Donald Brown (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

I've been very curious about whether Donald Brown has looked better this year and whether the Colts have given any inkling of what kind of role he'll have in conjunction with Joseph Addai. Yet, I'm struggling to find any information about Brown in training camp practice reports. It's entirely possible I'm missing something but I've checked the daily blogs on the Colts website, checked out the Colts stuff on SBNation, and checked the local Indy newspapers; yet there's very little information about Brown. Anyone hearing anything definitive?

 

[Faust]

Eric Hartz - report from Monday's practice

Not much info:

During the first full-team segment, Joseph Addai got the first carry and took it in for a touchdown. As practice went on, however, it seemed like Donald Brown was the back shouldering the majority of the work with the first unit. While the two backs figure to share the primary ball-carrying duties, keep an eye on this situation to see how it develops as the season goes on.

 

[Faust]

Camp Confidential: Indianapolis Colts

Joseph Addai knows what he’s doing on every play, and Donald Brown is smart enough to follow his lead, though Brown doesn’t shine in pass protection one-on-ones versus linebackers. The Colts will be just fine if the line can block for the runners, and maybe even if it can’t. Brown’s had more than a year to get pass protections down. If that keeps him off the field any this year, it’s no one’s fault but his.

 

[Patoons]

Faust mentioned excerpt above is concerning for his 2010 prospects.

I thought this would be the year that Brown gets things going and starts assuming more carries from Addai, but if you can't pass-block in that offense, you're in trouble with the amount Peyton audibles.

 

[identikit]

IMO Brown isn't likely to get much playing time early when you consider the current condition of their OL (Saturday out 2-6 weeks, Charles Johnson injured). Addai will be needed more than ever for his pass-blocking ability.

 

[az_prof]

Camp Confidential: Indianapolis Colts

Joseph Addai knows what he’s doing on every play, and Donald Brown is smart enough to follow his lead, though Brown doesn’t shine in pass protection one-on-ones versus linebackers. The Colts will be just fine if the line can block for the runners, and maybe even if it can’t. Brown’s had more than a year to get pass protections down. If that keeps him off the field any this year, it’s no one’s fault but his.

I am going to call BS on this. It isn't clear what the writer is basing Brown's alleged inability to pass block on. Brown is bigger and stronger than Addai, and if you have ever listened to him, you know he is smart and dedicated. I don't believe for one second that he won't be vastly improved as a pass blocker in 2010.Here is what Manning said last week about Brown and his pass blocking: Said Manning, "He and Joseph (Addai) both, whenever they're in there, we're running the same plays. We expect Donald to be able to do the same things in the passing game Addai did. He's very bright. He knows his protections and he's hungry to come out here and have a good year."

http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7...69-7fe7ce106a6d

 

[LittlePhatty]

Here is what Manning said last week about Brown and his pass blocking: Said Manning, "He and Joseph (Addai) both, whenever they're in there, we're running the same plays. We expect Donald to be able to do the same things in the passing game Addai did. He's very bright. He knows his protections and he's hungry to come out here and have a good year."

http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7...69-7fe7ce106a6d

Strange he used the past tense when we're expecting Addai to still be the starter. "Did". Maybe it's nothing.

 

[az_prof]

Here is what Manning said last week about Brown and his pass blocking: Said Manning, "He and Joseph (Addai) both, whenever they're in there, we're running the same plays. We expect Donald to be able to do the same things in the passing game Addai did. He's very bright. He knows his protections and he's hungry to come out here and have a good year."

http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7...69-7fe7ce106a6d

Strange he used the past tense when we're expecting Addai to still be the starter. "Did". Maybe it's nothing.

I think he meant everything Addai "did" in the past they expect Brown to do too, but I don't know that you can conclude it means that the team has already shifted official roles/depth chart. It does mean in my mind that they don't see Brown as a complementary COP back; but as a guy who can come in and do exactly what Addai does. It also tells me that Brown has already mastered the pass protections, which is why I question the blog from the camp watcher posted above.I expect closer to a 50/50 split this year IF Brown improves. Personally, I think he will but I can understand that people disagree.

