Donald "Grunt Work" Brown

[MrNLM]

Just came to LOL @ him publicly before I have dinner.

 

For real though... grunt work? I feel bad for the guy.

 

Gettin' paid doe.

[Girlzarefanstoo]

I missed this, what's up?  Link to a story?

[Bravo]

I don't know if it is a true story or made up online but I don't know why the Chargers wouldn't give him a chance after going after him in FA.

I don't think it's true becuase they said he would be used for pass blocking and we all know he is very poor at that!

[21isSuperman]

I missed this, what's up?  Link to a story?

http://fansided.com/2014/07/22/san-diego-chargers-rumors-donald-brown-grunt-work-backfield/

 

With the recent extension for Danny Woodhead, Tom Telesco said the plan is for Donald Brown to do more grunt work (power running, between the tackles).  I certainly don't think this is his forte as I believe I saw some data that said most of Brown's carries last year were off-tackles.  It's funny how they say this now when, on July 7th, offensive coordinator Frank Reich called Brown a change-of-pace back and said Mathews would be the bell-cow.

[Girlzarefanstoo]

I wouldn't read too much into anything that's said at this point.  Why would the Chargers tell everyone what to really expect?  Our offensive line is so much better now at run blocking that could change a lot of things about how well Donald runs.  

 

We're just delighted to have him.  He's a great upgrade for us at the position from last year.  When Ryan Mathews was injured in the playoffs we were done. 

[akcolt]

http://fansided.com/2014/07/22/san-diego-chargers-rumors-donald-brown-grunt-work-backfield/

 

With the recent extension for Danny Woodhead, Tom Telesco said the plan is for Donald Brown to do more grunt work (power running, between the tackles).  I certainly don't think this is his forte as I believe I saw some data that said most of Brown's carries last year were off-tackles.  It's funny how they say this now when, on July 7th, offensive coordinator Frank Reich called Brown a change-of-pace back and said Mathews would be the bell-cow.

Brown was a strange move for the Chargers I didn't understand it when they made it he is more of a back up for Woodhead than Matthews in my opinion. Great chance we will get to see what happens Matthews has only went all 16 once in his career.

[MTC]

I would start Brown over Matthews. 

[Dustin]

I would start Brown over Matthews. 

 

lol no way. There isn't really anything Brown does better than him. Well, besides not fumbling. 

[NewColtsFan]

Brown was a strange move for the Chargers I didn't understand it when they made it he is more of a back up for Woodhead than Matthews in my opinion. Great chance we will get to see what happens Matthews has only went all 16 once in his career.

 

If Matthews is not retained after this year (I think this is his last year on his contract)  then the Chargers may view Brown as the guy to replace him.

 

I don't see him as a #1....   but they might.

 

And remember, their GM, Telesco,  came from Indy and knows Brown well.

[Girlzarefanstoo]

Ryan's early years issues were likely attributed to pumping too much iron - he bulked up too much, lost flexibility and had some very strange injuries.  He came into camp lighter last year and changed his entire workout routine.  It made a huge difference as his numbers and health showed.

 

I believe his late season issue was a high ankle sprain. which can happen in a game no matter your shape, strength or health.  

[Girlzarefanstoo]

If Matthews is not retained after this year (I think this is his last year on his contract)  then the Chargers may view Brown as the guy to replace him.

 

I don't see him as a #1....   but they might.

 

And remember, their GM, Telesco,  came from Indy and knows Brown well.

The Chargers are getting into position in case they don't retain him.  I read today that this coming draft is a very strong RB draft. I like Ryan, but he just might end up being expendable.   

[MrNLM]

I missed this, what's up?  Link to a story?

Sorry, I didn't have time to post one... when the wife calls I come runnin.

[Girlzarefanstoo]

Sorry, I didn't have time to post one... when the wife calls I come runnin.

Smart man ;-)

[MrNLM]

Smart man ;-)

So I have been told... and again just now.

[PrincetonTiger]

It could be a wild camp

[oldunclemark]

Wow..He's going to have to come off the bench again..

....

[akcolt]

If Matthews is not retained after this year (I think this is his last year on his contract)  then the Chargers may view Brown as the guy to replace him.

 

I don't see him as a #1....   but they might.

 

And remember, their GM, Telesco,  came from Indy and knows Brown well.

Then he should know Brown isn't a #1

[Girlzarefanstoo]

The intent is running back by committee, keeping Ryan fresh for potential playoffs and shaking things up with a no huddle offense.  Keep people guessing.  Having guys who can run and who can catch out of the backfield.  Fun!  

[NewColtsFan]

Then he should know Brown isn't a #1

 

Well....   they're paying Brown 3/$10.5m, which,  in the new NFL,  is roughly starting money for many running backs.

 

So,  perhaps Brown isn't a 1, but he may not be a 2.    So, for now at least,  let's call him a 1.5!

[Dustin]

I was hoping we could get Woodhead when he hit the FA market next year. Maybe we can grab Matthews on a cheap deal instead. 

[Girlzarefanstoo]

I was hoping we could get Woodhead when he hit the FA market next year. Maybe we can grab Matthews on a cheap deal instead. 

