3) young RBs with potential to succeed

2 (or 3) young WRs who could be solid

Several young defensive players to rebuild around.

The truth is we're rebuilding/reloading on the fly. It takes a few years to accomplish all that needed to be done. This year may be painful, but Ozzie is still doing all that is possible with our limited cap.

[Winchester]

Why does Ozzie the idiot continue to get a free pass but fire Dean pees?? Grim mentioned drafting is hindsight. THAT IS HIS JOB!! He just sits at his pick and picks whomever is left over like pick a name out of the hat. Then everybody is surprised most of his early round picks are busts!! Then he actually trades up for a couple players in round 2 after not making an initial move to get players his scouts loved in round1. And both of those round2 picks are busts so far. Yes I am going out on a limb and calling Williams a bust. Unless he puts some serious work in getting in shape and route running.

[DenverRaven]

Why does Ozzie the idiot continue to get a free pass but fire Dean pees?? Grim mentioned drafting is hindsight. THAT IS HIS JOB!! He just sits at his pick and picks whomever is left over like pick a name out of the hat. Then everybody is surprised most of his early round picks are busts!! Then he actually trades up for a couple players in round 2 after not making an initial move to get players his scouts loved in round1. And both of those round2 picks are busts so far. Yes I am going out on a limb and calling Williams a bust. Unless he puts some serious work in getting in shape and route running.

 

Please stop. Ozzie doesn't control injuries or garbage game-planning. Williams is a bust? Good lord, we're all upset but that's flat out ridiculous.

[rmcjacket23]

End the thread. GM's don't get fired for having one bad season.

 

If FO organizations fired people as fast as fans wanted them fired, there would be nobody left to coach or play and we'd be the laughing stock of the league for a decade.

[757RavensFan]

I hate when we lose. It usually results in posts like these.  There's not another active GM in the league that I would take over Ozzie. 

[GrimCoconut]

Yeah we have certainly missed on some picks here lately. Kindle, Elam, Brown, I mean every team misses picks but when you are drafting back at the end of the draft every year, you are under more pressure to get it right with your picks. We really do miss that impact player as well, either an offensive weapon who can really help carry the offense or another big time defensive player who has leadership skills as well. I honestly don't think we are far off but the issues we do have aren't going to magically go away. O-line is another thing we need to address and we really need better play from our secondary.

Kindle was a tragic case. Nobody could predict that. Ed Dickson looked like a good prospect but amounted to nothing no matter where he went. Cody was just a blind pick IMO due to his Alabama connection, same with Upshaw. I've never been a big fan of Upshaw, but his play lately has me upset. I hoped for better from him in his final year. 

 

I don't know where to start, honestly. The team has major issues, but I actually think the offense is the star of the team atm. I do think this could change with another coordinator, hence why I feel like Ozzie & John should be the least of anyone's concerns. Try to correct the issue with a new coordinator before removing two proven guys. 

[GrimCoconut]

Why does Ozzie the idiot continue to get a free pass but fire Dean pees?? Grim mentioned drafting is hindsight. THAT IS HIS JOB!! He just sits at his pick and picks whomever is left over like pick a name out of the hat. Then everybody is surprised most of his early round picks are busts!! Then he actually trades up for a couple players in round 2 after not making an initial move to get players his scouts loved in round1. And both of those round2 picks are busts so far. Yes I am going out on a limb and calling Williams a bust. Unless he puts some serious work in getting in shape and route running.

Yeah, it's his job, but it's also the job of the coaches to get the most from the players. This isn't some one-way street where you throw talent out there and the talent just blows up alone. There's a reason why there are coaches in the NFL. Ozzie isn't out there going over tackling & coverage technique, nor is he running interception drills. He doesn't call the plays. He stocks the talent, which actually looked good at the beginning of the year. Who could've predicted we'd have this many injuries? You can't stock a team of what-ifs. I wanted McPhee back badly, was worried about Upshaw as the only guy behind Suggs & Dumervil, but I understood the business decision. Sometimes, the math & money isn't there if you want other guys in the future. 

[757RavensFan]

Why does Ozzie the idiot continue to get a free pass but fire Dean pees?? Grim mentioned drafting is hindsight. THAT IS HIS JOB!! He just sits at his pick and picks whomever is left over like pick a name out of the hat. Then everybody is surprised most of his early round picks are busts!! Then he actually trades up for a couple players in round 2 after not making an initial move to get players his scouts loved in round1. And both of those round2 picks are busts so far. Yes I am going out on a limb and calling Williams a bust. Unless he puts some serious work in getting in shape and route running.

Ozzie the idiot??? Really?? This man has forgot more about football then you will EVER know!