A Cleaned Slate (Brown article) - The Orange Mane

SoCalBronco · 07-09-2005, 12:36 AM

A cleaned slate
Healthy, Brown is flaunting potential on Broncos defense

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
July 9, 2005

Courtney Brown's football fortunes always have been connected to his knee bones.

Or foot ligaments. Or a mangled tendon. Or even the searing pain that vaulted from his neck and roared down his arms.

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Yes, so much of Brown's NFL career has been spent at the intersection of potential - so much potential, in fact, that he was the first player selected in the 2000 draft - and various injuries that have kept him out of 33 games during the past four seasons.

"There have been some tough times, but you're going to have obstacles in this game," Brown said. "I want to look forward to the future."

When Brown was released by the Cleveland Browns on March 15, most teams knew the potential, knew what they had seen five years ago when they put the 6-foot-4, 285-pound former Penn State defensive end on top of the draft boards.

"What you've got is Trevor Pryce again," said Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, comparing Brown to Denver's four-time Pro Bowl selection. "The same physical stature, the speed is the same in general, and he's a phenomenal athlete and a very high-character guy. There's no question that he's a top draft choice; he's a big-time draft choice. I think the guy's got a lot of stuff in him."

But most teams also shied away from too vigorous a pursuit of Brown because of the injuries that have slowed his development, including a torn ligament in his left foot that kept him out of 14 games last season. He has played in 16 games in a season only once in his career, and that was as a rookie.

SoCalBronco · 07-09-2005, 12:37 AM

Still, Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs thought Brown had so much "stuff" in him that Gibbs and assistant coach Greg Blache flew to Cleveland in March to try to woo Brown the same day the Browns had released him.

But around the league there is a certain lottery mentality to free agency. Some teams often think no matter what has happened, they will be the one to create the right set of circumstances for a player who hasn't met his potential to find it all.

"It's a new start, a fresh start and I'm just going to take advantage of it," Brown said. "I feel as though we're in a great situation. . . . I have a lot of high expectations for myself."

And those who pursued Brown, including the Broncos, do not point to all of the missed time, but rather to a seven-game stretch in 2003 when Brown had six sacks and forced three fumbles.

The Broncos got their first full look at Brown's on-field work in person this week in two full-team mini-camp workouts - it was his first full-speed activity in the defense since he arrived - and gave him high marks.

"I think everybody knows what type of ability he has, how hard he works," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "Hopefully, he'll stay healthy this year, and he's done everything he possibly could do in this off-season to give himself a chance."

SoCalBronco · 07-09-2005, 12:37 AM

"I know this - he wants to (succeed)," Coyer said. "If God smiles on him and keeps him healthy, they're going to know he's out there. He's a talented guy. We're blessed to have him, and we have Trevor (Pryce) cutting it loose, so we're blessed there. Those are two big athletes. It will be hard for any team in the NFL to say they have that quality of player at one position."

In that light, Shanahan has answered almost every query about the team's pursuit of Brown with "all you have to do is turn on the tape."

Brown had failed his physical in Cleveland before the Browns released him. He has since done the rehabilitation on his left foot in Denver.

The Broncos limited his participation in their May and June mini-camps, but he took part fully in this week's work and is expected now to begin training camp without any problems.

"The worst about being injured for both Courtney and me was just watching from the sidelines, just twiddling your thumbs," said Broncos defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban, who arrived in Denver earlier in the off-season still recovering from surgery on his left shoulder and right knee. "Your foot is just kicking up and down trying to get in there. There is only so much you can learn while you're sitting on the sidelines, but when you get out there, that's when you really get a full grasp of the defense.

"You want to be amongst the guys, you don't want to feel like an outcast."

With the addition of Brown, the Broncos have moved Pryce, who is returning after missing 14 games in '04 because of back surgery, to right defensive end - a speed rusher position - much of the time and will put Brown at left defensive end.

Brown will play as a power rusher on the defensive left, going against bulkier right tackles who often have help from a tight end.

"However we're going to do it, that's how we need to do it, whatever we need to learn, that's what we need to learn," Brown said. "I can play the speed end, I can play the power end. Whatever they need me to do, that's what I'll do and work at it."

