Brandon Browner reinstated by NFL, will become a free agent
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| USA Today |
Browner's full statement:
I received wonderful news today. The NFL has reinstated me, and I now have
the opportunity to prove to the fans and my teammates how important this
sport is to me. I realize now more than ever that being part of the NFL is
not a right, but a privilege. I am grateful that Commissioner Goodell and
my agent were able to resolve this issue in a positive, productive manner so
I can continue my career, provide for my family, and help my team win a
Super Bowl. Thank you to all who have gone out of their way to show their
support. I will live up to your expectations of me.
Browner was originally handed a 1 year suspension for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy back in December. When Browner turned down a deal from the league that would have greatly reduced his suspension, choosing instead to continue the appeal process, the league changed the suspension from one year to "indefinite".
However, Browner appeared to have a good reason for his appeal. Under the NFL's substance abuse policy, a player must have three positive tests to warrant a suspension. Browner contended that the league moved him from Stage 1 to Stage 3 of their substance abuse policy for missing three NFL scheduled drug tests- even though Browner was playing in the CFL and not the NFL at the time. The league had defended its reasoning by claiming Browner was informed of those tests in writing, but now seems to be backing off of a clear misinterpretation of it's own rules. Browner's threats last week to take the case to federal court likely greased the skids on that.
Browner, who was out with a groin injury when his initial suspension was handed out, had to watch from the sidelines as Byron Maxwell stepped seamlessly into his starting role, helping the Hawks win their first Super Bowl championship. The Seahawks have said that Browner will still receive a ring as a member of that team.
He now joins Aqib Talib, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and others in a crowded free agent market for top cornerbacks. At 6'4" and 221 pounds, Browner is massive for a cornerback, and he uses that size well to body up on top receivers. He made a Pro Bowl in 2011, his first full season in the NFL, after exploding onto the scene with 6 interceptions and 23 passes defensed for the Seahawks, and has continued to find success whenever on the field.
Of course, staying on the field is starting to become a problem for Browner. He missed four games in 2012 for a violation of the league's PED policy (unlike teammate Richard Sherman, he wasn't able to get off on the Ryan Braun technicality), and only managed to play in 8 games last season, thanks to a combination of injury and suspension.
As a result, there are some major risks associated with signing Browner this offseason. He's a cornerback who's due to turn 30 in August. He has a record with both the league's PED and substance abuse drug testing policies. He admits that he's failed two drug tests with the NFL for marijuana, leaving him one strike away from a legitimate one year ban. It's also likely that his reinstatement comes as part of a settlement deal including a multi-game suspension at the start of the 2014 regular season.
However, if Browner can bring the play he displayed with the "Legion of Boom" to his new team, it could be worth the investment. There aren't a lot of guys out there with Browner's combination of size and coverage ability.
Could Browner become a fallback option if the Patriots are unable to keep Aqib Talib? Let us know in the comments
