Brandon Browner will get a ring for the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl win, but the recently signed New England Patriots cornerback had to watch his former team win it all from home.
Browner was suspended indefinitely by the NFL last season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Browner said watching the Seahawks win the Super Bowl was bittersweet, despite getting a ring and a playoff check.
“It was tough to watch my guys out there go get it,” Browner said Monday during a conference call with the media. “But at the same time, I also enjoyed it as well. It seemed like they had a good beat on Peyton Manning and those guys. They played a little faster than the Broncos did, so it was exciting to see those guys playing like we play ball. It almost looked like a glorified practice, so to say.”
Not being allowed to play in the Super Bowl contributed to Browner’s decision to sign with a proven winner. Browner signed a three-year, $12.35 million contract with the Patriots on Friday.
“The organization, first class,” Browner said of the Patriots. “I watched them win multiple Super Bowls. They always have the chance to compete to get to the big one. Leaving an organization like Seattle, growing up and up and coming, it was only right for me to come over to New England and have a shot at playing in the big one. My goal is to win the big one. That’s why that was part of my decision to come to New England.”
Browner projects as the Patriots’ No. 2 cornerback behind Darrelle Revis, though he’ll have to compete with last year’s starter, Alfonzo Dennard, and part-time starters Logan Ryan and Kyle Arrington. That group will get a head start on Browner since he’ll start the season with a four-game suspension.
“I know I’ll have a shot playing in New England,” Browner said. “It’s a great group of guys I’ll get to play with and I’ll get to play for. I’m looking forward to it.”
Browner had a long road to NFL glory after spending three years in the CFL. Last year’s Super Bowl win was almost a tease for the 29-year-old veteran. Now he has a chance to experience his own playoff success with a team that gets there every season.
