A quarterback makes all the difference. Here we are debating who will play running back. The running game is important, it can make a team, but it doesn't necessarily have to break a team.
That is the position the Colts are in. The running game will only supplement the effectiveness of our lethal passing attack. There are a number of running backs who are associated with this team. Both Donald Brown and Delone Carter are under contract (Carter will be, as a rookie once the lockout is over), and we discussed their potential in Monday and Tuesday's posts.
Today we will discuss one of my all time favorite Colts, Joseph Addai. If you have not yet read my article on Joseph Addai from last Monday, it may help you see the stance "Not Just a Colts Blog" takes on Addai.
Much of the things that needed to be said, have already been said in that post.
Addai is a crucial key to the offense, if for no other reason than his ability to protect the franchise, in Peyton Manning. Addai has a crazy skillset, one of his more attractive skills, at least to Colts fans, is his ability to block for Peyton Manning. Peyton loves being able to rely on Addai, and Addai brings that skill set to a pass first team.
You see when a running back come out of college, he naturally focuses on running the ball, so many must develop that ability to pass protect. I don't see many backs in the NFL with the ability to pass protect, receive the ball, and make something out of nothing better than my man Joseph Addai.
The issue with Addai is his impending free agency. The news from the owners meeting is that any player with more than 4 years of experience who is an RFA (restricted free agent) will become a UFA (unrestricted free agent). I don't have the greatest knowledge on this subject, but from what I understand, a team will always get the chance to match an offer if a play is an RFA. Addai will not be.
Addai's value might be greatest to the Colts, meaning few teams will go after him. I personally want to retain Addai. I think we can get by with Brown and Carter (or whoever else remains on the depth chart), but having Addai to push toward that ever elusive 2nd Super Bowl ring will be critical.
Hoping Addai comes back next season, his stats will most likely improve behind a much improved (at least on paper) offensive line. Addai hasn't played a full season since his rookie year, and he came off the bench behind Dominic Rhodes. He hasn't sniffed a thousand yards in three seasons. But his average was the highest its ever been when there was a left tackle on the team that didn't pronounce his name Tarik Glenn.
Addai's low numbers are a result of a patch work, hit and miss, offensive line. For him to remain productive is a miracle. However, he has found a way.
Addai might be the most valuable running back option we can have next season. But he will only come back if the price is right. What do you think?
Tweet