He parted ways from the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, but Tony Brown is not one to remain unemployed.
The former Alabama defensive back has been claimed on waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals. Brown’s rights will be awarded to the Bengals after the Super Bowl, according to the team’s website. Cincinnati will also have the first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft in April.
Brown was not selected through seven rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft; however, the Los Angeles Chargers signed him as an undrafted free agent.
He has spent the last two years with the Packers – following being cut from the Chargers – and totaled 39 tackles, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles on defense. The native Texan was also highly productive on special teams, collecting six tackles and a blocked PAT attempt. He played in 20 career games (three starts) and even helped the franchise win an NFC North Divisional crown this year.
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Prior to the NFL, Brown was a gifted cornerback at Alabama.
He came in the 2014 class and if nothing else, he was an emotional leader. It took some time for Brown to learn himself and understand what coaches wanted from him; nevertheless, he was an enforcer when he locked into his role.
The 6-foot, 199-pounder brought an intensity to the Crimson Tide’s defense that fans loved. His passion from pregame warmups to the game itself was second to none and players fed off it. He was a big hitter on special teams and came up clutch on various defensive plays. Brown was on three Southeastern Conference Championship teams (2014-16) and two College Football Playoff national title squads in 2015 and 2017.
Hopefully, the Bengals will use him well.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
