Indy RB

Running backs compete for No. 1 spot

Fort Wayne News Sentinel
By Reggie Hayes
August 01, 2006
I just have to keep taking reps and understand what's going on, understand who does what. I'm a team player. Whatever gets the job done - block for the pass, catch the ball, run - I'm going to do. TERRE HAUTE - Indianapolis Colts rookie running back Joseph Addai earned a tie for loudest applause from fans during his first day in training camp.

He sparked the cheer by breaking an early-morning scrimmage run for about 20 yards.

The only play to equal that spontaneous burst of approval was a diving catch by Marvin Harrison. That's pretty good company.

'It felt good to come out there and build a little confidence,' Addai said. 'I just have to keep taking reps and understand what's going on, understand who does what. I'm a team player. Whatever gets the job done - block for the pass, catch the ball, run - I'm going to do.'

Addai's first practice earned thumbs up from coach Tony Dungy, quarterback Peyton Manning and most observers in attendance. Addai, who played collegiately at LSU, signed his rookie deal Saturday so he could report to practice. It was an imperative decision because the starting running back spot is vacant after the departure of Edgerrin James.

Addai and veteran backup Dominic Rhodes worked with the first team during scrimmage sessions in full pads in the morning and helmets and shorts in the afternoon.

The Addai vs. Rhodes battle promises to be the single most interesting showdown during camp, which began with two practices on Monday at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Manning said he liked what he saw from both backs, and that they might be able to offer contrasting but complementary skills. He expects their performances to be dissected more than others during the next three weeks.

'Obviously, that's the world both of them realize they're in,' Manning said. 'A 1st-and-10 run at practice in Terre Haute is analyzed and broken down. That's probably a good test for them to get ready for the season because those guys will get scrutinized.'

Manning praised Addai for executing on the patented stretch play that James ran to perfection; Rhodes' hands caught Manning's eye.

'Dominic has always caught the ball well and he made some good catches today,' Manning said. 'That's where he can really help us this year, taking us to another level in the passing game.'

Rhodes, 27, enters his sixth season with Colts. It's likely his last chance to become the team's full-time starter. While he rushed for 1,104 yards when James missed most of the 2001 season, Rhodes has been a role player since. Last year was Rhodes' least productive, when he averaged 3.0 yards per carry on 40 carries.

Rhodes' time was limited with James rushing for more than 1,500 yards, but he didn't always make the most of his time on the field.

He said he intends to set new standards for himself this time around.

'The most exciting part is that the opportunity is there again to be the starter,' Rhodes said. 'I can't tell you how happy and excited I am about that. I just want to go out there and set people up.'

Dungy hasn't said whether the Colts plan to settle on one primary back or alternate between Addai, Rhodes and possibly James Mungro.

The intensity of the competition was evident early Monday when fans clamored for a look at a pass-blocking drill in which the running backs tried to keep would-be sackers off the theoretical quarterback.

'They're replacing a tremendous player,' Dungy said. 'I tell those guys, 'Do what you do.' They just need to show their skills. It doesn't really matter (who starts). There's a job that needs to be done, whether it's one guy or 10 guys.'

Addai said all the players, including Rhodes, have been helpful in bringing him up to speed.

Both men clearly want the job as starter, however, and it could get more intense as camp moves on.

'It's probably going to be a rotation system, but somebody has to go out there first,' Rhodes said. 'I just plan on going out there and making sure they don't ever want to take me out.'




Joseph Addai comes out running on first day

By Dennis Clark
The Tribune-Star

It?s going to be difficult for the Indianapolis Colts? No. 1 draft pick, Joseph Addai, to stay inconspicuous.

After all, he was one of the most sought-after players by the media upon his arrival to camp Sunday. Following Monday morning?s first practice, except for quarterback Peyton Manning, he again was the next-most-scrutinized player with the media.

During practice, the large group of Colts fans assembled certainly recognized No. 29 ? Addai?s uniform number ? when he busted loose for a long run down the sideline. That brought out a big cheer.

He even responded to a joking query from one member of the media if he had been subjected to any rookie ?chores? ? a traditional rite of passage from college to the pros ? since reporting to camp.

Addai laughed, ?Nobody gave me any chores. I?m trying to stay quiet and stay to myself so I won?t get any.?

The soft-spoken Addai, solidly built at 5 feet 11, 214 pounds, just wants to fit in with his new team and contribute to the ultimate goal. Wins. A four-year letterman at Louisiana State University and the 30th overall selection in the 2006 NFL draft said all the right things Monday.

He was asked if he could learn from veteran Dominic Rhodes, the likely projected starter at running back, at least at the outset of camp.

?A lot of things,? he said. ?How to be patient. How to understand the game. [Rhodes has] been here a while.?

He also downplayed any competition between himself and Rhodes.

?Everybody wants to compete to get their job, but at the same time you have to understand where the focus is ? it?s to try to win,? Addai said. ?Everyone wants to be on the same page.?

Addai was asked about blocking NFL linebackers for the first time.

?It?s a little bit different, because in college they do one move,? he noted. ?Now it?s more technique. They?re real fast getting around the corner, so I have to be really on my techniques. Just continue to take reps and understand what?s going on. Watching film and understand who does what. I think that will help me a lot.

?I?m a team player. It?s whatever to get the job done. If I gotta block, if I have to catch the ball, run it, whatever it takes.?

Likely to be asked to do all of the above, Addai was a multi-purpose back at LSU, rushing for 2,576 yards (18 touchdowns) and receiving for 641 yards (six touchdowns).

His participation in the earlier minicamp, the recent summer-school session ? which included film-study time with Manning ? and getting into training camp on time has been and will be beneficial to his early success.

But training camp will be his biggest test.

?The guy?s got enough pressure on him as it is ? comparisons [to James] and what not,? Manning noted Sunday. ?He has picked things up pretty quickly. I think playing in an advanced offense at LSU, playing against different defenses and different blitzes, he has a good idea of what?s going on.?

Colts Coach Tony Dungy was not predicting how the running-back situation will play itself out in training camp, adding it wasn?t necessarily important for one guy to emerge.

?It doesn?t really matter,? Dungy said. ?You have a job that needs to get done. It could be one guy or it could be 10 guys. That?s what we talked to the team about [Sunday] night ? in all areas. It?s going to take 61 guys. Fifty-three regular group and our eight practice-squad players to really develop a good team.

?We?ve had situations in the past ? we?re trying to score against Jacksonville last year to win the game and Ran Carthon?s in there. The fourth guy and the only guy we?ve got standing. We can?t stop and say, ?Hey, can you wait until our three backs get healthy?? It?s whoever can do a job and you?re going to need everybody.

?You?re replacing a tremendous player and the thing we try to tell those guys is do what they do. That?s what it looked like today. [Rhodes and Addai] got a chance to show what they can do and the different talents they have. That?s the way it?s probably going to be all year.

The conversation, on a blistering hot morning and even hotter afternoon with the heat index well above 100 degrees, ultimately turned to the weather.

Addai was kiddingly asked if Louisiana is hot today? The reporter also could have asked for Addai?s opinion on his hometown of Houston, Texas. There would not be much difference.

?Yeah, it?s hot,? Addai chuckled. ?I was looking for my second wind. I couldn?t get it. Coming out here the first day, I did pretty good. There?s been some mistakes early on, but I did pretty good overall. I got one [practice] down. I know how to go about it.?

How does his first NFL training-camp practice compares to his fall practices in college?

?It?s longer,? Addai concluded. ?Demands more. Expectation, I think that?s the biggest thing.?




Fitting in: Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai laughs with teammates during the team's afternoon practice Monday at Rose-Hulman. (Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza)
JOSEPH C. GARZA /