Pete Carroll: Door open for Brandon Browner’s return to Seahawks
Aug 31, 2016, 2:02 PM | Updated: Nov 2, 2016, 1:37 pm
(AP)
RENTON – While explaining the thinking behind the Seahawks’ decision to release defensive back Brandon Browner, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll left the door open – wide open – for a potential return some time down the road.
“There’s many scenarios where would ask him to come back,” Carroll said Wednesday.
Browner was among the players Seattle parted ways with this week in order to reach the league-mandated 75-man roster limit before Tuesday’s deadline.
The Seahawks had brought him back this offseason on a minimum-salary, one-year deal to see if he could convert from cornerback to strong safety and also fill a specialized hybrid role as part of Seattle’s sub packages, one that would entail among other things covering tight ends and bigger wide receivers. But in order to justify a spot on the roster, Browner would have had to show that he was far enough along in his conversion to strong safety that he could step in there if necessary, and from the sounds of it, he wasn’t.
“We just felt like we ran out of time getting him ready to play safety,” Carroll said. “The specialty stuff he could do, and there was no question about that. But to fit on the roster and all that, I thought that it was going to be a race for him to make it. He could play. He could play for us, which he did in games. But I think it’s still a ways to come.”
Carroll said that out of respect for Browner, the Seahawks released him this week as opposed to waiting until final cut-downs this weekend, when he wouldn’t have as much time before the season starts to latch on with a new team. If he doesn’t, there’s a chance he could be back with Seattle should a need arise later. Carroll said the Seahawks and Browner parted ways with that understanding.
“I love that guy and his competitiveness and toughness and all that,” Carroll said.
Notes
• Center Patrick Lewis, another one of the players Seattle waived as part of the initial roster cut-down, has been claimed by Buffalo. Also, the four players the Seahawks waived as injured on Tuesday – running back/cornerback George Farmer, cornerback Trovon Reed, wide receiver Kevin Smith and defensive end Josh Shirley – cleared waivers and reverted to Seattle’s Injured Reserve list.