Donald Brown is a pretty good back, eh? Back at the hotel and done writing at least for today (going to get started on my Monday stuff which at the JI is much more involved including a notebook, wrap and a column (of course on Brown and the UConn program).
The atmosphere was tremendous. 40,000 fans, I thought it was a good event. There are some media related logistical problems that they have to fix (I am being kind) but for the fans and the quality of the game, it is good.
That is neither here nor there. Donald Brown is indeed declaring for the NFL draft. Here is Donnie's words.
"I am not coming back,” Brown said at the postgame press conference. “I am going to pursue the NFL.
“Going into this season I worked my tail off and made a point to put myself in the position to have the option to stay or leave. As it grew closer, I kept sleeping on it for nights and nights. I felt in my heart, it is for me.”
An emotional Randy Edsall watched his back make the announcement and he was fighting back tears.
Brown kept it from his team because he felt it was a distraction. He then apologized to the media which was unnecessary. Brown did what he felt was right and I don't think he was lying. He was trying to diffuse pressure, and he is allowed to do that.
He made the smart decision and he had that smile back. I saw him in the corridor of the Renaissance Hotel coming back here and he was at ease. I don't know how he was walking around, but, it was like a weight was off his shoulders.
It was good to see and he made the right decision.
I do what to take time out to thank the Brown family. They were extremely gracious and hospitable this week (as were all the fans and parents I met).
My take with Brown and the NFL is you have to make a business decision. He accomplished everything he could at UConn, and he is going to get a degree too. He lived up to his bargain on the laying field, in the class room. Another year would have been fun, but especially with running backs, your time is so valuable as a pro athlete.
Think about this scenario. You only have x amount of years to play pro sports. You can never get the year of earning power back no matter how well you play. Brown's isn't going to make more money by staying a year, and he really can't get much better.
Running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs should always go if they are a high draft pick. Quarterbacks would do well to stay as would lineman because of the nature of the position. But, as a redshirt junior? He has already spent four years in Storrs.
The 261 yard was vintage power running. The offensive line was tremendous and Brown made some great reds, cuts, and moves.
I like him as an NFL back.
Some more thoughts:
*It was a good game for the Huskies. The defense was tremendous and Cody Brown and Darius Butler are as good at their positions as anyone in the country.
It does highlight the struggles in the passing game and on special teams. The Huskies will likely have four players drafted into the NFL, but ended up 7-5. I don't know how this season would have went if Lorenzen never got hurt. That affected his play no doubt, but the wide receiver position was a drag this season. That has to get better, they need more game breaker because Don Brown doesn't come around often.
The Huskies had a 2,000 yard running back, and NFL caliber defensive lineman, cornerback and offensive tackle as well as fast players on defense. They could have beaten everyone they played. They weren't outclassed in any game this year talent-wise. It makes 8-5 somewhat of a downer, though the program grew this season.
Don't want to burst bubbles, but it could have been so much more. I won't say it should have been better, that's unfair and implies they under achieved. But it could have been better.
*Todman was impressive when he got carries and the 63 yards is a good building block. Andre Dixon was there but didn't play. Now that Brown is going pro, and the fact Andre Dixon is with the team, Dixon might want to stick around and give it the spring. If he isn't a part of the rotation in the spring he can transfer to a I-AA school in the summer.
*I don't have definitive plans for everyone of course, but Butler is headed to workout with Deion Sanders. Tyler Lorenzen is headed back to Palomar to work with his JC coach in preparation for pro day. Dahna Deleston wants to get in one of those all-star games. He is going wait and wait and will prepare for proday. Rob Lunn is headed overseas to play football and he is also going to write that book and keep the blog. He has some work coming with NESN of course. I would love to read his book. I have some others, but I have to dig into my notes to find them.
*Deleston's interception was tremendous. Dahna was stunned he caught it. Darius Butler said it doesn't count because it was tipped.
It was back to the East Catholic days for Deleston, whose mother was in the front row at the game. It was his first career touchdowns.
Now, that's a way to go out.
I'll check back in before I leave for the States.
No comments:
Post a Comment