Are the Saints STUCK With Keeping Free-Agent “Busts”?

Putting the ‘B’ in “Bust”

Dec 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Brandon Browner (39) works out prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t know if I can remember a player being so viciously booed during the pre-game introductions, but Browner definitely got it in spades during this past Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Brought in for his leadership abilities, the maligned cornerback has led (or so we assume anyway) not only in the locker room, but also  in penalties and being burned for yardage and touchdowns as well.

Browner is not shy to give it right back to fans and the media as well who he feels is disrespecting him too much or calling out his performance — which has lead to an frosty relationship that Who Dats are not used to seeing from one of their players.

More so than Byrd, Saints fans are ready to help him pack his bags and send him flying coach out of Louis Armstrong when the season is over.

But as mentioned with Byrd, Browner’s exit would mean a nice chunk of cap space being wiped out if he’s outright released.

After signing a 3-year, $15 million dollar contract this year, Browner had a manageable salary pop that ended up being $2.4 million in 2015.

In 2016 that cap hit will translate to $6.3 million which will turn into $5.35 million of dead cap space if he’s cut prior to June 1st.

Instead of releasing Browner, the option could be that the Saints can get some relief from a contract restructure and a slight position change.

I’ve offered this theory along with others that Browner could possibly benefit to a move as a hybrid strong safety and play closer to the line of scrimmage; where his physical style of play might not work so much against him.

If Browner is released, I’d see it more happening in the final year of his contract where his current dead cap space would only be $1.3 million.

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