In a career path seldom followed, the Ravens' Ozzie Newsome has gone from Hall of Fame tight end to one of the NFL's most respected executives.

But it's not just the 662 passes he caught, or the reputation he carved in putting together Baltimore's 2000 Super Bowl champion, that epitomizes Newsome to New York Jets coach Herman Edwards.

"His passion for the game and trying to always make the game better, that will be his legacy more than catching passes and going into the Hall of Fame," Edwards said.

"It's the things he's done, where he's at, trying to help players and coaches to progress. That's his legacy."

It's a legacy still unfolding. Newsome, ever a trailblazer, took another career step yesterday when he was promoted to general manager and executive vice president with the Ravens.

"I think it's significant in that now he's formally recognized, although people in the industry have recognized him as de facto GM for the last three or four years," said Ray Anderson, an African-American who holds the title of executive vice president and chief administrative officer with the Atlanta Falcons.

"Certainly, it is well deserved and overdue. Personally, I'm just delighted for Ozzie."

At a time when the NFL's track record for hiring and/or promoting minorities is deplorable, Newsome's promotion represents a breakthrough of sorts. There are just two African-American head coaches in the league - Edwards and the Indianapolis Colts' Tony Dungy.

"Even more than on the minority front, I think it's just well deserved for a person who's done a great job for that organization and kind of directed them toward the Super Bowl," Dungy said.

"I'm very happy for Ozzie and I do think it's a step in the right direction for the league in terms of an African-American general manager. I couldn't be more thrilled."

Even while he was still catching passes for the Cleveland Browns, Newsome exhibited his skill at player evaluation. Ernie Accorsi, general manager of the New York Giants, held the same position with the Browns at the time and helped facilitate Newsome's transition into the personnel department with team owner Art Modell.

"I remember when he was a player in Cleveland and after training camp would evaluate our new personnel," Accorsi said. "I was impressed even then by how astute he was in player evaluation. I couldn't be happier for anyone than I am for Ozzie Newsome."

Newsome's peers around the league applauded news of his promotion. Colts president Bill Polian serves with Newsome on the league's competition committee.

"I have tremendous respect for him," Polian said. "It's a well-deserved promotion and honor. The job he's done speaks for itself."

Newsome, whose previous title was senior vice president of football operations, has demonstrated the rare ability to make that transition from player to front office primarily because of two traits, Polian said.

"It takes a person who, No. 1, has great drive and, No .2, great attention to detail and great passion for the game," Polian said. "To go from a Hall of Fame player - he wasn't just a player, but a Hall of Fame player - to a guy who starts out at the lowest level of scouting and works his way up and is successful every step of the way takes tremendous professionalism. He's done as well in the front office as he did as a player."

Dungy said the same things that worked for Newsome as a player work for him now.

"A lot of times great players don't want to go into football as their life's work, but Ozzie did," Dungy said. "He loves it, enjoys the day-to-day aspects of it. The same things that made him a great player - desire, work ethic, desire to know the game - are what make him successful today."

Edwards says Newsome's career path serves as an inspiration for everyone in the game.

"What he's done as a player and on the management side speaks volumes about what you can achieve with opportunity," Edwards said.

"When I think about Ozzie, I think about a guy going to the University of Alabama when it was quite a thing to do [as a black player]. Him becoming GM is fitting. It all comes together."