Addai vs MJD

Nothing like a good debate in the dead space of the offseason.

...overrated RB Jones Drew... (-Piojocuau)

Overrated? What? MJD is awesome. I’d take him over Addai in a heartbeat. (-KingRichard)

I hate the term over(under)rated, so I'll just look at KR's, more concrete, statement.

Back	Carries	Yards	YPC	Fumb	DYAR	DVOA	Rec	RecYds	Total TDs	RecDYAR	RecDVOA	Total DYAR
06-Addai	226	1,081	4.8	2	276(4th)	18.4% (5th)	40	325	8	38 (30th)	-2.1% (35th)	314
06-MJD	166	941	5.7	1	217(10th)	22.0% (4th)	46	436	15	126 (9th)	16.7% (15th)	333

07-Addai	261	1,072	4.1	0	222 (5th)	11.1% (17th)	41	364	15	150 (3rd)	43.7% (2nd)	372
07-MJD	167	768	4.6	2	81 (25th)	2.1% (23rd)	40	407	9	142 (5th)	32.0% (7th)	223

08-Addai	155	544	3.5	1	34 (32nd)	-1.3% (28th)	25	206	7	40 (29th)	5.2% (22nd)	74
08-MJD	197	824	4.2	7	99 (19th)	4.3% (18th)	62	565	14	223 (1st)	43.7% (4th)	322

Total Addai	642	2,697	4.2	3	532	10.7%	106	895	30	182	16.2%	760
Total MJD	530	2,533	4.8	10	397	9.2%	148	1,408	38	333	31.6%	878

Addai has been a more effiecent runner on significantly more carries, but MJD has been so tremendously valuable as a receiver he overcomes the running deficit and more in total DYAR. Their rookie seasons were pretty even, Addai had a clearly better 2007 and 2008 slanted way over to MJD.

One subjective thing I will point out in the receiving numbers is that usage is a factor in RB receiving numbers. Addai is rarely a primary option in the passing game, while MJD is the primier threat in the Jags passing game. Addai usually gets dumpoffs that don't have much of a chance to gain a lot of effective yards. MJD is deliberately put into position to succeed as a pass catcher.

Can MJD handle an increased workload? Is Addai ever going to be the great back he was in the first 1 1/2 seasons of his career again? The Addai-MJD case is still wide open.