Ronnie Brown on the trading block?

Who's the replacement?

Ricky? Well more than likely he's out after this year and no one is really behind him on the depth chart that can start.

A rookie or a player via a Ronnie trade? Rookie's can be huge busts and Ronnie is a pro bowler no matter what stats you want to throw out. The guy won the Patriots and San Diego games last year and should have won the Texans game. A guy brings you that many games a year deserves to be on your team. On the flip side if anyone can be gotten in a trade for Ronnie who would be worth it? It has to be a young pro bowl caliber starter and I don't see anyone giving up a high draft pick and a pro bowl starter for Ronnie.

Simply put this guy is a bright spot of the offense, has won games for this team in the past, and although I agree about him having yet to really break out and having durability issues I still don't see any way trading him can really benefit this team aside from some team giving up way too much. You keep your stars and best players not trade them. When you start doing that you end up like the Lions or the Cardinals for so many years.

Still I say this is just pre-draft filler for fans to talk about.

 

Well I don't see what is hard to understand about a team who is still building through the draft, has a player that...
was not targeted by this regime...
that has trade value...
that is about to cost a lot of money next year...

not talking about his future with the team...

Maybe is Parcell's "modus operandi" but his team has never been built around one star player...

 

Well, I think it would be a waste because we'd have to replace him and that would require a significant investment of free agency money or draft pick to do.

 

Objectively speaking, in this league RB's are becoming a dime a dozen, and although Ronnie has proven to be a special back on occasion, the consistency hasn't been there. If we could get good value for him it might not be the worst move.

That being said I couldn't be a bigger fan of Ronnie Brown. His personality, work ethic, the smile fixed on his face when he plays the game, etc have me hoping that there's just no truth to this whatsoever.

 

I'm gonna say that if Parcells and Co. believe that Williams and Cobbs can be the two backs they need, Ronnie is fair game.

The system we run doesn't need a feature back... ...and Ronnie is getting paid feature back money.

Of course, without Ronnie in the backfield, the Wildcat loses a very big part. Ronnie is, no doubt, what made that formation work.

I don't believe Ronnie will be traded unless:

1. We have a backup plan for our two-back system.
2. We have a backup plan as to who is the primary in the Wildcat.
and 3. We get paid...

If all three happen, there is no doubt in my mind that Ronnie gets traded.

If only two happen, it's possible still, but I believe very unlikely...

There is no chance if we only have one or none of those three covered...

IMO.

 

would this be 'shocking' - no ... surprising - yes

what is, is that Parcell's doesn't covet high $$$ RBs .... so to see him ditch Ronnie while he can recoup potentially a 2d for him -- i'd buy that, so that he could pick up McCoy (although he is a little light) and team him up with Ricky. Or grab Vaughn or Sutton.

it would also mean, that Casey in the 2d would also be close to a guarantee to help run the WC. and if he does this, he would most certainly shop Martin for more picks.

 

he took less than half b/c of ricky, cobbs, and polite

 

Perfectly said

 

They'll make up anything coming up towards the draft. They don't have to have any credible sources, and all they do is try to create conversation where there is none.

 

I'm talking overall effectiveness - YPC - consistency. Ronnie Brown isn't consistent. Never has been. He's also injury prone. He finally finished his first full season and that can be chalked up to the fact that he shares the load. If he didn't, then it's fair to wonder how he would have held up this past season. Brown isn't capable of being THE feature back - even if our offense was built that way. If we could get a 2nd rounder for him, I'd take it in a heart beat. But it's all moot anyway. I doubt it happens. And if it doesn't, it's very unlikely he'll be a Dolphin after this season anyway.

 

Except these are magical implants that do not leave with the girlfriend, and are interchangeable between future girlfriends, and you believe very strongly and have reason to believe that you can find one just as nice.

 

Take a look at Ronnie's YPC, he has been very consistent in that regard. His lowest YPC total was 4.2 (4.4 for his career), that's production, that's a RB who will get you 4 yards when he touches the ball. Teams pay alot of money and spend countless draft picks looking for players that can do just that.

And he did it with average or less than average OL's.

Adrian Peterson

2005: High ankle sprain, missed 4 games
2006: Broken collar bone, missed 6 weeks
2007: Injured Lateral Collateral ligament, missed a month

Is he injury prone?

Would that be enough to make you want to get rid of him if he were on the team?

I disagree, when used in the same manner as other feature backs he showed that he was more than up to the task. Again, how quickly we forget.

Where does a statement like that come from? I didn't see anything even remotely close to that coming from the FO, as someone (GIK) pointed out elsewhere, we've heard that Beck, Ginn, Crowder, etc were all going to be gone and yet each one of them is still on the team. We haven't heard anything about Ronnie being on the outs other than the occasional fan speculating on a message board or a writer tossing a handful of **** against the wall to see what sticks.

This team isn't going to overpay anyone, but there is no indication that Ronnie is seeking to back up the brinks truck and become the highest paid back in the league. The idea that this is his last year is fan speculation and nothing more, fans who are trying to predict what the FO is going to do before they do it and that strategy hasn't worked out too well for as long as I can remember.

Keep in mind that Ronnie not only has the respect from Miami fans, but he has also earned the respect of countless rival players and coaches, there is a reason for it. Parcells is no dummy, he isn't going to dump a player if he feels that player can contribute to winning games, and without Ronnie Brown on our team last year, we wouldn't have even sniffed the playoffs.

 

@ magical implants

For all of the people saying that RB's are a dime a dozen, why do teams struggle for years looking for them? Why do teams give up countless draft picks and huge contracts to get an established and productive RB for their team? It's not as easy as it sounds, you can't just take any RB and plug them into the lineup and not expect dropoff. Other than the Broncos, I can't think of any other team that has had a great record of finding RB gems in the draft and FA with such regularity.

Remember, we looked for a long time in order to find a guy like Ronnie, we wasted Marino because we felt that the RB spot wasn't a top necessity, let's not make the mistake of thinking that Ronnie is an interchangeable part that can be tossed aside like a pair of socks.

 

I won't argue with your logic, but the NFL is changing. Now teams have many RBs doing the work of one. Less and less are teams relying on one RB to carry the load. Ever since the rule change governing the contact DBs can make with receivers, the NFL is becoming an air it out passing league. Throw the ball to set up the run. The great defenses in the leagues today can stifle even the best RB. But a dynamic passing attack can make even the best defense look foolish. Because of this teams can get by without a stud RB. But having one sure doesn't hurt!

That being said, I think Ronnie is a special back, and I hope we give him a year behind this improved line to show us what he can really do 100% healthy.

 

LMAO...

So, the exchange might go something like this then:

Guy: We need to break up. I need my space. It's not you, it's me. Blah, blah, blah.

Girl: Waa, waa, waa...

Guy: Er, um...sorry but uh...I'm gonna need those back before you leave. Thank you.

Girl: WAA, WAA, WAA...

 

How many teams drafted a bigtime back in the last 2 years? Quite a few. They are not THAT hard to find really. Its not like looking for a QB or passrusher. If we trade Ronnie I think the chances are good we can find a suitable replacement. If we get offered a first and 4th say, we can take Wells/Moreno in the first and then have a 4th rounder as well to try and find another player.
If the line is all important and has improved, it shouldnt matte who we have back there. The great backs will be able to run the ball when the circumstances are agaisnt them and Ronnie has not done that much.

He is not untradeable, but I think it will take some serious effort to pry him away from us.

 

Oh I understand and don't think your out of you mind by thinking it. I just think why get rid of a Rb that is most definitely one of the better ones.

Lets not forget that pre injury, he was the best Running Back in the league at the time so he had his seaon of proof ruined.

 

With how many carries? Also that line was a pretty good run blocking line.

 

Brown is not a bad back, he's pretty good. Ricky on the other hand in his prime, nobody was even close to him. Ricky was just plain a stud.

