Sherrod Martin brought two footballs home from Arizona, one for each of his interceptions of future Hall of Fame candidate Kurt Warner.
It was a splendid starting debut for Martin, the Carolina Panthers' rookie free safety who was filling in for injured Charles Godfrey. Martin's interceptions helped the Panthers to a 34-21 win against the Cardinals.
"I couldn't ask for (it to have been) any other way," said Martin. "I've got something to build off of."
With Godfrey still hobbled by an ankle injury, Martin is expected to be in the starting lineup Sunday against New Orleans, when he'll face another of the NFL's elite quarterbacks.
This time, it will be Drew Brees, who has led the Saints to a 7-0 record, tied with Indianapolis for best in the NFL. Brees is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes (16), is sixth in passing yardage (2,006), and is third in passer rating (107.6).
Martin watched Brees and the Saints beat Atlanta on "Monday Night Football" and, of course, has been deep into film study of New Orleans' attack this week.
But Martin doesn't look or sound intimidated about facing Brees.
"It's the NFL and a quarterback is a quarterback," he said. "I'm coming in and just trying to help the team out.
"It's all about what you do when you step on the field. Everything you've done in the past goes out the window. If you step on the field and you've done great things, you've got to do them all over again."
That's especially true for Martin, who's making a bid to remain the starter . The cast Godfrey wore on his right foot last week was gone Wednesday, but he still was walking gingerly.
Martin's two interceptions against the Cardinals doubled the number Godfrey has in 22 starts. Martin also matched the combined total of interceptions this season by Carolina's other defensive backs. He became the first Panthers player with two picks in a game in more than two years, since Deke Cooper had a pair at Arizona on Oct. 14, 2007.
"He showed up," veteran linebacker Na'il Diggs said of Martin. "That's what you want out of the young guys, to step in and fill in when needed and have great performances.
"That's what this NFL is about. A lot of great players were made that way."
Martin displayed a knack for interceptions during his college career at Troy, compiling nine during his four-year career. He tied an NCAA record with three in a quarter against Alcorn State last year .
"To be able to make plays, you've got to be around the ball," said Martin. "If it's on the ground or in the air, you just make sure you get there. When you get there, it's got a way of making things happen. Things happen in a crazy way."
Though Martin played safety in college, the Panthers drafted him intending to move him to cornerback. However, factors contributed to his return to safety:
Rookie cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, a seventh-round pick, played much better than expected and won a spot in the team's nickel package as a cornerback, plus there were injuries at safety.
Martin also bruised a knee during the preseason that slowed his development.
"It slowed me down as far as running," he said. "It was causing me sharp pain, but I've put all that behind me.
"I know nobody will play the game at 100 percent, but I feel like I'm the best I can be."
For one game, at least, that was plenty good enough.
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