notebook: Ravens GM Newsome to resign following 2018...
Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome is stepping down after the 2018 season.
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti announced the news at a news conference Friday. Eric DeCosta will replace Newsome in January 2019.
Newsome, 61, has been in charge of the personnel department of the Ravens since the franchise returned to Baltimore in 1996. The Ravens won two Super Bowls under Newsome.
Newsome is not retiring, but will work in another capacity to be defined by the organization. DeCosta is assistant general manager and has turned down multiple opportunities to become a general manager elsewhere.
--Soon-to-be free agent Kirk Cousins says the Washington Redskins acquiring quarterback Alex Smith from the Kansas City Chiefs came "as a surprise."
The Redskins and Chiefs agreed to a trade for Smith on Tuesday night. Washington will receive Smith once the trade is official when the new NFL business year begins March 14. In return, the Chiefs will receive cornerback Kendall Fuller along with a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
"I was working out at my hotel here in Indianapolis, and when the workout ended, I had a long list of text messages and people reaching out," Cousins recalled in an interview with NFL Network. "A bunch of friends who said, 'Did you hear the news? Did you hear the news? So I quickly found out what had happened. The next day (the Redskins) reached out and just kind of explained what happened."
Cousins will become a free agent at the start of the league year. The 29-year-old Cousins threw for 4,093 yards and 27 touchdowns with 13 interceptions this season for the Redskins.
"(Free agency is) a unique experience that may only happen one time in my career," Cousins told Sirius. "As a result we want to enjoy it, take full advantage, make sure to make the right decision. We don't know how it's going to end so it's hard to say right now, but I certainly do look forward to the opportunity if it comes."
--Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss lead a talented group of players looking to earn a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2018 when the inductees are announced Saturday.
Both Lewis and Moss are in their first year of eligibility but have impressive-enough resumes to be enshrined. Lewis was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP, and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl 13 times over his 17-year career, while Moss, who also played for the Patriots, Raiders, 49ers and Titans, is second all-time with 156 touchdown receptions.
Former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and guard Steve Hutchinson (Vikings, Seahawks, Titans) are also on the ballot for the first time. The other modern era finalists are offensive tackle Tony Boselli, receiver Isaac Bruce, safety Brian Dawkins, guard Alan Faneca, offensive tackle Joe Jacoby, running back Edgerrin James, cornerback Ty Law, safety John Lynch, center Kevin Mawae, receiver Terrell Owens and cornerback Everson Walls.
--Field Level Media