Ronnie Brown Appreciation Day

by Matty I on May 7, 2008 12:15 AM EDT in News

Right now, many of us are very excited for the future of this franchise. But today I wanted to simply take some time to talk about my favorite (and many of yours, as well) Miami Dolphin: Ronnie Brown.

I don't think enough can be said about the kind of season Ronnie was on his way towards having before that terrible week 7 injury that ended his season (yea, thanks again Cleo Lemon). He led the league in total yards from scrimmage and was well on his way towards a 1,300+ yard rushing season and a 2,000+ yard total yards from scrimmage season. He also had his first trip to Hawaii in sight as well. So it was insanely frustrating watching Ronnie suffer that injury, especially doing something that he shouldn't ever have to do (making a tackle).

So, today, let's sit back and just take some time to talk about Ronnie and just how great of a season he was having last year.

Sure, we can talk about his 4 consecutive 100 yard rushing games or his back-to-back 200 total yard games. But I wanted to go a different route and look and some of his key splits from the '07 season.

For example, one of the most important things you look at when examining a running back is how he does as the game wears on. And Ronnie Brown, to his credit, really doesn't miss a beat as his carries increase:

Carries 1-5: 35-172 (3.8 ypc)
Carries 6-10: 35-249 (7.1)
Carries 11-15: 27-93 (3.4)
Carries 16-20: 16-107 (6.7)

Solid numbers across the board, which is what you want to see out of a feature back.

Another important stat for a running back is how they do in 3rd (and 4th) and short. Again, to his credit, Brown is a great short-yardage back:

3rd and 2 or less: 4-19 (4 1st downs)
4th and 2 or less: 4-36 (4 1st downs)

That's 8 carries and 8 first downs. Quite impressive.

And one final stat I want to throw your way before giving way to some videos, I always like to look at what running backs do when their team is backed up in their own territory. Ronnie, again to his credit, is a great asset to the Dolphins when they are inside their own 20, as proven last year:

Inside own 20: 12-136 (11.3 ypc, 4 1st downs)

And yes, that includes Ronnie's 60 yard run against the Raiders in week 4 last year. Now if you take away that burst, Brown still averaged 6.9 ypc in his 11 other carries inside their own 20. Now that's getting the job done, folks.

But now we enter 2008 with Ronnie recovering from a torn ACL. Though we've been hearing that he's been making great progress, I'm still a bit leery. There's no need to rush him back onto the field. I hope the Dolphins are very cautious in Ronnie's return. But when he does return, the league better watch out. Because now he's running behind a much improved offensive line.

So join me today in raising a glass to Ronnie Brown. May his recovery go smoothly and may he run right through NFL defenses for the next 5 to 10 years in Miami as he did in 2007!

A few videos are below the fold...

2007 Week 3 vs Jets:

And 2007 Week 4 vs Raiders:

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What a stud

can’t wait to see him back at 100% I bet he can’t wait to get through those gaping holes Jake and Co. are gonna be creating for him. And if Ricky can be half the back he was when he rang up 1500+ for us a few years back, we’ll be one of the best rushing teams in the league. I really hope he doesn’t rush it though, TAKE YOUR TIME RONNIE!

http://canemutiny.blogspot.com A fans view of Miami Hurricanes Football and Basketball

by Little Nicky 21 on May 7, 2008 12:38 AM EDT 0 recs

man o man

seeing this always puts a smile on my face its just beautiful

by KingOnSlaught on May 7, 2008 12:52 AM EDT 0 recs

awesome

it was good seeing some of the (few) high points of the dolphins season last year.

Although I do think ronnies numbers from last year might not be so accurate because cam’s offensive system booststhe RB’s stats. When cam left the chargers and came to the dolphins last year, LT’s production fell off (well, for LT anyway). Also, it seemed like no matter who we put back at RB last year he did well (maybe not as wellas ron did, but they all still had good stats). I’m not saying ronnie wasn’t great (it wasn’t cam’s system that made him dominate that raider), but i definitely think his beginning of the year stats are a bit inflated. I definitely agree with nicky tho, with a better offensive line this year, ronnie will be very fun to watch.

by dolfanstanley on May 7, 2008 12:53 AM EDT 0 recs

I've Been Saying...

If Ronnie had a decent OLine, which I think he will this year, he’s gonna be a monster. Also even though Ricky has year he has relatively few mileage, so he should have lot of kick left and should still be at the top of his game, especially after the conditioning the new crew will put him thrugh.

