Source says Rhodes to start (1 Viewer)

[Sweetness_34]

Dominic Rhodes Aug 1 6:04p

Associated Press reports Indianapolis Colts RB Dominic Rhodes has the starting job at tailback to lose currently. He worked out hard during the offseason, lifting harder, adding 10 pounds and becoming faster in the process. Colts running backs coach Gene Huey said the team has been pleased with the effort Rhodes has put forth during the offseason. The initial plan for the team's running attack is to have Rhodes and rookie RB Joseph Addai share carries. If it turns into a running back by committee approach, Rhodes isn't too worried. He said he loves challenges.

 

[Otis]

 

[tommyGunZ]

Rhodes easily becomes mid 2nd round material if he holds this job heading into the season.

 

[djcolts]

This isn't news. Rhodes was slated to be the starter at least for now - but that doesn't mean much yet. Rhodes neeeds to be a LOT better than he was last year or he won't keep the starter's job very long.

 

[LGOA]

Just a thought, but it is also in the Colts best interest to keep Rhodes involved and his value high in case they wish to trade him after this season, so some of this may just be spin. They signed him to a 3 year extension, but if they give him a good enough year statistically, they could leverage that in the offseason to a team that needs an RB next year (for defensive help), while they'll have Addai ready to go. He won't have any trade value if they come out now and say he'll be a back-up to Addai all season. I still feel it's his job to lose, but his leash will be very short considering the investment they made in Addai with their 1st pick.

 

[Sigfawn]

Just a thought, but it is also in the Colts best interest to keep Rhodes involved and his value high in case they wish to trade him after this season, so some of this may just be spin. They signed him to a 3 year extension, but if they give him a good enough year statistically, they could leverage that in the offseason to a team that needs an RB next year (for defensive help), while they'll have Addai ready to go. He won't have any trade value if they come out now and say he'll be a back-up to Addai all season. I still feel it's his job to lose, but his leash will be very short considering the investment they made in Addai with their 1st pick.

Everyone 2nd thread I read, someone is planning a trade. This is the NFL. Trades rarely happen. As for the Colts trading Rhodes. Huh? Teams constantly scramble to get 2 solid RBs on the roster. This isn't fantasy where you trade away your backups. The Colts infact were rumored to be looking for ANOTHER rb to bring in. So no, Rhodes isn't going to be traded. And they're not playing the media to deal Rhodes. He has the most value to them. He knows the system, he's been with them for 5 years, and he's fairly cheap. As for the RBBC situation. Put yourself in Dungy's shoes. Why would he want Addai to come in and takeover day 1? There's no need. He wants to minimize the mistakes, the offense should have no trouble scoring, so a RBBC approach is ideal. Addai can progress as fast as he's able to, and Rhodes should be more then adequate. There is no pressure to force either RB into a prime role. Polian has said the team is very different from 1999, so we won't see Addai come in and take over. They see it as a 2 man job, and they will focus on the RBs playing solid, mistake free football.

 

[djcolts]

Just a thought, but it is also in the Colts best interest to keep Rhodes involved and his value high in case they wish to trade him after this season, so some of this may just be spin. They signed him to a 3 year extension, but if they give him a good enough year statistically, they could leverage that in the offseason to a team that needs an RB next year (for defensive help), while they'll have Addai ready to go. He won't have any trade value if they come out now and say he'll be a back-up to Addai all season. I still feel it's his job to lose, but his leash will be very short considering the investment they made in Addai with their 1st pick.

This is Rhodes' last year of a 2 year deal. However, the Colts brass has every reason to motivate Rhodes as much as possible for this year anyway - and giving the job to a rookie at this point would probably hurt Rhodes' motivation. It simply is too early to conclude Rhodes will be the guy all season based on an early August AP article.

