So, how 'bout that running game?!

by KingRichard on Apr 25, 2009 7:33 PM EDT in Colts News

So much for taking Hakeem Nicks, or Brian Robiskie, or ZIGGY FREAKIN HOOD. And to the Addai apologists: I told you so. This pick shows just how bad the running game was, and exactly how Polian feels about it; it sucked. Everyone welcome, your newest Indianapolis Colt, DONALD BROWN!

via hssn-media.advance.net

Here's all the info on Donald Brown.

From Mocking the draft:

Donald Brown
5'10, 210 pounds | Connecticut | Running back

Strengths: An early entrant after a breakout junior season, Browns is a strong runner who has good balance and lean. He's always moving forward and to find his pads not square to the line is rare. Has possibly the best stiff arm in this class. Uses power and quickness in his stiff arm to knock opponents backward. Bursts into and out of holes with good speed. Uses his agility to avoid a lot of hard contact. Smart. Knows how to set up his blockers. Decent as a pass catcher. Known as a player who gives a lot of effort in the weight and film rooms.

Weaknesses: Only above average speed and it takes him some time to get up to top speed. Struggled some as a pass blocker and needs to be coached up in this area Brown's build is only average, but there are questions about how much bigger he can get. Needs to learn how to carry the ball better because he leaves himself open to fumbles.

Final word: Brown had an incredible junior season, rushing for 2,083 yards and 21 touchdowns. That led him to leave early for the NFL after initially deciding to return for his senior year. Brown came up big in Connecticut's biggest games. Ran for 281 yards in the International Bowl as a junior. Named the 2008 Big East Offensive Player of the Year

Here's a little highlight video for you:

Donald Brown Vs Virginia (via santini35)

For those of you who don't understand this pick, or disagree with it, look no further than the 31st ranking the Colts held in rushing. Yes, part of it was the o-line's fault, but a majority of it was the lack of running back talent, specifically in a one cut, north and south runner, like Donald Brown.

This pick shows that Addai's days are numbered people. He'll shortly be pushed back to be a 3rd down back as a receiving/blocking threat in obvious passing situations, which is where he excels at.

I understand most of you were wanting to see Ziggy Hood taken here since Jerry was gone, but like Polian said, if you don't grab the top-tier DTs in the first 15 picks or so, you might as well wait until later rounds. And remember, he wasn't referring to UT's like Jerry and Hood, he was referring to NT's like B.J. Raji.

I was hoping and praying Polian would at least take Jennings in the second, but I couldn't be more happy with this pick.

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Comments

So excited for the months of arguments of whether Brown is a companion back for Addai

or a replacement.

Then the months of arguing in season over who should be getting more or less of the carries.

/sarcasm

I got Summer hatin' on me cuz I'm hotter than the sun. Spring hatin' on me cuz I ain't never sprung
Winter hatin' on me cuz I'm colder than Y'all. And I will never, I will never, I will never Fall.
-Lil Wayne, Mr. Carter

by shake n bake on Apr 25, 2009 7:37 PM EDT reply actions

There’s nothing to argue, Donald Brown was drafted to be the guy.

This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.
Oh and I write words and stuff for Stampede Blue.

by KingRichard on Apr 25, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I have to agree, you dont take a RB in the first round if you dont THINK he’ll be “the guy” eventually, if not this year

by danorocks17 on Apr 25, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Addai has two years left on his deal

I think they’ll split time for that long at least

by shake n bake on Apr 25, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

keep browns legs fresh and hits to a minimum the first two years? hell yeah, I think you got it right on shake

by danorocks17 on Apr 25, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Feeling Good About this Pick

The Colts get players that fit into their scheme’s. In that video donald brown could be mistaken for addai. In our zone running game, donald brown is going to be a beast.

by FreeneyWillEatYourBaby on Apr 25, 2009 7:42 PM EDT reply actions

This makes Addai a first round bust. Polian’s first ever?

by eltharion_doa on Apr 25, 2009 7:44 PM EDT reply actions

Addai split time when he was taken in the first round

why does anyone think they wouldn’t expect Brown to?

by shake n bake on Apr 25, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, I do expect him to

But as Monster says, you don’t draft RBs in the first round to split carries – you draft them to be The Guy. Addai was The Guy for two seasons, and sucked in one of them.

That’s a bust.

by eltharion_doa on Apr 25, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

we won a super bowl on addai’s back, i’d say no

by danorocks17 on Apr 25, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

"Needs to learn how to carry the ball better because he leaves himself open to fumbles. "

If he doesnt get this fixed, he is a wasted pick

by metal_militia on Apr 25, 2009 7:48 PM EDT reply actions

And that's a blatantly false analysis of him

He fumbled 5 times in 698 carries. That’s phenomenal.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Apr 25, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

well

it’s not necessarily false. He can leave himself open to something and not have it happen often.

but I agree that it’s not very worrying that he wasn’t having issues with it in college.

by shake n bake on Apr 25, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Addai is still the guy................

