4 DAYS TO KICKOFF: Arthur Brown

by BracketCat on Aug 30, 2011 12:00 AM CDT in Football

In light of Arthur Brown's number change and growth as a leader, I thought it prudent to rerun this profile shortly before the first game in order to really crank up the excitement level.

Brown's performance at Big 12 Media Days was superlative and justified Bill Snyder's faith in bringing him. Not even an event as nefarious as Shapirogate could slow him down, not with the NCAA giving him a clean bill of health.

Although his brother, Bryce, appears to be falling short in the leadership department right now, that's not a concern with Arthur. Translated: Get hyped. The dude's gonna ball. Follow the jump if you wish to reread what I wrote in July.

#4 Arthur Brown
Redshirt Junior
6-1 | 223
Wichita, Kan.

Bio

Position: Linebacker

Previous College: University of Miami

Projection: Starter

Status: On Scholarship

Arthur Brown Jr. (b. June 17, 1990) is the savior of the Kansas State defense. Well, no, not really, but some of the hype flying around certainly could lead a disinterested observer to that conclusion. So could watching this repeatedly.

Arthur's story is fairly well known at this point, so I won't rehash it here. Instead, I'll just provide a simple point-counterpoint regarding what we can expect from our starting middle linebacker this fall.

First, guarded realism. He had a thoroughly unimpressive stint with the Hurricanes, collecting just 17 tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss and one fumble recovery in two years. And then he sat out of football for more than a year.

Yes, he was a phenomenon in high school, but was that a product of inferior competition (something he clearly didn't face in the ACC) or superior talent that, for whatever reason, simply didn't mesh with the Miami program?

We should find out this season. Now, the reckless optimism. Arthur has both the talent and opportunity to become the Big 12's Defensive Newcomer of the Year and a first-team All-Big 12 linebacker if he puts his mind to it.

He had nearly as many tackles in the spring game as he did in his entire college career thus far. The man was flying all around the field, sometimes running down backs who had a 15-yard lead on him.

And he has speed to spare. If there's one thing K-State's defense and especially its linebackers need, it's speed.

With his location in the middle of the 4-3, Arthur Brown will be asked to make plays in the offensive and defensive backfields, and from sideline to sideline. The rest is up to him.

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Comments

You know a lot has been made about Bryce's lacking leadership

I think it’s just a matter of Arthur was far less successful and more unhappy in Miami then Bryce was in Tennessee, he’s been brought back to Earth a heck of a lot more than Bryce has. I picture Bryce mellowing out when he realizes Snyders not just going to hand the RB job straight over to him.

"I refuse to write on the chalkboard because I refuse to rock chalk, at all times." -The Forum
The user formerly known as EMAWrising

by MeatGeek on Aug 30, 2011 12:24 AM CDT reply actions

Agreed

Some of the interviews of Bryce earlier made it sound like he thought the RB position was his to lose, and he wasn’t worried about it. It’s interesting to contrast that to Pease, who seems to have been praised almost constantly by the coaches since he’s arrived.

I think Snyder may make a point in not starting Bryce for a while. Not just the first game, where there is no way he’ll start, but I think through the entire non-conference schedule. I could see him moving up to 1st string for the Mizzou game, and everyone getting pumped up if we’re both 5-0.

by smitty3268 on Aug 30, 2011 3:18 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't think Snyder draws out the point that far.

The point should be made by now. I’m sure Bryce has gotten an earful in every practice and has been pushed to go as hard as he can. Snyder has made comments recently in which he said he doesn’t want a RB by committee. He wants one workhorse and one change of pace backup.

By the time the games start, I fully expect the best back to start. Snyder loves winning. He’s not going to keep Bryce benched because of his offseason workout routine unless his being out of shape actually makes Pease, Hubert, or Rose a better option.

Now maybe against EKU and Kent State he’ll start someone else, but I don’t think it will be as punishment. That might be a side benefit, but the chief reason for doing that I’d think is because he really doesn’t know his RB order yet and wants to see what different guys do in different opportunities against real competition. If Bryce isn’t starting by Miami I’m not going to hold out hope for the guy for this year. To me that’ll mean he’s just not great this season despite his talents.

by yeahboozin on Aug 30, 2011 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions

I know this shouldn't be the case

but is it possible that he just can’t push himself that hard in practice?

I’ve never played football (or any organized sport other than softball, and we never practiced for that), but is it possible that a person is of such a talent level that they can only REALLY give 100% during REAL competition?

I mean, didn’t we kind of see this with some of the players on the basketball team in the past? In the “gimme” games they struggled to get in the groove, but against the KU’s they shined at their brightest.

by Jeremy Sharp on Aug 30, 2011 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, and this man is your proof -

"If you don't want to work, become a reporter. That awful power, the public opinion of the nation, was created by a horde of self-complacent simpletons who failed at ditch digging and shoemaking and fetched up journalism on their way to the poorhouse." - Mark Twain

by Sean T on Aug 30, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Did I hear someone say practice?

Surgeon General's Warning: K-State-Mizzou basketball may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor prior to watching any of these games.

by mystman995 on Aug 30, 2011 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I was waiting for that

"I refuse to write on the chalkboard because I refuse to rock chalk, at all times." -The Forum
The user formerly known as EMAWrising

by MeatGeek on Aug 30, 2011 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions

I totally forgot about this

but I die laughing every time I see it. :)

PRACTICE…you want to talk about practice?!?!?

by Jeremy Sharp on Aug 30, 2011 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Absolutely.

Bryce could very well be a “gamer” who can’t give his all during practice but lights it up when it counts.

But there are two problems with being that kind of player – 1) those guys drive coaches and fans nuts because you know if they’d just be willing to practice hard they could be truly exceptional, and 2) if there’s another good player (in this case likely Pease), then Bryce may not get the opportunities in games to prove he’s a gamer.

I personally think we’re in great shape at this position and expect by Miami for Bryce to be the starter and Pease to be a dangerous backup.

by yeahboozin on Aug 30, 2011 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

I Think (a lot by the way)

that you’re going to see a lot of all of the running backs in the mix. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some new offensive sets with at least two of those backs in the mix at the same time. I really don’t have much of a feeling of angst about the offense. I think the offense is going to be there and be just tine and I’m just interested to see what all kinds of new wrinkles that are thrown out there.

If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself.

by ArkieCat on Aug 30, 2011 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs