Seahawks' Brandon Browner suspended 4 games
RENTON, Wash. (AP) - The Seattle Seahawks are about to find out how much losing at least one of their top cornerbacks means to their defense.
Brandon Browner has dropped the appeal of his suspension for using performance-enhancing substances and will miss the final four games of the regular season, the league announced Wednesday.
Browner's loss leaves the Seahawks without a Pro Bowl cornerback whose size and physical play has flustered wide receivers for much of the past two seasons. Walter Thurmond, who was a starter for a short time during the 2011 season before suffering a leg injury, will take Browner's spot.
Browner will be eligible to rejoin the team on Dec. 31 and will be able to play in the postseason should the Seahawks make the playoffs.
"I've thought all along that we are very fortunate to have Walter with some background that has started for us in the past," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. "He's an excellent athlete. He played very well for us this last week and he'll step right up into that mode."
News broke after Seattle's loss at Miami on Nov. 25 that Browner and fellow starting cornerback Richard Sherman were facing suspensions after testing positive for PEDs.
A day later, Browner's agent, Peter Schaffer, said his client had no knowledge of how any banned substance got into his system, but he did not provide specifics on when an appeal might take place.
Messages left for Schaffer on Wednesday were not immediately returned. Sherman is going forward with his appeal and he can play while that is under way.
"I'm still not commenting about it, but I'm disappointed when we lose anybody by injury or whatever. These guys work so hard to be here and all of that and you come to rely on guys, and when you lose guys it's always disappointing," Carroll said. "But really where the focus goes for us is right to the guys who are stepping up."
Browner has 44 tackles, three interceptions and six passes defensed this season. He is in his second season with the Seahawks after getting pulled from the Canadian Football League because he fit the mold of what Carroll wants: big, physical cornerbacks who can play man coverage.
He was voted as a Pro Bowl alternate in his first NFL season, and ended up playing in the game. Last season he had 54 tackles and six interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
Browner is the fourth Seahawks player to be suspended for a PED violation in the past calendar year, joining John Moffitt, Allen Barbre and Winston Guy.
"I've been disappointed about the whole situation, that it is something that he had to deal with it and we had to deal with it, but there is nothing we can do at this point," Carroll said.
Thurmond has played in just one game in the past 13 months, that coming last week in Chicago when he took over as Seattle's defensive back in nickel situations with veteran Marcus Trufant out with a hamstring injury. Thurmond played in six games and started three during the 2011 season before suffering a broken ankle at Cleveland.
Thurmond's injury opened up a chance of Sherman, who has developed into one of the best cover cornerbacks in football.
"It felt like I hadn't missed a step from where I was last year. I'm just trying to make progress and get better," Thurmond said. "It's really just being patient, just getting back to my technique and my form of where I was last year and continuing to get better each week."
With the Seahawks still unsure whether Trufant will be back this week, rookie Jeremy Lane will get the first chance at being the Seahawks' nickel cornerback.
Lane, a sixth-round pick out of Northwestern State in Louisiana, has yet to play a down on defense this year, but he has been a standout on special teams, especially in punt coverage. Behind Lane is second-year cornerback Byron Maxwell.
"We have some concern about it, but I also know we have forced them to compete with our best guys throughout the time and we're always anticipating with the younger guys that they are going to have to play, so they're ready to go," Carroll said. "They are as ready as they can be."
Carroll also announced that wide receiver Sidney Rice has cleared all concussion tests and is expected to play against Arizona. Rice took a shot from Major Wright on the game-winning touchdown in overtime in Chicago last Sunday.
Defensive end Red Bryant played against Chicago despite a foot injury and is expected to be able play versus Arizona. Carroll was also hopeful about linebacker Leroy Hill, who missed the Bears game with an ankle injury and was replaced by Malcolm Smith.
Brandon Browner has dropped the appeal of his suspension for using performance-enhancing substances and will miss the final four games of the regular season, the league announced Wednesday.
Browner's loss leaves the Seahawks without a Pro Bowl cornerback whose size and physical play has flustered wide receivers for much of the past two seasons. Walter Thurmond, who was a starter for a short time during the 2011 season before suffering a leg injury, will take Browner's spot.
Browner will be eligible to rejoin the team on Dec. 31 and will be able to play in the postseason should the Seahawks make the playoffs.
"I've thought all along that we are very fortunate to have Walter with some background that has started for us in the past," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. "He's an excellent athlete. He played very well for us this last week and he'll step right up into that mode."
News broke after Seattle's loss at Miami on Nov. 25 that Browner and fellow starting cornerback Richard Sherman were facing suspensions after testing positive for PEDs.
A day later, Browner's agent, Peter Schaffer, said his client had no knowledge of how any banned substance got into his system, but he did not provide specifics on when an appeal might take place.
Messages left for Schaffer on Wednesday were not immediately returned. Sherman is going forward with his appeal and he can play while that is under way.
"I'm still not commenting about it, but I'm disappointed when we lose anybody by injury or whatever. These guys work so hard to be here and all of that and you come to rely on guys, and when you lose guys it's always disappointing," Carroll said. "But really where the focus goes for us is right to the guys who are stepping up."
Browner has 44 tackles, three interceptions and six passes defensed this season. He is in his second season with the Seahawks after getting pulled from the Canadian Football League because he fit the mold of what Carroll wants: big, physical cornerbacks who can play man coverage.
