The Return Of Donald Brown (Merge)

[Jaric]

Is he not to be given time because of where he was drafted? Tha same goes for Jerry Hughes..

He's still clogging up space on our roster isn't he? If we drafted him anywhere past the second round he'd have been cut a long time ago. The only thing keeping him employed is that they spent a first round pick on him and don't want to give up hope.

He got 38 yards against one of the leagues worst defenses. That does nothing to disprove him being a bust. And yeah, all players develop at different rates. All positions do as well. Running back is one where it is expected to immediately contribute. Brown has been mediocre at best and a liability at worst.

But hey, I hope you're right. We need all the help we can get right now. I'm just not ready to proclaim Brown redeemed over 38 yards.

[Rich Cannon]

He's still clogging up space on our roster isn't he? If we drafted him anywhere past the second round he'd have been cut a long time ago. The only thing keeping him employed is that they spent a first round pick on him and don't want to give up hope.

He got 38 yards against one of the leagues worst defenses. That does nothing to disprove him being a bust. And yeah, all players develop at different rates. All positions do as well. Running back is one where it is expected to immediately contribute. Brown has been mediocre at best and a liability at worst.

But hey, I hope you're right. We need all the help we can get right now. I'm just not ready to proclaim Brown redeemed over 38 yards.

He needs to show he's consistent then we will talk about redemption.

Edited October 14, 2011 by Rich Cannon

[Jaric]

Jaric ..come on...he doesnt get to play ALL of the games....and he's been out seveal times like Addi has

I KNOW you watch closely...he was effective against good teams...you cant throw that away...

you watch Sunday

Yes. I do watch on Sunday. Which is why I'm baffled you're arguing this.

And what good team are you claiming he was "effective" against?

[oldunclemark]

Jaric..

I'll be here.....

I just dont understand the vitrol for a player who has underachieved but certianly has not failed

....he didnt flop last year.. at least four times, right??

I'm optimistic about Sunday..

Oh, I know you're a fan and I know you wish for the best...

....but you've go to give young players time to develop...no matter where you draft them.

I guarantee you more than 38 yards....You can call me on it.. :whiteflag:

[oldunclemark]

He needs to show he's consistent then we will talk about redemption.

agreed...Rich....

We are passing less and run more..I think you'll get what we want.

[Jaric]

I guarantee you more than 38 yards....You can call me on it.. :whiteflag:

Well, at least we aren't going to be accused of setting the bar too high.

[oldunclemark]

Well, at least we aren't going to be accused of setting the bar too high.

Okay...guilty.....I am playing it safe.....there....

We've got a guy off the street starting on the O-line..

But you will not hate Donald Brown this Sunday.....

[Indy__Nick]

[Case]

Brown is the fastest back the colts have.... i would love to see brown have a stellar game against the bengals but i doubt he'll get a whole heap of carries, but the carries he does get they will be positive... thats if the line can run block.

Having the potential to be a breakaway threat and being a breakaway threat are 2 diff things. Brown is not a threat to other d's at all. His vision is awful.

[BobbyMorris94]

Our run blocking has been the worst in the league every year for like a decade now. James did good because he could break 3 tackles a run. Addai's rookie year was the last time we assembled any kind of offensive line that could run block. It's not Donald Brown's fault he gets hit 3 yards in the backfield because our line sucks year in and year out. Also I laugh at people who say the same thing over and over about his pass blocking. I saw him make some great blocks on blitzes last game. Does he get beat? Sure. But that should get better with experience. He's proven he can do it. He must become consistent.

So stop hating on Brown's pass blocking, when our o-line gets beat many more times a game than he does. We get leveled in the trenches. It's been that way for years. Our starting o-line this year had promise. I expected them to mold together after 4 or 5 games and get better from there. But of course injuries have decimated us again. Now we look like the worst offensive line in the league again. Sure we can pass block decently. But we are very poor at run blocking and we still get beat a lot pass blocking. I wouldn't say we are good at either.

Another year and the same problems plague us. I really do think it is Polian's drafting and the letting go of that scout in 2006. It's just too obvious. This is the worst secondary we have ever fielded. And it's no surprise after we cut Hayden and Tryon. Did they really think Lacey and Johnson were real deal NFL corners? I mean the Raiders have NFL corners. Our guys are UDFAs for a reason. Add that to many whiffs on CB in the draft and free agency.

Edited October 14, 2011 by BobbyMorris94

[MAC]

I strongly agree with whoever said to get Brown involved with screens. There have been several WR bubble screens but I've felt for the past 3 weeks that there should be more RB screens. The running game was looking better early but has slumped off due to OL injuries. If we can't get the running game going then we need to keep the RB's involved with swing passes and screens to help take pressure off of Painter.

That was me as well - in another thread. I'm no expert, but it just seems like common sense.

The Bert Jones led Colts used to do pretty much ANYTHING possible to get the ball into Lydell Mitchell's hands in space. I've wondered for years why the Colts don't do more of this. Granted I found it pretty boring at the time, and preferred the down field action, but it worked.

[Nadine]

Uncle Mark, your two Donald Brown threads have been merged. We only need 1

Thanks

[ponys]

Runningback would be a good start in the draft. I would love to have another Edge on our team.

[John Waylon]

and if he flops again on sunday, what will you say then?

The exact same thing he does in every other thread:

He's been good at times, he's a good player, he had a good game one time last season, ETC....

t's a never-ending, unwinnable battle with him.

[rockywoj]

That was me as well - in another thread. I'm no expert, but it just seems like common sense.

The Bert Jones led Colts used to do pretty much ANYTHING possible to get the ball into Lydell Mitchell's hands in space. I've wondered for years why the Colts don't do more of this. Granted I found it pretty boring at the time, and preferred the down field action, but it worked.

Excellent observation. (I am biased, though ... Bert Jones and Lydell Mitchell are two of my all-time favorite Colts.)

Brown = square peg / round hole. He has talent and needs to be used properly. Flare him out and flip him screens. Give him pitch outs. Get him in space. How about a draw play here and there.

The thing that concerns me about the Colts coaching staff is they have seemed to be intent on making players play the system. I, however, believe that great coaching makes the most of and plays to the strengths of the players. I have not seen adjustments being made.

Edited October 14, 2011 by rockywoj

[DILLIGAFER]

So number 2 is brown this week?

I see what you did there.. good one +2

[Smitto]

Having the potential to be a breakaway threat and being a breakaway threat are 2 diff things. Brown is not a threat to other d's at all. His vision is awful.

He is a breakaway threat, the guy has speed.... and will you ppl stop saying he has bad vision... you ppl have bad vision, the main reason donald got benched is because of his pass blocking skills, its definitely not because he cant find the whole... thats what got him to be a leading rusher in college and be a 1st round pick... so no he doesnt have bad vision i assure you he can find the hole... and when your a colts running back fans should know those holes are seldomly there.. the holes fans thing are open are contained... thats why you see backs running into their linemans back because there is containment on the outside.

[Jason_]

He is a breakaway threat, the guy has speed.... and will you ppl stop saying he has bad vision... you ppl have bad vision, the main reason donald got benched is because of his pass blocking skills, its definitely not because he cant find the whole... thats what got him to be a leading rusher in college and be a 1st round pick... so no he doesnt have bad vision i assure you he can find the hole... and when your a colts running back fans should know those holes are seldomly there.. the holes fans thing are open are contained... thats why you see backs running into their linemans back because there is containment on the outside.

Here's my question...and it really is just a question because I have no idea....what type of blocking schemes did UConn use while Brown was there? Some teams play more the smash mouth, run right down your throat type of blocking between the interior linemen. The idea here being to define where the hole is going to open and counting on your Linemen to open that hole. Other teams use more of a zone blocking scheme that requires the RB to find the hole instead of going to the pre-defined hole. I haven't watched through previous games in attempt to analyze the types of plays that Brown has success on vs. ones where he gets dropped but it seems like the stretch type plays where Brown needs to find the hole are the ones he has problems with. Addai has some problems on these types of plays as well but he seems to overall do the better job of finding the hole and getting a gain whereas if Donald is forced to be patient and find the hole then he has trouble doing it. I could be way off...this is just the impression I have at this point.

