The New York Giants enter the embryonic stage of a new season without Ahmad Bradshaw, a reality that will create a new backfield pecking order at the Meadowlands.
Popular thinking has David Wilson assuming the featured role, with Andre Brown serving as short-yardage specialist. Given the upside of both running backs, this has the potential to be a very strong pairing.
"Thunder and Lightning" for a new generation with Brown serving as a Very Rich Man's Ron Dayne.
It all makes sense, but Brown has loftier ambitions.
"I have to outdo last year's stats. Eight touchdowns -- I want 22," Brown said, via the New York Daily News. "I want 1,300 (yards) this year. That's the steppingstone. I have to erase last year's stats and show I can do better."
Brown's stats would have been better if not for a broken leg that ended his season in November and helped bring Wilson out of coach Tom Coughlin's dog house. Brown's attendance at the opening of voluntary workouts served as a very good sign the injury is behind him.
"Third-down back, pass protection, goal line, short yardage -- all that," Brown said. "I can't wait to do it. Because I want to show, other than (scoring) the one-yard touchdown, I want to show more than what I have.
"I feel like I'm a home run hitter, too. As long as I go out there and produce and show the world my versatility, the sky's the limit."
Brown certainly has the ambition. Whether he gets the opportunity is another matter.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
