Patriots sign suspended DB Brandon Browner
Suspended former Seattle cornerback Brandon Browner said on Friday that he has agreed to a contract with the +New England Patriots, giving the AFC East champions another potent defender in pass coverage.
A day after representatives for Darrelle Revis confirmed that the three-time All Pro would be joining the Patriots, Browner said on Twitter: "I am proud to announce that I am a New England Patriot." The team has not confirmed either deal, but Browner's contract was reportedly worth $17 million over three years.
"I am honored that the Patriots are making me part of their legendary organization," Browner wrote. "I intend to diligently work with the same passion and dedication that I have displayed since coming into the NFL to uphold the great traditions and qualities that are embodied by the Patriots."
After winning the AFC East for the fifth consecutive year, the Patriots lost the AFC championship game in Denver 26-16 as Peyton Manning threw for 400 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. This week, No. 1 cornerback Aqib Talib agreed to a reported six-year, $57 million free agent contract with the Denver Broncos.
+BRONCOS CR3W wrote an article that touched upon Browner and his stance on marijuana violating the league's substance abuse program
Another Patriots defensive back, Alfonzo Dennard, is serving a 60-day jail term in Lincoln, Neb., for a 2012 assault on a police officer. He is expected to be out in time for training camp.
Revis, one of the top players on the free agent market, reportedly agreed to a one-year, $12 million deal Thursday.
Browner, who was suspended four games in 2012 for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, was suspended in December for again violating the league's substance abuse policy. He will miss the first four games of the 2014 regular season, but he will be allowed to attend training camp and play in exhibition games.
The 29-year-old Browner had 19 tackles and one interception before he was injured in Week 10 last season. He missed the Super Bowl, which the Seahawks won 43-8 over the Broncos.
"I would be remiss if I didn't thank the Seattle Seahawks for giving a CFL player the once in-a-lifetime opportunity to return to the NFL, making a young boy's dream come true," he wrote on Twitter. "I say thank you for everything you have done for myself and my family. I am a truly blessed person."
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
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+SPORTS CR3W shows what Revis will look like as a Patriot.
According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, the Patriots have agreed to a three-year contract with former Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner. NFL.com's Albert Breer reports the deal is worth $17.5 million.
Although he was recently reinstated from a year-long suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, Browner will be suspended for the first four games of the season and won't be paid for the next four games after that.
But he seems happy with his new team. Wrote Browner on his Twitter page:
Today, I am proud to announce that I am a New England Patriot. I am honored that the Patriots are making me part of their legendary organization, and am grateful for the opportunity Mr. [Robert] Kraft, Coach Belichick, Nick Caserio and the entire team have given me. I intend to diligently work with the same passion and dedication that I have displayed since coming into the NFL to uphold the great traditions and qualities that are embodied by the Patriots. I would be remiss if I didn't thank the Seattle Seahawks for giving a CFL player the once in-a-lifetime opportunity to return to the NFL, making a young boy's dream come true. To Coach Pete Carroll, GM John Schneider, John Idzik, Coach Richard, Rocky Seto, the LOB, my teammates, the training staff, the equipment guys the Seahawks organization as a whole and most importantly the 12th Man, I say thank you for everything you have done for myself and my family. I am a truly blessed person.
Topics: Brandon Browner, Darrelle Revis, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, NFL
