Kokinis Back with Ravens

[pyite32]

The Ravens added some familiar firepower to their personnel department this week by bringing George Kokinis back to Baltimore.

Kokinis, who was the Ravens’ Director of Pro Personnel from 2003-08, will serve as a Senior Personnel Assistant.

“It’s good to have George back,” General Manager Ozzie Newsome stated. “He will help evaluate college and pro players, plus work with Pat [Moriarty], the Ravens’ vice president of football administration].

“George knows the game, understands what it takes to win, and he will help us find players who will help us win. He has done that before for us.”

Kokinis left last year to become the Cleveland Browns’ General Manager, but was dismissed from the team in November.

In addition, former Ravens Pro Scout Mark Azevedo was promoted to Area Scout, where he’ll cover the Southeast, Southwest and Midwest.

Azevedo has been with the Ravens since 2005, and has been key in planning the Ravens’ post-draft free-agent signing process, where Baltimore regularly adds some of the top undrafted rookie talent.

Interesting

[RavenScallywag]

This has been in the works for awhile...Before the draft, it was reported that Kokinis had moved back to Baltimore and was going to be joining the FO at somepoint...

Win-win situation really...he's a good guy who got a bad shake in Cleveland. He's our backup plan to succession if DeCosta bolts. On his side, getting back in with the Ravens might help in his prospects of getting a GM job down the road, since he can start erasing the taint of the Cleveland debacle.

[psuasskicker]

Good...glad to have him back in the fold. I'm hoping he hangs around to become Ozzie's replacement.

- C -

[UKRavenGordon]

I'd rather DeCosta as Ozzie'd eventual replacement but that's likely a tad hopeful.

[Stealthbirds80]

I'd rather DeCosta as Ozzie'd eventual replacement but that's likely a tad hopeful.

Agreed, I feel Eric should be next in line.

[Tspot-D-Ravenator]

Agreed, I feel Eric should be next in line.

I seem to remember, another team or two having interest in DeCosta as GM, but he didn't want the job because he knows that he's getting Ozzie's job when and if the great Oz retires...:229031_confused2:

[psuasskicker]

I'd also rather have DeCosta or Savage, but since I doubt that's gonna happen, I'm happy to have Kokinis back in the mix.

- C -

[Stealthbirds80]

I seem to remember, another team or two having interest in DeCosta as GM, but he didn't want the job because he knows that he's getting Ozzie's job when and if the great Oz retires...:229031_confused2:

We are in great shape for the next generation of FO and players. I like how the puzzle pieces are falling into place.

[Ravenswarrior19]

I'd also rather have DeCosta or Savage, but since I doubt that's gonna happen, I'm happy to have Kokinis back in the mix.

- C -

I think the chances of having DeCosta are still very good. He chose to not even visit with Seattle in order to continue working shoulder to shoulder with Oz.

As long as we keep him well compensated, I think it would take perfect, offer-you-can't-refuse type situation to lure him away.

[psuasskicker]

Good point...I may be a bit too pessimistic about the likelihood DeCosta leaves...

- C -

[Dont Know]

I think the chances of having DeCosta are still very good. He chose to not even visit with Seattle in order to continue working shoulder to shoulder with Oz.

Given that Seattle hired their coach first and their GM afterwards I think it's reasonable to assume that he would not have had the same kind of influence over the organisation as Ozzie has here. Add in the first hand account of how things went down in Cleveland and it isn't hard to fathom why he would withdraw his name.

[Losac]

Given that Seattle hired their coach first and their GM afterwards I think it's reasonable to assume that he would not have had the same kind of influence over the organisation as Ozzie has here. Add in the first hand account of how things went down in Cleveland and it isn't hard to fathom why he would withdraw his name.

It's a smart move by DeCosta. I see the same type of things in my job. People are so eager to get promoted that they don't care what type of job they would be doing - they just want the promotion. Then a few weeks go by and they're miserable in their new role. DeCosta sees he has a good thing here and sees what happened to Savage and Kokinis. No reason to make the same mistake.