METAIRIE, La. – New Orleans Saints cornerback Brandon Browner was ripped by at least two former NFL players on Sunday night for choosing to make a blindside hit on a trailing offensive lineman instead of trying to make a tackle during a 78-yard screen-pass touchdown by the Washington Redskins.
Coach Sean Payton didn’t let Browner off the hook Monday when asked about the play.
“Obviously when you’re playing a screen pass … you want to get to the ball. So those are some of the mistakes we’re discussing,” Payton said during a Monday news conference that was focused on impending changes to the defense and whether defensive coordinator Rob Ryan might get fired.
When told that former players criticized Browner, Payton said, “Absolutely. Because you’ve got to get to the ball. We’ve got to play the ball. Every once in a while there’s certain battles that you don’t want to fight … if it doesn’t involve getting to the football.”
Former Saints linebacker Scott Shanle was one of those players. He tweeted, “just when you thought you have seen it all. I just dont understand what going on… speechless, confused, etc etc”
NBC analyst Rodney Harrison discussed the play on TV on Sunday night. According to NOLA.com, Harrison said, “I don’t understand. I’m watching and I’m like, ‘Go make the tackle.’ He comes back and he peels back and hits a lineman. This is why this is the worst defense in the league. That’s just a selfish play.”
It’s hard to tell on video if Browner could have made the tackle on Redskins running back Matt Jones, since Browner was coming from an angle and appeared to be a step behind Jones. But Jones had to navigate through some traffic, so it was at least possible that Browner might have been able to get to him.
Instead, Browner didn’t even try. He opted for a crack-back block on Redskins guard Spencer Long, who had begun to jog a few yards behind Jones.
Browner was not available for comment Monday.
Browner was signed by the Saints in free agency to bring a physical presence to the cornerback position, veteran leadership and championship experience as a member of the Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. But his time in New Orleans has been turbulent.
Last week, Browner went on an expletive-filled tirade in the postgame locker room after he was upset by a reporter’s line of questioning. He also leads the NFL in penalties (17 called, 15 accepted).