Courtesy Calgary Herald:

On Brandon Browner’s first day at the Calgary Stampeders’ 2008 training camp, the rangy defensive back expressed some dissatisfaction with his numbers during his rookie season in the Canadian Football League.

“I only had one interception on the year — what DB only wants one interception?” said Browner last month.

Well, the way his sophomore campaign is going, the numbers might not get any better. Simply stated, you can’t pick off passes when quarterbacks don’t throw any in your direction.

“Of course, you always want more action,” said a smiling Browner on Monday. “You can’t get a pick without action. But at the same time, I think it’s a testament to you that they’re not going your way. But if I’m not getting the balls, I want to score high when it comes to taking care of my responsibilities. I want the positive marks even if I’m not getting the balls my way.”

Opposing quarterbacks learned last season that Browner can make life awfully difficult. In his rookie year, Browner used his unique blend of size (six foot three, 210 pounds) and speed to shut down receivers on the short side of the field.

So this season, they’re rarely even attempting to go at Browner. He’s made just three defensive tackles and knocked down just one pass.

“He’s a big guy, and the challenge with him being a big guy is that it’s harder to throw balls over him, and he’s aggressive, so it’s hard to throw balls through him,” assessed Stampeders secondary coach Corey Chamblin.

“He does disrupt the timing of wide receivers once he gets hands on them. He has a large wingspan, so if you’re trying to go inside-outside on him, it’s hard to get through him.

“At the same time, there are some weaknesses, but he’s working on them.”

Browner arrived in Calgary last season coming off two years away from football, and had to start from scratch in terms of proving himself. But it was a different approach heading into his second training camp with the Stamps.

“I came in here knowing I had a job,” he said. “Last season, I was coming after two years without football. But knowing I had a job this year, I did some different things in the off-season in training. Improving my foot-speed, my quickness — that’s always big for a DB.”

His colleagues in the defensive backfield can’t help but notice him when he’s on the field, and even they’re surprised at times.

“When I saw him last year, I thought he’d get killed because he’s too tall,” said Stamps safety Richard Karikari. “But he’s a physical player and, if you’re physical, you can play in both leagues. The thing is, he works hard. He’s a young guy, and I can appreciate someone like him who comes in and works hard and doesn’t take things for granted.”

Added wide-side cornerback Dwight Anderson: “He’s big; he’s not the typical corner you see out there. Brandon is real physical; he’s going to get his hands on you and he’s a ball-hawk. I like him over there on the other side; I love watching him play.”

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