Ravens: Marquise Brown shines in Day 1 of 2021 training camp

The Baltimore Ravens held the first official practice of their 2021 training camp on Wednesday. And one player who looked happy to be back on the field was wide receiver Marquise Brown.

Brown was perhaps the star of the first day of training camp despite the absence of his quarterback, Lamar Jackson, who was out due to COVID-19 protocols.

Brown might be without Jackson for the start of training camp, but if Wednesday’s practice is anything to go by, he shouldn’t have any issues making plays this summer.

The 24-year-old hauled in two long touchdown passes from backup quarterback Trace McSorley including a 75-yard bomb where he “smoked” veteran cornerback Davontae Harris downfield.

Brown hauled in another deep touchdown from McSorley a few plays later solidifying himself as one of the best players on the field on Wednesday.

The Ravens are hoping to see a big season from Marquise Brown in 2021.

This year’s training camp is an important one for Brown who has yet to go through the process of a normal NFL offseason. Injuries played a factor in his rookie year before COVID-19 got in the way last season.

Now, Brown is being forced to deal with the absence of his quarterback for at least the first 10 days of training camp.

But Brown isn’t being deterred. If anything, he looks better than ever.

The Ravens have high hopes for Brown who will be the team’s top returning wide receiver in a receiving corps full of new faces.

Sammy Watkins, Rashod Bateman, and Tylan Wallace join the likes of Brown, Devin Duvernay, Miles Boykin, and James Proche II in a new-look Ravens wide receiving group.

Brown has flashed superstar potential in his first two years in Baltimore, but his inconsistencies have ultimately held him back. Untimely drops have become synonymous with the former Oklahoma speedster whether fair or not.

But he has a chance to change that narrative in 2021.

A renewed focus on the passing game could play right into Brown’s strengths allowing him to reach the potential the team knows he has.

A strong showing in training camp will go a long way toward helping him realize said potential.

He’s certainly off to a good start.