Behind any successful organization lies a calming influence. A person who provides a level of sensibility when emotions run high; someone who offers a hand during seemingly desperate times; a visionary who can see beyond the present and paint a big picture; someone who places the greater good of the workplace ahead of their own. For the Baltimore Ravens, that calming influence is Dick Cass.
The 76-year-old Cass is a classic gentlemen whose grasp of the ever-changing modern business practices belie his age. He possesses a unique way of drawing from extensive experiences and blending them with a keen awareness of the present without sacrificing the future. That’s a special quality, one that the Baltimore Ravens were blessed to have since 2004 when Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti hired the Washington, DC native to be the team’s president. And since then, Cass has been the navigational compass of the franchise as it weaved its place into the fabric of the Baltimore community.
Dick Cass’ career accomplishments are many and they will decorate his resume in perpetuity. But perhaps more important than that, is the mark he’s left upon those who had the pleasure of working with him.
One of THE most important people in my life for 16 years. Easily one of the kindest, most fair, ethical, good men I have ever had the privilege to know and work with. We have been blessed to have you as our leader. I have been blessed to have you as my boss. Thank you, Dick 💜 https://t.co/3TR6Ahg4n6
— ravensgirl (@ravensgirl) February 4, 2022
Dick Cass is a beloved figure inside the walls of the Under Armour Performance Center and very highly respected around the sports industry. It's truly been a pleasure to work for him. He has played a huge role in creating the Ravens' family culture.
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) February 4, 2022
Dick Cass is a champion for every single person at the Ravens and will be greatly missed.
How many team presidents know the name of every employee and sit down to lunch with them? One of a kind. https://t.co/NarAj5ExIx
— Cassie Calvert (@cassie_calvert) February 4, 2022
One of the reasons why the Ravens are one of THE premiere franchises in all of American sports is the quiet, classy & extraordinary leadership of Dick Cass. Congrats my friend & Thank You!!!
— Keith Mills (@KeithMills1090) February 5, 2022
In the history of Steve Bisciotti's ownership tenure, the #Ravens most underrated employee, including any player, has been Dick Cass.
All good things come to an end, but Cass will be VERY difficult to replace.
— Drew Forrester (@itsahooded4iron) February 4, 2022
To get a sense of the type of compassion that Cass exercised in his role as team president, here’s a brief story shared by Sarah Ellison via Twitter. Sarah was once part of the Ravens Media team.
Dick Cass changed the trajectory of my life. When I was pregnant with my first child, I wanted to focus on motherhood. I knew I couldn’t give the Ravens the time necessary to continue in my role while being the mom I wanted to be. So I gave the Ravens notice that I’d be quitting.
My boss, Michelle Andres, was nervous she wouldn’t be able to replace me due to a temporary company-wide hiring freeze with a potential lockout coming as the NFL and NFLPA negotiated a new CBA. I told her I’d love to keep working, but I wanted it to be part-time and mostly from home.
I’d need to change my role for that schedule to work. So I proposed that I become a writer for the website (that’s how LFW column was born). My boss liked the idea, but we didn’t know if Dick would approve it. This was pre-Zoom and an unusual setup.
When the idea was pitched to [Dick], his reply was: “I like the idea of young mothers working at the Ravens.” He saw time and time again young moms leave, and he was willing to come up with an alternative work schedule to change that trend. I was able to work at the Ravens for 13 years thanks to him (and others). What a blessing to my family!
During that time, I never saw Dick angry or lose his patience. He was approachable. His door always open.
Congratulations to Dick on an excellent career. He’ll be missed.
“Dick is good in a storm. He’s cautious and patient and smart as a whip. He’s always been yin to Steve’s yang. And I really appreciate his love for the culture and soul of the Ravens. As a lifer, that really resonates with me.” ~ Eric DeCosta, Ravens GM, EVP
EDC Presser
Eric DeCosta was understandably guarded during his recent press conference with the media. It is clearly the Ravens preference to keep things on the down low as they relate to contract talks and injuries. And despite the media’s persistence and the public’s thirst for such knowledge, the team is wise to adopt this modus operandi.
That said, a few things that DeCosta shared did leave a mark…
Lamar Jackson’s Contract
EDC admitted that the negotiations with Lamar on a contract extension are unusual because they are directly with a player. The lack of an agent provides a unique set of challenges and DeCosta admitted that the Ravens are proceeding at Lamar’s pace and that the Ravens will “operate based on his urgency.”
Perhaps in part to reassure everyone of Lamar’s ambition, DeCosta shared that the star quarterback’s focus is upon winning the AFC North and the Super Bowl. An extension could create about $10-13 million in additional cap space for 2022, but I get the sense that Lamar is willing to roll the dice this coming season to position himself for a mammoth pay day if he achieves his goals. Word is that the Ravens have offered a contract that he has resisted, so far.
Other EDC Presser Notes
• DeCosta said that the Ravens have enough cap space to do everything they need to.
• Reading between the lines as it relates to Marcus Peters, I expect an extension sometime soon.
• The Ravens have 9 picks in the first 4 rounds. EDC believes that if the team plays their hand efficiently, those 9 picks will be among the top 80 players on their draft board.
• Marquise Brown will be extended a 5th-year option. EDC sees his progression, believes Brown has not yet hit his ceiling, plus there’s an obvious emotional attachment given the former Sooner and 2019 first-round pick was DeCosta’s first as GM.
• EDC wouldn’t comment on Ronnie Stanley’s rehab but he does expect him to be back at full strength to start the season. But I think DeCosta learned a tough lesson last season, counting on Stanley who isn’t known to be a workout warrior. I don’t think he’ll make that same mistake this offseason.
• The Ravens had an opportunity to make a few trades this season but the lack of cap space prevented it. Consequently, I expect EDC to set aside a slightly bigger rainy day fund in 2022.
• Turnovers, or the lack thereof, seem to sit in the Ravens collective craw. A playmaker in the secondary could be a target, but DeCosta was quick to highlight the abilities of safety Brandon Stephens who is learning the safety position. Nice player with upside, but I don’t think he’s there yet – to be the kind of turnover machine that the Ravens could use on the defensive back end.
All considered, DeCosta sported his best poker face and I’m not so sure that the driving motivation of the presser was much different than the team’s annual Pre-Draft Presser, aka “The Liar’s Luncheon”. Mix in a few truths with lies and a few red herrings are spawned. And that’s just the way EDC likes it.
Finally…
I’ll leave you on this Saturday morning with this from Marlon Humphrey reporting from Las Vegas, the scene of the 2022 Pro Bowl.
Analyst Humph @marlon_humphrey stopped by the Pro Bowl to catch up with current and former Ravens. 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/vFayNzYSRe
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 5, 2022
