Ronnie Brown: Which Teams Have Best Chance to Land Bruising Back?

Free agents are dropping like flies and all eyes are on elite cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

Still, there are other players still looking for happy homes, most notably former Miami Dolphins superstar Ronnie Brown.

After stealing Kansas State RB Daniel Thomas in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft and trading for Reggie Bush earlier today, we can effectively count out the returns of Brown and Ricky Williams to Miami.

As most expected earlier this year, Ronnie and Ricky will not be returning to Miami and are currently waiting to be scooped up.

At this point, it’s still not looking good for that class of 2005, which saw Brown, Cedric Benson and Cadillac Williams all drafted in the top five, considering all three are available on the market. Many believe Benson is the top back available on the market, but I’d much rather have Brown’s big play ability despite his tendency to get injured.

Seriously, how can you trust Benson? Will he be suspended to begin the season after another run-in with the law?

Let’s see what Brown can do for these seven NFL franchises with the best chance at landing the former Wildcat standout.

7. Chicago Bears

The Bears have Matt Forte, but they also have a ton of cap space to use.

Everyone knows this team has a weak receiving corps and that the offensive coordinator hates running the ball. Clearly Ronnie Brown would make an excellent addition given his ability to catch out of the backfield.

He is a much better red-zone threat than Forte and is nearly as good of a receiver. He will rack up receptions out of the backfield. Mad scientist Martz could even use both Brown and Forte in the backfield to exploit defenses and rack up a ton of yards on check downs from Cutler.

Chicago is hoping to get back to the NFC Championship and if they can throw out to two high quality receiving running backs, they might have opportunity to keep the momentum rolling.

6. Denver Broncos

John Fox was hoping to reunite with DeAngelo Williams in Denver, but Carolina inked their superstar and former MVP candidate to a monstrous deal.

Denver desperately needs another runner in its backfield with growing concern that Knowshon Moreno simply is not the featured back everyone expected.

At the very least, this team needs to improve its backfield to make sure Tim Tebow gets a fair shake as starter. An excellent running game is a young quarterback’s best friend.

Ronnie Brown would mentor Moreno and make sure both of them stay healthy throughout the season. Brown would be an excellent check down option for Tebow moving forward, which Moreno is as well. Essentially, the Broncos will boast two similar runners at all times on the field. 

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Cedric Benson is the front-runner to return to Cincinnati to take over the featured back role, but he must be a bit discouraged that he has yet to be re-signed. The Bengals are looking to enter a new era with high-character players and Benson’s recent run-ins with the law does not exactly fit the bill.

More importantly, we are unsure if he will be suspended. We do know that Ronnie Brown will not be facing any suspensions and can be the veteran presence this young team needs. The passing attack is on the rise with a host of young talent, but this team desperately needs a quality veteran runner.

They can afford to bring in Ronnie as the featured back if they choose to move on from Benson. Brown has consistently failed to stay healthy, but perhaps a change of scenery is the right dose of medicine he needs.

4. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are more concerned with re-signing their own free agents, most notably Joseph Addai, but this team still needs to improve its rushing attack with Peyton Manning rehabbing his neck.

If the Colts can improve their run game, their offense will be that much more explosive. Brown has the skills and football intelligence to play in Manning’s style of offense.

He fits the Colts’ need as he is a shifty and crafty runner who is extremely patient behind the line of scrimmage waiting for holes to open. The Colts just drafted two high quality offensive linemen to bolster the O-line, which means they will need a veteran runner who understands patience is a virtue

With Addai and Brown, the Colts will have two runners with a nose for the end zone and more importantly, two runners who can pick up the blitz and catch out of the backfield. Brown and Addai can never seem to stay healthy, so one would have to expect them to benefit from playing in a platoon together.

3. San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are expected to lose out on their spark plug Darren Sproles. That’s fine, because they can land an equally effective spark plug in Ronnie Brown.

Brown can do everything the Chargers need in a runner as he has the receiving skills and power Norv Turner covets throughout the season.

More importantly than anything else, Brown will be a mentor to second-year runner Ryan Mathews.

Mathews was frequently injured last season and suffered from a bit of fumblitis. With Brown on board, San Diego will expect Ronnie to teach him how to stay healthy, which he consistently failed to do throughout his career. Both Mathews and Brown will take pressure off each other throughout a season, which will allow them both to stay healthy and excel.

San Diego needs a veteran presence in its backfield and Brown is the No. 1 option on the open market.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay has an emerging star in power runner LeGarrette Blount, but they desperately need a serviceable backup.

Unfortunately, Cadillac Williams was plagued by devastating injuries throughout his career and is unlikely to return to the Bucs. Earnest Graham should’ve been a cap casualty, but he’s a fine veteran to have in the backfield.

The Bucs have a ton of cap space and could use a big time playmaker of Brown’s ability to spell Blount. Brown and Blount would form a dominating tandem in a division that is full of top-notch runners.

Josh Freeman will need an excellent run game behind him to take pressure off his receiving corps. Brown and Blount will keep defenses honest and provide the team with a security blanket and winning game plan.

1. Baltimore Ravens

There isn’t a single better place for Ronnie Brown than back in Baltimore with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

Cameron is familiar with Brown’s skill set and would make great use of his nose for the end zone and big play potential.

The Ravens desperately need a serviceable backup for Ray Rice to keep Ray healthy. He is still not the power back the Ravens need, so it makes sense to have two backs with similar skills to keep the momentum rolling at all times.

Like Rice, Brown is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and can also run between the tackles. Baltimore released Willis McGahee earlier this week and Brown would be an instant upgrade for this backfield.

If Brown is willing to take a bit of a pay cut to be with a Super Bowl contending team, Baltimore makes the most sense with Cameron running the offense.