This post is coming to you after an emotional viewing of the Oklahoma City Thunder's game four win over the Memphis Grizzlies. I have learned to hate the Grizzlies, and the hatred for Gasol doesn't stop in LA.Anyway this whole "Believe in..." series started out with a discussion about the Colts defense next season and whether or not Melvin Bullitt can be a quality starter for the Colts. That prompted the first article titled "Believe in Bullitt." Yesterday we looked Blair White in the post titled "Believe in Blair." Though the titles end in a period, the purpose behind the blog post is actually to ask a question. Do you think these players can be a helpful contributor to the Indianapolis Colts in the future?
Today we will focus on Donald Brown, who recently joined twitter, follow him. I did not mean for all the names that we look at to start with the letter 'B' but now that we have established that it will be hard to stray from it. We'll see what happens tomorrow. That's one way to increase faithful readers, right?
In 2010 Donald Brown has 497 rushing yards on 129 attempts with 2 TDs. Brown also had a successful year receiving the ball with 20 receptions for 205 yards.
Brown's most outstanding game, by far, was at home in the Luke against Jacksonville where Brown exploded with 129 rushing yards on 14 attempts and a touchdown. The reemergence of the stretch play was seen, and Brown's explosiveness was on display that day.
Interestingly Brown saw limited action in the remaining regular season games and in the team's first round loss to the Jets. In the two final regular seasons games (@ OAK, Ten) Brown only carried the ball 9 total times. This was due in large part to the success of Dominic Rhodes return and Joseph Addai finally being active for the first time since the bye week.
What can we expect out of Brown this season? Well first and foremost the Colts spent a first round draft pick on this guy. I personally don't think he was a bust, as much as he has been hurt by the lack of consistency on the offensive line. Brown has been stuck behind a dreadful offensive line. Brown was drafted as a "stretch play" runner, and when the guys up front can't block for him, well his consistency is going to drop. I see Castonzo and Ijalana (the Colts two first picks this year) helping to solidify the Colts rushing attack.
Secondly, Brown is the only running back who is currently under contract. Brown could quite possibly become the feature back in Indy if Addai is not resigned. For personal preferences and reasons I hope the Colts bring back Addai. But with the addition to the offensive line I see Brown's numbers becoming more consistent. I think he will finally be able to get out of the backfield and make some guys miss in the open field.
Brown could really prove to us that the Colts front office still knows what it is doing in the NFL Draft.
I believe in Donald Brown, do you?
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