As partners, Ozzie Newsome and Phil Savage built the Baltimore Ravens from a debt-ridden franchise unable to afford a practice squad into Super Bowl champions.

For five years, they formed the best front-office tandem in the NFL. With Newsome holding final say on everything and Savage feeding him information behind the scenes, the Ravens enjoyed a rare run of bull's-eyes on major moves and minor ones.

The partnership was broken when Savage left 356 days ago to head the Browns' football operation. Newsome could have had the job, but he felt he was closer to collecting another Super Bowl title, or two, and stayed in Baltimore.

It was purely Newsome's decision. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti was prepared to give the reins of the team to Savage if Newsome wanted out.

Now the teams are separated by only a game at the bottom of the AFC North standings. Where they go from here will say a lot about whether the two men were better as partners than as rivals.

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