Browner = specialist role

[jakedog56]

As per the News Tribune:

“We’re going to use him at safety on base downs,” Carroll said on 710-AM’s “Brock and Salk” show Monday morning about Browner. “And in nickel we are going to use him to match up in different spots and play inside. So we may be able develop a really unique role for him.”

Last year New Orleans signed him to a three-year, $15 million deal then played him at press corner. It was a disaster. Browner led the league in penalties and said he played through a knee injury he first got in the initial preseason game, in August.

Two seasons ago New England had him inside more against bigger targets, and he was a key defender on what became a championship defense when the Patriots beat the Seahawks in Super Bowl 49 in February 2015.

Browner was Seattle’s starting cornerback opposite Richard Sherman during its Super Bowl-winning season of 2013

As noted here when Browner signed in March for one year and $760,000, not guaranteed, Browner is likely become a physical, match-up defender against bigger receivers, inside or outside, a specialist defending specific-sized and skilled opponents, much like a specialized defender in basketball.

Arizona’s 6-foot-3, 213-pound Larry Fitzgerald comes out for a key third down in a division game this season? Here comes the 6-4, 221-pound Browner to bang on him off the line for that play. That kind of situational use.


“We’ve seen him play in, back to his New England days, they used him quite a bit inside and matched up on tight ends and against slot receivers and things like that,” Carroll said. “See how that develops. Really love having him. He’s such a competitor, such a tough guy.”

Read more here: Seahawks sign ex-UW DL Taniela Tupou as 284-pound FB, waive Mohammed Seisay, have special role for Brandon Browner


So it appears that he will be used as a back-up safety on base downs, and then plugged periodically into the slot role against BIG WRs.

I think that it is possible that he can survive and contribute in this role (if his knee is actually healthy). It certainly is better than trying to rely on him as a full-time press cover CB like NO tried to do with him.

 

[flyerhawk]

He was always a great run defender on the outside. Hard hitter. The role makes sense and won't leave him exposed like he was on the outside. Sounds more like hybrid SAM/SS.

 

[JMR]

So what are we gonna do when BB is playing safety -- only 2 LBs? Is Bruce Irvin's replacement a scheme wrinkle and not a person?

 

[flyerhawk]

So what are we gonna do when BB is playing safety -- only 2 LBs? Is Bruce Irvin's replacement a scheme wrinkle and not a person?

Presumably, he would take the Irvin role in certain situations like nickel.

 

[Cave_Johnson]

Makes sense. I think we all knew he would be a situational guy matching up against big bodies. Using him at safety is interesting, I assume in those situations the D would be running a 4-2-5 with Browner and Chancellor both being able to play sort of safety/LB/nickel hybrid roles. Haven't seen too much of that in the NFL, but I know certain schools in NCAA run that as their base D. TCU has done that for awhile now under Patterson.

 

[jakedog56]

I have to assume that Browner would only see the field as a backup safety, so his role would be limitedin that respect. I am guessing that most of his time will be coming on specifically to match up against big WRs like Fitz.
That is if he even makes the team. I am guessing he will as a #4 CB who also plays as a#3-4 Safety.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Seattle's front 4 is going to dominate the run so ridiculously while still providing ENOUGH of a pass rush with Clemons/Bennett/Clark/Avril packages on 3rd and long, that I don't think it'll matter when we run a 4-2-5 in most situations with Browner essentially acting as a hybrid SS/LBer.

Redskins drafted Cravens to quite possibly do the same thing (hybrid role). I don't see really any runningback (spare the greats or the ridiculous lines like Dallas) consistently getting past the front 4 + Wagner. Might as well get more players out there who are used to defending the pass... put Clark in as needed on the line or in a hybrid LBer spot to blitz passer if needed.

With the pass happy league the way it is.... I wouldn't be surprised if you start to see more hybrid SS/LBers. Shaq Thompson (UW - Carolina) essentially acts as the same thing...

 

[Uhsplit]

BB is a low risk idea that may pan out. Great if he does pan out, no big if he doesn't. I envision him being used in many situations (covering TE's, big WR's, dropping down in run support at times).

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

BB is a low risk idea that may pan out. Great if he does pan out, no big if he doesn't. I envision him being used in many situations (covering TE's, big WR's, dropping down in run support at times).

Yah. Against a team like Tampa Bay with 6'5" receivers (Jackson/Evans) he'll be helpful. Or even against the Patriots covering Gronk (even though Wright does a decent job). I also like the idea of a 4-2-5 scheme against passing situations. Clark-Clemons/Rubin-Reed/Bennett/Avril, Wagner/Wright, and Lane/Thomas/Browner/Sherman/Chancellor would be a really potent defense against a passing situation. Have Browner essentially as a hybrid LBer/CB to cover TEs or in the case of teams with bigger WRs like Tampa, shift Lane inside to cover nickel and Wright can cover TE while Browner secures the outside.

Needless to say, the front 4 looks scary on paper given my above example.