Seahawks’ Brandon Browner shows his resiliency

RENTON — Less than a week after pacing the sideline in anger, Brandon Browner was running for daylight.

And yes, Browner did have the misfortune of being tackled by the 10-yard line at University of Phoenix Stadium, but that stumble aside, last week’s victory in Arizona represented a pretty impressive bounce-back game for Browner.

Following a rough start in Seattle’s Week 6 victory over Tennessee, Browner was benched for most of the half when Pete Carroll decided, after seeing Kendall Wright beat Browner for a couple of catches, including a 32-yard gain, that his cornerback needed to spend a little time on the sideline.

“I just wanted to give him a break, that’s all,” Carroll said after that game.

Browner, understandably, wasn’t happy with the benching. By the end of the second quarter, he could be seen pacing on the sideline, helmet in hand, clearly wanting back on the field.

“It’s tough, man,” Browner said Thursday. “You want to play ball. You never want to be the guy they pull off the field.”

Before anyone could jump to the conclusion that the benching was the beginning of a permanent shift, Carroll put Browner back in the game at the end of the second quarter, and he played pretty well against the Titans in the second half.

Then last week in Arizona, Browner made his coach look smart, both for pulling him off the field, and for going back to him. Perhaps a bit motivated, and definitely having benefited from a postgame talk with Carroll, Browner responded with one his best games as a Seahawk. Early in the Cardinals game, Browner used his length and strength to break up a slightly underthrown pass intended for Larry Fitzgerald. And not only did Fitzgerald not come down with the ball; Earl Thomas was able to make a diving catch for an interception.

In the third quarter, Browner stepped in front of a pass intended for Michael Floyd for his first interception of the season. Browner would have scored on the play had he not tripped himself up just shy of the end zone.

“He’s done really well,” Carroll said. “He had a very good game last week. That was a really cool game for B.B. He made some big plays, made a big tackle, knocked the ball around, had a pick, forced a pick.

“He had a tremendous football game last week. We all were excited for him, because he had a little bit of a rough spot there a couple weeks ago, and he bounced right back in that game, which shows his mettle, but to come back the next week and play that effectively was really cool to see happen.”

With Browner playing in the final year of his deal, and with so many young talented players due for big pay days soon, many have speculated that the 2011 Pro Bowl player will be gone after this year. And perhaps he will, those are the realities of the NFL. However, don’t think Browner has become some sort of afterthought in a secondary that includes standouts like Richard Sherman, Thomas and Kam Chancellor.

“He doesn’t get the credit he deserves,” Thomas said. “I feel like he’s right up there with Sherm, but Sherm just plays everything smart; BB tries to take everything. That’s just his mentality, you’ve just got expect that out of him.”

Thomas joked he was upset that Browner’s stumble near the end zone cost him fantasy football points last week because the safety has Seattle’s defense on his team, but he couldn’t be happier to see his teammate respond well to a little bit of adversity.

“He’s a competitor, that’s what competitors do,” Thomas said. “When their backs are against the wall, they just fight and scratch and claw their way out of it, and that’s what he’s done.”

Browner obviously wishes he hadn’t had to sit out nearly a half against the Titans, but he can see now it was for the best. After that game, he and Carroll talked about what was going wrong — Browner also had been beaten for a touchdown in Indianapolis the week earlier. The result of that chat is what you saw in Arizona.

“It worked in my favor,” Browner said. “I had to sit back. Really it was the talk we had after the game. He just explained what he was seeing that I was doing wrong, and that helped me out. … Just staying on top in Cover 3, realizing where my help was coming from in zones. That’s all I really did. I think now I’ll have success the rest of the year.”

As for what caused Browner to trip when he was so close to an uncontested score?

“I was looking around too much and my legs got to doing what my eyes were doing,” Browner said.

Injury update

Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, who has missed two games with an ankle injury, practiced on a limited basis. Carroll said Wagner is “way ahead of schedule” recovering from a high ankle sprain, but that his availability for Monday is still unknown. Receiver Golden Tate (shoulder) practiced fully and should be OK for Monday, Carroll said. Tate couldn’t finish Tuesday’s practice because of soreness. Percy Harvin, who returned to practice Tuesday, is not listed on the practice report because he is not yet on the 53-man roster, and with him still on the Physically Unable to Perform list, the Seahawks don’t have to disclose his level of participation.

Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.