Addai contributes in Colts’ win, finally

INDIANAPOLIS – With one quick swipe of his left arm, Joseph Addai nearly knocked the microphone right off the podium.

He’s not used to these post-game press conferences.

Following Sunday’s 105-yard rushing performance in Indianapolis’ 33-27 win against Houston, Addai made an appearance at one for the first time in a long time.

It’s been awhile since the Colts’ “star” running back actually played like a star.

“We’re all human,” he lamented after the game.

It’s been a frustrating season for Addai.

Some of it isn’t his fault at all. Addai has missed several games because of injuries.
But when he has been healthy, he hasn’t been performing.

Sunday’s win was the first time all season anybody with a horseshoe on his helmet ran for more than 100 yards in a game.

In fact, it hasn’t happened since Week 9 of last season, when Addai tallied 112 rushing yards against the New England Patriots.

“It’s been a topic of discussion,” Indy quarterback Peyton Manning said.

In his first two seasons in the league, Addai averaged three 100-yard rushing games per season.

Before Sunday’s Week 11 win, Addai’s best game this season was a 78-yard performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3.

“It’s frustrating, but you still have to stick with it,” Addai said. “And that’s the biggest thing, just coming back after games, come in (at practice) on Wednesday and re-focus.”

After the first half, it didn’t look like any Colts rusher would have a noteworthy game; Addai ended it with 11 carries for 34 yards. His backfield companion, Dominic Rhodes, had just one carry for 3 yards.

That all changed in the third quarter.

Addai ran for 59 yards on 8 rushes and Rhodes had 41 yards on 6 carries in the third quarter.  

“Our passing game was clicking,” Colts coach Tony Dungy explained, “and we got more looks that we could run against.”

He insisted the Colts didn’t make any halftime adjustments to open up the run game.
Addai agreed.

“Same plays,” he said.

The key, Addai added, was execution.

“The biggest thing was just understand the play being called and not worry about the first quarter, not worry about the third quarter, just worry about the play ahead,” he said.

Addai scored two touchdowns in the win against Houston – one rushing and one receiving.

If the running game can build on Addai’s performance Sunday, the Colts’ offense might regain its reputation of being a truly explosive offense.

“That’s always what we tried to be here: a balanced offense, trying to keep the defense off balance,” Manning said. “That’s certainly the best we’ve done it all season.”

Sunday’s win against Houston would not be possible without Addai, who also caught four passes for 48 yards, including his 23-yard touchdown grab.

“Man,” Addai said after the game, “I’m tired.”

He should be. For once this season, he actually showed up.