I would like to believe that this is something that would have been taken into consideration before drafting him but I'm not going to assume anything. Personally I've never been much of a fan of the zone blocking schemes but when your OL is built more for finesse you can't exactly just change things up and run the ball right at the defense and expect to be able to do it successfully. I'm hoping the Colts continue going after bigger, stronger OL so we can do more power type running instead of relying solely on a finesse running game.

[Smitto]

Here's my question...and it really is just a question because I have no idea....what type of blocking schemes did UConn use while Brown was there? Some teams play more the smash mouth, run right down your throat type of blocking between the interior linemen. The idea here being to define where the hole is going to open and counting on your Linemen to open that hole. Other teams use more of a zone blocking scheme that requires the RB to find the hole instead of going to the pre-defined hole. I haven't watched through previous games in attempt to analyze the types of plays that Brown has success on vs. ones where he gets dropped but it seems like the stretch type plays where Brown needs to find the hole are the ones he has problems with. Addai has some problems on these types of plays as well but he seems to overall do the better job of finding the hole and getting a gain whereas if Donald is forced to be patient and find the hole then he has trouble doing it. I could be way off...this is just the impression I have at this point.

I would like to believe that this is something that would have been taken into consideration before drafting him but I'm not going to assume anything. Personally I've never been much of a fan of the zone blocking schemes but when your OL is built more for finesse you can't exactly just change things up and run the ball right at the defense and expect to be able to do it successfully. I'm hoping the Colts continue going after bigger, stronger OL so we can do more power type running instead of relying solely on a finesse running game.

In Uconn he ran alot of up the gut plays but he took some of them to the outside, and alot of delayed handoffs as well. Donald has all the things that you would want in a RB but when it comes to colts RB's they have to do a lil extra which is where i think donald has been lacking, but he has been getting better with that... If the colts had some pretty good run blockers i would bet you that donald would surpass addai and get more of the carries cause he is the better runner but addai is the better all round back that'll eventually change though.... the problem is not with brown finding holes its with the Oline sustaining a block.

[Jaric]

Jaric..

I'll be here.....

I just dont understand the vitrol for a player who has underachieved but certianly has not failed

....he didnt flop last year.. at least four times, right??

I'm optimistic about Sunday..

Oh, I know you're a fan and I know you wish for the best...

....but you've go to give young players time to develop...no matter where you draft them.

I guarantee you more than 38 yards....You can call me on it.. :whiteflag:

It pains me to do it, but :

Donald Brown: 5 rushes 35 yards.

[John Waylon]

It pains me to do it, but :

Donald Brown: 5 rushes 35 yards.

Now he'll defend brown by arguing that's 7 YPC.

Another week of oldunclemark harping on brown... God help us all...

[CTColtsFan]

You don't deserve Donald. Really. Blame the O Line. Only lately is there ANY run blocking happening. You'll all change your tune at some point.

Haters. Trade him, please.

[Jaric]

You don't deserve Donald. Really. Blame the O Line. Only lately is there ANY run blocking happening. You'll all change your tune at some point.

Haters. Trade him, please.

[OLD FAN MAN]

Jaric..

I'll be here.....

I just dont understand the vitrol for a player who has underachieved but certianly has not failed

....he didnt flop last year.. at least four times, right??

I'm optimistic about Sunday..

Oh, I know you're a fan and I know you wish for the best...

....but you've go to give young players time to develop...no matter where you draft them.

I guarantee you more than 38 yards....You can call me on it.. :whiteflag:

brown is not the problem, just how we use him, he is a wes welker type runner after the catch, use him to catch short passes

[John Waylon]

You don't deserve Donald. Really. Blame the O Line. Only lately is there ANY run blocking happening. You'll all change your tune at some point.

