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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.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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When Joseph Addai...

Falls down behind the line, doesn’t shake tackles, runs with little power and can’t make guys miss… that is NOT the fault of the O-Line.

Watch the tape people. Addai wasn’t even able to run when he was facing Nickel Defenses which teams were using against us on 1st down.

by MasterRWayne on Mar 20, 2009 3:05 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm not sure Dom will be back...

maybe he will, but I’m doubting it.

That said…I’m interested in seeing what Lance Ball can do. Hart is somewhat questionable after his injury last year; while I hope he makes a complete recovery because he looked as though he had big potential, you just never know.

So, worst case scenario: Dom leaves, Hart isn’t ready until, say, November and (hopefully) Joe is really healthy this year (not sure if his health was the only reason for his problems last season)…I think we must draft a back. I loved the way that Coughlin used Jacobs, Ward and Bradshaw last year (although I don’t think he used Bradshaw enough). That said, we need a Jacobs. And, I’m on the Rashad Jennings bandwagon. I really like splitting the load between Jennings, Addai and either Hart or Ball.

I do agree with you about the line though. The line was a huge factor in our lack of a running game last season, not the only factor but huge. With Saturday healthy (please, God, let him stay healthy), Ugoh healthy, Pollack in his 2nd year, Diem replaced by Federkeil and Lilja back and healthy…I have some high hopes for next year.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Mar 20, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Lance Ball?

I think he is going to take Dom’s place. What’s your take on him? Good FanFost, btw.

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by BigBlueShoe on Mar 20, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm just not seein' it

Addai would do better on Dancing with the Stars, Dom probably won’t return, Hart is recovering from an injury that usually shakes your confidence more than your ability, and Ball is mostly untested. I agree with peytonsthebest that we need a Jacobs, and it’s something that I said a few months ago (in a rush to get to a meeting so can’t look for the link right now). I’ll get on the Jennings bandwagon, too.

by LovinBlue on Mar 20, 2009 4:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Nono

We’d have to take Jennings in the 2nd, which I actually don’t mind, but I’m stealing the wheels off that wagon (which me and Richard built in a shed over candlelight) and trying to get people to invest in my new venture. The Andre Brown train. Join me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9kYqvdEl_Q

Don’t be surprised if people start telling me to stop putting that picture in threads. I personally think it’s overwhelmingly awesome. He went 7 yards after that was taken. By the way, he had 309 receiving yards on 29 catches.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Mar 21, 2009 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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