The Patriots followed Darrelle Revis' conference call with one for Brandon Browner and the former Seattle cornerback expressed plenty of enthusiasm toward being in New England. Like Revis, Browner mentioned his desire to win several times and how excited he was to be part of the organization.
One thing he did not express was any intention the team had of moving him to safety. At 6-4, 220 pounds, Browner is perhaps the biggest corner in football but doesn't have the best straight line speed at the position. For that reason – coupled with the Patriots dearth of depth at safety – many believed he would be a candidate to join Devin McCourty along the backline of the defense.
"They haven't talked to me about playing safety. I'm here to play corner," Browner said rather bluntly.
So, it would seem as if the plan is to have Browner compete with Alfonzo Dennard and perhaps Logan Ryan for the starting spot on the right side, a position he played exclusively in Seattle with Richard Sherman manning the left side. Browner will now get the opportunity to share the position with arguably the best in the game in Revis.
"It's going to be a lot of fun playing with him and with all of the other defensive backs they have," Browner said. "They have some good football players there, [Devin] McCourty is a good football player. Revis is a really good technician with his low base. It's fun to play with someone like that, kind of like in Seattle playing with Richard Sherman. I'm looking forward to it."
Browner did not want to elaborate on his current suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, which will force him to sit out the first four games of 2014 after missing the final five last year. Browner said he wanted to "put it behind him and keep it in the past."
"I've made a few mistakes," he added. "But I look forward to righting the wrongs."
RELATED LINKS
