For three years, running back Andre Brown was lucky to make an NFL roster. His career was highlighted by injuries and cuts after being selected by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL draft.
But when the Giants brought Brown back this spring with depth to be filled at the running back position (thanks to the departure of Brandon Jacobs), Brown likely saw it as his best opportunity to solidify himself a place on an NFL roster.
That was until the league suspended him for four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Testing positive for a drug called Adderall, Brown appealed the suspension and in June, tweeted that the suspension had been lifted.
Since that time, the running back has made the most of his opportunity. He landed a spot on the Giants’ third-string and found himself receiving the brunt of the workload after Ahmad Bradshaw went down with an injury in Week Two. Brown was outstanding filling in against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rushing for 71 yards over 13 carries and scoring the Giants’ game-winning touchdown in the final minute of the fourth quarter.
Brown leapfrogged rookie David Wilson on the depth chart and earned himself an opportunity to start on Thursday Night Football. The former Wolfpack member was glad to be playing the Carolina Panthers near where he had lived and starred at North Carolina State University. Needless to say, he did not disappoint.
“I had to go out there and put on a show for my hometown,” Brown told reporters following the Giants’ 36-7 blowout of the Panthers (via Giants.com). “I’m glad I responded. Everybody was saying it couldn’t be done again so I just went out there and I ran hard and made sure I picked up my pass protection and did everything I could in my power tonight to make it a win.”
Brown was nearly flawless, carrying the football 20 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns. His only mistake was a dismal attempt in pass protection against the Panthers’ Frank Alexander, which allowed the team’s lone sack of Eli Manning.
The Carolina native has provided the Giants with the type of ball carrying they have yearned for since 2010, displaying an impressive mix of power and speed. His performance was the Giants’ first 100-yard game since Week Six of 2011, when Bradshaw pounded the Buffalo Bills for 104 yards and three touchdowns.
New York is a team that prefers to operate a well-balanced offensive attack. In order for them to employ their offense in such a manner, they need to run the football successfully. Right now, Brown is giving them everything they ask.
“Andre ran the ball really well,” Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning told reporters. “When we can run the ball, our offense really starts clicking. We get in better third down distances, it helps our play action, slows down the pass rush, all those things.”
Brown should continue to see opportunities as long as he performs at his current level. There are already murmurs that he may unseat Bradshaw as the starter but it’s more likely that the two could be used in a running-back-by-committee scheme, as the Giants tend to prefer. Bradshaw is a quick, shifty runner with the ability to make defenders miss, while Brown is the type of tough, inside runner the Giants would love to have after letting Brandon Jacobs walk in the offseason.
Brown is just happy to be playing football and is ready to do whatever it takes to ensure that it continues.
“It’s still a long season,” he said. “I’m just going to go out here and continue to get better each week. I can be better. I know that.”
Louis Musto is a contributor for the Sports Journey Broadcasting Network covering the NFL and NBA. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.