I remember travelling to Cartersville, Ga. in 2005 to do a story on Ronnie Brown and having his mom tell me she would wait in the tunnel for Tommy Tuberville after some Auburn games to ask the Auburn coach why he wasn't starting her son.
And Brown, learning of this, would ask his mom to refrain from doing such things because whatever the coach decided to do was fine by him.
Brown remains the same in that regard. The Dolphins ask him to run the ball 12 times, he'll do that. The Dolphins ask him to carry it 25 times, he'll gladly do that as well. And he will not complain, he will not second-guess.
But ask the statistics how to maximize Ronnie Brown and they scream, "GIVE HIM THE BALL MORE!"
And the Dolphins are doing precisely that so far this year. Last year, Brown carried the football 214 times. So far this year he's on pace to carry 288 times. That would be a 34.5 percent increase. (Note, I stink at math so if it's not really a 34 percent increase kindly correct me in the comment section, with an emphasis on kindly.)
There are some good reasons Brown is getting more use in 2009. Firstly, he is now further removed from his late 2007 knee surgery so he can withstand the strain of more work. Secondly, Brown produces better when he gets more work.
Notice I did not say he produces more. Any NFL running back will deliver more yards with more carries, which is producing more. But Brown is producing better, meaning his rushing average rises in games he gets the ball more often.
In the two games this year he's carried the ball 20 times or more, Brown is averaging 5.7 yards per carry. In the two games this year he's carried the ball fewer than 20 times, Brown is averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
That is not true of all running backs. Ricky Williams, for example, this season is averaging 4.4 yards per carry in games he gets the ball 15 times or more and is averaging 6.2 yards per carry in games he carries it fewer than 10 times.
The point is some running backs seem to thrive as they carry the ball more. Ronnie Brown so far this season is proving himself to be one of those.
And what does that suggest?
As offensive coordinator Dan Henning said a few weeks ago, "feed the stud." The Dolphins should continue to give Brown the football.
Lots.
i am here .are you going to sleep soon bastardo
Posted by: carlito from golfito | October 10, 2009 at 09:53 PM
Killer tell carlito something in Spanish? I will help you.
Carlito tu tienes un cara de monito
Posted by: mojito | October 10, 2009 at 09:56 PM
i wear pink tutu's with a touch of lavander.
Posted by: Killerdolphins | October 10, 2009 at 09:57 PM
He plays for the phillies right?
Posted by: payuengsnwings | October 10, 2009 at 09:58 PM
NJ where are you??????????????????????????
Posted by: m | October 10, 2009 at 09:59 PM
He on way to monkey land
Posted by: Diogenes | October 10, 2009 at 10:05 PM
I will take the next flight out of newark if he gives me one tic and I'll clean.
Posted by: payuengsnwings | October 10, 2009 at 10:11 PM
the players should donate some tickets for fans like me , they make so much money and fumble the ball and can't even tackle r score a touch down .plus 4 meatball subs .
Posted by: COSTA rica my love | October 10, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Think killer passed out early.Where is odie?
Posted by: payuengsnwings | October 10, 2009 at 10:29 PM
I heard Giselle is out of town, time to raid her closet!!
Posted by: KillerDolphins | October 11, 2009 at 12:01 AM
ie Tom Brady, Richard Gere,Mark "dirty" Sanchez.
Posted by: KillerDolphins | October 11, 2009 at 12:27 AM
Monkey I heard Giselle is out of town, time to raid her closet!!
Posted by: KillerDolphins | October 11, 2009 at 02:09 AM
what a great F-ing video compilation of ronnie!!! i had no idea he had so many big runs as a dolphin! now im extra pumped up for monday night! nice work Mando
Posted by: DC-PHINFAN | October 11, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Al Carlito el monitole le gusta bailar un pouquito i meterse en Los culitos de Los machitos ie Tom Brady, Richard Gere, Mark "dirty" Sanchez etc...
Posted by: KillerDolphins | October 11, 2009 at 04:21 PM
Armando, regardless of whether you called him a bust or not. You used to speak very indifferently about Ronnie. I know because I've always been a huge fan of Ronnie's and never could understand why people were so hard on him. His bad games are usually a result of not getting enough touches. His career average is about 4.4 yards a carry. Pretty good. I used to hear most of the hosts on 790 speak of Ronnie as a bust.I love Ricky too but at this point in their careers, Ronnie is so much better.
Posted by: Ronnie fan | October 11, 2009 at 07:09 PM
Run Ronnie Run!!!! All over those stinking JETS!! Go Phins forever!
Posted by: METALPHIN666 | October 12, 2009 at 12:01 AM