The feeling around the Broncos is that, despite their No. 4 ranking in total defense last season, they weren't consistent enough in their pass rush. Their 38 sacks put them 14th in the league, and six of the sacks came against the Tennessee Titans, who were playing almost all reserves in the offensive line. Reggie Hayward had 10.5 sacks, and he left for Jacksonville in free agency.

But with Brown, Ekuban, defensive tackle Gerard Warren, defensive tackle Michael Myers and linebacker Ian Gold all having been reeled in during free agency, the Broncos are hoping to change some of that defensive fortune.

"Sometimes all you need is a fresh start," Pryce said. "You can see that in Courtney. I like what we've done. These are some fast guys - we have some speed. People ask me if this is the most talent we've had in the defensive line, and as far as talent, yeah, it's best talent. We'll just see how it comes together."

DB-Freak · 07-09-2005, 12:40 AM

Damn I really hope they aren't rushing him.

Bob's your Information Minister · 07-09-2005, 12:50 AM

As talented as Trevor Pryce yet can't even match the production of Eric Hicks? Coyer is serving you guys up some tasty, tasty koolaid.

SoCalBronco · 07-09-2005, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

As talented as Trevor Pryce yet can't even match the production of Eric Hicks? Coyer is serving you guys up some tasty, tasty koolaid.

Its not in dispute that when Courtney was on the field he was a terror. Its just about getting him on the field. That's going to be key. Im not worried about his game at all. Just whether he is out there.

Kaylore · 07-09-2005, 01:01 AM

I hope Brown does well. We'll see if its just luck or if he's fragile.

Bob's your Information Minister · 07-09-2005, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Its not in dispute that when Courtney was on the field he was a terror.

Such a terror. The only shred of evidence for that is 2001. The rest of the time, he's been average at best.

doof · 07-09-2005, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

Such a terror. The only shred of evidence for that is 2001. The rest of the time, he's been average at best.

And those who pursued Brown, including the Broncos, do not point to all of the missed time, but rather to a seven-game stretch in 2003 when Brown had six sacks and forced three fumbles.

Kaylore · 07-09-2005, 01:35 AM

Bob's your Information Minister · 07-09-2005, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doof

And those who pursued Brown, including the Broncos, do not point to all of the missed time, but rather to a seven-game stretch in 2003 when Brown had six sacks and forced three fumbles.

And did nothing else the rest of the year.

Sorry, I don't see it.

SoCalBronco · 07-09-2005, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

And did nothing else the rest of the year.

Sorry, I don't see it.

Ofcourse he did nothing else, he was hurt Bob. Jeez.

easymobee · 07-09-2005, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

And did nothing else the rest of the year.

Sorry, I don't see it.

Meanwhile ..... allow Bob to explain to you how Sammy Knight is a top 5 NFL Safety.

If the conversations shifts to how C. Brown hasn't a snowball's chance in hell of staying healthy this year ....... just ask Bob to explain how there isn't a thing to worry about regarding Kendrell Bell's injury woes following him to his new team.

Bob (like many of us) only want to offer predictions that are in the very best interest of his home team. Just remember at this time last year some of the great things predicted by Bob. ( Hicks would be revitalized under Gunther, Lelie would bust, Q wouldn't hurt the chiefs in the opener, Johnnie Morton was strait ...etc .... ).

I don't want opinions on my team from a Chiefs homer.

Bob's your Information Minister · 07-09-2005, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Ofcourse he did nothing else, he was hurt Bob. Jeez.

He played in 13 games that year.

Bob's your Information Minister · 07-09-2005, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easymobee

Meanwhile ..... allow Bob to explain to you how Sammy Knight is a top 5 NFL Safety.

How could he not be? He's second only to Rodney Harrison in tackles the last three years, and no one has more interceptions. That's called production, something you'll never get out of Courtney Brown.

Quote:

If the conversations shifts to how C. Brown hasn't a snowball's chance in hell of staying healthy this year ....... just ask Bob to explain how there isn't a thing to worry about regarding Kendrell Bell's injury woes following him to his new team.

No, there's certainly something to worry about. But Bell's injuries are related to off the field screw ups. Brown's aren't. And Brown's injuries are ASTRONOMICAL compared to Courtney Brown. There's no comparison.

easymobee · 07-09-2005, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

How could he not be? He's second only to Rodney Harrison in tackles the last three years, and no one has more interceptions.

