Donald Brown (1 Viewer)

[eefflrat]

Over the past few weeks with Addai injured Carter has gotten the start, and Brown has come in and seems to have outplayed him in nearly every game. Brown is a first round pick, has a lot of talent, and looks to be getting the game in his 3rd year. He's only 24 years old. After last week Carter fumbled and Brown played well enough to earn some more time, IMO. So, are the colts going to give up on Brown like it seemed they would, or do they give him another shot to be a featured back. Hes not the first back to take a couple of years to get things to click.

Is he a buy in dynasty, or just bye week hopeful flex material?

 

[Topes]

All those questions you ask..? That's why not.

Yeah, he could turn it around. Possible. But the deck seems stacked against him doing so.

I'm rostering him in one league, and may roster him again in another.

(But I don't have high hopes right now. I haven't watched him run much this year, save a minute or two of highlights. So I'm hardly an authority.)

 

[scrumptrulescent]

I traded for Damnit Donald in a keeper last year and since have dropped him. Damnit Donald was a horrible draft pick. If Peyton were healthy he'd be making sure Damnit Donald was not on the field.

 

[NajehHejan]

Per Rotoworld, he is starting today. May be a sneaky play today, although the Jags D has been no push over.

I don't like his dynasty potential so much, but I just grabbed him in redraft and am hoping he has a solid game today and potentially gains the coaches' trust for a nice year end run. Don't have the cajones to start him today, but he is an interesting stash...

 

[NajehHejan]

Per Rotoworld, he is starting today. May be a sneaky play today, although the Jags D has been no push over.I don't like his dynasty potential so much, but I just grabbed him in redraft and am hoping he has a solid game today and potentially gains the coaches' trust for a nice year end run. Don't have the cajones to start him today, but he is an interesting stash...

Ah, what the heck. Flexing him over Battle.

 

[duaneok66]

Donald Brown: Why?

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

He's looked pretty good the last few weeks. And infinitely better than Delone Carter (who looks like a practice squad talent out there right now)

 

[Joe Summer]

Donald Brown: Why?

Because he's a starting RB, because he'll touch the ball 15-20 times, because Addai is inactive, because the Colts are ranked 23rd in rushing (hey, it's better than being 32nd!), because the Jaguars have been a mediocre rush defense over the past few weeks, and because he plays better when Manning isn't yelling at him.

 

[munygon2]

Who would you start him over?

 

[Joe Summer]

Who would you start him over?

James Starks, Chris Ogbonnaya, Maurice Morris, Jackie Battle, Roy Helu, and anyone from Miami.

 

[zamboni]

I think it's time to start giving Brown some props - the light seems to have come on for him. He's running the ball well, and by most accounts, his pass protection has been very good, too.

On a horrendous team, he's doing a lot with his chances with Addai having been out (and ineffective yesterday) and Carter fumbling his way onto the bench.

With the team having so many needs next year, might Brown be auditioning for a 2012 feature back role? I'm sure team brass would like nothing more having invested a 1st round pick in him.

 

[Breesisdaman]

picked him up and started him this week since I lost Fjax. 15points is more than Fred has gotten me the last couple weeks. Not too shabby.

 

[BigTex]

I'm really hoping he takes over as the #1 rb, we'll see.

 

[az_prof]

I think it's time to start giving Brown some props - the light seems to have come on for him. He's running the ball well, and by most accounts, his pass protection has been very good, ton a horrendous team, he's doing a lot with his chances with Addai having been out (and ineffective yesterday) and Carter fumbling his way onto the bench.With the team having so many needs next year, might Brown be auditioning for a 2012 feature back role? I'm sure team brass would like nothing more having invested a 1st round pick in him.

I think so. They have so many needs that I doubt they want to spend a high pick on a HB. And even aside from the fumbles Carter did not play like a featured back. I can see Brown and Addai splitting carries evenly next year, with Brown starting and getting more, just as they did yesterday.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I think it's time to start giving Brown some props - the light seems to have come on for him. He's running the ball well, and by most accounts, his pass protection has been very good, ton a horrendous team, he's doing a lot with his chances with Addai having been out (and ineffective yesterday) and Carter fumbling his way onto the bench.With the team having so many needs next year, might Brown be auditioning for a 2012 feature back role? I'm sure team brass would like nothing more having invested a 1st round pick in him.

