The Baltimore Ravens made a huge splash in free agency last week, signing two of free agency’s biggest names in safety Earl Thomas and running back Mark Ingram. While other franchises were vying for the two coveted, high-profile players, it was the Ravens who ultimately came out as victors, leading Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta to label the Ravens as a “destination team.”
“I think it’s a testament to what Mr. [Art] Modell started and what Steve [Bisciotti] has continued and under John’s [Harbaugh] leadership, [that] we’ve become a destination team for a lot of players,” DeCosta said of the two signings at a Friday press conference. “I think our fan base, our stadium, this facility, the brand, what we do in the community, I think it all kind of gels together. We’ve become a team where players want to play, and that’s a great feeling. Looking back from 1996 to where we are now, there’s been tremendous growth, and I’m very proud of that.”
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh echoed DeCosta’s sentiment about the franchise’s esteemed status around the sport.
“A lot of guys were calling,” said Harbaugh. “They were calling Eric [DeCosta] and Ozzie [Newsome], and a lot of agents were calling. There are a lot of guys that wanted to come here, and to me, that’s a credit to Steve Bisciotti and the fan base here and the way the organization is run.”
For their part, both of the Ravens’ newest additions also concurred, each mentioning how it was an honor to play for such a respected team.
“I feel like I have many more years of playing this game at the highest level and being one of the best in the game, and I have the opportunity to come here and do that with a great franchise, a great organization, some great teammates,” said Ingram. “That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
“Well, you look at Ed Reed, guys like Ray Lewis, I feel like that’s my style of play,” said Thomas. “I have that type of swagger. It’s a historic franchise, so I definitely have an opportunity to bring my blueprint to the table.”
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