So Won't the Real Joseph Addai Please Stand Up...

by Hitstick Killer on Jul 22, 2009 6:35 AM EDT

Just driving back from a great late night (early morning?) meal from Denny's, I hear Paul McCartney's "Live and Let Die" which, as a Colts fan obviously brought thoughts of our own #29, RB Joseph Addai to mind.

via www.combinefreak.com

^^^^Guys that put their bodies on the line like this are NOT soft^^^^

As the offseason comes to an end, I wonder what Addai has been up to. As fans we have all posted our own thoughts on him, how good/bad he is, wheather the blame of the horrible rushing attack of '08 is to be put on Addai or the O-line, whatever....that is not the point of this post. I simply wish to know what he has been up to. I have not seen a single article about him this entire summer, not once. Does he have any response to the crowd that thinks he's to blame for the rushing game of the Colts, any reassurance to those that support him as a starter in the NFL?

Personally, I love Addai and think the job he has done protecting #18's butt the past 3 seasons makes him worthy of his 1st round selection, let alone the rushing/receiving threat he had been the 1st two seasons of his career. Put Addai in the open field, and he will make the first guy miss, seriously he's been incredible with some space to work with. But where is his heart, his drive to show that he is a Colt RB that wants to win a championship and lead the offense to a Superbowl...I know it's not his job to tell the public about his whereabouts and activities during the off season, but i've read so much about other players in the Colt's organization working hard in the weight room, speaking with jubilance of the '09 season that is contagious to us fans, that it makes me wonder what sort of mind frame Addai is in...

How much better would you feel if you read words from Addai taking the weight of the bad rushing game, making himself the scapegoat, and stating that he's working as hard as ever this offseason. How assuring would it be to see he is working hard to get better. These are the kind of things I expect to read about from Colt's players after a terrible season, especially one of such high caliber and talent.

What do you think? Is Addai just a 1a/1b back. Will he return to his awesome '06 & 1/2 of '07 ways? Have I wasted my time and more importantly, YOURS with this post?

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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Addai's future with the Colts

I personally think that Addai’s future with the Colts will be determined in the first four games while splitting carries with Brown. If Addai produces like he did last year and Brown racks up the yards and shows that it isn’t the O-line, it’s the back then there is no question that Addai takes the back seat to Brown.

If that happens then you have to ask, will the Colts really keep Addai on the roster past this year?

On the flip side, if Addai comes out of the gate and has a year like his rookie year where he shines as long as he doesn’t have to carry the full load then I think he would stay with the Colts at least until his contract is up at the end of the 2010 season.

by the_iowa_hawkeye on Jul 22, 2009 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

Addai suffered from an inexperienced O-line.

And when he did have room to run, he tripped himself up. Looked skittish. But I think the reason there’s no news on him, is because he has trouble putting sentences together.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Jul 22, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

she's right

by yellowsnow on Jul 22, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Sad

but true on both points.

"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts."

by AceOfSpades on Jul 24, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

uh oh

Not sure if we need another Addai discussion before preseason starts. Should we go ahead and pre-ban certain people from commenting on this post, myself included?

"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."

by psvirsky on Jul 22, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

+1

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Jul 22, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

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

by peytonsthebest on Jul 22, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Did I miss something? Who do you want to ban?

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Jul 22, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think he's recommending a ban on anyone

but over the spring and early summer there were ENDLESS Addai-OLine arguments that practically turned into holy wars (sort of like Tastes Great / Less Filling, but more emotional). I think you became active a few weeks after the last of these discussions, so you might not have seen the carnage.

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Jul 22, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I see,

Poor Joe! I love him anyway.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Jul 22, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Here is just a taste of the epic Joseph Addai vs. the O-line arguments:

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2009/6/17/912527/i-put-no-blame-on-the-running

(Main participants: Shake, KR, DZ, and MRW)

It makes the recent arguments between Babe, Shake, mgrex, and me look like kid stuff.

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: This would probably happen to me if I ever won anything.

by Cassieper on Jul 22, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow, I get the drift now,

It’s like watching a train wreck, you don’t want to look, but you just can’t stop yourself.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Jul 22, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

when you see those arguments, for some reason it’s really hard not read through the whole thing and get riled up. or at least i have trouble.

