Rhodes, Addai ready to replace Edge
By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer
September 7, 2006
AP - Sep 7, 3:47 pm EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Dominic Rhodes' last meaningful start came five years ago.
So if he gets a queasy stomach Saturday night, chalk it up to the nervousness anyone in Rhodes' shoes would expect.
All Rhodes must do Sunday night, in prime time, is show a national television audience he's a capable replacement for the Colts' career franchise rushing leader -- Edgerrin James.
"I don't know what the coaches got in store," Rhodes said. "But whatever opportunity the coaches give me, I'm going to take advantage of."
Rhodes has waited what seems an eternity for this chance.
In 2001, he was one of those Colts' finds -- an undrafted free agent out of tiny Midwestern State in Texas who impressed coaches enough in training camp to make the team.
By the opening game, he was No. 2 on the depth chart. By Week 7, after James tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Rhodes was the Colts' starter. He finished that season rushing for 1,104 yards, an NFL record for undrafted rookies, and nine touchdowns.
The next year he planned to help James ease back into football shape while proclaiming he would one day start in the NFL. He's been waiting for his shot ever since then.
In 2002, Rhodes tore the ACL in his right knee during training camp, and spent the next three years logging a mere 130 carries. Instead, Rhodes was relegated primarily to kick return duty as James helped the Colts' offense continue chugging along. The only start he's had since '01 was last season's meaningless finale against Arizona when the Colts didn't play their regulars.
But when James left for Arizona as a free agent in March, Rhodes, 27, knew his opportunity had finally come. Sunday night against New York, he'll show America what he can do.
"It's exciting," he said. "It's something I've been waiting for and anticipating for a while. I'm focused, I'm ready to go, and I can't wait to get on the field."
For Rhodes, the stakes could not be higher.
Indy used its first-round draft pick on LSU's Joseph Addai, a definite signal to the incumbent he would be challenged in training camp.
He starts behind Peyton Manning, the face of opening weekend's most hyped matchup, and he's playing on center stage -- in New York one day before the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Of course, he also must endure the endless comparisons to James, who ran for 9,226 yards in eight seasons and helped the Colts reach the playoffs every time he finished the season.
Rhodes insists he welcomes the spotlight.
"I think it (the Manning Bowl) is great for the NFL, and our team," he said. "I think most of us will look back and remember it because it is so hyped. As long as we stay focused, I think we'll be all right."
While Rhodes will likely get the most carries against the Giants, he won't get them all.
The Colts also plan to use Addai although coach Tony Dungy hasn't said how the Colts' new partnership will work.
"I think every week will be different," Dungy said. "One guy may be hot and we'll give him the ball more. It just kind of depends, but I envision both playing and contributing."
Addai may not be under the same intense glare Sunday night, but this will be his NFL debut and the Colts' ground game was sluggish during the preseason.
Fans expect big things from Addai, and next week, Addai plays in his hometown team. A good performance would give him some momentum.
Dungy and team president Bill Polian also have been cautious with their soft-spoken rookie, warning against the inevitable comparisons between Addai and James who are built almost exactly the same.
"Coming into the NFL there is a lot of pressure, but I understand what I can do and Dom knows what he can do," Addai said. "The key is getting it done. You always have big shoes to fill, but I know what I can do."
What Indy must find out is whether either Addai, Rhodes or a combination of the two can give replicate the steady presence James provided for so many years as a runner, blocker and receiver.
Rhodes believes now is the time to prove it.
"I'm ready," he said. "I've been anticipating this time for a long time. I want to show the whole nation that the Colts can run the ball."
Updated on Thursday, Sep 7, 2006 4:35 pm EDT
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By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer
September 7, 2006
AP - Sep 7, 3:47 pm EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Dominic Rhodes' last meaningful start came five years ago.
So if he gets a queasy stomach Saturday night, chalk it up to the nervousness anyone in Rhodes' shoes would expect.
All Rhodes must do Sunday night, in prime time, is show a national television audience he's a capable replacement for the Colts' career franchise rushing leader -- Edgerrin James.
"I don't know what the coaches got in store," Rhodes said. "But whatever opportunity the coaches give me, I'm going to take advantage of."
Rhodes has waited what seems an eternity for this chance.
In 2001, he was one of those Colts' finds -- an undrafted free agent out of tiny Midwestern State in Texas who impressed coaches enough in training camp to make the team.
By the opening game, he was No. 2 on the depth chart. By Week 7, after James tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Rhodes was the Colts' starter. He finished that season rushing for 1,104 yards, an NFL record for undrafted rookies, and nine touchdowns.
The next year he planned to help James ease back into football shape while proclaiming he would one day start in the NFL. He's been waiting for his shot ever since then.
In 2002, Rhodes tore the ACL in his right knee during training camp, and spent the next three years logging a mere 130 carries. Instead, Rhodes was relegated primarily to kick return duty as James helped the Colts' offense continue chugging along. The only start he's had since '01 was last season's meaningless finale against Arizona when the Colts didn't play their regulars.
But when James left for Arizona as a free agent in March, Rhodes, 27, knew his opportunity had finally come. Sunday night against New York, he'll show America what he can do.
"It's exciting," he said. "It's something I've been waiting for and anticipating for a while. I'm focused, I'm ready to go, and I can't wait to get on the field."
For Rhodes, the stakes could not be higher.
Indy used its first-round draft pick on LSU's Joseph Addai, a definite signal to the incumbent he would be challenged in training camp.
He starts behind Peyton Manning, the face of opening weekend's most hyped matchup, and he's playing on center stage -- in New York one day before the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Of course, he also must endure the endless comparisons to James, who ran for 9,226 yards in eight seasons and helped the Colts reach the playoffs every time he finished the season.
Rhodes insists he welcomes the spotlight.
"I think it (the Manning Bowl) is great for the NFL, and our team," he said. "I think most of us will look back and remember it because it is so hyped. As long as we stay focused, I think we'll be all right."
While Rhodes will likely get the most carries against the Giants, he won't get them all.
The Colts also plan to use Addai although coach Tony Dungy hasn't said how the Colts' new partnership will work.
"I think every week will be different," Dungy said. "One guy may be hot and we'll give him the ball more. It just kind of depends, but I envision both playing and contributing."
Addai may not be under the same intense glare Sunday night, but this will be his NFL debut and the Colts' ground game was sluggish during the preseason.
Fans expect big things from Addai, and next week, Addai plays in his hometown team. A good performance would give him some momentum.
Dungy and team president Bill Polian also have been cautious with their soft-spoken rookie, warning against the inevitable comparisons between Addai and James who are built almost exactly the same.
"Coming into the NFL there is a lot of pressure, but I understand what I can do and Dom knows what he can do," Addai said. "The key is getting it done. You always have big shoes to fill, but I know what I can do."
What Indy must find out is whether either Addai, Rhodes or a combination of the two can give replicate the steady presence James provided for so many years as a runner, blocker and receiver.
Rhodes believes now is the time to prove it.
"I'm ready," he said. "I've been anticipating this time for a long time. I want to show the whole nation that the Colts can run the ball."
Updated on Thursday, Sep 7, 2006 4:35 pm EDT
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