 

[BigRed]

Just a thought, but it is also in the Colts best interest to keep Rhodes involved and his value high in case they wish to trade him after this season, so some of this may just be spin. They signed him to a 3 year extension, but if they give him a good enough year statistically, they could leverage that in the offseason to a team that needs an RB next year (for defensive help), while they'll have Addai ready to go. He won't have any trade value if they come out now and say he'll be a back-up to Addai all season. I still feel it's his job to lose, but his leash will be very short considering the investment they made in Addai with their 1st pick.

Everyone 2nd thread I read, someone is planning a trade. This is the NFL. Trades rarely happen. As for the Colts trading Rhodes. Huh? Teams constantly scramble to get 2 solid RBs on the roster. This isn't fantasy where you trade away your backups. The Colts infact were rumored to be looking for ANOTHER rb to bring in. So no, Rhodes isn't going to be traded. And they're not playing the media to deal Rhodes. He has the most value to them. He knows the system, he's been with them for 5 years, and he's fairly cheap. As for the RBBC situation. Put yourself in Dungy's shoes. Why would he want Addai to come in and takeover day 1? There's no need. He wants to minimize the mistakes, the offense should have no trouble scoring, so a RBBC approach is ideal. Addai can progress as fast as he's able to, and Rhodes should be more then adequate. There is no pressure to force either RB into a prime role. Polian has said the team is very different from 1999, so we won't see Addai come in and take over. They see it as a 2 man job, and they will focus on the RBs playing solid, mistake free football.

Exactly, well said on all counts.

 

[nygiants56]

Just a thought, but it is also in the Colts best interest to keep Rhodes involved and his value high in case they wish to trade him after this season, so some of this may just be spin. They signed him to a 3 year extension, but if they give him a good enough year statistically, they could leverage that in the offseason to a team that needs an RB next year (for defensive help), while they'll have Addai ready to go. He won't have any trade value if they come out now and say he'll be a back-up to Addai all season. I still feel it's his job to lose, but his leash will be very short considering the investment they made in Addai with their 1st pick.

Everyone 2nd thread I read, someone is planning a trade. This is the NFL. Trades rarely happen. As for the Colts trading Rhodes. Huh? Teams constantly scramble to get 2 solid RBs on the roster. This isn't fantasy where you trade away your backups. The Colts infact were rumored to be looking for ANOTHER rb to bring in. So no, Rhodes isn't going to be traded. And they're not playing the media to deal Rhodes. He has the most value to them. He knows the system, he's been with them for 5 years, and he's fairly cheap. As for the RBBC situation. Put yourself in Dungy's shoes. Why would he want Addai to come in and takeover day 1? There's no need. He wants to minimize the mistakes, the offense should have no trouble scoring, so a RBBC approach is ideal. Addai can progress as fast as he's able to, and Rhodes should be more then adequate. There is no pressure to force either RB into a prime role. Polian has said the team is very different from 1999, so we won't see Addai come in and take over. They see it as a 2 man job, and they will focus on the RBs playing solid, mistake free football.

very good post!

 

[jestertj]

I've got no problem with Rhodes having the starting role right now. Don't sleep on his history of shoulder problems though. At some point, I think Addai will become the main man one way or another.

 

[packersfan]

I'm sticking with my stand from months back that Rhodes stands an excellent chance of being this year's Mike Anderson. In other words, the veteran nobody believed would keep the starting job ahead of the more hyped younger RB who proceeds to do just that for the bulk of the season. I think people are sleeping on Rhodes and I hope that continues.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Rhodes easily becomes mid 2nd round material if he holds this job heading into the season.

 

[The Ref]

I'm sticking with my stand from months back that Rhodes stands an excellent chance of being this year's Mike Anderson. In other words, the veteran nobody believed would keep the starting job ahead of the more hyped younger RB who proceeds to do just that for the bulk of the season. I think people are sleeping on Rhodes and I hope that continues.

I would be slightly insulted if my name was Tom Jones.

 

[Otis]

Rhodes easily becomes mid 2nd round material if he holds this job heading into the season.

 

[John Mamula]

Rhodes easily becomes mid 2nd round material if he holds this job heading into the season.

why would you take rhodes over dunn or droughns?