 

Thats the big question for the staff to decide. At what point does a package outweigh Ronnies value to the team? It seems as if the front office feels there is a point. I just hope its very high including both a first rounder and multiple picks in general. The key is to make sure your getting more than one player for him including a good chance to find a replacement. At that point it makes sense to make a deal.

 

Bad personnel choices?

Quality running games aren't a dime a dozen, don't get me wrong, there is a price to be paid...But it isn't always the runningback. We've paid enough on the OL that we don't need a top 10 contract, first round back.

And ultimately, regardless if you think that it is right...The Front office pretty convincingly seems to think so.

 

Travis, your avatar is bad luck for current Dolphins players

 

I prefer cheerleaders, but whatever floats your boat...

 

<Surferosa runs to the patent office>

 

to what do you refer sir?

 

we better not trade Ronnie. I would be PISSED

 

This is kind of a weak rumor. First of all, who isn't a likely to be traded from this roster for the right price? And then it ends by saying, "He's a long shot to get traded."

 

so true

 

Jamie Nails was what one might call a one year wonder. He wasn't THAT good. Ricky was just running incredibly well. Our line was average at very best.

 

My statement about him not being re-signed comes from the fact that RBs these days are a dime a dozen. Ronnie Brown has talent, but he is not irreplaceable. He is not an elite back. He has durability issues and he's hot and cold. And, as I've said many times, he is SLOW to the hole. As someone else mentioned in this thread: take away the wild cat plays and his numbers this past season would be very pedestrian. We will not pay RB what he will expect to get paid. Parcells and and Ireland won't do it. There is no way I can prove that now, but wait and see. If we don't trade him, Ronnie Brown will be on another team next year OR sign with us for much less than he thinks he's worth.

I like Ronnie. Great character guy. But he is not a guy, IMO, that you invest a large amount of cap space in. It just won't happen. The key to running success is more the line than the back. Look at Denver and how many 1000 yard rushers they have had. Then, when that back changes teams, he's mediocre. Parcells and Co. are not going to invest heavily into a guy who is inconsistent, injury plagued, etc. when we can get equal production for less $$$.

As for Adrian Peterson: the jury is still out on him being injury prone. But, as far as talent, he is twice the running back Ronnie Brown is. And that IS a fact.

 

Nails' strength was as a pulling guard. Other than that, he was just okay. He worked well pulling on the counter traps.

2003 was certainly a step back, but the previous year was as much Ricky's determination as it was the line.

 

First of all I think you are wrong to assume that A) we would get a 1st rounder for him, this close to the draft teams are going to be wary of trading draft picks, and B) that one of those RB's will fall to us. It would be a blunder of epic proportions to trade Ronnie and then be left with 2nd tier draft prospects.

Umm....take a look at his production, it's almost identical to Marion Barber's, and Ronnie did that behind far inferior OL's. Ronnie has never been used as a feature back for a full season, so it's unfair to judge him against the elite RB's of the NFL. When he was used that way (before his knee injury) he looked every bit the elite franchise RB.

Nobody is untradeable, but not every trade makes sense.

Spending money on its own means nothing, that money has to be spent wisely. I'm not sure that the Grove signing actually improved the OL, he comes with injury concerns (remember, that's one of the knocks people use with Ronnie) and Raider fans couldn't wait to get rid of him. I hope he works out, but right now it seems like a lateral move. We really did ourselves a disservice by not signing Brown, he signed a player of lesser ability for almost the same amount of money. Bad signing IMO.

I've seen nothing to indicate that the FO feels that way and would be interested to see that proof. The OL is important to teams that run alot, that's common knowledge, but it's a leap to suggest that the FO thinks that a good OL devalues the RB position.

Would Parcells have let Barber walk if he was still in charge in Dallas? Highly doubtful. Parcells will draft young players to push the veterans, if the young players wins the job then so be it. But I can't see Parcells dumping a productive Ronnie Brown and putting this rebuild in the hands of a rookie, that's a huge risk and foolish IMO.

So it's your opinion?

