Quote:Why do people keep saying you don't play revisionist history with GMs? That's EXACTLY what you do to determine if the person is worth keeping going forward. It's called a job review. You look at the results of what were and what could have been. Dave doesn't stack up to darn near anyone that still has a job. 

I did not say there were no arguments to be made that Caldwell was lacking as a GM.

 

I assert, for the purposes of this discussion, that under performing in the underwhelming 2013 draft is not one of them.

 

There are teams that draft well overall that did not have a good draft class that year.

 

I'm sure it's beyond question that the Ravens are a good drafting team.

 

Look at their draft class that year

 

Matt Elam-two year starter, lost starting job last year, will not return to team.

Arthur Brown-Was never a starter.  On his 4th team.

Brandon Williams-3 year starter

John Simon-Cut after one year; part time starter in Houston

Kyle Jusczcyk-three year starter; Pro Bowl in 2016 after only seven starts.

Ricky Wagner-three year starter

Kapron Lewis-Moore-Played in 5 games in 2015

Ryan Jensen-started 9 games since 2014.  DNP in 2013.

Aaron Mellette-Never played

Marc Anthony-Never played

 

There are a few notable differences that tilt in the Ravens factor in this analysis;

 

1.  They were picking much lower in the draft order.

2.  They had a much better roster going into that year than the Jaguars, thus it was harder for their draftees to make and impact/make the team.

3.  They did have a Pro Bowler.

 

However, this draft will hardly draw comparisons to the 1974 Steelers draft class.

 

Under your standard of drafting less talented/productive players above more talented productive players in 2013, Newsome fails under that standard, too. 

 

Cyprien, picked one spot below Elam, started more games.

Darius Slay, a sstarting CB for Detroit, was also more productive and better than Elam.

They drafted a DT in the 3rd round, but also could have had Kawann Short instead of Elam.  for that matter, they could have had LeVeon Bell instead of Elam.

They drafted Arthur Brown in the 2nd round.  They could have drafted Travis Kelce, Larry Warford, Tyrann Matthieu, Terron Armstead, Keenan Allen, Logan Ryan instead.

 

Based upon longer term results, clearly the edge goes to Ozzie Newsome over Caldwell.  But basing your indictment of Caldwell on the 2013 draft isn't persuasive.

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