Baltimore Ravens: Ozzie Newsome Speaks at NFL Combine

Baltimore Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome took the podium today at the NFL Combine to discuss the team’s plans this offseason.

When Ozzie speaks, Baltimore listens.

The Ravens GM spoke in Indianapolis today and gave us an update on what to expect in the upcoming months. Newsome was one of a handful of general managers, coaches and players that address the media today. Denver Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak was also in attendance and said he learned a lot from Newsome and Ravens coach John Harbaugh in his one season with the organization.

“I watched how John handled his football team and watched how Ozzie went about things. I took a lot of things with me. I really felt like I learned a lot.”

Newsome touched on a wide array of topics from Joe Flacco‘s contract to the team’s plans in the draft. He has a lot of work to do this offseason and acknowledged that some tough decisions will be made in the upcoming months.

Here are some of the other key portions of his press conference:

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– Both Terrell Suggs and Steve Smith are progressing well and should be ready by the start of the season. Breshad Perriman, last year’s first-round pick, is still not cleared to participate, but is expected to be able to take part in spring workouts.

– The Ravens need to restructure Joe Flacco‘s contact, but according to Ozzie they can be “very active in free agency without having to get something done with Joe.” Sorry, not buying that one, Ozzie.

– The team is hopeful for a long-term deal with kicker Justin Tucker, but if an agreement cannot be reached, the team will use the franchise tag on him.

– Ozzie reiterated that Lardarius Webb will play safety for defensive coordinator Dean Pees this season. The team is not going to ask Webb to redo his deal for the change of positions.

– “If the phone rings, it rings, but we’re preparing to pick at 6,” was Ozzie answer when asked about potentially trading back in the draft.

– Eugene Monroe is still the starting right tackle because Kelechi Osemele is a free agent. It sounded as though he didn’t expect K.O. to be back next season.

If you wish to hear the press conference in its entirety, click here.

Next: Three Bold Predictions for the Ravens Offseason

The next few days are going to be busy for Ozzie, Eric DeCosta and the Ravens scouting department as 332 prospective prospects are in Indy to get scouted. Players begin to take the field on Friday and we have highlighted a few players that the Ravens could be interested in. As always, we will continue to provide analysis as the combine plays out.