Pete Carroll says Seahawks will use Brandon Browner as safety and nickel corner
May 9, 2016, 10:55 AM | Updated: 3:54 pm
The Seahawks tried Brandon Browner out in a specialized role in his return to the team. (AP)
(AP)
The Brandon Browner who returned to the Seahawks this offseason isn’t the same player who helped create the vaunted Legion of Boom. And coach Pete Carroll told “Brock and Salk” Monday that the 31-year-old will be used to bolster a stacked secondary as a safety and in nickel packages.
“We’re going to play him at safety in base downs and then in nickel we’re going to use him to match up in different spots playing inside,” he said. “So we may be able to develop a really unique role for him.”
Browner, who turns 32 in August, signed a one-year deal with Seattle that reportedly includes a base salary of $760,000 and no guaranteed money. He joins a group of corners and safeties that Carroll called “deep, competitive and fast.”
“This is an amazing room right now,” Carroll said, specifically mentioning DeShawn Shead’s consistent play, Jeremy Lane’s health and a strong supporting cast of Marcus Burley and Kelcie McCray.
Because of that depth, Carroll says the Seahawks will likely show more scheme variation than in the past that will be more “matchup oriented.”
“I think you will see us a little more matchup-oriented because the guys give us that chance to that,” he said. “We would always do that if we had the opportunity. That will mean there might be some more dime packages and things like that rather than nickel.”
Browner had, by his own admission, the worst season of his career last year with New Orleans. Carroll says Seattle will use Browner in similar ways as the New England did during the Patriots’ 2014 Super Bowl season.
“They used him quite a bit inside, and he really matched up on tight ends and slot receivers … well, and we’re going to see how that develops,” he said. “We love having him in the building. He’s such a competitive dude, he’s such a tough guy. He’s just got the right mentality so it’s really fun to bring he and (Chris Clemons) back.”
