OWINGS MILLS — The Baltimore Ravens have promoted director of player personnel Eric DeCosta to assistant general manager.
DeCosta was retained with a lucrative contract earlier this year that designates him as the Ravens’ general manager in waiting.
DeCosta, 41, was director of player personnel for the past three years after previous stints as a director of college scouting and an area scout.
During his time as scouting director, the Ravens drafted the following Pro Bowl selections: linebacker Terrell Suggs, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, offensive guard Marshal Yanda, fullback Le’Ron McClain and running back Ray Rice.
“When we extended Eric’s contract earlier this year, we changed his title,” general manager Ozzie Newsome said. “As Eric continues to grow in the personnel department, he is becoming a vital part of the decision-making process.”
The Ravens promoted Southeast area scout Joe Douglas to national scout, promoted David Blackburn to area scout and shifted area scout Mark Azevedo to Southeast area scout.
Douglas, 35, was formerly the Ravens’ Northeast area scout when the Ravens drafted quarterback Joe Flacco and Rice.
Douglas coordinates the Ravens’ signing of undrafted free agents, including starting linebacker Jameel McClain.
“Joe is so deserving of his promotion to national scout,” DeCosta said. “He’s a top evaluator and communicator, and he’s been loyal to the Ravens over the years. In his expanded role, he’ll be scouting players across the country, which only makes us better. We are very excited for Joe.”
Blackburn, 29, had been a player personnel assistant for the Ravens for the past five years.
He’s now responsible for scouting prospects in the Northwest, Southwest and Midwest regions.
In his new position as an Area Scout, the 2004 graduate of DePauw University will scout prospects at schools in the Northwest, Southwest and Midwest regions.
“We are looking forward to working with David in his new role as an Area Scout,” director of college scouting Joe Hortiz said. “He has done a great job the past five years working in both our pro and college departments, and he has received a well-earned promotion. David has a strong understanding of the type of player and person we look for in a ‘Raven.’ We’re confident he’ll give us another good set of eyes and ears to continue identifying the prospects we value.”
Azevedo, 30, previously scouted the Southwest, Southeast and Midwest and will now concentrate on the Southeast. He’s been with the Ravens’ scouting department for seven years.
The Ravens also hired Kenny Sanders as a player personnel assistant following a two-year internship.
NOTE: Cut by the Ravens this week after signing with the team as an undrafted rookie free agent, former Clemson fullback Chad Diehl is done playing football.
Diehl wrote on his Facebook page that he suffered a concussion during the Ravens’ rookie minicamp.
“At rookie minicamp, I suffered another concussion,” Diehl wrote. “With this concussion happening so soon after the concussion I had in January at the Senior Bowl it left many people concerned including family, doctors, and myself about my health and future if I were to continue playing.
"With that being said, after having an MRI done, along with multiple tests and a history of quite a few collisions as a fullback, the doctor and I came into agreement that it would be in my best interest for my football career to go ahead and come to an end. I know that God has a plan for everything and I love my wife and daughter way too much to risk my future with them."
The Ravens re-signed fullback Jamison Berryhill (Texas) after cutting him earlier this week.
