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There’s no reason to believe Ozzie Newsome’s tenure as Ravens General Manager is coming to an end, but the team has taken a step to firm up their line of succession.

Eric DeCosta has been promoted from director of player personnel to Assistant General Manager, the Ravens announced in a statement on Thursday. DeCosta, who has worked for the Ravens since 1996, has resisted overtures from other teams to remain as Newsome’s right hand in Baltimore. Some of that may be prudence — Phil Savage, George Kokinis and James Harris all left the Ravens and lost their new jobs — but it has positioned him to be the next man in charge of the Ravens when and if Newsome decides to take on other challenges.

“When we extended Eric’s contract earlier this year, we changed his title to Assistant GM,” Newsome said in the statement. “As Eric continues to grow in the personnel department, he is becoming a vital part of the decision-making process.”

The Ravens also announce the promotion of two scouts. Joe Douglas has been elevated to national scout after being the team’s Southeast scout in recent years and David Blackburn will move from an assistant role in the scouting department to an area scout in the Northwest, Southwest and Midwest. Mark Azevado will take over Douglas’ old responsibilities.