The New England Patriots continued to bolster their defense Friday by agreeing to a deal with suspended free-agent cornerback Brandon Browner.

The deal is for three years and $17 million, according to numerous reports.

“I am honored that the Patriots are making me part of their legendary organization, and am grateful for the opportunity,” Browner tweeted out Friday evening.

Browner was a starting cornerback for the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks last season before being suspended for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. His suspension includes the first four games of the upcoming 2014-15 season, as well as the playoffs and final two games of last season.

At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Browner is big, physical counterpart to Darrelle Revis, the other major cornerback the Patriots signed this offseason. The high-profile duo will replace Aqib Talib, who bolted the Patriots for Denver when free agency began.

With Revis and Browner joining Alfonzo Dennard, Logan Ryan and Kyle Arrington, New England now has arguably the deepest stable of quality cornerbacks in the NFL.

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Browner, 29, made the Pro Bowl in 2011 and in 36 career games as member of the Seahawks had 10 interceptions.

In his Twitter message, Browner also thanked Seattle for making his “dream come true.”

“I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the Seattle Seahawks for giving a CFL player the once in-a-lifetime opportunity to return to the NFL, making a young boy’s dream come true,” he wrote.

“To Coach Pete Carroll, GM John Schneider, John Idzik, Coach Richard, Rocky Seto, the LOB, my teammates, the training staff, the equipment guys the Seahawks organization as a whole and most importantly the 12th Man, I say thank you for everything you have done for myself and my family. I am a truly blessed person.”


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