I think so. They have so many needs that I doubt they want to spend a high pick on a HB. And even aside from the fumbles Carter did not play like a featured back. I can see Brown and Addai splitting carries evenly next year, with Brown starting and getting more, just as they did yesterday.

Carter ran hot at times, and we never got to see what his stubborn power style could do against defenses bracing to stop Peyton - also I think he'll get chance to endear himself to new HC/staff. Addai might be earning an offseason cut with his softness this year - honestly Im not sure why the team will keep him other than to try to salvage something from sunken cost of signing bonus (anyone know if there is a roster bonus coming up for Addai this offseason?). Brown has legs as a part-time guy and is playing with more edge and conviction, and most importantly staying healthy. Don't forget Darren Evans. Agree that RB is low on list of priorities.

 

[zamboni]

I think it's time to start giving Brown some props - the light seems to have come on for him. He's running the ball well, and by most accounts, his pass protection has been very good, ton a horrendous team, he's doing a lot with his chances with Addai having been out (and ineffective yesterday) and Carter fumbling his way onto the bench.With the team having so many needs next year, might Brown be auditioning for a 2012 feature back role? I'm sure team brass would like nothing more having invested a 1st round pick in him.

I think so. They have so many needs that I doubt they want to spend a high pick on a HB. And even aside from the fumbles Carter did not play like a featured back. I can see Brown and Addai splitting carries evenly next year, with Brown starting and getting more, just as they did yesterday.

If Brown proves himself increasingly capable in pass protection, I have a feeling that Addai will not be back next year. The pass protection aspect of Addai's game in supporting Manning is what made him very valuable.Remains to be seen who the competition will be next year for Brown.

 

[Sweet Love]

Brown > Carter

I know that breaks the heart of fanboys who like a young rookie, but when I have watched the two, it does not seem close. I went back and watched some college highlights of him, and found that he is a very nice runner, but has little to no shiftiness and seemed to blow through a bunch of arm tackles. Not the true measure of someone (highlight film), but I also expect when I watch one, I will see "other worldly" type runs.

Brown was very good in college and was selected high. He certainly did not take the reigns when given the opportunity the past couple of years, but he seems to be coming into his own now. I definitely feel there is a small percentage of RBs who need time to develop, and he could easily be a late bloomer like Thomas Jones.

 

[lakerstan]

Let's also remember that his decent performance yesterday was against a very poor Carolina run defense. I own him and played him yesterday, but I don't know that I would use him again other than in a flex position if the situation was right.

 

[zamboni]

Let's also remember that his decent performance yesterday was against a very poor Carolina run defense. I own him and played him yesterday, but I don't know that I would use him again other than in a flex position if the situation was right.

While true - Carolina is atrocious against the run - he is averaging 4.7 YPC for the year (albeit on a modest 76 carries), with solid preformances against tougher defenses.

 

[eefflrat]

Guys, thanks for bumping my original post. I have been hoping for donald brown to be more involved, and in the few weeks since this thread was started he has been the colts best runner, and he has done well all around. Lets not forget that he is the same age as delone carter, and he has two years more experience. When i brought this up a while back i guess i felt that donald brown has a first round pedigree, and that he wouldnt be the first back to take a little while to get the game and play like the talent they hoped they would be getting. I think he has turned a corner, and addai is all but gone next year. Carter and brown will splitmtime, and i think brown could be the feature back a couplenyears later than was expected.

 

[chinawildman]

Would like to get some Colts fans' (if there are still any around) perspective on this... Personally I don't see the point of Addai getting any PT for the rest of the season. Who's the 3rd down back in this offense? From what I've seen Brown is a much more capable receiver than Carter and could deliver some nice games in blowouts with some dump offs and draws. Given enough touches against a weak opponent is it possible that he has a Jerome Harrison-ish performance at the end of this season?

 

[Dought Man]

I see a top 5 week in store against the Pats. Tons of dump offs and garbage time yards when the pats drop to prevent defense in the 2nd half. 100 rushing, 80 receiving and 1 td likely.

 

[bmetz]

This was tweeted by @BigBlueShoe (an SBNation blogger that covers the Indianapolis Colts):

"Polian: Colts need to recognize that we are diff offense. Strength is two RBs"

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

I have the awful feeling that I should start him instead of "now I average 1 ypc" Arian Foster.

 

[eefflrat]

Wanted to bump this to see what Brown's prospects are for 2012. Have to figure the Colts are going to draft Luck, and they will likely need to replace Wayne and shore up the OL with early picks. Addai is under contract or one more year I think, don't know his cap numbers. Carter didn't look very good to me. Still, Brown wasn't really given a chance, even when he had the 180 yard game he was rewarded with a back up role the next week.

I guess a lot depends on new coaching etc, but the kid does have some talent.. Does anyone see him as a starting caliber rb, or is he just destined to be a rbbc 3 rd down type player?

 

[RBM]

With all their needs they really should keep the rb rotation as is and give Brown a chance to run with the job. Obviously this will depend on the new coach but I think he showed enough signs to warrant a real look.

 

[zamboni]

Agreed that a new coach may want his own guy or a similar rotation, but one has to think that he won't be as loyal to Addai as Caldwell was.

 

[Blackjacks]

Brown produces very good running out of a Iformation. Luck is use to running out of the I in college. If Luck is the QB for Indy I see alot of this formationin Indy this year and big #'s out of Brown.

HUGE sleeper with Luck at the helm.

 

[Skeletore Eh]

It's nearly impossible to predict what the backfield situation will look like next year but judging from this season, addai is about finished (judging from his play and attitude), carter looked pedestrian (though I think it's too early to write him off) and brown was the only person to perform well on a really bad team. He finally showcased why he was a first round pick. IMO he atleast earned the opportunity to be the starter next season

 

[az_prof]

Brown produces very good running out of a Iformation. Luck is use to running out of the I in college. If Luck is the QB for Indy I see alot of this formationin Indy this year and big #'s out of Brown.HUGE sleeper with Luck at the helm.

Great info on Luck. I definitely concur that the I was a good formation for Brown. I think he is good at following the FB's blocks, so in general, a PRO style formation (as opposed to shotgun) would be good for him. I liked what I saw from his this season and he is definitely capable of being a full time back. Whether or not he will be given a chance is yet to be seen, but he has earned a chance to compete for starting job in 2012.

 

[Max Power]

I am SHOCKED to see there is so little interest in Donald Brown (At least in my league). I'm pretty high on him and his situation right now. Picked him up for pennies on the dollar last year and now that I want to move him, no one is interested. At least not for the price I'm asking.

As the situation stands right now, I see him as a SOLID RB3/Flex in most leagues. Addai is gone, and Brown is in line for a decent workload this year. Sure Carter will get carries, but I think Brown is the better runner of the two.

With a rookie QB coming in, the Colts will have to stay with the running game more than they have in previous years. Even last year, Brown produced RB2/3 numbers over the last half of the season.

And now I see some rankings that don't even have Brown in the top 60RBs going forward I just don't see where the disconnect is. What am I missing?

 

[Shutout]

I am SHOCKED to see there is so little interest in Donald Brown (At least in my league). I'm pretty high on him and his situation right now. Picked him up for pennies on the dollar last year and now that I want to move him, no one is interested. At least not for the price I'm asking. As the situation stands right now, I see him as a SOLID RB3/Flex in most leagues. Addai is gone, and Brown is in line for a decent workload this year. Sure Carter will get carries, but I think Brown is the better runner of the two. With a rookie QB coming in, the Colts will have to stay with the running game more than they have in previous years. Even last year, Brown produced RB2/3 numbers over the last half of the season. And now I see some rankings that don't even have Brown in the top 60RBs going forward I just don't see where the disconnect is. What am I missing?

Im guessing most people just think of him being as a bad player because he didn't come in and grab the job like so many said he would. To the point that the COlts drafted a RB last year and now the COlts sit on some draft picks that look pretty ideal for maybe drafting another RB this year. Looks a little risky.FWIW, I agree with you that I think he has more value than what the general population thinks.

 

[zamboni]

As of now, I agree he is underrated, but if they sign a Michael Bush or draft someone on the first day, all bets are off.

 

[BigTex]

No reason to think he won't get his chance to prove himself at this point. Should start a "Post Indy Blowup" thread concerning Brown considering how much has changed since the year ended.

 

[Max Power]

I am SHOCKED to see there is so little interest in Donald Brown (At least in my league). I'm pretty high on him and his situation right now. Picked him up for pennies on the dollar last year and now that I want to move him, no one is interested. At least not for the price I'm asking. As the situation stands right now, I see him as a SOLID RB3/Flex in most leagues. Addai is gone, and Brown is in line for a decent workload this year. Sure Carter will get carries, but I think Brown is the better runner of the two. With a rookie QB coming in, the Colts will have to stay with the running game more than they have in previous years. Even last year, Brown produced RB2/3 numbers over the last half of the season. And now I see some rankings that don't even have Brown in the top 60RBs going forward I just don't see where the disconnect is. What am I missing?

