OWINGS MILLS, Md. --When John Harbaugh threw cornerback Chykie Brown out of practice Saturday, the Baltimore Ravens coach wasn't just upset. He was in teaching mode.

The previous night, Harbaugh talked to his team about the importance of discipline. So, when Brown kicked a ball in frustration -- which would've drawn a 15-yard penalty flag in a game -- Harbaugh knew he had to take action.

"It's an opportunity to make a point on something that is important," Harbaugh told reporters after practice. "It's not really as much for the guy; he knows. It's for everybody. That gets everybody's attention."

Harbaugh allowed Brown to return to the field after being inside for about five minutes. Brown later traded swings with wide receiver Steve Smith.

"The thing I loved about it is he responded with a great practice," Harbaugh said. "He played really well. To me, that's a sign that he's going to be just fine."

Brown wasn't the only one who received a message. The Ravens' defensive coaches, led by linebackers coach Wink Martindale, ran onto the field after a big play, which didn't go unnoticed. Harbaugh asked the official to throw the flag on what he described as "a little over-exuberance."

"It's practice and you want to have fun," Harbaugh said. "But, as a head coach, when you have an opportunity to make a point that they'll remember in a situation like that in practice, I feel that's really important."

The Harbaugh brothers have been making headlines recently by booting players out of practice. On Friday, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh told Anquan Boldin to leave the field after the wide receiver took a swing at a cornerback.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said this wasn't the first time he's thrown out a player, and it likely won't be the last.

"It happens every year," John Harbaugh said. "If it only happens once, it'll be a record."