Ahmad Bradshaw, starting RB

[BlueCollarColts]

So obviously with Ballard out for the year, Ahmad Bradshaw will be our starting RB, what does everybody expect with Bradshaw? Losing Ballard hurts, but it is nice to have Bradshaw who is just as good, maybe even a little bit better when he is fully healthy. What does everyone expect from Brown too?

[Jason_]

So obviously with Ballard out for the year, Ahmad Bradshaw will be our starting RB, what does everybody expect with Bradshaw? Losing Ballard hurts, but it is nice to have Bradshaw who is just as good, maybe even a little bit better when he is fully healthy. What does everyone expect from Brown too?

 

Not necessarily, if he's still not 100% then Brown will be the starter.  Losing Ballard sucks but I'm not nearly as down on Brown (hey that rhymed lol) as a lot of people seem to be.

[Superman]

[Valpo2004]

I think we'll end up relying on the pass a little more.  Unless Bradshaw gets better and starts getting much more effective, Ballard was the most effective RB running the ball.  

 

However I think Brown is trustworthy in blitz pickup.  And Bradshaw was rated the best RB in the league by PFF at Blitz pickup.  

[BlueCollarColts]

I think we'll end up relying on the pass a little more.  Unless Bradshaw gets better and starts getting much more effective, Ballard was the most effective RB running the ball.  

 

However I think Brown is trustworthy in blitz pickup.  And Bradshaw was rated the best RB in the league by PFF at Blitz pickup.  

It was week 1, and Bradshaw did not play in any of the pre-season games, in fact, he hardly got any practice time before the season, so I expected him to be rusty, Bradshaw is a great blocking RB, and he is no slouch running the ball as he has exceeded 1,000 yards rushing twice out of the past 3 seasons, and the one season he didn't, he only played 12 games in and rushed for 659 yards

[coltsfanatic24]

Brown will start but Bradshaw will split  carries. You never wanna see a player get injured but we will see less of the power running game and more of Luck airing it out. It should make us a better offensive team and we won't be conservative. Even if were up on a team by 14 like we were against the Raiders, will still be passing the ball instead of trying to milk clock unless it's 4th qrt.

[BigQandTheManiac]

Bradshaw i'm confident in...Brown however...naw idk why everybody's so confident in him...he runs too sloppy for me...hopefully they'll go out and sign Willis McGahee...even thou he's 31 i feel more confident in him then brown...ijs...and i wouldn't be surprised if they did..he's still on the market

[IndyD4U]

I think we'll see Bradshaw claim another 1000yd year. He and Brown will be a nice combo

[HtownColt]

Pagano said Bradshaw is ready in his presser

[Valpo2004]

It was week 1, and Bradshaw did not play in any of the pre-season games, in fact, he hardly got any practice time before the season, so I expected him to be rusty, Bradshaw is a great blocking RB, and he is no slouch running the ball as he has exceeded 1,000 yards rushing twice out of the past 3 seasons, and the one season he didn't, he only played 12 games in and rushed for 659 yards

 

 

** By get better I ment get phyisically better and heal. **

 

He has the talent but guys are often a lot less effective while playing through nagging injuries.  

[Ja'Crispy]

Not necessarily, if he's still not 100% then Brown will be the starter.  Losing Ballard sucks but I'm not nearly as down on Brown (hey that rhymed lol) as a lot of people seem to be.

I honestly thought Brown was the best RB in preseason (yeah I know, preseason). The loss of Ballard hurts, don't get me wrong, but we aren't dead in the water. I have confidence in Brown, he just needs to polish up his blitz pickups. 

[BlueCollarColts]

I think Bradshaw will start, he is definitely better than Brown, Bradshaw is a starting caliber running back in this league, we just need Brown to play like a back-up caliber running back, if he can't do it, I say give Kerwynn Williams a shot

[the cardinal]

So obviously with Ballard out for the year, Ahmad Bradshaw will be our starting RB, what does everybody expect with Bradshaw? Losing Ballard hurts, but it is nice to have Bradshaw who is just as good, maybe even a little bit better when he is fully healthy. What does everyone expect from Brown too?

