Brandon Browner impressing New England Patriots
The New England Patriots entered the offseason looking to upgrade their secondary. After losing cornerback Aqib Talib to the Denver Broncos, it looked like that wasn’t going to happen. However, the Patriots rebounded to sign one of the game’s best players, former New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ cornerback Darrelle Revis and Seattle Seahawks’ cornerback Brandon Browner.
More from New England Patriots
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark
- NFL rumors: Patriots screwed themselves with DeAndre Hopkins pursuit
- Bill O’Brien arrival did not end the road for one disliked Patriots coach
- 3 biggest mistakes from the NFL offseason
Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston described just how impressive Browner has been.
"When cornerback Brandon Browner talked about practicing in full pads for the first time in training camp, he said, “It always feels good to get them pads on and smack a little bit.” Browner then backed up his words by flattening rookie running back James White in 11-on-11 drills on Sunday. Overall, the play of Browner and Darrelle Revis has been one of the top early storylines of camp. On Saturday, Revis intercepted two Tom Brady passes and broke up two others. On Sunday, it was Browner establishing a physical edge that reminded us of when safety Rodney Harrison was creating physical havoc in his first year with the team. The Patriots’ defense has been practicing with a bit of an edge, and Revis and Browner are a big part of it."
After four years in Canada, Browner was fantastic for the Seahawks in 2011 and 2012, but missed four games due to a suspension for violating the NFL’s PED policy. Browner was suspended again in 2013 for missing drug tests and played in just eight games. He has been reinstated by the NFL but must sit out the first four games of the 2014 season.
Browner made 19 tackles, 10 passes defended and had one interceptions in eight games last season and has 104 tackles, 10 interceptions and 39 passes defended in 36 career games.