Im guessing most people just think of him being as a bad player because he didn't come in and grab the job like so many said he would. To the point that the COlts drafted a RB last year and now the COlts sit on some draft picks that look pretty ideal for maybe drafting another RB this year. Looks a little risky.FWIW, I agree with you that I think he has more value than what the general population thinks.

I'm not too worried about the Colts drafting someone, that team has countless holes to fill. RB is not a priority. Heck, I don't even think it makes their top 8 list of needs.

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

PFF at this moment has him as Rb15 for next year

 

[Max Power]

Rotoworld has him at RB#56 in their dynasty rankings. Claiming he is poor fit for the new offense...

 

[mjr]

Rotoworld has him at RB#56 in their dynasty rankings. Claiming he is poor fit for the new offense...

This is why I ignore rankings from so many sites and just develop my own. No way he finishes RB56 unless he's injured. He managed to improve his stats by about 150 yards and 3 TDs with only 5 more carries then he had in 2010. 645 yards and 5 TDs on 134 carries in a mess of an offense isn't too bad. With 200 carries I can definitely see a 1000+ yard season and maybe 8-10 TDs as the lead back. Im buying on this guy in dynasties Im rebuilding in.

 

[yankdog]

PFF at this moment has him as Rb15 for next year

Where did you see this? I haven't found that. They have him at 38th here:http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/03/11/fantasy-early-2012-dynasty-adp-running-backs/

 

[az_prof]

Rotoworld has him at RB#56 in their dynasty rankings. Claiming he is poor fit for the new offense...

This is why I ignore rankings from so many sites and just develop my own. No way he finishes RB56 unless he's injured. He managed to improve his stats by about 150 yards and 3 TDs with only 5 more carries then he had in 2010. 645 yards and 5 TDs on 134 carries in a mess of an offense isn't too bad. With 200 carries I can definitely see a 1000+ yard season and maybe 8-10 TDs as the lead back. Im buying on this guy in dynasties Im rebuilding in.

It is positive that the team cut Addai and they haven't signed another FA RB (yet). They COULD draft a RB with their second round pick, but given all the team needs, I doubt it. He is in line for a lot of usage on a team that will know how to use him better, and throw to him more, than the previous regime. I look at him as a RB2 right now. He outplayed Carter last year and I don't know why that would change this year.

 

[Abspara]

Rotoworld has him at RB#56 in their dynasty rankings. Claiming he is poor fit for the new offense...

This is why I ignore rankings from so many sites and just develop my own. No way he finishes RB56 unless he's injured. He managed to improve his stats by about 150 yards and 3 TDs with only 5 more carries then he had in 2010. 645 yards and 5 TDs on 134 carries in a mess of an offense isn't too bad. With 200 carries I can definitely see a 1000+ yard season and maybe 8-10 TDs as the lead back. Im buying on this guy in dynasties Im rebuilding in.

It is positive that the team cut Addai and they haven't signed another FA RB (yet). They COULD draft a RB with their second round pick, but given all the team needs, I doubt it. He is in line for a lot of usage on a team that will know how to use him better, and throw to him more, than the previous regime. I look at him as a RB2 right now. He outplayed Carter last year and I don't know why that would change this year.

I completely agree with this. The time to buy Donald Brown is now.

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

PFF at this moment has him as Rb15 for next year

Where did you see this? I haven't found that. They have him at 38th here:http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/03/11/fantasy-early-2012-dynasty-adp-running-backs/

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/03/20/fantasy-early-look-at-2012-player-projections/Your looking at adp, I'm going soley off their most recent projections

 

[Pots]

I'm pretty high on him and his situation right now. Picked him up for pennies on the dollar last year and now that I want to move him, no one is interested. At least not for the price I'm asking.

Reread this and you'll have your answer. You picked him up for pennies, you're probably asking for dollars. That's why you can't move him. You obviously value him more than anyone else in your league, so he's not good trade bait.

