Lions’ sixth-round draft choice Aaron Brown, a running back from TCU, had an epiphany this offseason, delivered courtesy of linebacker Ernie Sims. Brown told the Free Press’s Carlos Monarrez about a play where he thought he had the defense beat to the outside—and then Sims dramatically altered his perception of the situation.
Brown seems like a very self-aware kid, one who, despite electrifying the Mountain West Conference from his freshman year on, has had his share of setbacks. Injuries and off-field incidents clouded what could have been a radiant career at TCU; his track-star speed and big-play ability allowed him to take over games—even while sharing the load with several teammates in TCU’s unconventional offense. Still, the Lions’ revamped—and superbly athletic—Lions’ LB corps aside, Brown’s window of opportunity in Detroit is open, albeit narrowly.
With third-round pick Derrick Williams out with a hamstring injury, the Lions have no young players with real kick return ability. Veterans Maurice Morris, Philip Buchanon, and Dennis Northcutt all have extensive return experience—but Morris and Buchanon are needed more as from-scrimmage players, and all three are pretty far removed from being full-time returners. Brown, if he can “elevate his game”, has a great chance to make the roster—and even be a regular contributor—come autumn.
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