Phins At 50: Top 10 Backs

Sun-Sentinel

No. 6 – Ronnie Brown

The second overall pick in the 2005 draft, Ronnie Brown never truly lived up to expectations.

Brown was supposed to be an elite running back who would wash the foulness of Ricky Williams’ departure away. But he never really became the elite back Miami had hoped for.

Yes, he was the unquestioned master of the Wildcat, a style he ran so well it got the Dolphins into their only playoff appearance since 2001.

Yes, his 4,815 career rushing yards place him third all-time in franchise history.

And yes, his 6,306 all-purpose yards rivals any back on this list.

But Brown was supposed to be more. Was his production limited because of Williams’ return or was the type of back that only performed well with another spotting him? Remember, he had Carnell “Cadillac” Williams in Auburn as well.

Brown was the No. 1 back in Miami, but rarely produced like one. He broke the 900 yard mark three times in his six-year stay with the Dolphins. He did make the Pro Bowl in 2008, thanks in large part to the Wildcat, but could not piece together consistent seasons after 2006.

Brown’s numbers and his Wildcat mastery earn him sixth, but Dolphins fans will always wonder what could have been for Brown.

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