The Detroit Lions are Seriously Considering Trading for Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown
by Ryan Steck

According to multiple media sources, the Detroit Lions are actively talking to Miami about a trade for running back Ronnie Brown.

I can confirm that news tonight.

I just talked to a good source of mine, and according to them Detroit is talking very seriously about trying to put together a deal that would land them the Dolphins starting running back.

I was told Detroit was looking into Bills running back Marshawn Lynch, but ultimalty wasn't willing to give up their second-round draft pick, which is Buffalo's current asking price, to get him.

While that is rumored to be the same asking price for Brown, the Lions feel more comfortable with the former Auburn star. One person lobbying for him is Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. Linehan was the coordinator for Miami in 2005 when Brown was drafted.

I'm hearing that Detroit won't make any moves until the draft, and will only try to put together a package for Brown if they don't like any of the players available when their pick is up. The package would likely include a pick from this year, and possibly next year as well.

Miami just gave up this years second-round pick, and next years, to acquire wide receiver Brandon Marshal from the Denver Broncos. They are looking to add draft picks, and just traded wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr to the 49ers Today. It is being reported that the Dolphins will receive this years 49ers fifth-round draft choice in return.

To be clear, I'm being told that the Lions would still much rather draft a young starting caliber back for the future, in next weeks NFL Draft. They don't view Brown, who will turn 29 in December, as a long-term solution.

Unless the Bills lower their asking price, it seems that right now the Lions are much more likely to make a play for Brown if a trade does go down.

This is just one more thing to watch as the draft approaches.

One way or another, Detroit will add a starting running back yet this off-season.

I'm tired of these rumors and they piss me off.

Trading Ronnie Brown away is stupid. Trading for a 2nd round pick? What is the point of that? You lose Miami's best offensive player and your running game takes a huge hit. The reward? You get a "player" who may or may not (prob not) be as good as Ronnie.

The addition of Marshall set up our offsense. We have our running game and now we can chuck the ball when needed. Concentrate on defense. Getting rid of Brown adds another hole to our team.

These rumors really piss me off.

That is a good point Rich, I forgot about him being in the last year of his contract.

You either lose Brown next year and get nothing in return or you lose him this year and get something in return.

Or you re-sign him. You get a younger guy in 2011 who eventually takes Ronnie's place (in either 2012 or 2013 depending on health) and then Ronnie Brown assumes the role Ricky Williams currently has with the team.

Or you re-sign him. You get a younger guy in 2011 who eventually takes Ronnie's place (in either 2012 or 2013 depending on health) and then Ronnie Brown assumes the role Ricky Williams currently has with the team.

I disagree Rich. Unless you are in complete rebuilding mode, you do not trade your best player.

Ronnie has been the man in Miami for years...through the good and the bad. I'm completely with 1984. It would be senseless to create another hole on the roster just for the sake of acquiring another draft pick.

If we trade Brown I hope we get a 2nd rounder for him, if not I hope we keep him.

Ronnie is no longer our best player.

And he wasn't anything more than a guy who got picked too high for his production in Miami until the Wildcat came around.

You seriously overvalue him and the running back position.

Ronnie is no longer our best player.

And he wasn't anything more than a guy who got picked too high for his production in Miami until the Wildcat came around.

You seriously overvalue him and the running back position.

Exactly 1984. Miami has done such a great job so far of taking steps towards being a contender in 2010, that now they are going to take a step back by trading Ronnie??

Just doesn't make sense.

I don't even think Ronnie is the 2nd best player on this team.

What is the point of resigning a guy who isn't going to be available if you make the playoffs?

It does make sense, you just have to seperate emotion from reality.

The passing attack will be as good as it is because of how good the run game is. If we trade Ronnie, we go from having the best rushing attack in the NFL to having an above average one, and all of a sudden teams do not have to stack the box. With Ronnie you not only have a great passing attack but a running game that will make our offense unstopable.

Who are you going to get in the 3rd round that can contribute as much as Ronnie?

Also, if you trade Ronnie, whether Lex or a rookie comes in and takes carries away from him, you are going to be counting on a 33 year old runningback to be your featured guy.

Maybe if we were talking about a first round pick, but, otherwise...no thanks.

You have a crystal ball?

and i would rather count on a 33 year old rb to carry the load instead of a guy who consistently gets injured every year.

You have to admit, the history there is not good....

Let's see. As the featured back:

December for Ricky Williams: Averaged 3.6 yards per carry. 4 Fumbles.

Reality as you see it. My reality has Ronnie Brown being the most important piece on offense besides Henne.

Ronnie Brown hasn't missed a playoff game for the Dolphins.

If Miami trades Ronnie that will ruin draft weekend for me. But I've stated my case and I will leave it at that.

For the sake of the argument though, let's say Miami does trade Brown. Who are you guys looking at?

For me, it would have to be Auburn's Ben Tate. To me, he is the best RB in the draft and fits Miami's style real well. He's a one cut and go type of a guy with a lot of speed, quickness, shiftiness, and burst of speed with power through the hole. He's very similar to Ronnie; not as complete a back, but running wise he is very similar.