Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
If I start something off with “it seems like only yesterday”, does it make me sound old?
Well too bad. It seems like only yesterday that Ronnie Brown entered the NFL with so much promise out of Auburn University. Now entering his ninth year in the league, Brown has only ever eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark one time in a season and that was way back in 2006.
Brown’s value is about much more than what he provides to the running game, however. He is a spectacular receiver out of the backfield who offers security to a quarterback with his prowess in pass protection as well. As a matter of fact, his 2012 campaign with the San Diego Chargers was quite a unique season for a player listed as a running back as Brown actually logged more receptions (49) than carries (46). He was very effective in the limited touches that he did see, however, averaging 6.2 yards per touch when combining the two.
His role will likely be fairly similar again in 2013, but it may actually be reduced even more with the addition of Danny Woodhead in San Diego. Ryan Mathews’ struggles have been well documented, but Woodhead figures to fill the role of Brown in a younger, more explosive and productive package this season. Brown will still see some limited snaps, on third down especially, but he won’t be nearly as involved in the game planning as he was even a year ago.
At 31 years of age, the sands in the hourglass are nearly all out for Brown as an NFL player. His leadership will be more valuable than anything to a Chargers team that has undergone some serious transition this offseason with an overhaul of the front office and the coaching staff. It may not be in his job description, but Brown could be more of a player-coach this season than anything else.
Anthony Blake is a Senior Writer/Copy Editor for Rant Sports. You Can Follow Him on Twitter, on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