He was voted as a Pro Bowl alternate in his first NFL season, and ended up playing in the game. Last season he had 54 tackles and six interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
Browner is the fourth Seahawks player to be suspended for a PED violation in the past calendar year, joining John Moffitt, Allen Barbre and Winston Guy.
"I've been disappointed about the whole situation, that it is something that he had to deal with it and we had to deal with it, but there is nothing we can do at this point," Carroll said.
Thurmond has played in just one game in the past 13 months, that coming last week in Chicago when he took over as Seattle's defensive back in nickel situations with veteran Marcus Trufant out with a hamstring injury. Thurmond played in six games and started three during the 2011 season before suffering a broken ankle at Cleveland.
Thurmond's injury opened up a chance of Sherman, who has developed into one of the best cover cornerbacks in football.
"It felt like I hadn't missed a step from where I was last year. I'm just trying to make progress and get better," Thurmond said. "It's really just being patient, just getting back to my technique and my form of where I was last year and continuing to get better each week."
With the Seahawks still unsure whether Trufant will be back this week, rookie Jeremy Lane will get the first chance at being the Seahawks' nickel cornerback.
Lane, a sixth-round pick out of Northwestern State in Louisiana, has yet to play a down on defense this year, but he has been a standout on special teams, especially in punt coverage. Behind Lane is second-year cornerback Byron Maxwell.
"We have some concern about it, but I also know we have forced them to compete with our best guys throughout the time and we're always anticipating with the younger guys that they are going to have to play, so they're ready to go," Carroll said. "They are as ready as they can be."
Carroll also announced that wide receiver Sidney Rice has cleared all concussion tests and is expected to play against Arizona. Rice took a shot from Major Wright on the game-winning touchdown in overtime in Chicago last Sunday.
Defensive end Red Bryant played against Chicago despite a foot injury and is expected to be able play versus Arizona. Carroll was also hopeful about linebacker Leroy Hill, who missed the Bears game with an ankle injury and was replaced by Malcolm Smith.
Well, now is Thurmond's opportunity to get a job with somebody, even if it's not the 'Hawks.
Choosing to look at this positively, this is a great chance for Carroll to develop some 'trade bait' for after this season. There's always personnell he wants to pick up, after all.
Browner's suspension will also make him available for a playoff run if things get that far. Fact remains that we have a fight on our hand in the remaining schedule with the 49er's and I wouldn't sell the Rams short. They've beaten us once already this year and they've gotten some respectable wins ['Skins, 49er's]. That Rams-49er's tie game might just work out in our favor after all...
Great opportunity for Thurmond. While Browner and Sherman at the corners would be the envy of any team in the NFL, the last two games have shown that they're not invincible, and can make big mistakes at critical times. Browner ensures he will be back in time for the playoffs, and we get a chance to see what Thurmond can do. Other teams are hobbled by injuries and other issues as well. In any event, the way Wilson, Rice and Lynch are playing, I expect whoever plays defense to get a lot of rest in each of the remaining games.
I wish Sherman would drop his appeal and serve his suspension now too. Arizona, Buffalo, San Fran, and St. Louis all have pathetic passing games. The Hawks could easily win 3 of the 4 games without these two in the lineup. I would much rather have them both for any possible playoff games.
 @JK15 3 of those teams beat us already. I'd rather have them stagger the suspensions so that we are only missing both of them for 2 regular season games.
 @Hachee_Bungwhy It's a different team than the one that lost those three games. They are moving the ball much better on offense as compared to the inept performances from early in the season. Not to mention, the whole team elevates its play at home. If there were ever a four game streak that you could afford to lose both of these guys, this is it. I doubt we win a playoff game without both of them in the lineup.
This is likely a strategic move. Browner drops his case now and Sherman goes through with the appeal. This way the suspensions are staggered so we are not missing both players simultaneously in all 4 games.
Given that both Browner and Sherman are both going to get suspended, this is probably the smartest and best way to ensure that at least one of them is on the field. Â Their choices were either miss the next four games and probably the playoffs as a result, or make the playoffs and then miss those.
 @Jerome O'Neil Not only that , but if the Hawks happen to make the Playoffs Browner will be able to play in the first playoff game. If Sherman's appeal doesn't hold up then He wont be eligible to play in at least the firs playoff game if he plays on Sunday and then gets suspended.
This may doom the Seahawks season. I agree with the penalty though. If the Seahawks are going to contend, they need to do it legitimately. Hopefully Trufant/Thurmond can step up in a big way during these suspensions. Otherwise we will have to once again wait another year for the playoffs and a legitimate run. It's disappointing when gifted athletes think they can bend the rules. Hopefully they learn their lessons and come back strong to make up for letting the team down.
Pretty sure there is some strategy in this by the Seahawks front office. Its likely they didnt want to have both Sherman and Browner out together for the duration so they staggered it which probably explains why Browner dropped his appeal. Ill bet Sherman gets his suspension  next Friday
 @SODOSonicsNow Exactly. We still have Thurmond who was a pretty good CB until he got injured. Sherman may still be on the bench if Thurmond never broke his leg.
Here's hoping to see you in the playoffs for us. Were going to need a couple of interceptions from you then. Go Hawks!
Another fine role model.
Better to serve it now then in the playoffs if we make it.
And due to the players' union rules, we will never know anymore details of this most likely.Â
 @lakeview Have you not heard of HIPPA?
 @lakeview We have no right to know his personal medical information.
@Keysontheright@lakeview
Good call.
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We have no more right to his medical info as we do to the info of anyone posting in the comments section.