"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."

by psvirsky on Jul 22, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I really like Joe

Did he have a terrible year last year? Yes without question, but Joe has done things that have me believing that if he has a decent line that doesn’t have three rookies starting on it that he’ll be back to his old self. Joe has put up numbers that NO OTHER Colts RB has ever put up. Mainly he is the only RB in franchise history to have 100+ yards recieving and 100+ yards rushing in the same game, and he did it against a very good Pats defense. Not even the (in my opinion) best all around RB ever Marshall Faulk could do that in Indy. Only Barry Sanders could have produced a 1000+ yard season last year with that line. No one did this when Edge got hurt so why are we doing this now to a proven player?

by Sanders_fan89 on Jul 22, 2009 1:19 PM EDT reply actions

On the one hand, that stat line

Was the result of one long TAC TD pass, 70 yards or something, before halftime.

On the other hand, it would be retarded to take an electrifying TD scamper that nearly beat the “unbeatable” pats and hold that against Addai.

I love the guy, I still think he has got what it takes. Peyton had trouble with the deep ball last year, does that mean he’s lost it? No way, the whole offense was messed up last year.

by slash196 on Jul 22, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Running game

A big difference between the Colts running game and the running game of “successful” running teams is that the Colts rarely get a big play out of running the ball (40-50 yards or more). We get 3, 5, 10 or maybe 15 on some plays, but rarely more than that. Couple that with having #18, who would obviously rather pass than run, and the results speak for themselves.

I look forward to watching Brown play to see if he can bring in the big play potential that has been missing.

"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts."

by AceOfSpades on Jul 24, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow

Never would have thought a rb could be such a polarizing figure. Seems that Joseph Addai has attained the rarified air generally reserved for quarterbacks on most teams.

"Pressure is something you feel when you don't know what the hell you're doing."

PEYTON MANNING

by cscott5527 on Jul 22, 2009 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

I don't care what anyone says

Addai is one of the MOST complete backs in the NFL. When James left Indy, I wasn’t scared about the rushing attack taking a hit. The Edge was a great back, but Manning carried the team and he always gave 100%. With a good running game he plays at 150%. When James left, I was scared for the passing attack. Not only was he possibly the NFL’s best receiving back at the time, he was most definately the NFL’s best Pass blocking running back. But Addai came in and showed us that he was a poor man’s Edge. He had similar pass blocking skills, he had the same “zip” that Edge ran with. He could catch passes and move the chains. And he played with heart, not caring about his body at all. But, like Edge, when forced to carry a large load, he can’t stay healthy. This will be a recovery year (which Edge also had in year 4) and then he will return to top form for a few years until Brown takes over. I see Addai with 900 possibly 1000 yards.

by Colts_and_Cavs_in_09! on Jul 23, 2009 12:51 AM EDT reply actions

But, like Edge, when forced to carry a large load, he can’t stay healthy. This will be a recovery year (which Edge also had in year 4) and then he will return to top form for a few years until Brown takes over. I see Addai with 900 possibly 1000 yards.

Everything you said in this quote is absolutely wrong. I don’t even know where you got the idea that Edge couldn’t stay healthy and couldn’t carry the load.

Also, if Addai uses this season as a “recovery year”, then Polian will let him walk when his contract is up after the 2010 season.

Yeah, so I sold out, do something about it! Like read my site Colts Chatter.

by KingRichard on Jul 23, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

are you kidding me?

In years 3 and 4 James failed to manage 1000 yards. In year 3 it was because he was injured. In year 4 he was still recovering. James was KNOWN for getting injured, almost like Bob Sanders today. And did Polian let James walk after 2002? No doubt Addai will go eventually, but we all know he’s not a bust. Any other back could be considered a bust at this point, but as I said before, he’s so complete he can’t be labled as a bust just because he did bad in ONE stat (yards per carry)

by Colts_and_Cavs_in_09! on Jul 23, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotta defend Edge

Edge was not known for getting hurt. In fact, he was known to be one of the toughest RB’s around. In 2005 he has fractures in his spine and only missed 4 games.

Addai has earned the injury bug label. He has been hurt, on and off, for two full years. Now you can argue about Addai and have an opinion, that is fine, however remember that Edge had more carries and averaged more carries than Addai.

by MasterRWayne on Jul 23, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Um…

He wasn’t just “injured”, he tore his ACL. That injury takes at least one year to fully recover from, post-op mind you.

You must be a relatively new Colts fan, because no one who actually watched him play believes he was injury prone. Not counting the two years he suffered because of the ACL injury and subsequent recovery, the most games he missed in a season was 3. Your boy Addai already has him beat in that category. James was the epitome of a work-horse running back, no doubt about it. The only problem I ever had with James was his sudden case of butter fingers in that New England playoff game. Aside from that, he was ace.

