Former Cowboys starter signed to 49ers just weeks before NFC showdown
The Dallas Cowboys need to take care of the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots before they even think of their showdown against the San Francisco 49ers, which has "Game of the Year" potential. The same goes for the Niners themselves, who get the New York Giants and Cardinals (with a combined 0-4 record) before […]
The Dallas Cowboys need to take care of the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots before they even think of their showdown against the San Francisco 49ers, which has "Game of the Year" potential.
The same goes for the Niners themselves, who get the New York Giants and Cardinals (with a combined 0-4 record) before hosting the Cowboys in Week 5.
But let's not fool each other. We've had this one circled in the calendar since the moment the 2023 NFL schedule was announced back in May. In a way, you've got to assume each of these NFC juggernauts is preparing on the side (with advance scouts and such) for the game that could define playoff seeding down the road. The 49ers themselves are adding a former Cowboy to their ranks following the latest news on Tuesday.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 49ers signed cornerback Anthony Brown, who spent seven years with the Cowboys and started 69 games in that span. After his deal expired in March, Brown was briefly with the Pittsburgh Steelers (practice squad) but was released earlier this week. According to A to Z Sports 49ers writer Nicholas McGee, this is a depth signing for San Francisco:
The 49ers had a hole at their fifth cornerback spot in the wake of Samuel Womack III's meniscus injury, that has now been filled by (the) former mainstay of the Cowboys secondary.
While Brown is an experienced veteran who can give an NFL team average play on the outside and at nickel (although he's coming off of a torn Achilles), I can't help wondering if there's even a 1% element to this being some intel-gathering ahead of their Week 5 game against the Cowboys. A coaching staff like Kyle Shanahan's is always looking for the slightest edge and Dan Quinn's defense is a complex one.
That being said, I insist: Brown is indeed experienced and versatile. Although Cowboys fans might remember him most for the big plays he allowed more at a clip of almost one per game, he was solid (no better, no worse) in coverage in many situations.
With so many injuries at cornerback for the 49ers, Brown might get playing time versus his former team when game time comes around on October 10th.
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Actually a real number.
Featured image via Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
