Great Eric Decosta Interview

[baltiMORE RAVENS]

Just thought I would post this for everyone. It has some great stuff about our incoming rookies, RB situation, and defensive scheme with Mattison. I really really really like Decosta and I hope he stays with us for a long time, maybe even an eventual replacement for Oz if nobody swoops in and offers him a GM job before Ozzie calls it quits.

[url="http://ravens24x7.com/column_view.php?cid=11&id=3484&view=archive"]http://ravens24x7.com/column_view.php?cid=...mp;view=archive[/url]

[Ravnet]

Ozzie has built up enough credibility/respect that DeCosta will be long gone by the time Newsome is forced out/retires.

[lowrider]

I love the answer cameron had for the McClain situation. We will use different running backs for different teams and situations. So McClain is still going to get his carries (which we already knew) but I think this better explains the running back plan. Find which style of running back beats a team better and use them.

[#1 D]

[quote name='lowrider' post='196334' date='May 31 2009, 10:22 PM']I love the answer cameron had for the McClain situation. We will use different running backs for different teams and situations. So McClain is still going to get his carries (which we already knew) but I think this better explains the running back plan. Find which style of running back beats a team better and use them.[/quote]

Yeah, but i still don't like the idea of only one fullback. unless we're gonna switch somebody on our roster to a fullback or acquire one, i dont think our running game will be the same. either way if we want our running game more conventional again, we still need a backup fullback in case LeRon goes down.

[baltiMORE RAVENS]

[quote name='Ravnet' post='196319' date='May 31 2009, 09:29 PM']Ozzie has built up enough credibility/respect that DeCosta will be long gone by the time Newsome is forced out/retires.[/quote]

I don't understand what you're saying here. Decosta will be long gone because Ozzie has credibility and is respected?

Ozzie will never be forced out, but there are always rumors about him taking the AD job at Alabama when the position opens up. They are obviously just rumors, but you can't assume that Ozzie will be around forever. I did not suggest firing Oz and hiring Decosta in his place; I just think Decosta would be a good successor when Oz leaves because he has been around the organization forever and seems to be the go-to-guy for Oz.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='#1 D' post='196345' date='May 31 2009, 10:50 PM']Yeah, but i still don't like the idea of only one fullback. unless we're gonna switch somebody on our roster to a fullback or acquire one, i dont think our running game will be the same. either way if we want our running game more conventional again, we still need a backup fullback in case LeRon goes down.[/quote]

I think we will only carry 1 FB and i think it is the right move. My reasoning for that is quality depth. Only carrying one FB will allow us to carry an extra guy at another position that is much needed. McClain will be fine as the lone fullback, because he can run from a single back set or a I formation. McClain will likely be brought into the game on short yardage situation with McGahee and Rice handling the bulk. In short yardage situations Cam will likely bring in an addition T or TE, so that fullback won't be as important.

A guy like Edgar Jones, listed at 6'4 263 could easily line up infront of McClain late in games, and would actually provide much more of a weapon then a backup Fullback. Hell i wouldn't even be surprised to see a guy like Haloti Ngata or Chris Chester lined up at fullback infront of McClain.

I think last season we were spoiled by having both Lo Neal and McClain. However when u actually look at the numbers and consider the fact that most teams in the NFL don't even have 1 true fullback, us carrying 2 seems like a wasted roster spot. It's almost like the whole Kicker argument, why carry 2 kickers for KO and FGs, when u can carry one that can do both.

Allowing a guy like Edgar Jones to line up at fullback in front of McClain will allow your to have, an extra TE/HB, LB, and a good ST player on your roster. That frees up atleast 2 roster spots. Having Edgar Jones allows you to cut Ayenbandeyo(backup LB and ST player) you can put Jason Cook on PS squad(fullback only) it also gives you an added weapon on the offensive end because he is a TE.

[#1 D]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' post='196350' date='May 31 2009, 11:18 PM']I think we will only carry 1 FB and i think it is the right move. My reasoning for that is quality depth. Only carrying one FB will allow us to carry an extra guy at another position that is much needed. McClain will be fine as the lone fullback, because he can run from a single back set or a I formation. McClain will likely be brought into the game on short yardage situation with McGahee and Rice handling the bulk. In short yardage situations Cam will likely bring in an addition T or TE, so that fullback won't be as important.

A guy like Edgar Jones, listed at 6'4 263 could easily line up infront of McClain late in games, and would actually provide much more of a weapon then a backup Fullback. Hell i wouldn't even be surprised to see a guy like Haloti Ngata or Chris Chester lined up at fullback infront of McClain.

I think last season we were spoiled by having both Lo Neal and McClain. However when u actually look at the numbers and consider the fact that most teams in the NFL don't even have 1 true fullback, us carrying 2 seems like a wasted roster spot. It's almost like the whole Kicker argument, why carry 2 kickers for KO and FGs, when u can carry one that can do both.

Allowing a guy like Edgar Jones to line up at fullback in front of McClain will allow your to have, an extra TE/HB, LB, and a good ST player on your roster. That frees up atleast 2 roster spots. Having Edgar Jones allows you to cut Ayenbandeyo(backup LB and ST player) you can put Jason Cook on PS squad(fullback only) it also gives you an added weapon on the offensive end because he is a TE.[/quote]

yea, i guess ur right, we can put an OL or whomever as fullback, that could work out. i hope we dont overuse le'ron though, because doing all those duties, can tire a man up. blocking and making hits, pounding the ball, all in one game could take a toll...but like you said if we can use the TE's and the OL's properly it shouldn't be a problem.