LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- What can Brown do for U of L? Apparently everything.
It can play linebacker (Daniel Brown, Preston Brown, Keith Brown). It can play defensive line (DeAngelo Brown). It can carry the ball (Dominique Brown) and block (Jamon Brown).
What happens if a coach, during practice, happens to yell "Brown!"
"About seven guys turn around," Brown said at Wednesday's University of Louisville football media day.
Wait, sorry. Daniel Brown said that.
"Everybody looks up," Preston Brown said. "You might have to have a little meeting to sort things out."
Daniel Brown said, "Right now, coach Strong just yells, 'P. Brown,' or 'K. Brown.'"
He sure can't yell "D. Brown," though. There are three of those.
"I guess we're all on a first-name basis with the coaches," Preston Brown said.
With UPS virtually right next door, U of L is crazy not to up-sell that sponsorship, with their slogan of "What Can Brown Do For You?"
Brown Bros. Cadillac in Louisville? Where are you? The Brown Hotel? Anyone?
You've already heard some mumblings about a "Brown Out," defensive gimmick, given that you can see three Browns at linebacker at the same time. Less catchy, but with a unique Louisville flavor, the phrase "Hot Brown," can't be discounted. Or, since the three Browns have all seen time with the first-team at linebacker across the middle of the defense, you might call it a "Brown Belt."
U of L play-by-play man Paul Rogers is in for a fun season. Or an easy one, I can't figure out which. Just call out "Brown" on a given defensive play and you've got about a one-in-three chance to be right.
Fast fact: Other than these Browns, there have been only 11 Browns to play for U of L, most recently Michael Brown and Abe Brown, both linebackers.
These Browns, however, share more than just a name. Every one of them has a key role with this team.
Daniel Brown, a fifth-year senior from Atlanta, is the frontrunner to start at weakside linebacker after starting for his entire sophomore season. He went into more of a reserve role last season, but coaches are hoping his experience and leadership will be an influence on the defense this year. His versatility is a plus for the Cardinal defense, as he's able to play any of the three linebacker spots.
Dominique Brown, a junior running back out of Cincinnati, made a full-time conversion to the position from QB last season and this year looks the part of a full-time power back. Brown has added 15 pounds and says he's hoping a physical running style sets him apart from the five players vying to start at the position. "We all have our little styles," Brown said. "I'm trying to be a physical runner, get the tough yards, and be hard to bring down." Brown is following in the footsteps of another guy who left the QB position to have some success at running back -- Michael Bush. He said he heard from Bush out of the blue this summer. "He said, 'I heard they're comparing you to me, and I don't want you to get the big head,'" Brown said. "Actually it was great to talk with him." Brown said there has been little transition. He ran an option attack in high school, so he's comfortable carrying the ball.
Jamon Brown is a true sophomore who played on the defensive line before being moved over to offensive tackle. Now he's there to stay, having worked himself into a starting role at right tackle. He's a product of Fern Creek High School in Louisville who could be fairly described as one of the team's glowing personalities. Frequently smiling and joking around, Brown also is a gifted singer and his voice can often be heard signing at various times around the Cardinal complex.
Preston Brown, a junior linebacker from Cincinnati, will be asked to provide leadership from the middle linebacker spot. He earned a starting spot at LB last season and moved to the all-important middle position in the spring. He's had 26 games in his college career, and has played in all of them, excelling on special teams as well as defense. Strong has had plenty of positive things to say about Brown since the spring, and clearly coaches have identified him as a player who can lead on defense.
Keith Brown, a freshman Army All-American linebacker from Miami already is seeing reps with the first-string. He had scholarship offers from roughly half the teams playing in BCS eligible conferences as a senior. He's expected to make an instant impact, and is a bit further along having enrolled early so that he has a bit more idea of what's going on defensively than most of his incoming classmates.
DeAngelo Brown, another freshman, is a 6-foot, 310-pound defensive tackle from Savannah, Ga. Coming in, his best bench press was 420 pounds while he was still clocked at 4.9 seconds in the shuttle run. Coaches like his size and athleticism, and he'll have every chance to see the field early with a solid fall camp.
C.L. Brown, North Carolina, is the U of L beat writer for The Courier-Journal. He's not on the team, but I thought he should be in this list. He's probably the top hoops player of the bunch.
"Brown," according to the august source, Wikipedia, is the fifth-most common family in the U.S., in a virtual tie with Jones.
It'll be the No. 1 name, in volume, for U of L this season.
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