Ronnie Brown: Not interested in leaving Miami

Ronnie Brown will remain with the Dolphins in 2010 if, as widely expected, there is no Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL owners and players. In fact, I have reported to you previously that Brown and the Dolphins long ago addressed this possibility by writing in an option year to Brown's rookie deal.

The option, according to NFLPA figures which Brown confirmed for me last year, means Brown is under contract to the Dolphins for 2010 at $5 million if no agreement is reached. If an agreement is reached (highly unlikely), then Brown is unsigned.

So Brown is not even a restricted free agent this offseason. He's under contract if the option year kicks in.

Does it bother Brown, who will be entering his sixth season in 2010, that he's going to have to wait for unrestricted free agency?

"A little bit," he said this week on the final episode of the Ronnie Brown Show on 560-WQAM. "Just to see what may happen and just to see what opportunities I would have out there."

But in the next breath, Brown pivots to the stance he has taken and will continue taking until his contract runs out in Miami: He wants to remain with the Dolphins. He wants a long-term contract with the team.

Shocking, right?

"I want to make sure I'm still in Miami," he told host Orlando Alzugaray. "I don't want to go anywhere else. To be honest, I'm not really interested in leaving Miami so it'll be good if I could go on and get something done and stay here."

The problem for Brown is that the Dolphins have little motivation to get something done right now. They hold his rights for 2010 barring a CBA agreement that isn't likely to happen.

The running back is still recovering from the Nov. 20th surgery on his right foot to repair what was believed to be a lisfranc fracture. Brown is still not running and is being brought along slowly because, well, the Dolphins aren't playing any games for a while.

The problem for Brown and his representatives is that the Dolphins will be eager to see the running back prove he is completely healed from the injury before they commit to a new contract. Moreover, the Dolphins might be patient enough on the matter to wait and see if Brown can play an entire season without suffering another injury before deciding his long-term value.

Brown, you see, is supremely talented and usually effective when he's on the field. But he's sustained significant injuries in two of the past three years, including a knee injury that required reconstructive surgery in 2007. And since entering the NFL in 2005, Brown has never started all 16 games in a season. Even his 2008 Pro Bowl year when he gained 916 yards, Brown started 13 games.

So while Brown may be willing to commit to a long-term deal with the Dolphins -- like, yesterday -- the Dolphins have no logical reason to share that desire right now. 

[NEWS UPDATE: The Dolphins today took eight players off their injured reserve list -- a move required by the NFL for all teams. Taken off IR were Will Allen (left knee), Brown (right foot), Patrick Cobbs (left knee), Channing Crowder (right foot), Lydon Murtha (ankle), Jason Ferguson (quadricep), Chad Pennington (right shoulder), and Brennan Marion (knee). This doesn't mean all the players are healthy. It simply means they are able to take part in offseason OTAs, camps and other activities if they are healthy. Players on IR cannot practice with the team.]

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Comments

[HvK]

Mando,

RB said he has a surprise for us fans on his tritter. Any idea what that is?

[Bootang25]

I want Brown here. I think he is one of the most underhyped players in the league. Belichick has said more than a few times if he could remove one player from Miami, it would be R Brown.

[Finheavenblows!]

Ronnie Brown is indicative of what I believe is wrong with the Dolphins. Even some of their "stars" have major major question marks surrounding them.

Brown = always injured.
Ricky = old and about to retire.
JT = old and unsigned.
Porter = Loser.
Ferguson = old, injured.
CBs = still unproven.
Henne = see cornerbacks.

Sheesh!

[Waterboy]

Suprise is that he will not be running the wildcat.

[FLPD]

Yeah, Belichick would like to remove Brown from the Dolphins because we really have no other playmaker for him to worry about.

[Waterboy]

I predict Pat White will win Miami a game or two on his broad shoulders

[Ken Doll]

I like Ronnie but lets be honest, as the #2 pick, he's made alot of money. So there is no reason for Miami to rush for a new deal with him signed for another year, at 5m, again, top money. I can see even just using the FA tag on him next year.

[WestVaFins]

Soooo many needs.... Does anyone have a logical plan of how to fix it. And if its just going to consist of crazy trades and FA that really arent available save your energy but if anyone has a solid plan i would like to hear it. Just because we all know we have a huge list of needs but what can be done in a efficient manner to fix it all...?

[carlito from golfito]

Woohoo... Good News! Brown is my fav. player in the NFL.

P.S. Kudos to everyone on the last blog for actual football discussion... its a nice change sometimes

[WestVaFins]

I did think it was a really good afternoon myself carlito..

[Waterboy]

MasterPlan

1) Sign Dansby FA
2) Sign Ben Watson FA
3) Draft Dan Williams NT
4) Draft OLB 2nd pick
5) Trade 3rd Round for Boldin
6) Draft ILB 4th pick
7) Draft OLD 5th pick
8) Draft WR 6th pick
9) Sign FA rookie RB/KR
10) Sign Penne backup QB
Cut
Wilson
Porter
Ayodele
Allen
Sheets

Trade
Cobbs
Thigpen

[Waterboy]

Forgot:

Resign JT

[bobbyd12]

Let's be honest, why would any team ink anybody to a new deal with such s strong possibility of a lockout in 2011??? Till there is a new CBA there will be no pressure to sign any long term deals...Draft picks beware, sitting out one year might mean two years and then where is ur value???