Addai sucked in all phases of the game last season, do your homework. Besides, no one is labelling him a bust, yet.

Yeah, so I sold out, do something about it! Like read my site Colts Chatter.

by KingRichard on Jul 23, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I was okay with them letting James go, but not because of his play. It was because his salary was high and I thought they needed to spend more money on defense to be a more balanced team so we didn’t continue down the road of winning games 34-31 and being let down in the playoffs again once we faced a good defense.

"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts."

by AceOfSpades on Jul 24, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Wrong

Edge had 1 major injury, but definitely not KNOWN for getting injured (all the time) like Addai and Sanders are.

"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts."

by AceOfSpades on Jul 24, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Major injury

Yeah, one major injury. But over 2001, 2002, 2003 he missed quite a few games. And, okay, I may be wrong that he can’t handle a large load, but he is just like addai, which was my main point. Both backs had two great years to begin their careers and Both backs were injured in year 3/year 4. (Addai will show us how he does in year 4). ALSO, he was a tough guy. In his fourth year, he played 14 games, but he WAS injured. He just played through it. He received 277 carries (a pretty large amount) and failed to get 1000 yards, just because he played through injury doesn’t mean that he wasn’t injured.

by Colts_and_Cavs_in_09! on Jul 25, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Draft killed argument

What I, and others, were arguing was that there were some serious issues with Addai that the Colts needed to address in the draft. Simply put… Addai hasn’t been healthy in two years and has looked more and more timid running the ball. My argument was…

1. Draft a RB… if Addai is constantly hurt then we have his replacement. We ranked 31st in rushing offense last year.

2. If Addai is fine then we have two really good RB’s. You can never have enough good RB’s.

The other side argued that Addai was fine. That is was foolish to use a 1st-2nd round draft pick on a RB because drafting a WR was more important than drafting a RB. So essentially, I said RB was the highest priority and WR was a lower one and the other side said WR was a higher priority then RB.

The argument stopped because Polian drafted Donald Brown in the 1st round and then, spent a 4th round pick on a WR. End of debate.

by MasterRWayne on Jul 23, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

remember this

Not sure if we need another Addai discussion before preseason starts. Should we go ahead and pre-ban certain people from commenting on this post, myself included?

It was a good idea. Everyone already knows how we feel and anyone new has already been directed to an old thread to find out.

That's big talk for a little guy,
but I'm walkin' without reply.
-Lil Wayne "Mr. Postman"

by shake n bake on Jul 23, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."

by psvirsky on Jul 23, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

+1000

Especially those who like to exalt their points that seemed validated (to rub in people’s faces), while selectively forgetting the times when they looked wrong later.

by coltsfanawalt on Jul 23, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Have any evidence to back up that claim?

Yeah, so I sold out, do something about it! Like read my site Colts Chatter.

by KingRichard on Jul 23, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s been a couple of days so I figured I’d chime in with this little number: I didn’t think so.

Yeah, so I sold out, do something about it! Like read my site Colts Chatter.

by KingRichard on Jul 25, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

And let me chime in with this one.

I do not think your arrogance is worthy of my time in researching all your posts and claims. I seem to recall some assertions by you two that didn’t exactly prove accurate, but I frankly just don’t care that much. What I do care about is the pathetic attitude you displayed when you felt righteous. And the constant bashing on shake from you guys. It has been better as of late, but this post brought some of the old slop back.

Look, if you believe that you’ve never had a wrong assertion on here, then go on believing it. But I don’t. I just don’t care to undertake the effort of researching my point for you, as I don’t think you’d recognize it if I did. You’d just argue. Been around here a long enough time to know that. And no, I don’t care to research that one, either.

If you want to believe that you are always right and are arrogant for good reason, fine. I will choose to go on believing that you are not always right and are arrogant for no good reason. I doubt we will convince each other, although I shouldn’t have to convince you that you are not always right on your predictions and theories in life. Any honest person should admit that, so I don’t get the “evidence” point.

So again, my main point is that you felt right on an opinion after the Colts draft, then you proceeded to act like a jerk about it. That is not my solo opinion. Many people posted similar disdain at you when it happened. Now that whole thing is rearing its ugly head again, and I still don’t care for it or some of the tag team shake-bashing. And you probably don’t care if I don’t care, so this exchange is pointless. And I will take no more of my valuable time to try and convince you that your opinions aren’t always perfect, research it, or convince you on how to act when you feel right. I’ll just let you beieve what you want. And I’ll do the same.

