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Lionel Vital, in his 2nd year as the Ravens' national scout, works with director of college scouting Eric DeCosta to cover schools across the country. Vital re-joined the Ravens after spending 5 years with the New England Patriots as their assistant director of college scouting. Vital's 1st stint in Baltimore was the team's inaugural year (1996).
While with the Patriots, Vital was the team's national college scout his 1st year (2000), but was promoted to assistant director a year later. The Loreauville, LA, native worked closely with Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli and scouting director Thomas Dimitroff.
Vital entered the NFL scouting ranks with the Cleveland Browns in 1991, after being hired by Bill Belichick as a talent scout. He remained with the team through the 1995 season, and made the move to Baltimore in 1996 before re-joining Belichick with the NY Jets in 1997. Vital spent 3 seasons (1997-99) in New York as a talent scout and covered the Southeast region.
Prior to his appointment with the Browns, Vital was the director of player personnel for the Montreal Machine of the World League of American Football (1990-91).
As a RB, Vital was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 7th round of the 1985 NFL draft after establishing a then-school rushing record at Nicholls State. He missed his rookie season (injury) and was waived in 1986. In 1987, he re-signed with Washington and appeared in 3 games, rushing for 346 yards and 2 TDs on just 80 carries (4.3 avg.). Vital signed with Buffalo after being released by the Redskins in 1987. Following the season, he signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox as an outfielder, but soon returned to the NFL to pursue his football career.
Lionel enjoyed a short stint at Detroit (1988) before completing his playing career with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the CFL from 1989-90.
Vital majored in criminal justice at Nicholls State. He was an All-District football player at Loreauville (LA) HS. He also earned All-State honors as an outfielder in baseball. Lionel resides in Loreauville, LA.
NFL/PRO PLAYER EXPERIENCE: 1985, 1987 (Washington Redskins); 1987 (Buffalo Bills); 1988 (Detroit Lions); 1989-90 (CFL's Saskatchewan Rough Riders) | 