[WestVaFins]

Thanks waterboy thats not bad. I think watson is a good possibilty i just dotn see Dansby happening but if it did then our problems decrease greatly because he is a great player.

[BoulderFinFan]

Ronnie brown is not gonna get a huge deal from the phins. I really like RB and his running style. He could go to the pro bowl every year if he just stays healthy

[Cartmen]

Carlito:

...as opposed to the talk of Costa Rica's new (Woman) Prime Minister!

[Bootang25]

WV I like Watson, I agree. I'm out guys , and it was a good blog with many opinions. Have a good one everyone.

[bobbyd12]

WestVaFins...it is being fixed, has been for the last two years!!! We have a real good, young offensive line that will only get better, we have two young stars at cornerback, we have our QB of the future, we have kids that may not have contributed yet but will get their chance to prove themselves, eg: Merling, Clemons, Turner , Wake...we our one of the youngest teams in the league...I mean what else do u want??? It took lots of years of neglect to get us here, now it's being fixed but things don't happen overnight

[WestVaFins]

I like ronnie and when he is healthy he is an animal but the injuries are killing us........ I hate to say it but maybe we franchise him after this year and see what we can get for him....

[Mark in Toronto]

Derrick Morgan can play OLB. His size is not really an issue since Shawne Merriman came out a similar size and dominated until he got injured. Sure he's not experienced in pass coverage but neither was Merriman, Demarcus Ware, neither is Brandon Graham, or was Jason Taylor, Lawrence Taylor, should I go on? I still stand by him being my favourite OLB prospect in this draft and the only reason I don't say flat out that he should be the #1 pick is because of the quality depth of this position in the draft and the lack of depth at ILB and NT.

[WestVaFins]

I agree bobby i was just asking for opinions as for our needs this year,. I agree i think we have been on the right path over the past two years. Taking Jake Long was the start because we could have went after any playmaker available but we decided to get good where it counts. My comment was it seems we have soo many needs and didnt know if someone had some ideas as to fixing some things.

[Mark in Toronto]

Regarding Dan Williams being a reach at #12, don't think so. he might even be the #10 pick to Denver. Their DL is horrible and they have at least 2 decent linebackers. So all the Rolando McClain lovers may get their wish at #12.

[Indiana Dolfan]

HvK - I mentioned that in the last blog and have not heard anything yet. I doubt there is something that gets leaked on what he has planned.

I do hope we keep Brown. After Marino, then Z. Thomas, J. Taylor, S. Madison, P. Surtain I have tried to find a favorite player in which I thought would be here long term...RONNIE BROWN was that player and I hope he spends his entire career in Miami.

After him I do think V Davis, S Smith, J Long C Henne are my next favorites in which will have a long career in South Florida!!

[Mark In Ottawa]

Trade him to Tampa Bay. He can play with Williams again.

They need someone who will be there EVERY game.

Go get Anthony Dixon of Miss. St.

[Mark in Toronto]

Another point re: Derrick Morgan - his athleticism is the key in him being able to move to OLB. It can happen. However their are some teams running a 4-3 defense ahead of us that need pass rush and he may end up there as a DE so might never know if he could play OLB.

Robert Ayers, UT, 2009 6'3 1/2 272 lbs drafted by Denver to play OLB in a 3-4 alignment.

[bobbyd12]

Mark, Denver is the key for us, no draft board seems to have a consensus pick, I've seen McClain, Dez Bryant, CJ Spiller and others all mentioned in that Denver slot...

[Joey in Jersey]

I Still
Need To See
B R O W N
Gain 1500 Yards And Play A Whole Season.

[Mark in Toronto]

That's true Bobby, Denver's position throws everything up into the air. However, I really don't see them going LB since they already have Ayers, Dumervil, and DJ Williams.

Their biggest needs are QB and DL and WR might be a secondary need if they trade Marshall. Remember they still have Eddie Royal and TOny Scheffler at TE as receiving threats.

Since Claussen and Bradford very well mgiht eb gone, the next logical pick for them is Dan Williams. They will have the first shot at trading down if someone is hungry for Spiller or Bryant.

[WestVaFins]

good point mark.....

[bobbyd12]

WestVafins, as fans it's hard to say...I mean let's suppose that the coaching staff feels that Turner is ready to step into that number one receiver slot, or Wake is ready to be a full time linebacker or Clemons is ready for that safety spot...that's three different positions us as fans see as NEEDS when in fact our coaching staff sees as not needed at all..I really hope Turner is the WR answer, that would take out alot of these equations...If we trade for Boldin though, we know Turner is not ready, frustrating

[carlito from golfito]

Cartmen,

Very good!, but she is Presidente not Prime Minister

[Mark in Toronto]

Also re: Denver. I don't see spiller there since they picked Knowshown Moreno there last year. That would leave Spiller as a gadget pick and that is too high.