If RB's are a dime a dozen, why do teams put such a high priority on that position? Why do they spend millions and countless draft picks in an effort to find players who can put up Ronnie Brown numbers? That "dime a dozen" argument is thin, it isn't as easy as you make it sound or else every NFL team would fine at RB and Marino would have won a ring.

Ronnie has never been used the same way a LT or Peterson have been used, so it's unfair to compare their stats.

And again I'll ask, if Ronnie's injuries make him injury prone, do Peterson's injuries make him injury prone as well? Would you want to trade Peterson based on his "durability issues"? Now I'm not camparing their ability, I'm strictly asking you to compare their injury histories and tell me if you would trade Peterson.

Dude, we suffered alot of injuries last year along the OL, what else would you expect?

Opinion

My opinion is that Parcells isn't a dummy, he isn't going to rid the team of a player who is productive, and looking at Ronnie's stats he has been productive. Compare his stats to Barber and they are almost mirror images, this 2 back system isn't going to produce Top 5 Rb numbers, it just isn't.

Denver is a unique situation, that doesn't happen anywhere else in the NFL. It just isn't as simple as "plug them into the RB spot and watch them go". Yes an OL makes the running game better, much better, but that is only one factor. The RB's ability is very important and Ronnie has shown that he can get the job done, a 4.4 YPC career average is nothing to sneeze at.

He is used differently, when given more carries Ronnie looked like an elite RB. That doesn't mean that he would be as good or better than Peterson, but it's unfair and intellectually dishonest to compare two RB's who play in different systems.

As far as the jury still being out on AP's injury history, not at all. He suffered some pretty serious injuries in college and missed alot of time, that is plenty of history to make a judgment. It's the same timeframe that we've had for Ronnie, so why not use the same standards for both? 3 out of the past 4 years Peterson missed significant time, is he injury prone?

 

Jamie Nails was a very good run blocker. He was excellent for a real big man at pulling and a beast when he got his hands on someone from the second level. Todd Wade, Tim Ruddy, Todd Perry, Jamie Nails, Mark Dixon were all pretty decent run blockers.

The line was average at best because they pretty much sucked at pass protection.

Sure a good Rb can make an offensive line look better but will never make a bad line look average at best.

Speaking of one year wonders. That pretty much describes Ricky Williams dont it?

 

I herd Dan Lebatart interview Ricky once and asked him what his favorite running play was and without hesitating he said the Counter...

 

how bout the way he totally finishes over safeties in the endzone with an !!.

Ronnie brown will finish in the top 5 for the MVP this year, this regime is not stupid, they are setting him up to be the worhorse this year, his supreme talent will finally be on display...correctly.

 

Peterson can only be judged by what happens to him in the pro. Marino was injured a lot in high school and college and he last 17 seasons, so college injury history doesn't count, IMO. Is there concern over APs durability? Sure. But he is still well above the class of running back Ronnie is.

The main thing is, your argument for Ronnie, while I respect it, doesn't convince me that the regime is going to invest heavily in him due to his past injuries, because running backs ARE easier to find, because most teams use a two back system, and because Ronnie has NOT been consistent at all in his career. Sure, some of that can be chalked up to game planning. But when you look at his stats from game to game, and look at his average per carry from game to game, he is not consistent. It really doesn't matter how many time he touches the ball. What matters it what he is able to do with it on a consistent basis. Like I said before, if you take away the WC plays from Ronnie's stats this past season, I'd venture to say RB probably averaged between 3.5 and 3.7 yards per carry. On the other hand R. Williams didn't have the advantage of running the wild cat and he equaled Ronnie's yards per carry for the season. **There was one long run by RW out of the wild cat and that was for a TD, I believe, against the Seahawks. Other than that, Ricky didn't have the luxury of the scheme to help him, and he is much older than Ronnie.

 

I cant believe people are still questioning Ronnie Brown.

If he was taken with the #22 overall pick, would so many people doubt him? Probably not.

ps- Jamie Nails was a MONSTER in 2002.

 

In Parcells I trust. Whatever his decisions are, I'm going to believe in. He's incredible.