 

[yankdog]

PFF at this moment has him as Rb15 for next year

Where did you see this? I haven't found that. They have him at 38th here:http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/03/11/fantasy-early-2012-dynasty-adp-running-backs/

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/03/20/fantasy-early-look-at-2012-player-projections/Your looking at adp, I'm going soley off their most recent projections

Wow thanks I just missed this article.

 

[Max Power]

I'm pretty high on him and his situation right now. Picked him up for pennies on the dollar last year and now that I want to move him, no one is interested. At least not for the price I'm asking.

Reread this and you'll have your answer. You picked him up for pennies, you're probably asking for dollars. That's why you can't move him. You obviously value him more than anyone else in your league, so he's not good trade bait.

Values change. Brown didn't even play the first couple games of 2011. His value couldnt get lower. I picked David Nelson up off the Waiver wire after his good game week2. Traded him for Brown within a couple days. I figured it was worth the risk at the time since I wasn't going to start Nelson and felt he was a run of the mill WR. Now Brown's value has gone up and Nelson's down. I said I value him as a RB3/Flex guy right now and that's the value I'm looking for in return. From what others have chimed in with, I think that is a reasonable asking price. I was mainly looking to trade him because even at the level I think he will produce, I wont start him most weeks and could improve my team by trading him. But you're right, no one is biting and that's why I'm here trying to figure out what I'm missing or if this is a case of other owners having their eyes closed.

 

[Tanner9919]

PFF at this moment has him as Rb15 for next year

Where did you see this? I haven't found that. They have him at 38th here:http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/03/11/fantasy-early-2012-dynasty-adp-running-backs/

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/03/20/fantasy-early-look-at-2012-player-projections/Your looking at adp, I'm going soley off their most recent projections

Wow thanks I just missed this article.

take profootballfocus rankings with a grain of salt.they have Vincent Jackson listed as WR #12, while still with SD as a UFA.they have RGIII as QB #12, the guy might be good, but to rank him at #12 ahead of Schaub, Ryan,Cutler, Dalton,Flacco , etc, is just ridiculous..

they have J. Charles as RB #5, coming off a major injury..Dallas Clark at #10..

Donald Brown might be one of the most underrated RB's in the NFL..he looked amazing last season when you consider just how bad the Colts were..and he STILL managed a 4.8 ypc/avg

he's going to be a value pick this year, most people thinking he'll be somewhere in the RB 20-30 range but will likely finish as a top 10 RB IMO..I think he has the skills to become a big time player in this league.

the new coaching staff retains RB coach David Walker,and hired Bruce Arians as their new OC..take a look at Pitt's rushing numbers

the past few seasons and you can expect to see similar results with the Colts, i.e., one main ball carrier, not RBB..in 2010, Mendenhall had 324 attempts, while in 2009 he had 242..the numbers are there, Donald Brown will be a big part of this offense

 

[Shutout]

I am SHOCKED to see there is so little interest in Donald Brown (At least in my league). I'm pretty high on him and his situation right now. Picked him up for pennies on the dollar last year and now that I want to move him, no one is interested. At least not for the price I'm asking. As the situation stands right now, I see him as a SOLID RB3/Flex in most leagues. Addai is gone, and Brown is in line for a decent workload this year. Sure Carter will get carries, but I think Brown is the better runner of the two. With a rookie QB coming in, the Colts will have to stay with the running game more than they have in previous years. Even last year, Brown produced RB2/3 numbers over the last half of the season. And now I see some rankings that don't even have Brown in the top 60RBs going forward I just don't see where the disconnect is. What am I missing?

Im guessing most people just think of him being as a bad player because he didn't come in and grab the job like so many said he would. To the point that the COlts drafted a RB last year and now the COlts sit on some draft picks that look pretty ideal for maybe drafting another RB this year. Looks a little risky.FWIW, I agree with you that I think he has more value than what the general population thinks.

I'm not too worried about the Colts drafting someone, that team has countless holes to fill. RB is not a priority. Heck, I don't even think it makes their top 8 list of needs.

I would agree, but then again I would have said the same thing last year. And with the deluted value of RBs in the NFL, it is very possible to get a solid, good RB in the NFL draft in a late round that could usurp the incumbents. I guess I'm trying to illustrate it in this way: Its not a situation where RB is a complete afterthought. Its not like Philly or houston or Baltimore where even if a guy was drafted it wouldn't create any talk at all in fantasy. But if the colts drafted a Rb, or the Bucs, or Jets, or any other team that technically has a young starting RB, it would hurt the value of the incumbent.