I will be off site a couple days after this evening. I hope this fanpost is buried by then. I hate this type of stuff. I’m sure we both have a life outside of here, and mine is about to get busy. Good luck with your website. I hope it is rewarding for you.

by coltsfanawalt on Jul 25, 2009 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I would feel slightly responsible

for all of this bickering because I made this post, however

As the offseason comes to an end, I wonder what Addai has been up to. As fans we have all posted our own thoughts on him, how good/bad he is, wheather the blame of the horrible rushing attack of ’08 is to be put on Addai or the O-line, whatever….that is not the point of this post.

I did say this is not another battleground for this debate…

by Hitstick Killer on Jul 23, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

But

But there hasn’t been any bickering in this thread. You have nothing to apologize for.

by MasterRWayne on Jul 23, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

there's no bickering because even though you and KR are dragging out the same Anti-Addai arguments

the other side took the suggestion and is keeping the thread from turning into another repetitive shitstorm.

That's big talk for a little guy,
but I'm walkin' without reply.
-Lil Wayne "Mr. Postman"

by shake n bake on Jul 23, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Bit hard of you...

There is nothing “Anti-Addai” about my opinion even though you keep attempting to frame it in that light. All I have said and all I have ever said is that there are some real concerns about Addai (and if you would bother to ever watch the film you might see that) just as I have said there are concerns about Ugoh, Diem and Pollack. I don’t think any of those guys should be cut I just think they have a lot to prove this year. I view this year as a probation year for them and Colts management agrees as seen by their drafting of Donald Brown. That is all my point of view is. Nothing more and nothing less so please stop trying to twist my argument into something it is not.

Also, I think its important to note that its difficult for you to take the high road when you went on another website (18to88) and attacked KR and I. Maybe you should consider a career in politics.

Way to keep it classy Shake.

by MasterRWayne on Jul 23, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

there's no bickering because even though you and KR are dragging out the same less supportive Addai arguments

the other side took the suggestion and is keeping the thread from turning into another repetitive shitstorm.

That's big talk for a little guy,
but I'm walkin' without reply.
-Lil Wayne "Mr. Postman"

by shake n bake on Jul 23, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

ok you’re totally right

Yeah, so I sold out, do something about it! Like read my site Colts Chatter.

by KingRichard on Jul 23, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Ban 'em Shake! Ban 'em!

Wait a minute… don’t they work here, or used to work here, or something? lol

by peytonsurdaddy on Jul 23, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

they aren't on the same level as The Babe

I really disagree with them on this one, but they are capable of writing really good stuff and make sense (to me) on plenty of other topics.

The Babe is just across the board irrational and biased.

That's big talk for a little guy,
but I'm walkin' without reply.
-Lil Wayne "Mr. Postman"

by shake n bake on Jul 23, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Yet...

He was such a fine and gracious ambassador for Pats-lovers everywhere. I, for one, will be sad to see the demented old circus monkey go…lol…lol…lol

by peytonsurdaddy on Jul 23, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions

As I said

The central point of the debate was how the Colts should handle the draft in light of Addai’s 2008 season. The Colts spent a 1st round pick on a RB so that settled the debate. As I have always said; if Addai comes back healthy then that is great, if not then we now have Donald Brown.

Also, its important to remember the average shelf life of a RB is 4 seasons. This now the start of Addai’s 4th season.

by MasterRWayne on Jul 23, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

PLEASE

Let us just WAIT. Until the season. JUST WAIT! All arguments will be invalid and we will finally KNOW. Shutup and WAIT!!111JHFJASDHIFREAWFFkljflkdf3475804%#$%~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Colts_and_Cavs_in_09! on Jul 23, 2009 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

Wait for what? You already claimed Addai will be mediocre this season because he’ll be “recovering.”

Yeah, so I sold out, do something about it! Like read my site Colts Chatter.

by KingRichard on Jul 23, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Simmer down dude… I know your a Cavs fan so that probably has something to do with you being angry. lol

by MasterRWayne on Jul 23, 2009 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

Personally...

I’m hoping that Addai and Brown turn out to be the two biggest stud running backs this league has ever seen, rush for 200 yards apiece, per game, and we keep both of them foooorreeeeverrrrr… (insert maniacal laughter).

by peytonsurdaddy on Jul 23, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions