Post by John on May 20, 2006 13:12:19 GMT -4
Colts' Rhodes to compete with Addai for running back job
May 19, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
INDIANAPOLIS -- Dominic Rhodes has long proclaimed he could start in the NFL, if given the chance.
There are plenty of reasons the running back enters the summer No. 1 on the Colts' depth chart: He's shown he can handle the workload, was productive when he did, and can already translate the litany of audibles Peyton Manning calls at the line of scrimmage.
For now, it's Rhodes' job to lose.
But even if he beats out first-round draft pick Joseph Addai, one question won't go away: Can he replace Edgerrin James?
When it surfaced again while reporters crammed around his locker Friday for the start of the Indianapolis Colts' mandatory three-day mini-camp, the diminutive Rhodes unleashed a set of textbook answers.
"Like I've said, I know I can perform in this league if I'm given the opportunities," Rhodes said. "Hopefully, it will all come together by the time we're playing in Giants Stadium."
But first he must win this summer's most visible battle. The competition between Rhodes and Addai is likely to be the highest-profile competition on offense since The Triplets -- Peyton Manning, receiver Marvin Harrison and James -- became the Colts' core players in 1999.
Rhodes now has the unenviable task of being the first Colts player to replace one of the three.
"I don't think Edge is really replaceable, I think it's more adjustable," Manning said. "He was one of the best teammates I ever played with. ... But whoever is the starting tailback will have a good year, I can promise you that."
Rhodes' advantage is that he's a known commodity.
At 5-foot-9, 203 pounds, he's shorter than prototypical NFL running backs but has shown he can handle the carries. In 2001, when James tore his anterior cruciate ligament and the Colts missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998, Rhodes emerged as the starter and responded by rushing for 1,104 yards.
Since then, Rhodes has been relegated primarily to spot duty although Colts president Bill Polian routinely calls him one of the Colts' key players.
The concern is whether Rhodes can remain healthy for a full season. He missed all of 2002 after tearing his ACL in training camp and has been slowed by shoulder injuries that have become the norm rather than the exception.
So this season, Rhodes must prove he can survive the punishment.
"I'm taking it more personal, I guess," he said. "A lot of things are being said because Edge isn't here, so I want to go out and prepare myself to be a reliable source in the backfield."
Addai has a different style.
At 5-11, 214 pounds, he looks like a virtual carbon copy of James -- strong, powerful and ready to run over tacklers. He was considered the best blocking back in the draft and also catches the ball well out of the backfield.
The biggest obstacle for Addai will be learning a new system, which includes Manning's audibles.
At least Addai will get a chance to practice this weekend.
Coach Tony Dungy estimated about a dozen others will sit out because of injuries or offseason surgery.
Among those sitting out are Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders, who had offseason arm surgery; Pro Bowl linebacker Cato June, who played through a sports hernia last year; safety Mike Doss, and cornerback Marlin Jackson.
Backup receiver Aaron Moorehead will miss two months after having back surgery last week, and defensive back Tim Jennings, the Colts' second-round draft pick, also is out after having ankle surgery following the rookie minicamp two weeks ago.
The good news was that cornerback Nick Harper, whose agent had said last month that he would skip the mini-camp because of a contract dispute, was in town.
But the biggest question is who will replace James?
"Year after year, we've had good players who have left, and we've been able to replace them with good players," Dungy said. "When Marcus Washington leaves, we replaced him with Cato June, who went to the Pro Bowl and that's what our system is all about."
But if Rhodes has his way, this summer's big competition will end quickly.
"I think about it every night, and it's hard to sleep," he said. "I'm just relishing this opportunity and thinking about different ways I can make this team better."
May 19, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
INDIANAPOLIS -- Dominic Rhodes has long proclaimed he could start in the NFL, if given the chance.
There are plenty of reasons the running back enters the summer No. 1 on the Colts' depth chart: He's shown he can handle the workload, was productive when he did, and can already translate the litany of audibles Peyton Manning calls at the line of scrimmage.
For now, it's Rhodes' job to lose.
But even if he beats out first-round draft pick Joseph Addai, one question won't go away: Can he replace Edgerrin James?
When it surfaced again while reporters crammed around his locker Friday for the start of the Indianapolis Colts' mandatory three-day mini-camp, the diminutive Rhodes unleashed a set of textbook answers.
"Like I've said, I know I can perform in this league if I'm given the opportunities," Rhodes said. "Hopefully, it will all come together by the time we're playing in Giants Stadium."
But first he must win this summer's most visible battle. The competition between Rhodes and Addai is likely to be the highest-profile competition on offense since The Triplets -- Peyton Manning, receiver Marvin Harrison and James -- became the Colts' core players in 1999.
Rhodes now has the unenviable task of being the first Colts player to replace one of the three.
"I don't think Edge is really replaceable, I think it's more adjustable," Manning said. "He was one of the best teammates I ever played with. ... But whoever is the starting tailback will have a good year, I can promise you that."
Rhodes' advantage is that he's a known commodity.
At 5-foot-9, 203 pounds, he's shorter than prototypical NFL running backs but has shown he can handle the carries. In 2001, when James tore his anterior cruciate ligament and the Colts missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998, Rhodes emerged as the starter and responded by rushing for 1,104 yards.
Since then, Rhodes has been relegated primarily to spot duty although Colts president Bill Polian routinely calls him one of the Colts' key players.
The concern is whether Rhodes can remain healthy for a full season. He missed all of 2002 after tearing his ACL in training camp and has been slowed by shoulder injuries that have become the norm rather than the exception.
So this season, Rhodes must prove he can survive the punishment.
"I'm taking it more personal, I guess," he said. "A lot of things are being said because Edge isn't here, so I want to go out and prepare myself to be a reliable source in the backfield."
Addai has a different style.
At 5-11, 214 pounds, he looks like a virtual carbon copy of James -- strong, powerful and ready to run over tacklers. He was considered the best blocking back in the draft and also catches the ball well out of the backfield.
The biggest obstacle for Addai will be learning a new system, which includes Manning's audibles.
At least Addai will get a chance to practice this weekend.
Coach Tony Dungy estimated about a dozen others will sit out because of injuries or offseason surgery.
Among those sitting out are Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders, who had offseason arm surgery; Pro Bowl linebacker Cato June, who played through a sports hernia last year; safety Mike Doss, and cornerback Marlin Jackson.
Backup receiver Aaron Moorehead will miss two months after having back surgery last week, and defensive back Tim Jennings, the Colts' second-round draft pick, also is out after having ankle surgery following the rookie minicamp two weeks ago.
The good news was that cornerback Nick Harper, whose agent had said last month that he would skip the mini-camp because of a contract dispute, was in town.
But the biggest question is who will replace James?
"Year after year, we've had good players who have left, and we've been able to replace them with good players," Dungy said. "When Marcus Washington leaves, we replaced him with Cato June, who went to the Pro Bowl and that's what our system is all about."
But if Rhodes has his way, this summer's big competition will end quickly.
"I think about it every night, and it's hard to sleep," he said. "I'm just relishing this opportunity and thinking about different ways I can make this team better."