Brown?s stats don?t justify a ?star? attitude

The Titans? heir-apparent to Eddie George, their ?back of the future,? their stud running back, is wanting out of Nashville and I say, don?t let the door hit him on the backside on the way out.

If there?s one thing I really don?t like, it?s unproven players making demands like they are some kind of superstar. Those who read me regularly know I really despised Maurice Clarett, the former Ohio State back who played in a handful of games before being kicked off the team. He then acted like he was something special, whining around for a couple of years before being cut from the Broncos because he was slow and fat. He wanted people to bow down to him, even though he never did anything.

Now we have Chris Brown, the Titans? number-one back, demanding a trade out of what he considers an ?overcrowded? backfield. This is the same guy who was touted as the ?future? star when he was drafted out of Colorado a few years ago. However, his only claim to fame was a big game at the Big 12 Championship win over Texas. Other than that, we knew little of the Golden Buffalo.

Then, he comes to Nashville and immediately gets dinged up. He has a few good games, shows a few flashes, but fails to be the back people had expected. Now, whether this was just the manifestation of a bad offensive line or his inability to play at the pro level, I?m unsure.

However, his request to be traded kind of rubs me the wrong way. If he is this stud running back his supporters claim him to be, what?s a little competition from rookie LenDale White? Come on, that?s what this is all about. The only real thing that has changed in the backfield is the addition of the former Trojan. Travis Henry was there last year, suspended for four games for a drug violation, and Jarrett Payton has also been there, waiting his turn.

No, if you ask me Brown knows White will have his job before the paint is dry on the field at LP Stadium. White is a hard-nosed runner who will find his own holes, rather than an upright slasher like Brown is, which doesn?t bode well when you have a young offensive line.

My big question is where does Brown think he?s going to go? Running backs are greatly devalued in the league right now. As huge as Reggie Bush is, he couldn?t even parlay himself into a first-round pick. As big of a threat as Edgerrin James was for the Colts, they wouldn?t spend to extra money to keep him from going to Arizona. Backs are a dime a dozen right now and frankly, the only thing which sets Brown apart from the rest of the crew is that he is a good pass blocker. And yes, this is something the Titans may miss on passing downs.

Looking around the league, I?m not sure where he could go and be an immediate impact. Cleveland is kind of weak with Ruben Droughens as their starter, or perhaps San Francisco where there aren?t really any big stars. However, seeing Brown is under contract for another year, the Titans will have to get something in return, likely in the area of defensive secondary or offensive line. Who is going to give up an impact player at those positions for a running back right now?

If Brown is smart, he will stay and compete and perhaps finally prove himself in Nashville. Then, perhaps he can use that as a free agent the next year to get a chance elsewhere. Hey, he could turn into a top notch back, but that?s something we?re yet to see.