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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Now running back Joseph Addai can prove he's the heir apparent to Edgerrin James.
On Saturday, Addai agreed to a five-year deal that will get the Indianapolis Colts' top draft pick to training camp on time. He is expected to sign the deal Sunday when the Colts report.
The former LSU star, selected 30th overall, agreed to a contract with a maximum value of just over $11 million, according to a source close to the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity. The source said $4.7 million of that total was "guaranteed money" but did not describe it as a signing bonus.
"It allows him to come in from Day 1 and provide the most value to the team," agent Ian Greengross said.
Addai is expected to split carries with Dominic Rhodes this season as the duo tries to replace James, a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the franchise's career rushing leader. James gained more than 9,200 yards rushing and also set Colts' records for carries and touchdowns.
When James became a free agent in March and signed with the Arizona Cardinals, it left a huge void in Indy's offense. In the past seven seasons, the Colts triplets -- James, Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison -- led the Colts to six playoff appearances and four division titles.
At midweek, it still appeared Addai could join a long line of Colts' top picks who missed the start of training camp. Previous holdouts included Manning, James and Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders.
Unsigned players are not permitted to practice.
But negotiations progressed quickly.
Greengross described the talks Wednesday as being in the preliminary stages, then said Friday he was cautiously optimistic the two sides could beat Sunday's deadline. A final marathon negotiating session that lasted nearly six hours Saturday led to the deal.
"It was more about the numbers over the last couple of days, and today it was more about each side talking its final position," Greengross said.
Addai is the third Colts' draft pick to have a deal in place. Sixth-round pick Charlie Johnson, a tackle from Oklahoma State, also signed Saturday. He agreed to a four-year contract worth about $1.6 million Saturday, according to agent Rodney Williams.
"He's excited. He wants to go in and compete and he wanted to get this done on time," Williams said. "We would have liked to have wrapped it up a little sooner."
Guard Michael Toudouze, a fifth-round pick from Texas Christian, signed a four-year deal valued at $1.75 million Friday.
Messages were left with the agents for the team's four other draft picks, who are believed to still be unsigned. Agents for three of the players said Friday they were hopeful they would have deals before Sunday.
Clearly, though, Addai was the Colts' top priority.
With James gone and Rhodes' injury history, Indianapolis needed Addai in camp so he could acclimate himself to the challenge of blocking in the NFL and adjusting to Manning's litany of audibles.
Addai did what he could this offseason. Greengross said he attended the Colts' mandatory minicamp, all of the Colts' summer practices and this week's rookie minicamp, even skipping trading card photo shoot to continue working out in Indianapolis.
"He can't wait to get there," Greengross said.
The next challenge is proving he belongs.
Addai was considered one of the draft's top blocking backs and spent much of his college career splitting carries with other backs at LSU. He may have to follow the same routine this year with Rhodes.
Colts coach Tony Dungy and team president Bill Polian believe it is unfair to compare Addai with James, who won NFL rushing titles each of his first two seasons, but Addai will still have to prove himself on the field.
Greengross believes he will.
"He told me they expect big things from him, obviously, they took him with the No. 1 pick," Greengross said of a conversation with Polian. "Much is expected of him, and he intends to live up to that."
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Now running back Joseph Addai can prove he's the heir apparent to Edgerrin James.
On Saturday, Addai agreed to a five-year deal that will get the Indianapolis Colts' top draft pick to training camp on time. He is expected to sign the deal Sunday when the Colts report.
The former LSU star, selected 30th overall, agreed to a contract with a maximum value of just over $11 million, according to a source close to the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity. The source said $4.7 million of that total was "guaranteed money" but did not describe it as a signing bonus.
"It allows him to come in from Day 1 and provide the most value to the team," agent Ian Greengross said.
Addai is expected to split carries with Dominic Rhodes this season as the duo tries to replace James, a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the franchise's career rushing leader. James gained more than 9,200 yards rushing and also set Colts' records for carries and touchdowns.
When James became a free agent in March and signed with the Arizona Cardinals, it left a huge void in Indy's offense. In the past seven seasons, the Colts triplets -- James, Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison -- led the Colts to six playoff appearances and four division titles.
At midweek, it still appeared Addai could join a long line of Colts' top picks who missed the start of training camp. Previous holdouts included Manning, James and Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders.
Unsigned players are not permitted to practice.
But negotiations progressed quickly.
Greengross described the talks Wednesday as being in the preliminary stages, then said Friday he was cautiously optimistic the two sides could beat Sunday's deadline. A final marathon negotiating session that lasted nearly six hours Saturday led to the deal.
"It was more about the numbers over the last couple of days, and today it was more about each side talking its final position," Greengross said.
Addai is the third Colts' draft pick to have a deal in place. Sixth-round pick Charlie Johnson, a tackle from Oklahoma State, also signed Saturday. He agreed to a four-year contract worth about $1.6 million Saturday, according to agent Rodney Williams.
"He's excited. He wants to go in and compete and he wanted to get this done on time," Williams said. "We would have liked to have wrapped it up a little sooner."
Guard Michael Toudouze, a fifth-round pick from Texas Christian, signed a four-year deal valued at $1.75 million Friday.
Messages were left with the agents for the team's four other draft picks, who are believed to still be unsigned. Agents for three of the players said Friday they were hopeful they would have deals before Sunday.
Clearly, though, Addai was the Colts' top priority.
With James gone and Rhodes' injury history, Indianapolis needed Addai in camp so he could acclimate himself to the challenge of blocking in the NFL and adjusting to Manning's litany of audibles.
Addai did what he could this offseason. Greengross said he attended the Colts' mandatory minicamp, all of the Colts' summer practices and this week's rookie minicamp, even skipping trading card photo shoot to continue working out in Indianapolis.
"He can't wait to get there," Greengross said.
The next challenge is proving he belongs.
Addai was considered one of the draft's top blocking backs and spent much of his college career splitting carries with other backs at LSU. He may have to follow the same routine this year with Rhodes.
Colts coach Tony Dungy and team president Bill Polian believe it is unfair to compare Addai with James, who won NFL rushing titles each of his first two seasons, but Addai will still have to prove himself on the field.
Greengross believes he will.
"He told me they expect big things from him, obviously, they took him with the No. 1 pick," Greengross said of a conversation with Polian. "Much is expected of him, and he intends to live up to that."
