Donald Brown is the best thing to come out of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, since, Knowshon Moreno was selected 15 picks earlier. The two played Pee-Wee football together: Moreno was the quarterback handing off to Brown, the halfback. That’s your history lesson for the day- chew on it, it tastes good.

Brown led the nation in rushing with 2,083 yards, was named Big East Offensive Player of the Year, and received numerous All-American honors. He finished his career rushing for 261 yards in a win over Buffalo (yes we are aware Buffalo isn’t quite the powerhouse in college football) in the International Bowl.  He holds the UConn single season record for rushing touchdowns with 18.

The previous two years were marred by injury and lack of experience. He only started five games his freshman year (when the starting back was hurt). He was only fully healthy for four games his sophomore year before he got a high ankle sprain and never regained his starting position back the rest of the year. Taking into account just those nine games when he got the majority of the carries, plus all of his 2008 junior season, his career averages were 26 carries per game for 146 yards (5.57 yards per carry) and 1.3 touchdowns per game.  Not too shabby.

Brown never faced the tough defenses of the SEC or Big 10, so some people might question his numbers. However, there are some other backs which came from similar situations as Brown and have done just fine in the NFL. The best example is Carolina Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams. Williams ranks fourth all-time on the career NCAA rushing list and holds the NCAA record for most 100 yard rushing games. Last year, as any person lucky enough to snatch him in the middle rounds of drafts know,  he exploded and was one of the top fantasy point producers.  But we digress.  Kevin Smith out of Central Florida has been successful as the Detroit Lions running back and Matt Forte out of Tulane (currently plays for the Bears) was the best rookie RB last year. So don’t be scared off because Brown was a tremendous rusher at a so-so program.

Peyton Manning still might be the most likable Colt (if not NFL player, as seen with his quirky but amusing commercials and SNL appearance) but it is worth mentioning that Brown is a man with very high character. In an era when NFL players are known more for changing their last name to a number, shooting themselves in the thigh while rehabbing, passing out in Vegas in the offseason or raining 80,000 $1 bills down in a strip club, Donald Brown should be applauded for his efforts. This year, he held the first Donald Brown Player-to-Player Leadership conference in Red Bank, New Jersey. The conference was a seminar for 86 high school athletes from nearby high schools and Brown hopes to establish a youth initiative in Indianapolis. Needless to say, he could become the most popular Colt since Barbaro.

What can Brown do for you?  (couldn’t resist)  He has all the intangibles that make a great running back (great vision, instincts, and he waits patiently for his block and then bursts through the hole) and he is in a position to succeed in Indianapolis. The Colts didn’t resign Dominic Rhodes, which means Brown will be the #2 back in theory behind Colt softy Joseph Addai.

Joseph Addai is not a full-time RB and Brown is.  They will split carries down the middle.  Brown will be secretly (ever so) hoping for just enough of an injury to keep Addai hobbled (doesn’t take much) so that he can show his doubters what they’re missing.  We feel the Colts got him at a bargain.  

The Colts rushing numbers were in the tank in ’08 due to poor play and injuries out of Addai and Rhodes.  Brown has a ripe opportunity running behind one of the NFL all-time greats and league actor, Peyton Manning.  Donald can be a backup fantasy RB with a ton of upside based on Addai’s health.  Make him the 46th RB off of draft boards this summer.