 

[TheFanatic]

Here is what Manning said last week about Brown and his pass blocking: Said Manning, "He and Joseph (Addai) both, whenever they're in there, we're running the same plays. We expect Donald to be able to do the same things in the passing game Addai did. He's very bright. He knows his protections and he's hungry to come out here and have a good year."

http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7...69-7fe7ce106a6d

Strange he used the past tense when we're expecting Addai to still be the starter. "Did". Maybe it's nothing.

Wow, talk about a reach.

 

[Faust]

Colts top picks in 2009 hope to make bigger impact

Almost the exact same quote - just with a little more information:

Throughout the season, Powers said, the rookies talked constantly. Each came with a different perspective and each offered different advice about how to cope with life in the NFL, but few could put themselves in the shoes of Brown and Moala.

"I guess when you're that first or second-round pick, people expect you to make a big impact and that's not always the case," Powers said. "Those two guys had a little more pressure than we did."

So Brown and Moala went into the offseason determined to make amends.

Brown's offseason work even impressed Manning, who singled him out after Tuesday morning's practice.

"He showed some flashes of what he could do (last year), and we expect him to be a big contributor," Manning said. "He's very bright, he knows his protections, he's really eager to come out here and have a good year and he was one of our hardest workers in the offseason."

But the difference between this year and last has been enormous.

"I'm not thinking as much, and I know what I'm doing while I'm out there," Brown said. "Now it's fun. Now I can go out there and play ball and put my best foot forward everyday."

 

[Faust]

2010 Colts Training Camp, Day Ten

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (8/10/10)

On improvements to Donald Brown's pass protection:

I think Donald will be a year better because of the experience. He got invaluable experience last year. He was in the games in a lot of crucial situations, third downs, some red zone areas and some goal line areas. He made some big plays. He showed the flashes of what he was able to do in college and we expect him to be a huge contributor this year. He and Joseph (Addai) both, whenever they are in there, we are running the same plays, the same passing plays. Certainly Addai has proven himself to be an outstanding receiver out of the backfield and we expect Donald to try to be that same contributor in the passing game. Like I said, we can’t call certain plays or not be able to call certain plays because a guy is in there. We expect Donald to be able to do the same things in the passing game that Addai did and he is very bright and knows his protections, and I know he’s hungry to come out here and have a good year. He’s really had a good offseason and is one of our hardest workers in the weight room, always in tip-top shape. I texted him right before the training camp and I said—because we basically had July off where veterans went different directions—so I texted him if he was in good shape and he wrote back, ‘Are you kidding? That’s insulting,’ because I asked if he was in good shape. He is a great guy, a hard worker and he’ll have a big year for us I’m sure.

Speaking of Donald Brown's pass protection skills, see a quick vid and some quotes from Jim Caldwell after the jump...(video on link)

 

[gorf]

Here is what Manning said last week about Brown and his pass blocking: Said Manning, "He and Joseph (Addai) both, whenever they're in there, we're running the same plays. We expect Donald to be able to do the same things in the passing game Addai did. He's very bright. He knows his protections and he's hungry to come out here and have a good year."

http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7...69-7fe7ce106a6d

Strange he used the past tense when we're expecting Addai to still be the starter. "Did". Maybe it's nothing.

first thing i thought of when i read the quote, too.

 

[Sopranos25]

I live in Indy like many here. Everyone knows Addai is the starter. I epect the same from him. Brown should be more involved. He should get more carries. this is from the standpoint of not being one of the worst rushing teams. Addai will get the same numbers and Brown will get the rest. there is more there alot more.I like both. But if your looking for Brown to score more PTs then your better off betting on 30 other back ups for that.. JMO

 

[nxmehta]

Can any Indy homers give their impression of Brown in the preseason?