Browner news

[DBroncos4life]

Brandon Browner: Making the Quick Change
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- There was something familiar about the way rookie Brandon Browner sprinted and glided about the Broncos' practice fields at mini-camp.


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The smooth stride. The angular build. The fact that he stood at least two inches above those at his position, like a lean but aggressive egret among a flock of hawks.

It was just like another defensive back who arrived three years ago under similar circumstances -- as a proficient college cornerback who expected to be drafted but then fell out of the draft picture entirely, only to be signed by the Denver Broncos shortly after the weekend concluded.

All that other defensive back did was become a starter by his second season.

"Lenny Walls, Jr.," Pro Bowl safety John Lynch said. "They look a lot alike."

But while Walls stays at cornerback, a better slot for the 195 pounds he carries, the 6-foot-4 Browner is playing safety after handling cornerback duties in college. Browner is 26 pounds heavier.

"The exciting thing about Brandon is that for all the things we like about Lenny, if you stand them side-by-side, they look like bookends," said General Manager Ted Sundquist. "Yet Brandon carries a lot more weight than Lenny does in his upper body, which allows him to be a little more physical, which is why we feel he would be such a good fit at the safety spot.

But to Browner, the similarities stop there. He may be similar in build, but he wants to try and follow those at his new position, not players at the old.

"I wouldn’t say he’s someone I try to emulate but I would agree about the size," Browner said. "(I want to emulate) great safeties (like) Ronnie Lott, Ed Reed and John Lynch."

One trait that serves Browner well is the way in which he throws his weight around on the field.

"He is a little bit bigger than Lenny and has the ability to be physical in the box versus the run game," Sundquist said. "As you look at him on the field, this is a guy who's a pretty good man-cover corner. You take those skills as a cover guy and his willingness to be physical, and he should turn into a pretty good safety prospect."

Browner can see where Sundquist and the Broncos are coming from, and accepted the position change willingly.

"I think it fits me better," Browner said. "I'm a taller DB (so I can) be back there and be comfortable."

All the while, it somehow seems appropriate that when one catches Browner coming off the practice field, he's a man of brevity, needing only a few words to answer each question from a pair of waiting reporters. After all, Browner appears in a rush to get places. He entered the NFL early, after just three seasons at Oregon State, and only two on the field following a redshirt freshman campaign. He promptly became a starter in his first season at OSU and became the Pac-10's Freshman of the Year.

[DBroncos4life]

Nineteen months after earning that honor, Browner must adapt to his new position while having his offseason truncated down to three practice sessions after being unable to practice at quarterback and team camps owing to Oregon State's spring academic quarter still being in session into June.

Browner is used to moving pretty fast. Lynch, for one, thinks that's enough time for Browner -- partially because he lived with similar restrictions after being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12 years ago.

"It’s a tough rule," Lynch said. "I remember I had that same thing with Stanford and I couldn’t come in and it hurts those guys. In the long run, he can catch up.

"He'll have to make his mark ... in training camp and there's plenty of time to do it there."

Browner said that he'd continued working out over the past two months leading up to his arrival at mini-camp, and cornerback Champ Bailey believes that will serve the rookie well.

"It’s not like he’s out of shape," Bailey said. "You’re probably out of shape because you come to this altitude. The guy’s been playing, he hasn’t had any injuries and he’s a great athlete. He’s got a great chance to make this team."

RELATED LINKS:

[Wes Mantooth]

As a OSU Beaver season ticket holder, I can tell you that he can play. Hope he gets some decent playing time this year. Thanks for the post!

Originally Posted by DBroncos4life

Nineteen months after earning that honor, Browner must adapt to his new position while having his offseason truncated down to three practice sessions after being unable to practice at quarterback and team camps owing to Oregon State's spring academic quarter still being in session into June.

Browner is used to moving pretty fast. Lynch, for one, thinks that's enough time for Browner -- partially because he lived with similar restrictions after being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12 years ago.

"It’s a tough rule," Lynch said. "I remember I had that same thing with Stanford and I couldn’t come in and it hurts those guys. In the long run, he can catch up.

"He'll have to make his mark ... in training camp and there's plenty of time to do it there."

Browner said that he'd continued working out over the past two months leading up to his arrival at mini-camp, and cornerback Champ Bailey believes that will serve the rookie well.