Uuuggghh!  The Colts/Chargers revolving door... ;-)

[oldunclemark]

Uuuggghh!  The Colts/Chargers revolving door... ;-)

'Indianapolis West'!! 'Pagano family Values'

Hope Dwight Freeney is set for a big year

[MTC]

I would start Brown over Matthews.

Maybe I'm being biased, but Matthews has never impressed me.

[TKnight24]

Wow..He's going to have to come off the bench again..

....

Brown isn't exactly starter material

People bash Richardson but never look at the fact it took Brown until his contract year & for Trent to stink up the place just for him to finally do something

And then it's not really a shock cause all players play their hardest in their contract years

[Girlzarefanstoo]

Maybe I'm being biased, but Matthews has never impressed me.

You are (being biased).  Ryan has worked hard and become a very tough runner who rarely goes down on first, or even second contact.  He routinely drags several guys and gets extra yards.  I think I saw a stat yesterday that in situations where 1 yard is needed, Mathews' average is 3.5.  

 

I haven't seen enough of Donald Brown to comment with any authority.  

[dgambill]

Brown is a really good backup plan to Mathews. IMO he is Mathews light. He obviously isn't as good as Ryan but he does alot of the similar things Mathews does well. I think they have similar running styles and vision etc. Brown is there to spell him and take over duties if he goes down. Woodhead sucks at running between the tackles etc. He is a specialist. What they are saying is Brown is expected to do all the heavy lifting left over from Mathews and EVERYONE knows that. Ask the SD fan on here and they will tell you this isn't a shock. They weren't going to be handing off to Woodhead and power running. Everyone saw after Mathews went down in the Cincy game and couldn't really be effective against DEN how that crippled the offense in the post-season. Brown is a great backup option to have and they wouldnt drop off too much. And if Mathews demands too much next offseason they can use Brown and draft a replacement. They positioned themselves quite well imo...and Donald has a lot of rubber left on those tires too....nice complement to that backfield.

[Gavin]

You are (being biased).  Ryan has worked hard and become a very tough runner who rarely goes down on first, or even second contact.  He routinely drags several guys and gets extra yards.  I think I saw a stat yesterday that in situations where 1 yard is needed, Mathews' average is 3.5.  

 

I haven't seen enough of Donald Brown to comment with any authority.  

Brown goes down easy with arm tackles more often not, Though he does have some power, He just isn't big at all, Not built to break tackles down after down, If he is your back up then your in decent shape, He don't have great vision but good enough

[Superman]

Brown goes down easy with arm tackles more often not, Though he does have some power, He just isn't big at all, Not built to break tackles down after down, If he is your back up then your in decent shape, He don't have great vision but good enough

 

He ran through his share of arm tackles last year, finishing strong on most of his runs. He is not and never will be a power runner, but he also wasn't the lightweight "goes down with a stiff breeze" kind of runner he was earlier in his career.

[BOTT]

Sorry, I didn't have time to post one... when the wife calls I come runnin.

[ColtsLegacy]

Maybe I'm being biased, but Matthews has never impressed me.

You're not. Brown is better than Mathews.

[Dustin]

You're not. Brown is better than Mathews.

 

chill lol

[ColtsLegacy]

Brown isn't exactly starter material

People bash Richardson but never look at the fact it took Brown until his contract year & for Trent to stink up the place just for him to finally do something

And then it's not really a shock cause all players play their hardest in their contract years

This post is complete and utter bull crap. All of it.

[Le Neon]

He can't create much on his own, but he's got the deceptive speed to break some long runs. If the Chargers line is any good.

[oldunclemark]

Brown isn't exactly starter material

People bash Richardson but never look at the fact it took Brown until his contract year & for Trent to stink up the place just for him to finally do something

And then it's not really a shock cause all players play their hardest in their contract years

DB played well...you cant 'First Take' it away with a theory...

Brown started on a playoff team last year...but he'll come off the bench if they ask..

One thing about him....He'll do what they ask and he wont complain about it..

..and he's still never lost a fumble.

[Girlzarefanstoo]

DB played well...you cant 'First Take' it away with a theory...

Brown started on a playoff team last year...but he'll come off the bench if they ask..

One thing about him....He'll do what they ask and he wont complain about it..

..and he's still never lost a fumble.

That last line is my favorite thing about him... Ryan Mathews only had 2 fumbles/1 lost last year so he got a handle on the give away issue, but since LT left/retired we have had a string of extremely unfortunately timed fumbles.  Especially around the 2 yard line.  

 

I kept telling my fellow fans to really enjoy LT's ball security, that we'd never see the likes of it again!  At least for a very long time...

[oldunclemark]

There's this idea (in some early, early predictions) that the AFC West is going to get stomped by the NFC West because Seattle stomped Denver in the Super Bowl..

,,,Seattle opens the season with Green Bay, San Diego (at SD) and Denver..

There will be so much hype around games one and three...I would not bet against San Diego in week 2

[lollygagger8]

Just throw passes to Brown out of the backfield if he can't run for some reason. He's pretty decent at YAC.