FOXBORO, Mass. — Tarell Brown has limited NFL experience in the slot, but the veteran cornerback looked perfectly comfortable in the new role Monday.
On back to back plays, as the Patriots were going through situational drills, trying to score from 20 yards out, Brown picked off quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Tom Brady. The first pass, from Garoppolo, bounced off wide receiver Danny Amendola and into Brown’s waiting arms. The next one from Brady, meant for Brian Tyms, was deflected by safety Duron Harmon and back to Brown.
As the Patriots prepare for joint practices with the New Orleans Saints, they’re experimenting with their secondary, which included using Brown heavily inside — even though the 30-year-old only has 257 career regular-season snaps in the slot — Harmon at free safety and Patrick Chung at strong safety with Devin McCourty and Malcolm Butler also on the field.
“I feel like I’ve played a lot of ball, so I can adjust to anything,” Brown said. “The biggest thing is just understanding the defense, understanding your calls and understanding what the offense is trying to attack in that down and distance and situation.”
Brown has allowed a 60-percent completion percentage in the slot for 306 yards with three interceptions and two touchdowns allowed in eight seasons. Quarterbacks are 27 of 45 against Brown in the slot with a 67.5 passer rating.
“As a professional you have to be able to adjust, and I understand that,” Brown said. “Just like your job. You have to be able to adjust to different situations and things like that. For me, I’m always willing to adjust. I’m always willing to work. As long as you put your head down and get to work, everything else will take care of itself.”
Brown’s 2014 season ended early when he broke his foot and landed on injured reserve with the Oakland Raiders. He waited until he was nearly 100 percent before signing with the Patriots in late July, despite reportedly taking two visits to Foxboro earlier in the offseason.
“Most of it was me pretty much making sure I was healthy enough to get going,” Brown said. “I didn’t want to come into a situation where I couldn’t really show my full potential. That was my biggest thing.”
Brown didn’t suit up for Thursday night’s preseason opener, and there was a scary moment in practice Saturday when he left the field early with a trainer. He was back to 100 percent participation Monday, however.
“It was just a precaution,” Brown said. “That was it.”
Brown is in the mix for a starting role in the Patriots’ defense as the competition at cornerback continues to get sorted out. Malcolm Butler is a near-lock to start outside, but Brown, Logan Ryan, Bradley Fletcher, Robert McClain, Darryl Roberts and others still are battling for the other two main roles. Brown showed his versatility Monday, which only can help ensure him a spot on the Patriots’ 53-man roster.
Thumbnail photo via Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY Sports Images
