Browner says he "felt a little rusty" vs. Jets
Besides the acquisition of fellow cornerback Darrelle Revis this off-season, Brandon Browner was perhaps the Patriots biggest free-agent splash. The brash, bruising Browner hailed from the "Legion of Boom," and seemed to be an excellent fit opposite Revis.
But things have gotten off to a bit of a slow start for Browner, who is one of, if not the, most physically imposing corners in the league (6'4", 220 lbs). While we knew from the day he was signed that he would miss the first four games due to suspension, it came as a bit of a surprise when he was scratched from the first game he was eligible to play in.
While Bill Belichick played down the significance of Browner's absence, rumors swirled that he was not only hobbled by an ankle injury, but struggling to learn a defensive scheme significantly more complex than the relatively one-dimensional one employed by Pete Carroll in Seattle. It was also suggested that Browner was not in "game shape" yet as a result of his inability to partake in team activities during his suspension.
On Thursday in Foxborough against the Jets, we finally were able to get a look at Browner, as his eagerly awaited debut finally came to fruition. He got the start opposite of Darrelle Revis, getting the nod over Logan Ryan and Alfonzo Dennard. But Browner was not on the field after the first defensive series, and his participation was scattered throughout the remainder of the game. Ultimately he ended up playing for 41 of the team's 87 defensive snaps (per Kyle Brasseur of ESPN Boston).
Browner was noticeably winded in the early stages of the game, though the unit as a whole was getting gassed by the Jets offense which crushed the Patriots with a steady rushing attack. Speaking to reporters after the game, Browner was open in admitting he did not quite feel like he was at 100% out there:
In addition to struggling to catch his breath, Browner showed it may be difficult for him to operate successfully within the league's new rules, as he registered two defensive holding penalties while on the field. Many have felt that logically, the increased emphasis on flagging defensive backs for contact with receivers will hinder Browner's effectiveness.
We will see moving forward if the referees continue to flag this contact as stringently as they have been thus far, often calling players for minimal contact. Consequently, it will be up to Browner to potentially adapt and change his style of play in accordance with these rules.
Hopefully Thursday night's exhausting match with the Jets will get Browner a little closer to game shape as the team heads into a game against the Chicago Bears, who have two physically dominant receivers in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
@LC_NEP
@PatriotsLife
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| Daniel Seahorn/BSO |
But things have gotten off to a bit of a slow start for Browner, who is one of, if not the, most physically imposing corners in the league (6'4", 220 lbs). While we knew from the day he was signed that he would miss the first four games due to suspension, it came as a bit of a surprise when he was scratched from the first game he was eligible to play in.
While Bill Belichick played down the significance of Browner's absence, rumors swirled that he was not only hobbled by an ankle injury, but struggling to learn a defensive scheme significantly more complex than the relatively one-dimensional one employed by Pete Carroll in Seattle. It was also suggested that Browner was not in "game shape" yet as a result of his inability to partake in team activities during his suspension.
On Thursday in Foxborough against the Jets, we finally were able to get a look at Browner, as his eagerly awaited debut finally came to fruition. He got the start opposite of Darrelle Revis, getting the nod over Logan Ryan and Alfonzo Dennard. But Browner was not on the field after the first defensive series, and his participation was scattered throughout the remainder of the game. Ultimately he ended up playing for 41 of the team's 87 defensive snaps (per Kyle Brasseur of ESPN Boston).
Browner was noticeably winded in the early stages of the game, though the unit as a whole was getting gassed by the Jets offense which crushed the Patriots with a steady rushing attack. Speaking to reporters after the game, Browner was open in admitting he did not quite feel like he was at 100% out there:
"I felt a little rusty," Browner said. "I felt like I could play better. In the first half I felt like I was pretty tired out there. I can only get better from here. We'll look at the film and critique myself and only get better from here."
In addition to struggling to catch his breath, Browner showed it may be difficult for him to operate successfully within the league's new rules, as he registered two defensive holding penalties while on the field. Many have felt that logically, the increased emphasis on flagging defensive backs for contact with receivers will hinder Browner's effectiveness.
We will see moving forward if the referees continue to flag this contact as stringently as they have been thus far, often calling players for minimal contact. Consequently, it will be up to Browner to potentially adapt and change his style of play in accordance with these rules.
Hopefully Thursday night's exhausting match with the Jets will get Browner a little closer to game shape as the team heads into a game against the Chicago Bears, who have two physically dominant receivers in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
@LC_NEP
@PatriotsLife
