This discussion is a landmark in the Colts Community here on Bleacher Report. It is the first of many weekly discussions among some of the top writers in the community.
This week the topic arising is the Indianapolis Colts running game. Will it ever bounce back? Or will their ground game remain...grounded?
I scoured the community for the top writers that have consistently delivered great articles time and time again. I brought them to one spot.
One Topic. One Article. One Voice.
The Indianapolis Colts have a history of running the football well to set up the playaction pass threat. Running and throwing come hand in hand. If a defense doesn’t have to respect the run, they will play the pass.
Joseph Addai has been injured a few times this year, leaving Dominic Rhodes to carry the load all by himself with a less-than-mediocre rookie offensive line.
I looked to a few good friends of mine for what they believe the reasons are, and what they foresee in the future, on this detrimental aspect of football.
Corey McSweeney, Trevor Roby, Ryan Michael, and Marisa Scolamiero speak on behalf of the Colts' community and answer some key questions.
I lean on Corey when it comes to statistical matters. Here is what Corey has to say about what these Rushing Stats mean:
“Let’s look at the numbers. 19 carries for 62 yards. As a team. Dom Rhodes was 7 for 28, a 4.0 clip, and Joseph Addai was 12 for 34, a (oh no)…(here it comes)….(I can’t look)…2.8 yard per carry average. Yikes! Ok, well the game was against Pittsburgh. We have to keep that in mind.”
He continues, “So what do all these fancy stats mean? Obviously, the run game wasn’t very effective against Pittsburgh, that’s a given. Forget just Pittsburgh, it’s been putrid all season.
But what else is it telling? For me, two things.
One, the entire team only rushed 19 times. Most starting RB’s get 20-25 carries, with the rest going to backups. This tells me Tony Dungy and Tom Moore are unhappy enough to put more pressure on the passing offense.”
So, we’ve heard what the stats are. What are some of the key contributing factors to these stats?
Ryan Michael has a good outlook on this.
“Will the Colts running game pick up? As any Colts fan would hope for, the answer would be yes. But that is a simple answer to a much more complicated situation. We first have to look at why the running game has been struggling.
At first I feel as if the injuries to the offensive line were to blame. But now even with the return of some of our top guys, we still seem to struggle. I believe that the lack of stability in the o-line throughout the season may have contributed to this. “
Here’s Ryan’s thoughts on Joseph Addai’s presence, or the lack thereof.
“An issue I see with Addai is his field vision. Granted, the blocking has not been excellent but we always see him run right behind the O-line and rarely, if ever run through whatever holes there might be. With the great coaching staff Indianapolis has and the athletic ability Addai possesses, expect him to improve with time, not get worse.”
Trevor Roby tells us a little more on the subject of the failing rushing attack and what it does to this team.
“Not having an adequate running game has really hurt the Colts this season on short third downs and plays at the goal line.”
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about 1 month ago
Great article Aaron, I believe our Colts Roundtable will in-time become the future of Colts Sports-Writing here on b/r. I agree with all of the above mentioned and continue to be hope that we can pick up the running game.
We got the Texans on Sunday, I like our chances to run the ball at-home against them far more then I liked our chances in Pittsburgh against the Steelers.
from about 1 month ago
hey.. i cant take crdit for this article bud..lol..you guys pretty much wrote it yourselves! Round of applause...i only pieced it together..we will continue forward..would you like to pick next weeks topic Ryan?
about 1 month ago
Do you even have to ask? Sure, I'll email you a few proposals for topics. Get back to me and let me know what you think? I'm not selfish though so if you feel another member of our group has a better topic, I'll do everything I can to contribute towards it.
about 1 month ago
well what we could do is kinda make a big melting pot of ideas, and use them each, week by week...ya go ahead and shoot me an email bud.
about 1 month ago
Awesome work here guys....def the front runner for RT of the week....use this momentum and keep it going!
from about 1 month ago
Of Course Max! I got a great group of writers here in the Colts Community..and they definately gave some good insight on this past weeks topic. Thanks for the compliment and encouragement.
about 1 month ago
Great job everyone! Aaron thanks for putting this together it was really great to be a part of. Totally looking forward to the next installment--keep me posted on the next topic!
about 1 month ago
The stretch play, like you said, needs to be used more often. I also feel that people will begin to honor our pass a little bit more after the past couple of weeks. Marvin, Wayne, Gonzo and Clark have been able to open up the d's a little bit by getting open deep and in the middle of the field. Most of all though, I think that the Colts need to let the running game come back naturally, don't rush it! The Colts seem to be somewhat predictible also. The Colts pass on 1st down, they always run on 2nd. If it is 3rd and 3 or less they run again on 3rd. I would like to see the Colts mix it up a bit, run some draws and outside. I've always thought that the colts are best when they open up fast, this causes the opposing defense to back off, then the Colts can work their way into a more balanced attack. They'll only improve on these types of things as the season goes on though.
from about 1 month ago
danny, i like your insight, and it is much appreciated...if you would like to use that in a better way by becoming apart of the Roundtable discussion panel shoot me an email. aglenn@miwd.com
about 1 month ago
Yes, this first one turned out great. Good job everybody.
about 1 month ago
Ok so my thoughts on the running game are this. Aside from the injuries that contribute obvious problems to our running, when our passing game is out of rhythm, we look to force the run... and to me, that's what the running game is starting to look like- forced. Maybe as the regular season starts to wind down, Peyton can start hooking up with Harrison like the old days and we can have a little more offensive flexibility. That, in my opinion, will open up the running game big time.
Great article. Thanks for the link.
from about 1 month ago
wow...nice response ;) shhot me an email...i have an offer for you..
aglenn@miwd.com
about 1 month ago
Finally a running game this week! And as Kristin had so boldly predicted (may not have been a prediction as much as it was a wish, but we will call it a prediction) the Manning-Harrison train may have found the tracks. I think that you guys should do an article about scoring 40+ points like the Colts used to and maybe it will come true. This one sure did. Welcome back Mr. Addai, we have missed you so.
from about 1 month ago
haha!! ya..maybe we can really be the colts' good luck charm..lol..but dont worry, this weeks topic will definately suffice alittle better than 40+ points!! haha..we are writing on the colts playoff possibiliteis this year..i think it will turn out to be pretty good bud. Thanks for the comment! haha
29 days ago
Good article. It seems as though the Colts have finally picked up steam.
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