 

IF Bradshaw is healthy and hasn't lost a step, he's a lot better than Ballard was last year. It's not really close. And I really liked Ballard and loved his ability to close out games (MIA, TN, HOU). 

[Jason_]

Brown will start but Bradshaw will split  carries. You never wanna see a player get injured but we will see less of the power running game and more of Luck airing it out. It should make us a better offensive team and we won't be conservative. Even if were up on a team by 14 like we were against the Raiders, will still be passing the ball instead of trying to milk clock unless it's 4th qrt.

 

I don't think we'll see any less of the power running team.  "Power running" imo refers more to the blocking methods (power, man blocking vs. zone blocking) than it does the actual running back. If the OL can open any kind of hole then Brown can hit it as well as anyone.  He's not as good a zone blocking runner, imo.  His lack of vision prevents him from being able to find the hole himself.  He's much better, imo, on plays where they designate which gap he's going to go through.  I think Brown can thrive in a power running scheme.  In fact I think that's the type of scheme that he will be best in.

[coltsfanatic24]

I don't think we'll see any less of the power running team.  "Power running" imo refers more to the blocking methods (power, man blocking vs. zone blocking) than it does the actual running back. If the OL can open any kind of hole then Brown can hit it as well as anyone.  He's not as good a zone blocking runner, imo.  His lack of vision prevents him from being able to find the hole himself.  He's much better, imo, on plays where they designate which gap he's going to go through.  I think Brown can thrive in a power running scheme.  In fact I think that's the type of scheme that he will be best in.

With Satele and Mcglynn starting it doesn't matter who the RB is will never be a great running team unless those guys are benched. Were at our best with the ball in Luck's hands.

[BlueCollarColts]

IF Bradshaw is healthy and hasn't lost a step, he's a lot better than Ballard was last year. It's not really close. And I really liked Ballard and loved his ability to close out games (MIA, TN, HOU). 

Yea, I think that probably is the case, I just assumed since last year was Ballard's rookie year that he would improve and close the gap a little, I want to see how healthy Bradshaw looks Sunday getting most of the carries

[the cardinal]

Yea, I think that probably is the case, I just assumed since last year was Ballard's rookie year that he would improve and close the gap a little, I want to see how healthy Bradshaw looks Sunday getting most of the carries

 

I wanted to see that too or at least see what Ballard would look like behind a competent offensive line and in a scheme that didn't telegraph the run as much.  We haven't properly seen that yet whereas we've seen what Bradshaw could do. I was just talking running styles and versatility. I've always like Bradshaw's combination of hard running, shiftiness and soft hands. When he's healthy, he's a true all purpose back. Line or not, I'm not sure Ballard has the same kind of elusiveness and he hasn't really proven himself as a receiver yet.

[TKnight24]

Bradshaw i'm confident in...Brown however...naw idk why everybody's so confident in him...he runs too sloppy for me...hopefully they'll go out and sign Willis McGahee...even thou he's 31 i feel more confident in him then brown...ijs...and i wouldn't be surprised if they did..he's still on the market

Mcgahee? Seriously?

[Blackclouds]

I'm just glad Donald Brown isn't going to get thrown by the wayside. Watching him play special teams is just wrong. I know he can shine.

[braveheartcolt]

My nickname for the 3 B's is coming along nicely....Empty Backfield.....Arians would be licking his lips if he was still here...

[BigQandTheManiac]

Mcgahee? Seriously?

waaaaaay better then Brown..he's no stud but he's better then Brown you gotta admit that

[TKnight24]

waaaaaay better then Brown..he's no stud but he's better then Brown you gotta admit that

At this point in their careers? No. McGahee is broken down. Brown did well in the preseason now he gets his shot in the real season

[BigQandTheManiac]

At this point in their careers? No. McGahee is broken down. Brown did well in the preseason now he gets his shot in the real season

well i hope he does well

[SilentHill]

At this point in their careers? No. McGahee is broken down. Brown did well in the preseason now he gets his shot in the real season

 

Yea, he did do good he became the colts #3 RB.

