I arrived in Owings Mills, Md., with a simple goal for my impending story. Understand why the Ravens select the players they do in the draft. I came away with a lot more than that. After an insightful conversation with ultra-respected GM Ozzie Newsome, I think I get it. I think I understand why they are always competitive and why their players look like they’d play for free. The Ravens scout passion. As Newsome told me, while watching tape they take their eye off the ball and watch how players move when they are not involved in a play — and they learn whether a guy is going through the motions or just lives it. For those with supreme passion, […]

Jason Witten still has a long way to go to catch Tony Gonzalez, the NFL record-holder for career receptions by a tight end, but the Cowboys TE does deserve congratulations for passing Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome to move into third on the all-time list.

Shannon Sharpe was a seventh-round draft choice in 1990 from Savannah State who would eventually become a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Broncos and Ravens. Even more significant is that Sharpe was one of the first to represent the current breed of NFL tight ends.

If you watched the NFL Draft, and we know you did, then you’ve surely heard the mantra that drafting well leads to team success. The club most often mentioned as a sterling example is the New England Patriots.

RB Mark Ingram is participating in his pro day at Alabama on Wednesday, looking to follow in the footsteps in another former Crimson Tide back who made it big in the NFL — Shaun Alexander. But Alabama is more known for its quarterbacks that it has churned out.

But who is the tops?

Jets coach Rex Ryan gave props to an old friend Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine, hitting morning workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium wearing an Ozzie Newsome jersey from the Hall of Famer’s days as a Browns tight end.

Ravens fans, breathe easy. The rumblings that 12-time Pro Bowler Ray Lewis is poised to retire don’t appear to be on-point.

NEW YORK — Retired players such as Frank Gifford, Willie Lanier and Howie Long were in attendance at the Broadway play “Lombardi” Tuesday night to support, well, retired players. The NFL Family Night event honored the Player Care Foundation, which offers grants and medical programs to those who have suited up in the league to help improve their quality of life.

Jacob Tamme of the Colts could have a big fantasy week against the Texans, one of the worst teams defending against the tight end.

The Ravens look like an elite team. Offenisvely, this is the best Ravens team in recent memory.

The trade speculation surrounding Jared Gaither picked up over the weekend, when the Ravens former starting left tackle didn’t participate in the team’s minicamp practices following Friday’s news he had been replaced by second-year pro Michael Oher and moved to the right side.

The latest out of the NFL Annual Meeting Sunday is that the Competition Committee has voted the proposal for the overtime rule changes through, according to the Boston Globe.

In addition to firing head coach Jim Mora today, the seahawks continue to look for a new general manager. One name that has been taken off that list is Eric DeCosta.

Representatives from the NFLPA met with NFL management representatives on Tuesday in New York. League spokesperson Greg Aiello termed it “a positive meeting,” adding, “we look forward to more constructive discussions.”

Some Hall of Famers are always working. Ozzie Newsome, legendary tight end and accomplished general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, swung over to the green rooom area here off to the side of the stage where the Hall of Famers sit at Fawcett Stadium.