When in need, look no further than the Ravens

If imitation is the highest form of flattery, why don't we pay more attention to the Baltimore Ravens? Their opponents do.

A week ago Pittsburgh's Bill Cowher described the New England Patriots as "a model franchise," and their record of success speaks for itself. Philadelphia is another model citizen, with the Eagles winning four straight division titles and compiling the NFL's best record the past five seasons.

Mike Nolan is the latest former Ravens assistant to land a head coaching job. (AP)

But what about the Ravens? No, they weren't in last weekend's conference championship games. They didn't even make this year's playoffs. But opponents think so much of the organization they keep hiring away its coaches and front-office executives.

When San Francisco last week named Mike Nolan its head coach, it marked the third time in the past two years a former Ravens assistant -- OK, a defensive assistant -- was picked for a top job. Jacksonville hired Jack Del Rio, who spent a year with Carolina after leaving the Ravens, and Cincinnati named Marvin Lewis.

Granted, Lewis was last in Washington, but let's be honest here: Do you think of Marvin Lewis as Steve Spurrier's assistant or Brian Billick's defensive coordinator in Super Bowl XXXV? Uh-huh, me, too.

But why stop with the coaches? Baltimore's opponents haven't. They didn't confine their poaching to the Ravens' coaching staff; they reached into the front office, too, with Jacksonville and Cleveland going to Baltimore for general managers.

That's five key figures in two years, and, I don't know about you, but I'd say it reflects how others within the NFL view the Ravens.

"Top to bottom, the Baltimore Ravens are one of the best-run organizations in the NFL," said an NFC scout. "I have immense respect for what they do. They do a great job drafting, coaching and teaching, and people realize it. I've always respected Ozzie Newsome, and the job the Ravens do."

Newsome is the club's general manager and executive vice president, and it's on his watch the Ravens produced one of the most extraordinary draft records in the business.

Dating back to 1996, they have made 11 first-round draft choices. You know how many are still in the league? All of them. You know how many start? All of them, including Duane Starks, now with Arizona.

But get this: Five were named to the Pro Bowl and four to the All-Pro team, including two (Ray Lewis and Ed Reed) as starters. It's that record of success that had Cleveland interested in Newsome when it wanted a GM. When the Browns couldn't pry him loose, they did the next best thing -- they hired Newsome's first lieutenant, Phil Savage. Hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

"We're very lucky to have been able to attract such high quality people," said Billick. "It is an overall process. It has to do with Ozzie Newsome and the process we use going forward as an organization. I'm very proud of the way this organization supports those guys but takes an active part in helping them -- not only garnering that kind of attention but preparing themselves for it.

"Mike interviewed with me, Ozzie Newsome, (owner) Steve Bisciotti by way of preparation. We've done a number of video things to get them out in front of prospective employers. I'm proud of this organization's commitment to helping guys that way."