Colts Talk: Can the Running Game Be that Dangerous Next Year?

The Indianapolis Colts were ranked 31st in running the pigskin last year. Most of the Colts offensive yardage came from the passing game, while the running game relied mostly on Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes who both ran for 500 rushing yards.

Indy was lucky that the Cardinals were the worst, but they already made it to the Super Bowl, losing to Pittsburgh, 27-23.

Forget the past. Indy looks to have a way better running game this year.

With Dominic Rhodes, Joseph Addai, and Mike Hart, the Colts look to strike in the running game. Last year, it was the inconsistency of the blockers in the running game. Sometimes when Rhodes or Addai have runs for over seven yards, the O-line gets called for holding or dumb penalties.

It is mostly the blockers' fault. Forget Jeff Saturday, he did everything right. That guy is a veteran. The other part of the O-line are all probably under 25-years-old. That's very young and most of them are rookies or coming into their second or third year. Now, the Colts will look to get more offensive tackles in the third to seventh round.

Last year, Mike Hart was placed on IR. He's coming back next year and the star out of Michigan is looking to strike. If Dominic Rhodes won't re-sign, though it seems he will if you click here, Mike Hart and Joe Addai will carry the load.

Now if all three come back next year, oh boy, it's going to be hell for the defenses. Remember when the Giants brought hell with their running backs? Well, it looks to me that the Colts will do the exact same thing. That will bring pressure off of Manning. The only way the Colts can even make it to the "Big Show" is if they develop a running game.

It's like what they had in 2006. That is how they made it to the Super Bowl. Jim Caldwell looks to bring a better running game to the team. If Rhodes can't come back, the Colts can draft a running back, but it might not be necessary.

The Colts can bring an Earth, Wind, and Fire system. Mike Hart will be Earth because he is tough. Why don't you check out this clip? And look, watch what he does in the NFL.

Then there is Joseph Addai as Wind, with his burst and quickness. This probably shows it all. Want more? Then take a good look at this, Dang! With his one Super Bowl ring, he looks for another next year.

Then there is our X-Factor, Dominic Rhodes, as Fire. Like I said in one of my articles, fire comes when you don't expect. Dominic Rhodes puts on big plays when you don't even expect it. Like here, when he had a huge burst against the Baltimore Ravens. Sorry Isaac.

The Colts can create hell for defenses. Watch, you'll see. With Rhodes and Addai combining for 1,000 yards last year, they both look to combine for 2,000! Be patient. The Colts will do it. The running game will return like the Edgerrin James days.

Here is what I think all three running backs will have, stat wise:

Joseph Addai: 1,247 rushing yards and eight touchdowns

Dominic Rhodes: 677 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

Mike Hart: 192 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Combined: 2,116 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. Pretty good, huh.

Expect it.