Ps. Ronnie, take your time, don’t rush it, Ricky will hold down the fort until your return.

by Quinyne on May 7, 2008 4:41 AM EDT 0 recs

Spam bot!

by Natalya on May 7, 2008 10:38 AM EDT 0 recs

yup

he’s been taken care of.

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by Matty I on May 7, 2008 11:24 AM EDT up 0 recs

I'll say this...

Ronnie Brown may be the most important player on the fins entire offensive unit this season.

I really believe this unit is going to setup everything, around a strong running game. With big questions at the QB position this will be a run-first team. If Ronnie is strong and picking up yards on runs as well as passes, then he takes a lot of pressure of those QB’s.

If he isn’t strong, if he is injured or not properly recovered, then I would be very worried. As good as Ricky was, there are more questions about him than answers at this point. So as Ronnie goes, so does the offense…

by Natalya on May 7, 2008 10:41 AM EDT 0 recs

I like Ronnie, so don't take my questions as hate

but I have wondered about something ever since we drafted him… he supposedly had something like 4.3 speed. But everytime I see him break open, a DB drags him down from behind. So where is that speed? I keep expecting to see him off to the races when he breaks one, but he rarely takes it to the house on a 50+ yarder with no one in front of him. I believe Ricky is (was?) faster.

I agree about the importance of having a “between the tackles”/swing pass outlet this year to take the pressure of the new QB, and hope Ronnie is healthy.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on May 7, 2008 10:58 AM EDT up 0 recs

HATER!

:) :)

I think Ronnie has or at least had (last year) a very nice burst and hit on some long runs. I don’t see his speed as deficient at all. Unlike a back like say, McGahee or Edge James – neither of whom tend to break any long runs at all.

As for his speed, well it brings back the point yesterday I was alluding to about timed speed being overrated. It wasn’t often that Jerry Rice got pulled down from behind and he was, at best, a 4.7-40 guy.

There’s something to be said for playing speed, in pads and the like.

by Natalya on May 7, 2008 11:08 AM EDT up 0 recs

Methinks

It’s in the gearing and not the top-end speed.

A guy like Ricky Williams, in his prime, had those extra couple of gears, that allowed him control his speed more. He’d move laterally at one speed, kick it into the hole in another and then have that final burst to change the pursuit angle so significantly that he wouldn’t get caught from behind.

Ronnie has similar talents, though he has often played without that final “see ya” gear due to bumps and bruises. The biggest thing that Ronnie developed last year was elite vision and patience. He was really looking smooth out there.

That too made the difference for Ricky in 2002 and 2003. Those lines were average (02 was somewhat better before Nails stopped playing).

I think Ronnie will not carry the ball until week 3. Parmele, Lex Hilliard (how awesome is his name?) and company will be suitable backups for the “Ricky Renaissance.”

That’s trademarked by the way.

www.thephinisher.com

by The Phinisher on May 7, 2008 11:37 AM EDT up 0 recs

My favorite Dolphins player is...

...Matt Ryan.

Wait! Wut! /cry

Providing he stays healthy, and Ricky stays healthy, I could see Ronnie Brown have a nice, but not great year. With his injury concerns, I’d like to see his carries limited, somewhat. If he can play 15-16 games and rush for 1100-1200 yds, I’d consider that a hugely successful season for him and the Dolphins.

by dab415217 on May 7, 2008 10:47 AM EDT 0 recs

Caution it the wind

It has been proven time and time again in teh NFL that it takes 2 full years to recover from ACL surgery and regain the original speed/strength in the knee. He might feel 100% this year, but he wont be the same guy.

See Faulk, Marshall. James, Edgrerin… etc etc

What I’m saying is… don’t jump off the bandwagon if he looks like he lost a step this year. Give him another year. Let us get our money and draft picks worth for Ricky this year finally.

by YatilGinnJr on May 7, 2008 11:12 AM EDT 0 recs

Agree with that 100%

I think Ricky is going to suprise some people this year…he may be getting older but has low mileage & a lot to prove!!

by MassFinFan65 on May 7, 2008 11:33 AM EDT up 0 recs

sort of

I think an MCL is 2 years (ala pepper) and ACL is closer to 12 months, yes you can start running exercising etc sooner but lateral movement takes time to return (granted i’m not a doctor and i don’t stay at H Inns)... but to your true point that Ronnie shouldn’t be 100% until october november and maybe longer is spot on….

Plus Ronnie is coming to the end of his contract? 09 I think so the triad will be in a tough spot after this year with ronnie…. let him go into the last year or try to cut a new deal?

by W NY Fins Fan on May 7, 2008 9:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

Cheers, Ronnie

Here’s to hoping you show LT how to a real running back wins a playoff game!

www.thephinisher.com

by The Phinisher on May 7, 2008 11:38 AM EDT 0 recs

(Cue Jim Mora:) Playoffs? PLAYOFFS?

ha… yeah, here’s hoping!

I think a healthy Ronnie and RIcky together in the backfield can only be a positive, and a definite upgrade over last year. Not to mention big Jake up front…

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by NumberSeven on May 7, 2008 1:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

ACL Injuries

An ACL injury is extremely tricky to recover fully from…
Thank goodnees it was a PCL injury or Ronnie would be done for good…

However, what we all need to take notice of is that Joey Porter last year was coming off similar surgery… A lot of people said that he’d be ready for game one and back to his old self…

I had told many people around me that he might be able to show up around week three, but he wouldn’t be productive until at least midway through the season…

Sure enough, he had a lackluster year, in comparison to his style and production in previous years… An ACL injury is rough stuff…

Ronnie has had a longer amount of time to have the surgery and recover properly… He has not been rushed in rehab and will certainly recover to almost full-health… However, I would not be surprised if he doesn’t get 25-30 touches a game right off the bat… He’ll play in the first weeks, but he’ll be the second or third rushing option until about week four…

900 rushing yards, 1200 all-purpose yards by the end of the season… 10 touchdowns… this would be a mountain of success coming back from an ACL tear

by scouted on May 7, 2008 1:47 PM EDT 0 recs

What do you think?

about Ricky carrying the load for the first few weeks while Ronnie rests, building up trade value before the week 6 deadline. Then we sell high on him for a draft pick or 2 when Ronnie and Parmele are ready to take over the workload. Would you be willing to deal Ricky if he’s playing well considering his past? Or should we keep him and try to squeeze 30 or so carries between 2 feature backs and a rookie?

http://canemutiny.blogspot.com A fans view of Miami Hurricanes Football and Basketball

by Little Nicky 21 on May 7, 2008 3:32 PM EDT 0 recs

I think the thing with this scenario...

is we are betting on Ricky being healthy and in good football shape which takes time. Given how little he’s played in the last few years, that’s far from certain.

I think the market for 30+ year old running backs is almost nil, given what we’ve seen with the likes of players such as Rhodes, Alexander, and others of that ilk. Plus running back is an easy position to fill and you hardly need top talent to do well there…Ryan Grant, the entire Giants backfield, etc.

I’d we should hope Ricky can carry the load with maybe Hilliard or Parmele spelling him while we get Ronnie up to speed…

by Natalya on May 7, 2008 4:07 PM EDT up 0 recs

I beg to differ Nat

How can you call Ricky an ilk? He doesn’t look anything like an ilk.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on May 7, 2008 7:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

oddly enough

I don’t think they’ll be able to trade rickey since ronnie likely won’t be ready (`100% anyways) until mid season at the earliest, and it wouldn’t suprise me if he starts the season on the PUP.

by W NY Fins Fan on May 7, 2008 9:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

Good point

Probably better to keep Ricky around for the whole season if he’s performing because we need Ronnie for the long haul, and the smaller his workload is this season, the more time he has to fully heal and recover and continue to be a beast for years to come

http://canemutiny.blogspot.com A fans view of Miami Hurricanes Football and Basketball

by Little Nicky 21 on May 7, 2008 10:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

Keep Ricky!!

We won’t ghet enough trade value…..+ he may suprise you….we could still have a good RB at a great price…he still has the potential to be a top 5 back…low mileage!

by MassFinFan65 on May 7, 2008 4:24 PM EDT 0 recs

Can't wait

To see Ronnie and Ricky running behind our new o-line. The R & R Express!

by gafinfan on May 7, 2008 4:43 PM EDT 0 recs

I’ve gotta believe that if Ronnie didn’t go down, we would of won a couple more game. Don’t get me wrong our defense was horrible. If we had 2006’s defense with last years ground attack, we would of won a lot more. You can see that Cam Cameron was counting on ball control and strong defense. I hope Ricky stays clean and Ronnie gets back to normal. I also can’t wait to see Long flatten Gholston.

Phatfinfan

by phatfinfan on May 7, 2008 10:49 PM EDT 0 recs

Wow ya really forget how fast he is...