No matter what people say here about Reggie Bush, he was a similar pick and overall a horrible pick at #2. He only contributes an average of about 60 yards a game it seems. Way too high for that type of player.

[dolfanSF]

Brown deosn't stay healthy. Need someone more reliable. Always halfway through the season we're without our starting RB.

[Eric]

RB is too slow. we need a gamebreaker at running back. do not commit to this plow puller for long term.

[Eric]

Waterboy, that would be a great offseason!

[WestVaFins]

If denver takes Dan Williams then we still have Cam thomas late or if the alabama doughboy is continuing to eat his way into the third round then i know he has weight issues but there is no denying you all saw the senior bowl and this whole past season. He is a beast... But yes he is fat as hell.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Derrick Morgan will go to either seattle oakland , Jacksonville or even the giants if he drops to 15 to be the DE in the 4-3 system. Morgan won't be a olb.

[klndry]

I don't think the Phins have that many problems. Everyone is talking about these large holes. NT a couple of good linebackers, a safety and a reciever. That isn't that much to get to 10 and 6 and if we get lucky in the draft 12 and 4 is a possibility. We were in every game this year. This is a good young team. The coach is above average, the winners are in the front office and the team plays well. We even won some last second games with a rookie (practically) qb. So sign Ferguson, sign another linebacker, sign a safety, draft a linebacker, draft a nose tackle 3 or 4 a safety in 2 or 3 and a receiver in 4 or 5. Receiver should be a big body, the safety should be badass and the linebackers, fast and mean.

[Indiana Dolfan]

Armando - You have been quiet on these blogs. What is your inside thougths on some of the questions floating around?

[Dolfdan13]

Ronnie Brown will always be a Dolphin. Period.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

WOOOOW , the snow is really coming down now. We'll be hitting blizzard conditions soon. Time to close up and send the employees home. The parking lot can be plowed by a truck but I'll 'be shoveling snow of the rest of the property and home property all night . This sucks !!!

[Waterboy]

Im not worried about Denver, in fact im sure Man Boy Coach will go against all mock drafts and do something stupid. He wont commit to another QB because it will make him look silly, he seldomly drafts Defense, so I predict he go with Dez Bryant. I would LMFAO if he took dough boy at 10

[Waterboy]

Ronnie Brown was on the trade block last year, Parcells is not going to extend his contract unless he goes to the probowl and finishes all games. RBs can be had late in the draft.

[Waterboy]

NJ Phin Phan, thats why I love Florida.... at least for the canes you can haul ass up north.

[Indiana Dolfan]

NJ - I have been shoveling since since Saturday, so I know the feeling. That snow just passed us here in Indiana, so enjoy it on the East Coast...IT SUCKS!!

[Indiana Dolfan]

Waterboy - With this front office EVERY player is on the trading block.

[WestVaFins]

snow blows!!!!!!

[Mark in Toronto]

Uhm Waterboy, Denver took a LB in the 1st round last year

[Mark in Toronto]

NJ, the question was whether Morgan could play OLB which he certainly COULD. He is not too big as you claimed earlier as many 3-4 OLBs have been and continue to be the same size. And the "lack of pass coverage" abilities is the same question every DE who is athletic enough to make the switch has had to answer.

[cobra kai]

Indiana always looking for approval.

[Indiana Dolfan]

cobra kai - Whats your point again? Remember lets keep football related and not become disrespectful for no reason!

[WestVaFins]

cobra always a distraction

[bobbyd12]

LMAO... Ice n snow, the only ice Carlito and I see are in are Jack Daniels glass...Enjoy I'm outta here for a bit

[WestVaFins]

enjoy bobby

[cobra kai]

WestVa is a state for men to marry mountain goat

[carlito from golfito]

Bobby, very true but my ice is in a glass of Ron Centenario or Appleton Reserve...

[WestVaFins]

They should regulate this blog with age requiremetns because i would have to guess that anyone using the name cobra kai would have to be about 12 to 14.. Out of school on a snow day and mommy and daddy are at work. its ok you dont have to be sooooo crazy with your free time. please go bug someone else so the grown ups can talk football because i dont believe you have talked football one time today.

[cobra kai]

How would a 12 year old know what is cobra kai? You would no last a second in my dojo.

[cobra kai]

What that say about you character to try to fight with person you think is 12?

[Rob in OC]

bobbyd12 @ 2:24,

Good post. So many times the answer is a groomer on the team for a while.

I do think it's a crazy indictment about Turner NOT being able to work his way into a single game. Even though he is a 3rd rounder and such a different type of receiver then everyone we have. Very suspect. I would describe our WR's as functional with very little fear factor for most defenses. It seems as though a big bodied guy like Turner could have worked his way in as a leaper, possession and fade patern guy. I hope he can develop in yr 2.

PS thanks for letting me know that the crickets were chirping on the last blog. I feel like I have to answer direct questions in the blog they were asked. lol.

Cheers,