Haters. Trade him, please.

lolwut?

oldunclemark multi?

[bluebombers87]

Now he'll defend brown by arguing that's 7 YPC.

Another week of oldunclemark harping on brown... God help us all...

Brown played well. He only ran the ball 5 times. Carter ran the ball 14 times totalling 45 yards.

This year we have seen an improvement in the run game. Which translates to an increase in production from our backs. Which would indicate that the problem (duh) has been the line.

Lay off Brown. For the moment, he's partially vindicated.

EDIT* That being said, I really hope oldunclemark doesn't become another rayted.

Edited October 16, 2011 by bluebombers87

[Thewholefnshow28]

I was surprised they did not use him more. He actually was carrying the ball well and was showing some explosion.

Also, I don't know why we don't try to get him the ball in space more and run some screen plays for the guy. As much as I think he was a bust he still has some ability in the open field. Why not run some screens or tosses to get him out into space. Its like they go our running backs play like this and try to jam that square peg into the round peg.

I just hope he can build on this. My biggest complaint is he would come out and play really well then go a month of being tackled by the wind.

I just love how every season the board has poster that is totally irrational about a RB. First we had Kenton Keith. Then we had Mike Hart, and now Brown.

[John Waylon]

EDIT* That being said, I really hope oldunclemark doesn't become another rayted.

He already is.

[CTColtsFan]

Just sayin....

It's disgusting how you've treated Donald since he got here. As a CT fan and a Colts fan, I was so excited to see him here...until you all started targeting him (it's always somebody who gets the fan-hate, and for much of the last three seasons, it's him.) We loved this kid in Connecticut and he was the heart and soul of a powerful running attack....yes, he's more of a straight-ahead and doesn't have the dodginess of Addai.

Difference? CT had good blocking for Donald....a real blocking line, not just a pass block system. With Manning, the run was always an afterthought....right now it's desperately needed. Unfortunately, coaching staff has about as much love for Donald as you all...so he never gets the carries, at least in numbers. Not a bad night for 5 carries...but couldn't get the game here...had to suffer through the Giants game on the East Coast.

I don't care if you hate Donald Brown. You've made that abundantly clear here, people....but I know 40,000 people who came to every game he played in and were mesmerized with his explosive speed and crazy stiff-arm. Lay off the kid a bit...there's no pleasing an angry mob, and it must suck to be the new kid in the magical palace that PM built with all the fans so used to winning...fans that are quick to label you a failure until they need you. Whenever sports talk in CT turns to Donald Brown or the Colts, it's well-known how Colts fans have bashed him mercilessly.

You need this kid....we need this kid. I really wish he went to a team that was a better fit.

You will see what DB can do....maybe here...maybe somewhere else. He'll have his day and he'll get to carry the load for a team that can put him to use....I hope it's here, but if not, somewhere closer East.

[John Waylon]

I don't care if you hate Donald Brown.

Obviously you do, or else you wouldn't be going out of your way to defend him...

You go on about how good he was in college, how people were mesmerized by him, how people in Connecticut went gaga for him...

You're aware this isn't college, and this isn't Connecticut, right?

If we were supposed to worship players for what they did in college we'd all be in awe or, and aspiring to be jamarcuss russell and ryan leaf...

[oldunclemark]

It pains me to do it, but :

Donald Brown: 5 rushes 35 yards.

You are right..Jaric.....

I said 38 (and I didnt say plus receptions) and we lost....we needed more

They used carter on 1st and 2nd downs...

..I was wrong...

But I didnt think Brown was bad. He picked up the blitz..caught a couple of passes...and didnt fumble...

(you should have seen me cheering when he scored that TD, though)

[Malakai432]

If we were supposed to worship players for what they did in college we'd all be in awe or, and aspiring to be jamarcuss russell and ryan leaf...

Hahah, epic.

I'm not a big fan of Brown, I don't hate the guy as a human or anything but I definitely think he is NOT a good professional football player.