So reading my Miami Dolphins Digest (issue before colts game, I get them late since Im away at college) There's an article about how Ronnie talks about how his goal is to become the best NFL running back. The way I see it teams already look at him as an elite back atleast top 10. judging from what I hear from other fans. But statistically he's not. what matters more the impression he leaves on opposing teams or stats? - impression teams will always respect him putting extra time during practice in the run D. - stats he'll live eternally in the NFL record books. I think Ronnie's already like #4. just passed Jim Kiick last weekend by reaching 3,687 and kiick had 3,644
If he was drafted by a team that actually commits to the run, he'd be considered the best running back in the game right now (barring "All-Day") in my opinion.
He's #7 in the league right now, and has less carries than everyone ahead of him. #1 in 1st downs, but lacks a single run of 20+.
both of our running backs are in the top 27 in the league right now. thats pretty good considering we're 0-3 and niether of them gets that many carries to be honest.
If the running game continues there is no way we wont be winning games at some point. Its just too good not to.
I think he's one of the more popular players among NFL fans, thanks to the wildcat. NFL fans in general love it and he's the king of that formation. The more we use it, the more his stature will grow...especially when he gets a national stage like the Colts game.
They barely used Ronnie in that first game against Atlanta....I remember because the guy next to me at the sport's bar asked me over and over, "Where is Ronnie Brown???" RB looked like the Invisible Man.
I think he is a solid all-around back but I don't think he is elite. Man if he could just break out of those 2nd level tackles.
Problem is our OL is improved, but they and the WR's and TE's are not finishing with downfield blocks. That's what Sparano alluded to in his presser the other day.
Ronnie is an elite talent imo.. I believe one reason why he does'nt break those tackles in the 2nd level is because he has lost some speed with some weight gain over the years...The other is because the blood zone is always crowded since hes been a pro, poor qb play, below average arm strength, and lack of a dominant wide receiver. I also saw an interview of him where he, in a very humble way, alluded to that he and AD were the 2 most talented backs in the league. I think the right arm of Chad Henne is how a lot of fans will finally see the stats that they have been waiting to see, stats that i dont need to see, my eyes have already told me what an elite talent he is.
Ronnie is quite the asset because he is an all around back the problem is he doesn't have the speed to bust loose. He is a solid back but not Elite IMO.
Ronnie is a HOFer in my book and as elite as they come. It's not his fault he is, and has been, misused all of his NFL career! Hes got great hands yet they don't throw to him. He just gets better and better as the game goes on and needs at least 17-20 carrys a game to be effective; you add 5 or 6 touches with pass plays to him and the guy will consistantly get 175-220 yards a game as proven by his play in 2007. Cam Cameron may have been alot of things but he sure knew how to let Ronnie carry the load. Ronnie rewarded that trust by showing the football world just what heart he had!! Dan Marino and Don Shula can only wish they had been so lucky to have gotten such a back. Don wouldn't have had any trouble using Ronnie properly!
Brown might not have the top end speed that some do but what he does as well as ANYBODY in this league is move the chains....that's "elite" enough for me.
That makes Ronnies average a more reliable expectation than those with many +20's. For every one of those there has to be three seriously below average runs to drag it down.. man, Johnson and Peterson are men among boys.
Ronnie is fast but he's not a burner, he's the kind of back that will punish you for not bringing him down and thats what I love about him, how many times have we seen him carry two or three guys on his back while keeps his legs churning? Shades of the Zonk.
Let's settle this then. Let's draw a line in the sand. Here's the 45 RBs who are worth a damn in the NFL. Give me the top 10. Rookies did not make the list. NFC NORTH Adrian Peterson Kevin Smith Matt Forte Ryan Grant NFC SOUTH DeAngelo Williams Jonathon Stewart Pierre Thomas Mike Bell Reggie Bush Carnell Williams Derrick Ward Michael Turner NFC EAST Brian Westbrook Marion Barber Felix Jones Brandon Jacobs Clinton Portis NFC WEST Steven Jackson Frank Gore Julius Jones Tim Hightower AFC NORTH Jamal Lewis Cedric Benson Willis McGahee Ray Rice Willie Parker AFC SOUTH Chris Johnson Lendale White Maurice Jones-Drew Steve Slaton Joseph Addai AFC EAST Thomas Jones Leon Washington Ronnie Brown Ricky Williams Fred Taylor Lawrence Maroney Marshawn Lynch Fred Jackson AFC WEST LaDainian Tomlinson Correll Buckhalter Darren McFadden Michael Bush Darren Sproles Larry Johnson Spoiler 1. Adrian Peterson 2. DeAngelo Williams 3. Chris Johnson 4. Maurice Jones-Drew 5. Ronnie Brown 6. Frank Gore 7. Steven Jackson 8. Michael Turner 9. Brian Westbrook 10. Marion Barber Close but no cigar: LaDainian Tomlinson, Brandon Jacobs, Ray Rice, Clinton Portis, Pierre Thomas
He has no chance at being the best ever. He is too old at this point to make it happen. He's still awesome though.
Clinton Portis is a damn good running back and better than Barber IMO. I'd say he's equal to Westbrook and I wouldn't put Gore in the same category as Clinton. Talent level they are not equal IMO. Clinton is the complete package. I wouldn't put Ronnie Brown over Clinton either. Steven Jackson may be as equally talented as Clinton but he's got injury issues.
a case can be made for portis. age is important to me. let's see your top 10. EDIT: i thought Portis was older than 28. hmm...only one year older than ronnie. but Ronnie has over 1200 less career carries than Portis. so he is actually younger (by about 4 years) in terms of NFL life expectancy.
but thats also a problem with Ronnie. hes my favorite player on the team, but i have started to notice, instead of him side stepping a defender and breaking an arm tackle, he simply runs into people. yes he may punish the defender, and he gets respect for that from defenders because they dont like hitting him, he should break through more tackles and break longer runs. hes far to big and strong to let people bring him down everytime like he does.
I'm not a big fan of rankings but if I had to rank the top ten running backs, I'd do as followed. 1) Adrian Peterson - Very tough to argue against him right now. He's got the talent, production and consistency which is three things I think you have to have to be a top back in this game as well as durability. If there's one qualm with him, it's that he puts the ball on the ground a bit too much. 2) Brian Westbrook - I think he's underrated by many. Yes, he does have some durability issues but I think he's a player that you can put in any system and he'll have success. I simply think he's that good. 3) Clinton Portis - Some may think this is high for him but I don't. I think he's one of the most talented running backs in the game because of his ability to do everything. He can catch, he can run in a power offense, he has some finesse in his game, he's shown he can block too. 4) LaDainian Tomlinson - A bit old now but remember, last year he came off his career worst year and he ran for 1100 yards or something? I think that's ridiculous. He's battling some injuries right now but I think he's still up there with the best. I also think he's up here because I think we're struggling a bit with elite backs in the NFL. Quite a bit new guys or guys that are just now getting their chance. 5) Michael Turner - This is where I think we start going away from the elite backs in the NFL but some of the very good ones are here, like Turner. He's a quality back with power and speed, a great blend. 6) Maurice Jones-Drew - He's a jack of all trades and this is the first year he's been the full-time guy but its tough to argue his talent. He can just do it all and he's a guy with great strength at his stature. 7) DeAngelo Williams - He's only had one big year and he's always split carries but he's just so impressive. I like his lower body strength and his quickness. If he had a better resume, I would put him higher but I can't yet. 8) Frank Gore - Came back from two major knee surgeries in college and is now one helluva back. Arguably the most talented running back to ever come out of South Florida. I really like him. 9) Chris Johnson - Johnson is so damn impressive and I think the only reason I put him above Ronnie Brown is because of his breakaway speed. 10) Ronnie Brown/Steven Jackson - I put Ronnie and Steven both here. I think they both are guys who will be held back by their current teams. Both have great talent, can do it all, have some durability issues but are misused or have been unfortunate in their careers because of a poor supporting cast. After them, I think it's all a bunch of names cluttered together along the likes of Leon Washington, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, Marion Barber and probably a few others that I can't think of off the top of my head right now. Like I said though, I dislike ranking these guys because I'm always going to miss one guy or my list won't be as good because I don't have as high of an opinion or I have a different standard than others.
Is anyone taking into account what this man can do and how special he is at running a new power formation called the wildcat..I am, and that has been one of the main reasons why i keep calling him elite, NOBODY!! can do what this man does in that formation, nobody...There are elite skills required to execute this package, and from what were seeing on this team, and around the rest of the NFL, it needs to be accounted for. Its the overall package that needs to be respected, and puts him into elite status.. Iam sorry Alen, ronnie is 2nd on that list imo, would'nt trade him strait up for anyone else right now... wait til the bills get a hold of this dude 2maro...he could singlehandedly dominate this game, wildcat and base. Id love to see his stats right now of all wildcat plays handled by ronnie brown.... ridiculous
What I find funny is that the average NFL fan, probably has a higher opinion of Brown than many Dolphin fans do... Spot on dj.....good post
I said that last week. He so reminded me of Zonk. He just kept pushing. I love that old time running to gain yards.
