Watching his first regular season game as Ravens General Manager, Eric DeCosta wanted a victory. He got that, and more.
DeCosta received a game ball in the locker room during a boisterous celebration following Baltimore's 59-10 rout over the Miami Dolphins.
An offseason of acquiring talent paid immediate dividends for the Ravens' first-year general manager, who took over for Ozzie Newsome, a Hall of Famer who is now the team's executive vice president.
It's a new season and several new players had impressive starts, most notably rookie wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, who will be forever linked to DeCosta as his first pick as general manager. Two veterans acquired during free agency also had stellar Ravens debuts -- running back Mark Ingram (14 carries, 107 yards, two touchdowns) and safety Earl Thomas III, who had an interception.
Head Coach John Harbaugh said it felt right to recognize DeCosta following the team's first regular-season victory in his new role.
"Anytime you get your first win like that, and Eric's first win as a GM, he got a game ball, it's monumental, it's something you cherish," Harbaugh said. "Eric has been a big part of this from the beginning. Eric and Ozzie and all the scouts. Everybody. Dick Cass (Ravens president) is a big part of it. I just feel like we've been a team for quite a few years. I think Eric in his new role is thriving. Ozzie in his new role is thriving."
The Ravens had this kind of performance in mind when they added speed and play-making ability to the 2019 roster. Those traits were fully on display during Sunday.
Brown was the most spectacular newcomer with four catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns. DeCosta appears to have hit on his first attempt at drafting a wide receiver, which could pay dividends for years to come. Brown had a coming out party, playing before family and friends who were in attendance from his nearby hometown of Hollywood, Fla. If this performance doesn't make people excited about Brown's potential as a big-play receiver, nothing will.
The Ravens' other rookie wide receiver, Miles Boykin, was a starter alongside Brown. Boykin, the third-round pick from Notre Dame, was targeted by just one pass, but it was a 5-yard touchdown.
"This is his beginning as well," Harbaugh said. "For Marquise to come down here and come home, his first two catches were touchdowns. I don't know if that's been done, maybe it has. That's pretty remarkable. That's something to remember. That's why he was picked, that's why we have him. The ability to make big plays is huge, something we needed."
Ingram almost took it to the house on his first carry, but settled for a 49-yard run that sparked the Ravens' first touchdown drive. After nine seasons with the New Orleans Saints, Ingram was stoked to make a positive impression during his Ravens debut.
"It's great, to come out and have a big game as a team, a group effort," Ingram. "We just got to keep learning and keep building."
Meanwhile, Thomas helped set the tone defensively with a first quarter interception off Ryan Fitzpatrick. It was the 29th interception of Thomas' career, but his first with the Ravens and one he will surely remember.
After nine seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, including six Pro Bowl seasons, Thomas was acquired during free agency to bring his ball-hawking skill set to a Ravens defense that wanted to produce more turnovers. Thomas suffered a season-ending broken leg last season with the Seahawks, but he looked fully recovered Sunday, ranging far to his left to make a leaping interception.
"What a way to start the season, set the tempo for the game," Thomas said. "I just kind of read the QB's eyes. I saw the throw, saw the ball clearly. Thank God I was able to hang onto it."
For some of the Ravens' new talent, this was an impressive way to make an opening statement.
"That's what Eric brought us in for," Thomas said. "I think we did a great job."
Check out the best photos from the Ravens' first regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
TE Mark Andrews, WR Willie Snead IV
QB Lamar Jackson
WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown
QB Lamar Jackson
WR Willie Snead
QB Lamar Jackson
QB Robert Griffin III
OLB Matt Judon
QB Lamar Jackson, QB Robert Griffin III
QB Lamar Jackson
DT Brandon Williams
RB Mark Ingram II
LB Pernell McPhee
CB Brandon Carr
LB Pernell McPhee
WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, RB Mark Ingram II
Ravens team entrance
S Earl Thomas, LB Pernell McPhee, G Marshal Yanda, P Sam Koch
RB Justice Hill
QB Lamar Jackson
TE Nick Boyle
S Earl Thomas III, Anthony Levine Sr.
WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown
RB Mark Ingram II
RB Mark Ingram II
OLB Tim Williams
WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown
WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown
WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown
WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown
WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown
OLB Matt Judon
S Earl Thomas III
S Earl Thomas III
S Tony Jefferson, ILB Patrick Onwuasor
S Tony Jefferson
RB Mark Ingram II, G Marshal Yanda
RB Mark Ingram II and G Marshal Yanda
RB Mark Ingram II
WR Willie Snead IV
WB Lamar Jackson
RB Justice Hill
WR Willie Snead IV
S Tony Jefferson, CB Marlon Humphrey
CB Marlon Humphrey
WB Lamar Jackson
WR Willie Snead IV, QB Lamar Jackson
WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, WR Willie Snead IV
TE Mark Andrews
TE Mark Andrews
RB Mark Ingram II
DB Justin Bethel, DB Brynden Trawick
WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown
DT Michael Pierce
WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown
WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown
CB Marlon Humphrey
DT Brandon Williams
LB Pernell McPhee
CB Marlon Humphrey
RB Mark Ingram II, FB/DL Patrick Ricard
RB Mark Ingram II
QB Lamar Jackson
TE Mark Andrews, WR Miles Boykin, WR Chris Moore
QB Lamar Jackson, WR Miles Boykin
DB/LB Anthony Levine Sr.
DB/LB Anthony Levine Sr.
S Tony Jefferson, ILB Patrick Onwuasor
LB Pernell McPhee
S Chuck Clark
OLB Matthew Judon
DB Justin Bethel
QB Lamar Jackson
QB Lamar Jackson
QB Lamar Jackson
QB Lamar Jackson
RB Mark Ingram II
RB Mark Ingram II
FB/DL Patrick Ricard
TE Hayden Hurst
TE Mark Andrews
CB Marlon Humphrey
K Justin Tucker
TE Mark Andrews
Head Coach John Harbaugh, RB Mark Ingram II
OLB Tyus Bowser
ILB Patrick Onwuasor
TE Mark Andrews
DT Brandon Williams, DT Michael Pierce, DE Chris Wormley, OLB Tyus Bowser
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass, as Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) attempts to defend, during the second half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8), gestures, during the second half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown (15) rests on the sidelines, during the second half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks at a play, during the second half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard (42) congratulates running back Mark Ingram (21) after Ingram scored a touchdown, during the first half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Willie Snead (83) catches a pass for a touchdown as Miami Dolphins cornerback Jomal Wiltz (33) attempts to defend, during the first half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Baltimore Ravens defensive back Anthony Levine (41) runs the ball, during the first half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass, during the first half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass, during the first half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown (15) grabs a pass for a touchdown, during the first half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown (15) runs for a touchdown, during the first half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Miles Boykin (80) congratulates wide receiver Marquise Brown (15), after Brown scored a touchdown, during the first half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Baltimore Ravens free safety Earl Thomas (29) runs after intercepting a pass by Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick , during the first half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) hands the ball to running back Mark Ingram (21), during the first half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Baltimore Ravens free safety Earl Thomas (29) intercepts a pass, as Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11), attempts to tackle, during the first half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Baltimore Ravens free safety Earl Thomas (29) runs after intercepting a pass by Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick , during the first half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass, during the first half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