"It’s not like he’s out of shape," Bailey said. "You’re probably out of shape because you come to this altitude. The guy’s been playing, he hasn’t had any injuries and he’s a great athlete. He’s got a great chance to make this team."

RELATED LINKS:

[watermock]

I was very surprised he wasn't projected to safety and drafted. I'm totally convinced the woo hit safety is quickly becoming extinct. Give me a coverage safety these days.

[Tom G]

Hey, holy smokes, I just looked it up, he's only 20 years old! Last time I we had somone that young, it was Portis.

[Wes Mantooth]

Problem was he put on 20 lbs from close of their bowl game to the pro bowl. He was much faster and lighter and planned on playing CB. Still, don't know why no one took a chance on him for safety though.

Originally Posted by watermock

I was very surprised he wasn't projected to safety and drafted. I'm totally convinced the woo hit safety is quickly becoming extinct. Give me a coverage safety these days.

[SoDak Bronco]

Great to hear we are getting younger in the secondary and he sounds like his upside is unlimited w/ that frame and young age. I hope he can contribute quickly, and I see him taking over for Lynch in a few years~ Great UDFA pick up.

[MT-Tdawg]

If he pans out it will actually give us a real cover saftey when Lynch retires/Fergy leaves

[Kaylore]

I'm excited for this kid. He's got great cover ability, but also the size to play Safety. If he learns to tackle well, he could be really good.

[elsid13]

Mason has report on him on the team site. I surprise how big he looks, and not even wearing pads.

[Mr. Trout]

damn 6'4, 221 lbs. that is some real good size for a safety

[Florida_Bronco]

I'm excited to this this kid play, it definetly seems like he has the physical tools to get it done.

[Lestat]

6-4 221 & only 20
with his coverage skills if they can teach him to be physical he could be a great ballhawking S for the Broncos in the future

[Play2win]

Originally Posted by Mr. Trout

damn 6'4, 221 lbs. that is some real good size for a safety

Jeeze, thats not to far off from Atwater's Size.

[illbroncsfn]

Originally Posted by Play2Win

Jeeze, thats not to far off from Atwater's Size.

We can only hope Browner has Atwater's stick....

[jebures]

Originally Posted by Play2Win

Jeeze, thats not to far off from Atwater's Size.

isnt he bigger than atwater? I though atwater was 6-3 217

[Needa Pass Rush]

STEVE ATWATER
Denver Broncos | S | #27
College: Arkansas Rookie Yr: 1989
Ht., Wt.: 6'3", 220
Contract Status: Inactive
NFL Exp.: 12
Born: October 28, 1966 in Chicago , IL

[rbackfactory80]

Its unfortunate we can't get a cover safety back there right now.

[Needa Pass Rush]

Bet Browner has better wheels/hips/moves in coverage then #27, though.

[elsid13]

Originally Posted by Needa Pass Rush

STEVE ATWATER
Denver Broncos | S | #27
College: Arkansas Rookie Yr: 1989
Ht., Wt.: 6'3", 220
Contract Status: Inactive
NFL Exp.: 12
Born: October 28, 1966 in Chicago , IL

Browner faster too (40 Time: 4.69)

[Florida_Bronco]

Originally Posted by elsid13

Browner faster too (40 Time: 4.69)

I thought Steve was timed at a 4.4x when he came out of college?

[elsid13]

Originally Posted by Florida_Bronco

I thought Steve was timed at a 4.4x when he came out of college?

I found only one site that had Atwater listed at 4.8, but I not confident that accurate and looking now.

[Florida_Bronco]

Originally Posted by elsid13

I found only one site that had Atwater listed at 4.8, but I not confident that accurate and looking now.

I'd think he almost HAD to be faster then 4.8. Dunno where I heard about him running the 4.4, but that seems about right.

[elsid13]

Originally Posted by Florida_Bronco

I'd think he almost HAD to be faster then 4.8. Dunno where I heard about him running the 4.4, but that seems about right.

I give up, I can not find any info on 1989 draft, expect who was taken. So I withdraw my statement that Browner is faster. Sorry guys and gals for inaccurate reporting. I might be able to get a job for ESPN thou..

[Florida_Bronco]

Originally Posted by elsid13

I give up, I can not find any info on 1989 draft, expect who was taken. So I withdraw my statement that Browner is faster. Sorry guys and gals for inaccurate reporting. I might be able to get a job for ESPN thou..

Or CBS rofl