Polian said point blank that Addai is the number 1 back, and that Brown was picked to replace Dom. I don’t think Addai or Brown can take all the carries over a full schedule. I do think they will split time, and I also think their styles will provide differernt looks for the defenses they play against. I just hope Polian gets a quality DT or two, in the next three picks.

by tim55 on Apr 25, 2009 7:48 PM EDT reply actions

Polian interveiw after the pick.

http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=video&content=4d734241-f5ce-4a66-b264-747e92dfbb61

by tim55 on Apr 25, 2009 7:50 PM EDT reply actions

awesome

we lost Donald Brown. We replaced him with Donald Brown

straight from the big mans mouth

by shake n bake on Apr 25, 2009 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

damn

we lost Dominic Rhodes. We replaced him with Donald Brown

by shake n bake on Apr 25, 2009 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Brown complements Addai well

Our running game will be good next year.

"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
-Mitch Hedberg

by Colts Homer on Apr 25, 2009 7:54 PM EDT reply actions

Addai

It’s just obvious that Addai needs to be part of a rotation. I think it’s very possible that he could return to form if he has someone to share the load with. He’s just not that durable.

Plus, I hope this causes him to work harder and stop dancing in the hole. If he doesn’t fix that crap, he will end up on the outside looking in.

The Shogun of Harlem

by shonuff on Apr 25, 2009 7:58 PM EDT reply actions

what is our next pick?

the number?

by metal_militia on Apr 25, 2009 7:59 PM EDT reply actions

61

by shake n bake on Apr 25, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions

just 21 picks left

by metal_militia on Apr 25, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Polian being Polian

Dude is a genious. That aside, every damn year I am surprised, and some times disgusted…..But he has been about 100% of the time proving me wrong. That said, “In Polian I trust.” I remember when he picked Gonzo, I didn’t like it. I guess that’s why he’s Polian, and I’m a damned electrician.

by tim55 on Apr 25, 2009 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

I just got back

From the draft party. Was a great time, wish someone else would have came down.

I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation

by Bullard47 on Apr 25, 2009 8:10 PM EDT reply actions

Now

Brace is gone

by metal_militia on Apr 25, 2009 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

Addai's health is the concern

I don’t think this pick is a indictment of Addai’s running ability. I think Polian did this as insurance against his apparent frailness. You still need 2 backs in this to be effective and a chance to get a 2000 yd, 21 td, sub 4.5 guy at pick 27 is outstanding value. Plus it wakes Addai up to realize that one pro bowl doesn’t give you a pass for the rest of your career. And for all those people looking for a DT, my guess is you wont see us draft one until the third or fourth round. Second round pick? WR.

by vcoxiv on Apr 25, 2009 8:26 PM EDT reply actions

I hope you're wrong...........

I’m not moving from this computer till we get a DT. And I gotta pee.

by tim55 on Apr 25, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I was wrong.......

sorry, you can go pee now

by vcoxiv on Apr 25, 2009 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

People on here are being retarded

We pay so much lip service to the “in BP we trust” stuff and then half of us get all upset at the picks or start claiming outlandish stuff about what the picks mean. Look, once the pick is made, BP has no reason to lie about it. Brown is replacing Rhodes and should be an upgrade. Drafting 2 RB’s in the first round doesn’t mean that one is a bust. It just means that in today’s league you are better off with 2 RB’s and very few guys can withstand being “the guy” (KR’s words) for more than a few seasons.

Everyone keeps saying that it’s a waste of first-round value to give a guy 15 touches a game. The idea behind having 2 backs is that they will both play better and last longer. So those 15 plays are going to be at a higher quality than the 25 you might have from a #1 guy. And he’s going to last longer and perform better later in games/seasons/careers. He is also likely to make Addai better by taking some pressure off him. So now we have 2 LATE first round picks that will be able to extend each other’s careers, make it easier for each other to stay healthy throughout the season, and most importantly, make each other’s 15-20 plays a game significantly better.

Lastly, this situation is unbelievable similar to the Panthers. They got 2 first round backs in 3 years (at picks 13 and 27). The older back was starting to look like a bust to the fans. He just wasn’t able to succeed as the sole running back. They get the new guy who isn’t a totally different style but definitely complements him. And what happens? Both guys play great and they end up with the 3rd best rushing offense. If we ended up in that position next year, would everyone stop complaining or would it still be a wasted pick?

This is stupid. We just picked up a good 1b RB and our running game should be as good as ever next year.

"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."

by psvirsky on Apr 26, 2009 7:57 AM EDT reply actions