 

Nor for nothing, but at this stage of the NFL, as one of the consistently worst rushing teams in the league, I would think 3rd on our depth chart is nothing to write home about.

[Stephen]

Bradshaw i'm confident in...Brown however...naw idk why everybody's so confident in him...he runs too sloppy for me...hopefully they'll go out and sign Willis McGahee...even thou he's 31 i feel more confident in him then brown...ijs...and i wouldn't be surprised if they did..he's still on the market

Mcgahee fumbles too much that's y the ravens and denver cut him. Brown protects the ball.

[jvan1973]

waaaaaay better then Brown..he's no stud but he's better then Brown you gotta admit that

no, i don't think that at all

[NewEra]

no, i don't think that at all

3 years ago maybe, but I agree. People may hate Brown. I hate how he dances around, runs into the back of linemen and goes down easy. But we could do much worse. He has improved his blocking at least.

[Gavin]

Funny thing is....If we did not have Bradshaw on our roster right now with Ballard going down almost everyone would be screaming to pick up one of the rb's thats a fa right now

[GoodLuck]

Play TY at RB. The kid has the talent to play anywhere.

[arkana04]

This forum always amazes picking up a broken down Mcgahee LOL. 

 

i havent read the thread yet but please tell me someone has already thrown up michael turners name.

 

rest assured if you want a laugh this forum provides. 

[Dark Superman]

Can we just put TY Hilton in as the starting running back..

[JPFolks]

When Brown gets a little blocking help, he'll do fine, but he can't pass block.  Let's hope Bradshaw is up for doing some critical blocking at least this week.  

[jvan1973]

Play TY at RB. The kid has the talent to play anywhere.

great idea, get one of our biggest playmakers killed. He is too small, and i doubt his blitz pickup is very good

[Moose Of Woe]

Not necessarily, if he's still not 100% then Brown will be the starter.  Losing Ballard sucks but I'm not nearly as down on Brown (hey that rhymed lol) as a lot of people seem to be.

 

And so the Colts fans went to their beds...

With visions of "God darnit, Donald!" dancing in their heads...

 

The guy simply can not pass block. Given the fact our O-line can't, either, that's not particularly encouraging.

[GoodLuck]

great idea, get one of our biggest playmakers killed. He is too small, and i doubt his blitz pickup is very good

TY could do it. Pep dont want to play him at wr

[Smonroe]

When Brown gets a little blocking help, he'll do fine, but he can't pass block.  Let's hope Bradshaw is up for doing some critical blocking at least this week.

Get over the GDDonald play. He's a very good pass blocker and receiver. He had the same rushing average as Ballard last year.

His problem is staying on the field.

[mintor]

A couple rb's I'd look at

 

 

1.Tim Highttower

2.Willis Mcgahee

3.Beanie Wells

 4.  Brandon Jacobs, (San Francisco)

5. Cedric Benson, (Green Bay)

6.Michael Turner, (Atlanta; UFA; released by the Falcons, Turner joins the 2013 free agent RB's list)

[jvan1973]

A couple rb's I'd look at

1.Tim Highttower

2.Willis Mcgahee

3.Beanie Wells

4. Brandon Jacobs, (San Francisco)

5. Cedric Benson, (Green Bay)

6.Michael Turner, (Atlanta; UFA; released by the Falcons, Turner joins the 2013 free agent RB's list)

brandon jacobs plays for the giants... Wouldn't want him anyway

[jvan1973]

TY could do it. Pep dont want to play him at wr

first off, it was one week

second no he can't

[Sova!]

I would personally love to see Kerwynn play as the #2 back, he's been impressive during preseason, he has the same style as brown except he takes better angles and seems to be able to make defenders miss which brown has never been able to do. Hopefully he gets an opportunity sometime this year to showcase what he can do