We could just pretend that this is last offseason and this conversation is about Jerome Woods.

Im sure we could dig up some favorable numbers to help out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

That's called production, something you'll never get out of Courtney Brown.

With your spotty track record of summertime predictions of who the Broncos won't get production from (Lelie pops to mind) i'll take my chances and be optomistic anyways.

Even if you decided to build him up as a possible re-emerging player (like Eric Hicks last year) i wouldn't get excited just cause BYU says so.

Bob's your Information Minister · 07-09-2005, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easymobee

We could just pretend that this is last offseason and this conversation is about Jerome Woods.

Im sure we could dig up some favorable numbers to help out.

Except that Woods numbers aren't even CLOSE. You're wrong.

Quote:

With your spotty track record of summertime predictions of who the Broncos won't get production from (Lelie pops to mind) i'll take my chances and be optomistic anyways.

Even if you decided to build him up as a possible re-emerging player (like Eric Hicks last year) i wouldn't get excited just cause BYU says so.

True.

Clockwork Orange · 07-09-2005, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

Such a terror. The only shred of evidence for that is 2001. The rest of the time, he's been average at best.

Funny, sounds an awful lot like Kendrell Bell. But tell us again how he's going to be dominant and that his health issues are a thing of the past now that he's a Chef.

Bob's your Information Minister · 07-09-2005, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

Funny, sounds an awful lot like Kendrell Bell. But tell us again how he's going to be dominant and that his health issues are a thing of the past now that he's a Chef.

Like I've said before...Kendrell Bell has proven something in this league.

elsid13 · 07-09-2005, 05:22 AM

Back to the reason for the thread (IT not to give attention to BooB)

Hopefully Brown will be rotated in and out to keep him in the game. What position did he play in Cleveland RE or LE? Since it sound like the plan is to him have face the RT, which hopefully he can hold up against. The key to the line is of course Pryce, ever thing else is a blessing.

Florida_Bronco · 07-09-2005, 05:44 AM

I think the greatest asset to this line will not be the play of Pryce or Brown...but more so the ability to rotate in so many talented players. Keeping them fresh and coming after that QB could become a big problem for other teams.

baja · 07-09-2005, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florida_Bronco

I think the greatest asset to this line will not be the play of Pryce or Brown...but more so the ability to rotate in so many talented players. Keeping them fresh and coming after that QB could become a big problem for other teams.

Bingo that is the key, find the balance between keeping them fresh and keeping the contanuity.

Florida_Bronco · 07-09-2005, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baja fan

Bingo that is the key, find the balance between keeping them fresh and keeping the contanuity.

Can you just imagine sending Pryce, Warren, Brown and Pope at them....then when the OL gets tired, send Palepoi, Davis, Myers and Fatefehi after them.

Gives me chills just thinking about it

TheDave · 07-09-2005, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Kaylore again.

Bob's your Information Minister · 07-09-2005, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Florida_Bronco

Can you just imagine sending Pryce, Warren, Brown and Pope at them....then when the OL gets tired, send Palepoi, Davis, Myers and Fatefehi after them.

Gives me chills just thinking about it

If the opponent's offensive line is on the field for a long time, generally that means your defensive line SUCKS.

07-09-2005, 12:36 AM	#1
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,297 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	A Cleaned Slate (Brown article) A cleaned slate Healthy, Brown is flaunting potential on Broncos defense By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News July 9, 2005 Courtney Brown's football fortunes always have been connected to his knee bones. Or foot ligaments. Or a mangled tendon. Or even the searing pain that vaulted from his neck and roared down his arms. Advertisement Yes, so much of Brown's NFL career has been spent at the intersection of potential - so much potential, in fact, that he was the first player selected in the 2000 draft - and various injuries that have kept him out of 33 games during the past four seasons. "There have been some tough times, but you're going to have obstacles in this game," Brown said. "I want to look forward to the future." When Brown was released by the Cleveland Browns on March 15, most teams knew the potential, knew what they had seen five years ago when they put the 6-foot-4, 285-pound former Penn State defensive end on top of the draft boards. "What you've got is Trevor Pryce again," said Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, comparing Brown to Denver's four-time Pro Bowl selection. "The same physical stature, the speed is the same in general, and he's a phenomenal athlete and a very high-character guy. There's no question that he's a top draft choice; he's a big-time draft choice. I think the guy's got a lot of stuff in him." But most teams also shied away from too vigorous a pursuit of Brown because of the injuries that have slowed his development, including a torn ligament in his left foot that kept him out of 14 games last season. He has played in 16 games in a season only once in his career, and that was as a rookie. __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

