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It was easy to come away impressed with Andrew Luck’s preseason performance yesterday. I think we should start bumping Indy WR’s. I like Wayne as a good value this year and Collie should be getting more attention in FF (although the concussion scares still stick out to me).

I’m curious and looking for opinions regarding the Indy backfield though. Brown, Carter and Ballard. Mewelde is now around for some limited 3rd down duties I would guess. I’m intrigued by the upside of Brown at his current ADP. I’m sure I’ll get some criticism here from folks that just don’t see him ever getting around his draft bust label. Pass protection has been an ongoing issue with Brown, but he seemed to make some strides last year since the “GodDamnit Donald” days. PFF had him graded pretty high for the year in that area though:
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/03/30/2011-pass-blocking-efficiency-running-backs/

There was some early talk from Grigson about utilizing the fullback position this season in Indy. They have since eliminated anyone on the roster who can fill that kind of role (gronkowski, mahaffey and eldridge at TE are all gone). So…. We can take some educated guesses at what their offensive blueprint might look like.

IMO… Brown has some upside and is the top choice of the group. Carter seems like a plodder to me. They might like to use him in short-yardage and goal line. Ballard seems like he has some talent and seems to have impressed somewhat at camp.


With Pagano at head coach, Arians at OC and a defense that looks to be sub-par…. I like Brown as a player who could be an asset in the passing/screen game in addition to taking most of the early down work. His ADP is very reasonable right now. He scored on a long screen pass and got 2 carries in the preseason opener. I think coaches view him as the top guy… so they yanked him out to take a longer look at Carter and Ballard.
What do people think? I’m not expecting top RB1 numbers at all, but I like Brown right now in PPR formats. Anyone have any insight on what kind of workload to expect there? Or are we looking at a sub-par messy committee situation in a passing offense?

Donald Brown is a great value in drafts this year. Ignore Lombardi, I see him getting the majority of the carries amounting to 1100 YFS and 5-7 TD's for Brown.

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I get where you're coming from and like how you've qualified your approach. I'm uneasy with anything on the Indy offense, but also see the possibility of some sneaky upside coming from both the backfield and the receivers.

I don't have any good insight, but IMO Brown is the most talented RB on the roster. If I miss out on quality 3rd and/or 4th RBs due to draft flow and value available at other positions, I would consider taking Brown at his ADP and then Ballard very late - it'll eat up two roster spots, but there's a good chance you'll end up with a useable starting NFL runningback. I agree with you on Carter - plodder.

I'll second The Donald as a great value pick. Would take him over a lot of guys I saw people reach for over him in my last draft

I tend to like RB's that catch the ball a lot. So this kid is definitely on my list of RB's that I like. It doesn't hurt that I can grab him late.

I really like Wayne at his current ADP. Taking him so late may provide you the chance to get a better rb3 a little earlier this year.

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Never argue with a fool. Folks might not be able to tell the difference.

Yes.
I'm driving the Wayne Train this season.
Love his draft day price, and love his potential for a big season.

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"If you can't spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker."
-Mike McD, Rounders

or even Collie, on the premise that opposing teams will likely default to putting their best guy on Wayne, not Collie...

but yea, D.Brown, Wayne, Collie could be nice later round guys this year.

I'm just getting that feeling about Brown this year. If he gets the pass protections down... he can be a 3 down player on a decent offense. I can see the Colts playing from behind a lot this year.... so he really has to earn his keep in the passing game for him to be consistent in fantasy. I really think he's gonna be valuable this season.

Collie is one concussion short of scrambled eggs....

FTFY

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34-17/ 29-7 / 34-13 / 27-17

2010 & 2011 Baseball National Champs

May be going to he11 in a bucket, but at least I'm enjoying the ride.

we all are, jnadke. we all are.

Collie is low risk, high reward at his current ADP.

the larger problem with concussions is the league is cracking down and making it tougher for these players to get back on the field. The proactive response comes from the lack of response from the Players Guild wanting to address the situation financially in now the last 3 CBA's and the black eye it has given the NFL. There is no way the owners will fund the unions responsibity to take care of its retired players ( even though it should at this point).

Looking at best 10 months removed and now still not cleared. Habitual concussies are getting locked out of the NFL sending the message to the players still playing. Collie has to be on there short list.

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we all are, zodiak. we all are.