New Orleans Saints: Brandon Browner the Battering Ram

Battering ram (n): A large, solid, and sometimes mechanical object repeatedly slammed into a structure so as to systematically break it down. See also – Brandon Browner, cornerback, New Orleans Saints.

At 6’4”, 221, Browner is built more like a strong safety than a cornerback. You could almost call him a strong safety based on his size and abilities, but you would probably be missing the point of someone with his unique skill set. Sure, he could arguably transition to safety in a few years as older corners sometimes do, but since his heralded days at Oregon State he has been best characterized, somewhat uniquely, as a shutdown press corner, according to a 2005 USA Today draft analysis.

From his ridiculous, multi-sport, both-sides-of-the-ball career at Sylmar High in Southern California, Browner went on to play all 23 games in two seasons for the Beavers before declaring for the NFL draft in 2005. According to Robert Davis at Football’s Future, Browner was touted for his size and physicality but also seen as raw and lacking the fluidity seen in successful cornerbacks at the next level. He went undrafted that year and subsequently signed with the Denver Broncos. In an August preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, Browner broke his arm and went on season-ending IR before being released the following offseason.

2010-2014, Browner headed to Canada where he played four seasons for the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. He had an impressive career with the Stampeders, compiling a number of accolades, earning All-Star honors (or, “honours” up North) three consecutive seasons and winning the Grey Cup, the CFL’s Super Bowl, in 2008. For his part, he earned the attention of NFL scouts and, ultimately, fit the prototype of Pete Carroll’s big, aggressive cornerbacks. The next four seasons are history.

Browner, who will be 31 when the 2015 Saints season kicks off, is more or less a known quantity. He’s not a burner and he certainly isn’t known for making miraculous, one-handed interceptions. In fact, not counting his remarkable 2011 Pro Bowl campaign with the Seattle Seahawks in which he racked-up a career-best 6 interceptions, 24 passes defended and 54 tackles in all 16 games played, his NFL stats have been underwhelming. Browner had a decent follow-up year in 2012, but did not impress, at least on paper, the following two seasons. Browner was hampered in part by suspensions relating to the NFL’s substance-abuse policy and was also credited with a league-high 15 penalties in 2014 (courtesy of NFLPenalties.com).

Stats aren’t everything and penalties are part and parcel with a player like him. Browner is a bruiser.

Presumably lining up at right cornerback opposite Louisiana native Keenan Lewis, I expect Browner’s immediate, tangible impact to be giving the seemingly ever-growing crop of big, physical receivers in the NFC South some grief. While there is no such thing as “Browner Island” (yet) and speedier guys like Julio Jones and Mike Evans may be able to exploit some of his shortfalls in coverage, he should be able to compensate with the physicality he brings to the game and to his team.

Sep 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints strong safety

Kenny Vaccaro

(32) and middle linebacker

Curtis Lofton

(50) tackle Minnesota Vikings quarterback

Matt Cassel

(16) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Browner will earn his paycheck in the Big Easy in two ways. Jamming and disrupting routes at the line and forcing quarterbacks to improvise, and punishing opposing tight ends. I am certain Rob Ryan will have more in store for the tenacious veteran I’m just erring here on the conservative side of things given what we all pained through last season. Run-stopping and corner blitz packages come to mind – Browner could also very well be that “big nickel” prototype Ryan has been looking for, allowing third-year strong safety Kenny Vaccaro to do his thing again.

Browner is also a leader, two-time Super Bowl champion, and a veteran presence in that Saints secondary. The intangibles he brings to New Orleans are many, and you can bet he will make his presence known to opposing Saints receivers in training camp this summer. For these reasons alone I find the Browner signing apt.

I have faith that Lewis can continue to hold down his side of the field and regain his prominence. Browner will certainly help, as will Vaccaro and free safety Jairus Byrd. The secondary does not stop there, however, as second year corner Stanley Jean-Baptiste and other CFL standout Delvin Breaux have plenty of promise themselves. As well, with 5 picks in the first three rounds, the Saints could very reasonably grab another young talent to compete for a spot in what is shaping up to be an interesting and promising defensive secondary.

I honestly don’t care if you get 20 penalties this year – Do your thing, Brandon.

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