07-09-2005, 12:37 AM	#2
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,297 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	Still, Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs thought Brown had so much "stuff" in him that Gibbs and assistant coach Greg Blache flew to Cleveland in March to try to woo Brown the same day the Browns had released him. But around the league there is a certain lottery mentality to free agency. Some teams often think no matter what has happened, they will be the one to create the right set of circumstances for a player who hasn't met his potential to find it all. "It's a new start, a fresh start and I'm just going to take advantage of it," Brown said. "I feel as though we're in a great situation. . . . I have a lot of high expectations for myself." And those who pursued Brown, including the Broncos, do not point to all of the missed time, but rather to a seven-game stretch in 2003 when Brown had six sacks and forced three fumbles. The Broncos got their first full look at Brown's on-field work in person this week in two full-team mini-camp workouts - it was his first full-speed activity in the defense since he arrived - and gave him high marks. "I think everybody knows what type of ability he has, how hard he works," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "Hopefully, he'll stay healthy this year, and he's done everything he possibly could do in this off-season to give himself a chance." __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

07-09-2005, 12:37 AM	#3
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,297 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	"I know this - he wants to (succeed)," Coyer said. "If God smiles on him and keeps him healthy, they're going to know he's out there. He's a talented guy. We're blessed to have him, and we have Trevor (Pryce) cutting it loose, so we're blessed there. Those are two big athletes. It will be hard for any team in the NFL to say they have that quality of player at one position." In that light, Shanahan has answered almost every query about the team's pursuit of Brown with "all you have to do is turn on the tape." Brown had failed his physical in Cleveland before the Browns released him. He has since done the rehabilitation on his left foot in Denver. The Broncos limited his participation in their May and June mini-camps, but he took part fully in this week's work and is expected now to begin training camp without any problems. "The worst about being injured for both Courtney and me was just watching from the sidelines, just twiddling your thumbs," said Broncos defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban, who arrived in Denver earlier in the off-season still recovering from surgery on his left shoulder and right knee. "Your foot is just kicking up and down trying to get in there. There is only so much you can learn while you're sitting on the sidelines, but when you get out there, that's when you really get a full grasp of the defense. "You want to be amongst the guys, you don't want to feel like an outcast." With the addition of Brown, the Broncos have moved Pryce, who is returning after missing 14 games in '04 because of back surgery, to right defensive end - a speed rusher position - much of the time and will put Brown at left defensive end. Brown will play as a power rusher on the defensive left, going against bulkier right tackles who often have help from a tight end. "However we're going to do it, that's how we need to do it, whatever we need to learn, that's what we need to learn," Brown said. "I can play the speed end, I can play the power end. Whatever they need me to do, that's what I'll do and work at it." The feeling around the Broncos is that, despite their No. 4 ranking in total defense last season, they weren't consistent enough in their pass rush. Their 38 sacks put them 14th in the league, and six of the sacks came against the Tennessee Titans, who were playing almost all reserves in the offensive line. Reggie Hayward had 10.5 sacks, and he left for Jacksonville in free agency. But with Brown, Ekuban, defensive tackle Gerard Warren, defensive tackle Michael Myers and linebacker Ian Gold all having been reeled in during free agency, the Broncos are hoping to change some of that defensive fortune. "Sometimes all you need is a fresh start," Pryce said. "You can see that in Courtney. I like what we've done. These are some fast guys - we have some speed. People ask me if this is the most talent we've had in the defensive line, and as far as talent, yeah, it's best talent. We'll just see how it comes together." __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!

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elsid13 Lost In Space Bóg, Honor, Ojczyzna Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: DC Posts: 19,081	Back to the reason for the thread (IT not to give attention to BooB) Hopefully Brown will be rotated in and out to keep him in the game. What position did he play in Cleveland RE or LE? Since it sound like the plan is to him have face the RT, which hopefully he can hold up against. The key to the line is of course Pryce, ever thing else is a blessing.

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