PLEASE NOTE:The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed on BaltimoreRavens.com represent those of individual authors, and unless quoted or clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of the Baltimore Ravens' organization, front office staff, coaches and executives. Authors' views are formulated independently from any inside knowledge and/or conversations with Ravens officials, including the coaches and scouts, unless otherwise noted.
Head Coach John Harbaugh called it a hat trick, a feat usually reserved for hockey.
Rookie undrafted free agent safety Omar Brown scooped up two fumbles and snatched an interception in his first NFL game Thursday night in Atlanta.
But it wasn't even the first time Brown's done it. And he didn't act like it was any big thing.
"Yeah, back in high school I did [it]," Brown said.
Prodded for more, Brown said, "It was a great experience. To do it at this level – the highest level – I feel real good about it."
Perhaps Brown wasn't that ecstatic in the postgame locker room because he's been doing this his whole life, and particularly throughout Ravens training camp.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder has consistently been on the other end of deflected passes in practices. And when the ball hits the ground, for some reason, he's the one often coming out of the scrum with it.
In his senior year at Marshall, Brown posted a team-high 113 tackles (71 solo), four interceptions and four forced fumbles in 13 games.
"I'm one of those guys that has a knack, that knows where the ball is going to be at and kind of has a good feeling where the quarterback's going to end up throwing the pass," Brown said.
Thursday night in Atlanta, Brown recovered his first fumble in the third quarter when Atlanta botched a handoff. Baltimore's offense promptly turned it into seven points.
Brown grabbed his interception when a pass intended for tight end LaMark Brown skipped off his fingertips and popped straight up. The Ravens' Brown hauled it in despite taking a punishing hit. That also led to a Ravens touchdown.
As if any more "Browns" needed to get in on the turnover action, Ravens linebacker Ricky Brown was the player who caused the fumble in the fourth quarter. Omar Brown was once again the one who scooped it up, and he returned it 32 yards.
"I wanted to get right back out there after I got it so I could get another one," Brown said with a smile.
Even though the Ravens have a stable of other safeties with Ed Reed, Bernard Pollard, Sean Considine, Emmanuel Cook, fourth-round pick Christian Thompson and undrafted rookie Cyhl Quarles, Brown stood out most in Atlanta.
When Brown came off the field following his interception, Harbaugh said to him, "You're trying to make this team, aren't you?"
Brown simply replied, "Yes, sir."
