Let’s face it, the Colts have had a pretty rough year at the running back position to date. After throwing down some cash on Ahmad Bradshaw to be their lead back in the off-season, Bradshaw only plays in three games and doesn’t even register fifty total touches before going down for the rest of the season with a major, career-threatening injury. His backup? Well that would be none other than Vick Ballard who went down after game one of the season with a torn ACL. And as we know, the Colts got bold and traded for T-Rich and well…yeah, we all know how well that’s going. But underneath the inconsistency and frustration, a man has been playing lights out with limited touches and even less fanfare for Indy. Well, until Thursday Night Football that is. Donald Brown has been the supposed backup or third stringer in the Colts offense since game one of the season but most likely bought himself a bit more playing time rolling forward after his 14 carries for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns while chipping in 14 on a catch. Many forget Brown himself was a first round pick out of Connecticut in 2009 but it’s for good reason: he’s performed nowhere near this level his entire career. The hesitant DB we all know from the past seems to have vanished and a confident, quick bursting Donald has emerged. Despite the Colts offensive line woes, DB has averaged 5.9 yards per carry this season and looks to get a few more touches moving forward after tonight’s performance. After all the off-season movement that has led to wasted money and draft picks, Donald can finally drag Irsay into the board room and utter those infamous words: you’re fired. In other news from TNF for 2013 Fantasy Football…
Chris Johnson – For those of you who own CJ, I sure hope you turned the game off after the first quarter and spent the rest of your night dreaming about how good of a game he must’ve had. On a night where you have 70 yards and 2 TDs after 1 quarter, your night shouldn’t end with 84 total yards (86 on the ground, -2 on one measly catch). An open letter from Fantasy Football fans everywhere: Dear Mike Munchak, this is how you lose to a team like the Jaguars. PS, from Donald Brown: You’re Fired.
Ryan Fitzpatrick – After ranking him 13th for QBs, this wasn’t quite the night I had in mind but it wasn’t a complete bust either: 22/28 for 222 and a TD to go with 26 yards on the ground. I guess I can be thankful he didn’t play like the Schitzcraptrick we know he can. The Titans played slow down football after jumping out to a 17-3 lead so we didn’t get to see Ryan do much throw the air until the 4th or maybe we’d be calling him Fitzhatrick after a 3 TD night.
Coby Fleener – On a night where Luck was having some accuracy issues, Fleener was the lone bright spot in the passing game, posting 107 yards on 8 catches from 10 targets. A night like that is a perfect example of why I ranked Fleener in the top 10 for TEs in my weekly rankings. Yup, one spot behind Marcedes Lewis. Man, that’s gonna sting, I can already feel it.
Andrew Luck – As I previously mentioned a whole 1/4th of an inch above, Luck’s been dealing with some accuracy issues. I don’t think it’s a huge cause for concern but I do think he’s been ‘seeing ghosts’ as they say and has been bailing on some throws prematurely due to some of the shots he’s been taking of late. Hard to say I blame him, the o-line has been seemingly worse for wear the last few weeks. Though the end line wasn’t terrible – 23/36 for 232 and 31 on the ground with a rushing TD – it definitely is a good example of the good but not great nights he’s been having. Basically, we drafted Luck as a low end QB1 and that has been his output. BUT WE WANTED MORE!
Shonn Greene – We want to get Greene about 15 touches a game moving foward. So sayeth the Munchak. After the first week back from injury of getting 10 I was like, ‘ok, Munchak, not great but not terrible. We’ll do better next week’. Then he got 12 and I was like ‘ok, Munchak, a little better but still not hitting the sweet spot’. Then tonight after getting 3 I was all like ‘ok, Munchak, say hello to Donald Brown: YOU’RE FIRED’.
Kendall Wright – Here’s what I said about Kendall when I said to BUY him a few weeks back: We’re not talking Josh Gordon break out capability here, but sometimes simple and cheap gets you through the week. Mmm-hmm. Wright has been that quietly consistent guy that no one loves to own but has never left you with a goose egg at the end of the night, especially in PPR leagues. After another strong performance with 9 catches for 80 yards on 12 targets, I hope the price was right for Wright.
Trent Richardson – What can be said at this point? I do think T-Rich was mishandled when brought into the fold with the Colts. I do think they did a poor job of setting a run game plan that fits his style. I do think the Colts were stupid to spend that much on a running back in this day and age and how much football has changed over the last few years. But the flip side to all of this is T-Rich looks hesitant, runs like he’s got a granny panties’ depends load in the back and was a top 5 pick who shouldn’t need a particular game plan to make him look good when it’s all said and done. I think the most apt description I’ve seen of Trent so far has been Cedric Benson only with a better rookie year. T-Rich is gonna have to get more aggressive before he looks good on tape again. Well, I don’t know how good he looks on THAT tape. Sorry, Hulk, T-Rich, et al. When a male is the lead in the scandalous sex tape being shopped, I’m not all that giddy about watching.
Delanie Walker – In a game that features TY Hilton, breakout candidate WRs like Justin Hunter and even great receiving backs like CJ?K, of course the lone TD catch would go to Delanie…of course. Walker finished the night with 10/91, catching all of his targets and further boosting my fear of that Marcedes TE ranking. I’m gonna look so stupid for that come Monday morning next week.
