Seattle Seahawks: Reunion in the Pacific Northwest
The Seattle Seahawks have made four straight playoff appearances. Now an old friend is ready to make a reappearance in the Pacific Northwest.
John, Paul, George and Ringo.
Bob, Carol, Ted and Alice.
Okay. We may be pushing it.
How about Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Ernie Holmes and Dwight White?
Related Story: Complete 2016 NFL Mock Draft: First Round
A great quartet can be something special, be it in the world of sports or entertainment. There’s the mention of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Steel Curtain.” You could insert the Rams’ “Fearsome Foursome” or the Minnesota Vikings’ “Purple People Eaters.”
Take your pick. The modern-day equivalent in the NFL, at least for a short time, was a secondary less-than-affectionately known as the “Legion of Boom.”
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner teamed with strong safety Kam Chancellor and free safety Earl Thomas to complete one of the most formidable defensive backfields in recent memory. All four were a part of the team’s Super Bowl XLVIII championship campaign of 2013 (although Browner was suspended at the time of the game).
Then came 2014 and free agency. Ironically enough, Browner and the Seahawks would both reach Super Bowl XLIX. But it came on opposite sides of the field as the veteran defender would earn a ring with the New England Patriots, 28-24 winners over the defending NFL champions.
But Browner’s days in Foxborough were short-lived as the Pats did not pick up the option on his contract. He opted to sign with the New Orleans Saints and to say things didn’t go well in the Crescent City would be a major understatement.
The fine folks at Pro Football Focus ranked 218 cornerbacks in 2015 and Browner ranked dead last. He was part of a defense that ranked next-to-last in the league in all three major categories (total, rushing and passing yards allowed) and a team that allowed the most points in the league. For good measure, the Saints set a new NFL record by allowing an astounding 45 touchdown passes.
Hence, Browner was part of a housecleaning in the Big Easy. But the talented cornerback is now on his way back to the Pacific Northwest courtesy of a one-year contract.
“He always stayed in great touch with Richard and Kam and Earl and Tharold (Simon) and he always considered himself a member of the Legion of Boom,” said Browner’s agent Peter Schaffer to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “He never left.”
Schaffer also told Condotta that when the hard-hitting cornerback heard that the Seahawks were interested in a reunion, Browner was ecstatic. “I’ve never heard him happier. I really haven’t.”
It’s been an offseason of change for Pete Carroll’s team with the retirement of running back Marshawn Lynch and the free-agent defections of left tackle Russell Okung and right guard J.R. Sweezy. Key defenders such as defensive tackle Brandon Mebane and outside linebacker Bruce Irving signed with the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders, respectively.
Of course, this is a club that is still pretty loaded on the defensive side of the football. Defensive ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril and linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright are still in the mix, now complemented by the original “Legion of Doom.”
More nfl spin zone: SPEED KILLS: Fastest 2016 NFL Draft Prospects
So it this reunion of sorts enough to elevate the play of an already-formidable defense? We did see some cracks this past season, especially when matched up against Cam Newton, tight end Greg Olsen and the Carolina Panthers offense. Still, this is a Seattle club that has allowed the fewest points in the league four consecutive years and now may have some additional swagger back thanks to the return of Browner.