One burning question for each NFL team

By John Buhler | Jun 14, 2017

Jan 15, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) drops back to pass against Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Joe Thomas (48) during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional playoff game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Baltimore Ravens general manager and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens: Is Ozzie Newsome still an elite general manager?

The Baltimore Ravens have been a strong franchise pretty much ever since they relocated to the Charm City in 1996 as the former Cleveland Browns. They have won two Super Bowls and are routinely in the playoff mix in the AFC North.

Baltimore wins with defense and has been one of the better drafting teams of the last 20 years. It helps to land two future Pro Football Hall of Famers in the first round in the 1996 NFL draft in the form of offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and middle linebacker Ray Lewis. While Baltimore did win its second Super Bowl in 2012, the team has largely underwhelmed ever since. What’s the genesis of this?

Well, Super Bowl winning teams usually need about a two to three-year grace period to honesty rebuild. Other teams in the NFL like to have Super Bowl champions on their roster. Add in that head coach John Harbaugh has struggled to maintain a reliable coaching staff and that doesn’t help. We know that quarterback Joe Flacco is good, but not great. Dare we ask the big question with regards to Baltimore football: are we sure Ozzie Newsome is still an elite general manager?

Baltimore isn’t reloading defensively like it used to. Signing Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson the last two years helps, but Terrell Suggs isn’t getting any younger. The Elvis Dumervil experiment came and went. Also, when was the last time the Ravens truly hit on a defensive player in the NFL Draft: C.J. Mosley in 2014?

Newsome has a lot riding on rookie cornerback Marlon Humphrey this year. He did pick a player from his alma mater Alabama than addressing Baltimore’s biggest need in the draft: wide receiver. Newsome will get the benefit of the doubt for about another year, but some of these picks and free agency acquisitions need to start hitting yesterday.

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