The last time many Baltimore Ravens fans saw head coach Brian Billick, he was sitting next to the team?s owner, Steve Bisciotti, at a season-ending news conference.
Essentially, he was having his job reviewed in front of the pro football world.
“I think the Ravens underachieved, but this is not a trend,” Bisciotti said in January. “I think we exposed some weaknesses that we have as an organization, and Brian was willing to listen to that. The more [Billick] was willing to listen to that and be willing to be open to change, that helped Ozzie [general manager Newsome] and I make the decision that we thought an improved Brian Billick was better than the alternatives out there.”
A few months later, Billick seems confident in his position with the team and his role in this weekend?s National Football League draft. Answering questions from the media at the team?s Owings Mills headquarters last week, Billick was as sharp as ever, deftly answering questions with Newsome and director of scouting Eric DeCosta.
“I?m another voice,” Billick said. “Ozzie has the final say on the draft, but he?s incredibly receptive to input from everybody across the board, not just Eric, but clearly Eric?s a lead voice, but all the guys on the scouting department and my coaches, the same way,” Billick said. “Ozzie and I have been doing this for a while, and I?m very comfortable with the way we interact with regards to what it is we want to get done.”
Scrutiny of the Super Bowl-winning coach has increased five years after he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in Tampa Bay. The chief criticism has been the team?s lack of a consistent passing attack and overall offensive stagnancy. The team ranked 24th in the NFL in total offense during 2005.
Many have taken team leader and linebacker Ray Lewis? lack of comment about Billick?s role in shaping the team in recent interviews as a vote of no confidence.
Another interview with Lewis was aired Wednesday night on a FOX television station in Washington, when Lewis was asked about possibly playing for the Redskins. “I can appreciate a man like Dan Snyder,” Lewis said of the Washington owner.
Billick said he cannot get caught up in the speculation game and that he can only coach the team.
“Ray is interactive, he is working hard, and he is upbeat about going forward,” Billick said last week. “That?s what I draw my conclusions from, direct interaction with the athlete.”
With the draft looming, Billick said he was embracing the opportunity to help shape the team.
“I?m always amazed at the popularity of this game. Anytime you have a chance to bring talent into an organization, it?s an exciting time, and fans recognize that,” he said.
NFL DRAFT
Days: Saturday and Sunday
Where: New York
Time: Begins at noon Saturday
Ravens? first pick: No. 13
