FEATURE: MARQUISE BROWN

making a marquee impact

By brooke balzano

MARQUISE BROWN IS ON PACE

to produce one of the best – if not the best – seasons by a Ravens’ wide receiver. With 70 catches entering Week 15, he’s averaging 72.2 receiving yards per game and has tallied a team-high-tying 6 touchdowns, positioning him to surpass the likes of Michael Jackson’s 1996 campaign (76 for 1,201) or Torrey Smith’s 2013 season (65 for 1,128). In an offense that has a multitude of weapons, Brown brings consistency and speed every time he steps on the field. He’s become a favorite target of Lamar Jackson, totaling 174 receptions for 2,219 yards and 21 touchdowns over his three-year career. But the homegrown receiver hasn’t had the easiest path to success. Since he was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Brown has valiantly battled through injuries at times, but has still managed to play a key role in the offense. While the Hollywood, Fla., native has always been a go-to target for the MVP quarterback, Baltimore’s receiving corps added more weapons this past offseason with the acquisitions of Sammy Watkins and first-round draft pick Rashod Bateman. In what may appear to be a crowded wide receiver room, Brown’s reliability certainly stands out. His unique chemistry with Jackson, coupled with his lightning-fast speed, allows him to often sneak behind opposing secondaries as one of the league’s most consistent deep threats. In 2021, the Ravens’ offense not only acquired talent on the field, but off of it, too. The offseason additions of wide receivers coach Tee Martin (below with Brown) and pass game specialist Keith Williams have helped take the passing game to another level. “Those guys are amazing,” Brown stated. “They're pushing to get the best out of us each and every day on the field and in the classroom.”

Brown and Martin’s relationship predated their Charm City connection. While coaching at USC, Martin recruited Brown to join his Trojans. Though his efforts were unfruitful – as Brown ultimately chose Oklahoma – Martin recognized early on the natural talent Brown possessed, specifically his deep-ball tracking ability.

“That's God given,” Martin shared. “I'd like to say as a coach, 'Yes, we coached that.' But he's one of the best trackers of deep balls I've ever coached. It's a natural thing. You saw it in college; he's always had that ability. I've known him for a long time, and he's always been one of the better deepball trackers."

Prior to the new receiving coaches’ arrival, Brown had a tendency of protecting himself after catching the ball. Nowadays, fans can easily see him fighting for extra yards after every catch, turning up field to capitalize on his opportunities. The change in Brown’s preparation and execution is all thanks to the coaching of Martin and Williams. “He's psychologically, mentally and physically locked in,” Williams stated. “When he comes out here to work every day, he knows every rep is a time to improve, is a time to get better and set himself up for the potential to have a good game." Added Martin: “I'm proudest of him with how he's approaching the professional side of the game during the week. Sundays are a result of [preparation], and I think he's made the best strides of being out [on the practice field] early every day, asking for more, asking what drill can we do to work on this – and really attacking issues.” It’s that mentality – and the natural evolution of a highly-gifted athlete who works diligently – that puts Brown on the verge of producing one of the greatest seasons by a wideout in team history.