Joseph Addai, Goal Setter

by mgrex03 on Aug 1, 2008 9:20 AM EDT in Analysis Comment 4 comments

There was a great article in the Indy Star Wednesday by Mike Chappell talking about Joseph Addai. He talks about how some things are just a blur to him, like the fact he's now entering his third season with the Colts:

"Seems like I was at LSU yesterday and now I'm going into my third year (in the NFL)," he said. "I'm just enjoying it."

Chappell also talks about how Addai is seeking out advice from former Colt, and the team's all-time leading rusher Edgerrin James:

In an e-mail response to The Star, James made it clear he emphasizes to Addai the need to take care of himself physically as well as the details required to play the position.

"I always tell him to take good care of his body and continue to work on the little things," James said. "Everything else is usually about life."

We all know Edge is a stand up guy, and part of me hopes that in a few years, he'll end his career back in Indianapolis. We also know that Addai is not afraid to ask for advice, and take it to heart, which is great to know.

Addai is also really stressing consistency this season. He wants to be the same back in Week 17 (and the playoffs) that he is in Week 1. From the article:

Addai averaged 100.6 yards per game and 4.7 yards per attempt in his first seven games, but only 45.7 and 3.3 the rest of the way, including the playoff loss to San Diego.

Addai said he is setting some lofty goals for himself this season, but didn't share what they were. Here are my goals for Joe, which I think he'll get:

Att	Yds	Y/A	TD	Rec	Yds	TD
275	1350	4.9	12	45	400	4

This also doesn't take into account any other numbers the other RBs. I think Addai is primed for a breakout season, especially if everyone stays healthy. Here's to 4th quarters this season being dominated by #29, eating up time and protecting leads.

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I don't know about increasing Addai's workload even more

he was breaking down a bit last year with 261 carries. As he’s more experienced and conditioned he can take more carries, but I’d hope that the depth behind him keeps him closer to 250 than 275.

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by shake n bake on Aug 1, 2008 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Here's how I came to the number

The Colts should be running the ball 25-28 times a game. Addai should be getting between 2/3 and 3/4 the carries, which leaves him in the 17-18 carries/game category. If/When he is more consistent, I hope they only let him carry it that many times. That many carries/game is 272-288, and I found a round number in between.

Receiving numbers are more in line with his career numbers so far. I think Manning will have many options, especially if the top 3 receivers stay healthy all year. Addai could be open a lot underneath for dump offs with teams doubling the outside.

As for last year, I think he had too many carries in games early, and a couple times when he wasn’t needed (NO, Car) he had over 20 carries. With Rhodes back, I think the coaching staff will be more inclined to use Dom earlier in the game to spell Addai. A hit in the 4th quarter shouldn’t hurt you as much as one in the first. He needs more carries late.

by mgrex03 on Aug 1, 2008 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Last paragraph

Agreed, mostly. But I had the thought that Rhodes might be the guy to eat up time in the 4th quarter.

by ctnyc on Aug 2, 2008 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the number look good

I really think the colts will make it a point to run the ball that is how they got to the superbowl they will make it a point to run the ball and thats what they will do they have brought in a lot of new linemen to try to find a combination that will make the run game succesful addai and the other running backs will have a great year.

by coltsfan21 on Aug 1, 2008 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs