“Depending upon the ballgame, Joe might approach those numbers depending on how many times we give it to him,” Caldwell said. “It’s not like he’s getting 25 carries. His average per carry is around four yards this past game, but if you give it to him enough times, he’s one of those guys where you say, ‘He’s a pretty good back.'”
This past Sunday against New England illustrated Addai’s value. With Brown returning from a shoulder injury and dealing with a sore back, he also had what Polian said this week were some “recognition issues” on blitz pickup. Addai, while perhaps not the breakaway, big-play threat that Brown provides, has versatility critiical for a running back in the Colts’ offense.
“You don’t have to worry about pass protection when he’s in there,” Caldwell said. “You don’t have to worry about whether or not he’s s going to catch the ball out of the backfield. There are a lot of teams that have to substitute by committee. If they’re going to throw it, they have to bring a pass protector. If they’re going to run draws or screens, they have to bring the guy in who’s a bit more fleet-footed. We look for guys who can do it all, who don’t have to change in and put, who you don’t have to use a specialty sort of substitution with our offensive set.”
Joe, I’m sorry we supported you so strongly. I’m sorry we came to virtual blows defending you. We should have just let you pimp slap your doubters in person.
We are guilty of a lot things, but being wishy washy on the subject of Joseph Addai has never been one of them. He’s one of our favorites.
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