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Way too early to give up on Indianapolis Colts RB Joseph Addai
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Donald Brown (AP Photo)
When it comes to the Indianapolis Colts, there may be no more-discussed figure these days than running back Joseph Addai.
He has been discussed on the message boards. He has been ripped in the blogosophere. And in a recent survey by ESPN AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky, Colts fans voted Addai the player they would most like to see replaced.
On Saturday, the buzz heightened when the Colts selected University of Connecticut running back Donald Brown in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, a move that has caused numerous columns/speculation/blog posts ranging from the notion that the Colts were sending a wakeup call to Addai with the pick to the idea that Addai is "losing favor with Colts management."
Enough already.
Addai, a fourth-year running back from Louisiana State University, didn't have the best year of his career last year. He rushed for roughly half of his yardage total in 2006 and 2007, when he rushed for just over 1,000 yards in each season. But the player who made the Pro Bowl in 2007 has taken far too much of the blame for an Indianapolis rushing offense that ranked 31st in the NFL a year ago.
I spent the weekend at the Colts complex on Indianapolis' Westside for the draft, and speaking with someone who observes Addai closely, I asked if Addai had slipped in any way. The answer was no, and that the reason for the running game's issues were what Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell had said earlier this offseason was the case: a combination of factors. Colts Owner and Chief Executive Officer Jim Irsay said late Saturday night Addai didn't have the season the team expected, but that part of that was some nagging injuries, and that part of it was more injuries -- and more crucial shuffling on the offensive line -- than is normal. Not only was center Jeff Saturday out four games last season, guard Ryan Lilja, a player of underrated importance to the running offense, missed the entire season. Only one Colts offensive lineman, tackle Ryan Diem, started 16 regular-season games at one position last season. I've heard Addai criticized for dancing before he reached the line of scrimmage last year. When defenders are in your face, you look for room to run. You dance.
Colts President Bill Polian was asked Saturday what the selection of Brown said about Addai.
"Not a thing,” Polian said, adding, "What it says to Joseph Addai is, ‘You’re going to have a longer career — a more productive career.”’
Said Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell:
It’s not any different than what we’ve been over the years. If you look back to since we’ve been here, there always has been two quality backs. He shouldn’t change anything in terms of his mindset, but he does indeed have some help. . . . It’s important to have two good backs in your system. No question about that. You need two good guys who can carry the mail for you.
In 15 years covering the NFL, I've changed my views on a lot of issues. One thing I've come to realize is running back is one of its most mis-analyzed positions. Rare is the running back who can be effective without an effective line. Barry Sanders. LaDainian Tomlinson in his prime, maybe. Adrian Peterson now, perhaps.
But it's rare.
I'm not saying Addai was the same runner he was in 2006 and 2007, but fans who think he was horrendous last year are being a bit extreme. Toward the end of last season, there was sentiment for giving backup Dominic Rhodes more carries. A glance at the statistics reveal why it didn't happen. Addai rushed for 544 yards and five touchdowns on 155 carries; Rhodes rushed for 538 yards and six touchdowns on 152 carries. Addai averaged 3.5 yards a carry. So did Rhodes, who recently signed with Buffalo.
Perhaps I’m naive, but I don’t get a vibe that the team is that down on Addai. I think there’s a lot of truth to it when Polian said the move will extend Addai’s career and make him a better back. Polian has basic beliefs that he follows, but he also studies trends and meticulously goes about best equipping the team to adapt to those trends. One trend in the NFL is to have more than one quality back. The Jaguars, the Titans, the Giants, the Panthers — all have had two big-time backs in recent seasons.
A last thought: I just don’t think backs lose it in one season. Addai was an above-average back in 2006 and 2007 and I’m just not ready to think he can’t play after one season.
More on the Colts . . .
OTHER EXAMINER COLTS TOPICS . . .
THE EXAMINER SERIES: Peyton Manning Top 10 underrated moments.
* SPECIAL EXAMINER REPORT: BREAKING DOWN THE 2009 COLTS SCHEDULE
- A recap of the Colts' 2009 NFL Draft
- P Hunter Smith signs with Redskins
- Colts sign C DeVan
- Colts had to do what they did with RB Dominic Rhodes
- Signing of S Matt Giordano solidifies position
- Colts not immune to Great Recession
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