In an informative question-and-answer column for the Indianapolis Star, Colts beat writer Mike Chappell raises an interesting point following a question about the status of running back Joseph Addai going forward.
"Addai has been a very good back for the Colts and I expect him to have a solid season in 2010," Chappell writes. "But after that, it should be time to turn to Donald Brown and find someone to work as his backup. That's life in the NFL.
Zone Coverage must agree with Chappell here. Addai was an excellent back early in his career, and it looked as if he was going to be good enough to stay with the Colts for years to come -- a good replacement for Edgerrin James. He rushed for 1,081 yards and seven touchdowns his rookie season, when the Colts marched all the way to a Super Bowl title. Addai had over 100 yards in that championship game against the Bears, and he arguably could have been named the game's MVP.
The problem has been that Addai hasn't shown any improvement, and his numbers have mostly been in decline since his rookie year. He's not a great running back, and is therefore expendable. The Colts are anything but a run-heavy team, so it's not as if the position is of great concern. Donald Brown looks like he's going to be a good player should he stay healthy, and Mike Hart has also flashed some potential.
Addai's contract runs through the 2010 season. Currently 27 years old, he should have no trouble finding a job in the 2011 offseason.
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