Seahawks Player Profile: Brandon Browner
By Ben Renner
Seahawks safety Brandon Browner returns to the team in 2016 in a unique position to play a unique position and prove the haters wrong.
I don’t need to post statistics here to show you that Brandon Browner was one of the worst cornerbacks in the league last year for the New Orleans Saints. He drew penalties far too often and was targeted in coverage constantly because of his shortcomings. He signed a contract the rejoin the Legion of Boom in Seattle to revive his career and get another chance.
Since leaving the Seahawks in the offseason after they won Super Bowl 48, Browner played a mostly-successful season with the New England Patriots, even playing a key role in helping them win the Game That Will Not Be Named by getting away with an illegal hold of Ricardo Lockette on the final play, allowing the Cornerback Who Will Not Be Named to step in front and make the game-ending interception.
Last year, of course, was a disaster for Browner, but Pete Carroll reportedly learned a thing or two from how the Patriots Bill Belichick and company used the long and physical cornerback in their defensive schemes and plans to use him in much the same way during his second stint in Seattle.
More from Seattle Seahawks
- Seattle Seahawks: To rest or not to rest, that is the question
- Seattle Seahawks: 12s still waiting to exhale
- Seattle Seahawks: 4 Takeaways from 26-23 Loss to the 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks: Four Takeaways from Week 14 21-7 victory
- Seattle Seahawks: Three Takeaways from the Week 13 43-16 victory
Only time will tell how the Seahawks plan to deploy Brandon Browner in their defensive alignments this season, but word out of Seahawks’ camp is that he will be used as an extra safety in base defensive sets, possibly bracketing opposing number-one receivers. He may also see time matching up one-on-one against tight ends who would normally cause mismatches.
After the Seahawks were repeatedly lit up by tight ends last year (see Olsen, Greg), it makes sense that defensive coordinator Kris Richard and company would want to use Brandon Browner as a tight end specialist.
On the whole, however, Brandon Browner is in debt to the Seahawks for giving him another chance. Even though John Schneider brought him in on a cheap contract, Brandon Browner needs the Seahawks more than the Seahawks need one of their original Legion of Boom members back. If Browner can show that he can cover when not isolated against faster, smaller receivers on the outside and provide run support, however, the Seahawks’ defense will get a tidy return on the investment.
Next: Seahawks Player Profile: Zac Brooks
Brandon Browner has much to prove during OTAs, workouts, and training camp as the offseason wears on. We’ll keep an eye on the unique player in a unique position to try a unique position for the Seahawks’ defense.