LA Rams unsung heroes: RB Malcolm Brown

LA Rams’ unsung heroes: There is much more to RB Malcolm Brown than meets the eye, and that’s why he is so valuable to the offense

The LA Rams offense has been a running back by committee rushing offense for most of the season. And it’s that committee approach that has lent the nickname RUN-DMC to the group. Of course, that breaks out to Darrell Henderson, Malcolm Brown, and Cam Akers.  They’ve been the interchangeable rushers for the Rams throughout the 2020 NFL season.

But in this ‘why can’t you be elite?’ culture of seeking stars and shedding the rest, the contribution of veteran running back Malcolm Brown is too easily overlooked.  After all, he doesn’t attack the defense perimeter as quickly as teammate Darrell Henderson. Neither does he use his blockers to the optimal effect like teammate Cam Akers. He is a power runner, a heads-down leg-pumping rusher who dishes out punishment to would-be tacklers.  That’s not coveted in the fantasy football culture, but it’s incredibly critical nevertheless.

In sun, rain, sleet, and snow

Like the US Mail, Brown is called upon to deliver in sun, rain, sleet, and snow. He hears his number called when the Rams are struggling to run the ball in a physical game. He is on the field when the Rams face a torrid pass rush. Brown is that guy who is the duct tape of the Rams offense. He is the go-to guy when the Rams are out of ready-planned-out solutions. On a team with so little improvisation, Brown is that guy who is called upon to improvise.

That’s what he does. When he is given the football, he rushes it for all he is worth. In the past two seasons, he has rushed 170 times for 674 yards and 10 touchdowns. Over that same period, he has caught 25 of 39 passes thrown his way for another 178 yards.  No flash. No hype. Perhaps one rush followed by two or three plays where he is picking up a blitzing defender or chipping on an edge defender on his way to the flat.

Key contributor for the final touchdown

Brown has been a key contributor to moving the chains and extending drives when the Rams need someone to step up. On the final scoring drive for the Rams that extended the lead to 30-13, the Rams opened with a nine-yard pass to Brown to the Seattle Seahawks 27 yard line. Brown then rushed off the right guard for six yards and a first down at the Seahawks 21 yard line. He followed that up by rushing for six yards off right tackle to create a second down and four yards to go.

That set up the touchdown strike to Robert Woods for 15 yards. But ultimately, it was Brown’s rushing effectively that set up that touchdown pass. In the box stats, the touchdown is credited to Jared Goff and Robert Woods. Brown does not benefit from an ‘assist’ like the NBA. But he does the dirty jobs on the Rams offense.

His contract expires at the end of 2020. So while he remains a player for the LA Rams, don’t be so quick to ask why he’s getting some snaps. He may not rush for a 50-yard scamper. But he continues to be vital to the Rams’ overall success. His five touchdowns on offense place him in second place on the team’s top-scorers. That’s not bad for a blocking back.