..when you don’t see him run for a while. Look at that high steppin and burst! Seeing this footage makes me even more anxious about his recovery. Please still have that burst Ronnie! Please! I don’t care if he takes the year off as long as he’s that good when he comes back.

by inisfree on May 7, 2008 11:03 PM EDT 0 recs

That put a smile

on my face…he looked great didnt he…..why would we trade rickey?? if i remember he is only getting 750k???
sorry im not on 2 seventh round picks as back up or the future either, ST players if they even make the roster, i know its summer time and nothing to talk about but…Ronnie is the man and will be dominate this year, rickey “who am i skip” williams will hopefully stay sober long enough fill in while ronnie is suckin down O2 after a long, long run did i mention long

What happend to the Killer BEEs

by FinfanT on May 7, 2008 11:40 PM EDT 0 recs

Ronnie Brown.

May not be the fastest RB in the league, but he’s faster then most.
He may not be the most powerful RB in the league, but he’s more powerful then most.
He may not be the slipperiest RB in the league, but he’s more slippery then most.
Plus he can catch and block better then most as well.

I don’t think that Ronnie Brown is the best in any one category of RBs, but, I do think he is the best well-rounded RB in the league, and that’s really what you need, considering the “fastest” and “slipperiest” are guys like Reggie Bush that are only good for 10-15 carries a game, and the most powerful are fullbacks.

The only thing in my mind that separates Ronnie Brown and LaDainian Tomlinson is LTs stiff-arm. LT has a ridiculous stiff-arm. Of course, if they ever passed the new ruling about offensive hands to the face, that would neutralize LTs stiff arm, and make Ronnie Brown the best back in the league without question.

Some people try to find things in this game that don't exist but football is only two things - blocking and tackling. ~Vince Lombardi

by ratenxs on May 8, 2008 12:27 AM EDT 0 recs

Ricky has a pretty good stiff arm too.

That was one of my favorite things about watching him run… putting DBs down.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on May 8, 2008 1:36 AM EDT up 0 recs

I think

That Ronnie is better at pushing the pile when he’s got 3 or 4 guys on him then LT is.

by Patssuck456 on May 8, 2008 9:22 AM EDT up 0 recs

Agreed.

Ronnie does do a better job at pushing the pile.

And LCFF, he does have a good stiff arm, but it’s not LT’s. LT’s stiff-arm is one of the best the NFL has seen in a long time <

Again though, that just goes back to my point, Ronnie isn’t the best in any one category, but he’s above average in every category, so that makes him one of the best in the league.

Some people try to find things in this game that don't exist but football is only two things - blocking and tackling. ~Vince Lombardi

by ratenxs on May 8, 2008 9:55 AM EDT up 0 recs

his numbers alone last year

prove your point. He led the league in total yards from scrimmage on a team with a pretty weak OL, no passing game, and nobody else to come in and give him a chance to rest. He was the top back in the league last year, and probably would’ve finished that way had he not been injured. He has terrific vision when he’s running, a great burst through the line, enough speed to run away from people who don’t have an angle on him, and he finishes runs like he hates the guy in front of him. I think what separates him from LT is a) Tomlinson has played on a much better team (makes a difference, just look at Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders). b) LT has incredible vision and a slightly better burst to find and get in the hole a bit better than Ronnie right now. c) the way he uses his off arm. It’s not just the strong straight him he throws at people, but slapping away arm tackles, pushing himself away from defenders, and feeling his way through traffic. Ronnie doesn’t have that just yet. But don’t worry, RB will get his fair share of pro-bowls before he’s done in this league

http://canemutiny.blogspot.com A fans view of Miami Hurricanes Football and Basketball

by Little Nicky 21 on May 8, 2008 11:31 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yes and No

I’m a Ronnie fan, so I agree whole-heartedly with Matty, and “Best Wishes!” to Ronnie.

OTOH:

especially doing something that he shouldn’t ever have to do (making a tackle)

While I’ll agree that it was and is irritating as hell to see your best offensive player take a season-ending injury trying to make up for the umpteenth boneheaded play by your underperforming QB, I’m going to take issue with the statement above.

Ronnie, like everybody on an NFL roster, even kickers, is a professional football player. Professional tackle football player. There will never be an offense that never turns the ball over, so it simply isn’t the case that tackling “isn’t something [a runningback] should ever have to do.”

The play Ronnie got hurt on is a kind of play he - like any RB - should be expected to make.

by urbino on May 8, 2008 8:44 PM EDT 0 recs