A few weeks ago, the Eagles didnt even want Ronnie Brown.
Then Monday night, they gave him the football in one of the most crucial situations of a pivotal game.
Just another odd chapter in the strange saga of Ronnie Brown.
A ballyhood free agency signing in August. A huge disappointment early in the season. Buried on the bench. Then traded to the Lions. Returned to the Eagles a day later. And there he was on the field for the Eagles Monday night on national TV with the Eagles trailing the Bears by seven points facing a 2nd-and-4 on Chicagos 4-yard-line.
It was big, Brown said before practice Wednesday. I think for them just to trust me with the football, that was real big.
And you couldnt blame the Eagles if they didnt trust him with the football. After the debacle in the 49ers game the last time Brown got the ball near the goal-line?
This time, things went just a little better. He didn't try to lateral. He didn't throw the ball away. No, he actually ran right up the middle for a four-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter to tie the Eagles-Bears game at 17. The Bears went on to win 30-24, but for Brown, it was the first real sign that hes still an important part of a team that shipped him out to Michigan just two weeks ago.
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They trusted me, and Ive got to do my part and do what Im supposed to do, Brown said. Its big for them to trust me in that situation in the game, big game, big part of the game, and to be comfortable doing it.
Browns first touchdown as an Eagle was his only carry of the game and just his second since he was returned to Philly after Jerome Harrison failed his physical with the Eagles because of a brain tumor.
Has any player ever scored a touchdown for a team that just traded him? Who knows. But it sure is a unique situation.
Two weeks ago, Brown was at the Lions facility in Allen Park, Mich., preparing to face the Falcons. Monday, he was in the end zone in an Eagles uniform.
I knew when I came back here I was expected to do a job, no matter what had happened before, said Brown, a Pro Bowl tailback for the Dolphins in 2008. Getting the opportunity, Ive got to uphold my end of it and take advantage of the opportunity. When I do get those chances, make the best of it and do it to the best of my ability.
I dont want to put any extra added pressure. Just wanted to come in and do what I was supposed to do when I first came here. Fortunately for me, it worked out, I was able to get a big carry in a big situation and it worked out well.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com