 

[mightyeskimo]

Here's an interesting take for us to rip apart. Sportsline is projecting:

Rhodes 598 yards rushing/4 TD's rushing/187 yards receiving

Addia 764 yards rushing/4 TD's rushing/313 yards receiving/3 TD's receiving

That's a little over 1300 rushing yards between these guys. In '05 Indy rushed for slightly better than 1700 yards. In '04 slightly more than 1850 yards, and in '03 just under 1700 yards.

I think these projections are a little low. On average, there's about 400 extra rushing yards that need to be accounted for here and I don't see Mungro/Chapman/Pearson/WR's reverses making up for that much.

 

[John Mamula]

On average, there's about 400 extra rushing yards that need to be accounted for here and I don't see Mungro/Chapman/Pearson/WR's reverses making up for that much.

those 400 yards left to arizona.

 

[Otis]

Rhodes easily becomes mid 2nd round material if he holds this job heading into the season.

why would you take rhodes over dunn or droughns?

The Colts offense versus the Browns offense?This would not be difficult for me.

 

[The Jerk]

The Colts offense versus the Browns offense?

Bringing to light the biggest point about Rhodes (and Addai).There are likely many third and fourth tier backs that will outperform Rhodes for the season. However, if Rhodes (or Addai) emerges as the starter for stretches of the season, then you have RB1 production for those weeks, which you won't likely get from these other "safer" picks.The question is which round to take Rhodes and/or Addai, knowing that neither is guaranteed the bulk of production, and a season-long RBBC is a distinct possibility. However, at some point, the potential for one of these guys to be the man in Indy is worth a 1 or 2 ppg differential in preseason projections, at least to me. If I draft one, I'll be trying to draft the other, so I'm more likely to draft them if I'm slotted near either end of a serpentine draft.

 

[matzflava]

My money is riding on Rhodes. Peyton's offense can't be the easiest one to grasp, especially for a rookie. All of those audibles, checkoffs on blocking schemes at the line of scrimmage and I'm sure Manning wants someone in there watching his back with real game experience with his system, at least for the first half of the season. I'd take Rhodes and not look back.

 

[RedRaiders]

I'm sticking with my stand from months back that Rhodes stands an excellent chance of being this year's Mike Anderson. In other words, the veteran nobody believed would keep the starting job ahead of the more hyped younger RB who proceeds to do just that for the bulk of the season. I think people are sleeping on Rhodes and I hope that continues.

I think you severely overestimate Rhodes' talent. Mike Anderson had actually produced in his career before last season.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I'm sticking with my stand from months back that Rhodes stands an excellent chance of being this year's Mike Anderson. In other words, the veteran nobody believed would keep the starting job ahead of the more hyped younger RB who proceeds to do just that for the bulk of the season. I think people are sleeping on Rhodes and I hope that continues.

I think you severely overestimate Rhodes' talent. Mike Anderson had actually produced in his career before last season.

Rhodes rushed for over 1000 yards in his only season with significant playing time.Still, I would say that Addai is more talented than Rhodes. I also think people are overestimating how hard it is to learn the RB position, even in the Colts' offense. My money is on Addai to get the majority of the playing time, although perhaps not early in the season.

 

[sholditch]

Rhodes easily becomes mid 2nd round material if he holds this job heading into the season.

 

[joffer]

I'm sticking with my stand from months back that Rhodes stands an excellent chance of being this year's Mike Anderson. In other words, the veteran nobody believed would keep the starting job ahead of the more hyped younger RB who proceeds to do just that for the bulk of the season. I think people are sleeping on Rhodes and I hope that continues.

I think you severely overestimate Rhodes' talent. Mike Anderson had actually produced in his career before last season.

Rhodes rushed for over 1000 yards in his only season with significant playing time.

with a YPC higher than Edgerrin James ever had.still, i'm not sure Rhodes has been the same since the ACL injury.

 

[Otis]

I'm banking on Rhodes as a legit start week 1.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Rhodes easily becomes mid 2nd round material if he holds this job heading into the season.

doubt it. His quality of play will determine his value,and going by last year's performance, no freaking way is he worth a mid-second.

 

[Dave Baker]

This isn't news. Rhodes was slated to be the starter at least for now - but that doesn't mean much yet. Rhodes neeeds to be a LOT better than he was last year or he won't keep the starter's job very long.

I was with you on the first part. This isn't news. Rhodes will be the starter until he proves otherwise, but his proof might be more demanding than most, opening the possible door for Addai by midseason (or earlier).As for the last part of your message, Rhodes had only 40 carries last season, and has already proven what he can do when given the starting nod, so last year's numbers mean almost nothing.As for Rhodes warranting 2nd round value, that's going overboard. Even if Rhodes looks great in preseason and has what appears to be a stranglehold as #1 RB opening day, there remains the distinct possibility that Addai gets an increasing share of carries as the season moves along. And even if Rhodes somehow managed to get 85% of the carries this season, the Colts RB touches logically diminishes from last year (Edge > Rhodes). And to think Addai only gets 10% of the RB touches this year does not make much sense.I'd rather go with a guy that has a legit chance for the team's bulk of RB touches, even on a less effective offense.

 

[John Mamula]

Rhodes easily becomes mid 2nd round material if he holds this job heading into the season.

why would you take rhodes over dunn or droughns?

The Colts offense versus the Browns offense?This would not be difficult for me.

 

[djcolts]

This isn't news. Rhodes was slated to be the starter at least for now - but that doesn't mean much yet. Rhodes neeeds to be a LOT better than he was last year or he won't keep the starter's job very long.

I was with you on the first part. This isn't news. Rhodes will be the starter until he proves otherwise, but his proof might be more demanding than most, opening the possible door for Addai by midseason (or earlier).As for the last part of your message, Rhodes had only 40 carries last season, and has already proven what he can do when given the starting nod, so last year's numbers mean almost nothing.As for Rhodes warranting 2nd round value, that's going overboard. Even if Rhodes looks great in preseason and has what appears to be a stranglehold as #1 RB opening day, there remains the distinct possibility that Addai gets an increasing share of carries as the season moves along. And even if Rhodes somehow managed to get 85% of the carries this season, the Colts RB touches logically diminishes from last year (Edge > Rhodes). And to think Addai only gets 10% of the RB touches this year does not make much sense.I'd rather go with a guy that has a legit chance for the team's bulk of RB touches, even on a less effective offense.

I'm not going by the numbers with Rhodes last year. He had no burst last year whatsoever - you can see that when he returned kickoffs (he had some burst in 2004, none in 2005).

 

[mightyeskimo]

I'm sticking with my stand from months back that Rhodes stands an excellent chance of being this year's Mike Anderson. In other words, the veteran nobody believed would keep the starting job ahead of the more hyped younger RB who proceeds to do just that for the bulk of the season. I think people are sleeping on Rhodes and I hope that continues.

I think you severely overestimate Rhodes' talent. Mike Anderson had actually produced in his career before last season.

So did Rhodes!

 

[jplvr]

This is the only thread I needed to figure out I'm staying far, far away from Dominic Rhodes this season.

Thanks Gunz.

 

[duaneok66]

Rhodes is not the same guy he was in 2001 . . . he is being overvalued this year . . .

 

[mightyeskimo]

Rhodes is not the same guy he was in 2001 . . . he is being overvalued this year . . .

What is Rhode's ADP? Where is he as far as #? RB off the board?

 

[Dave Baker]

Rhodes is not the same guy he was in 2001 . . . he is being overvalued this year . . .

Perhaps, and my post above reflected that I think he might be overvalued. But I also happen to think that Addai is overvalued as well. I tend to push both of them far back my list. The Rhodes camp overvalues Rhodes. The Addai camp overvalues Addai.

 

[djcolts]

The Rhodes camp overvalues Rhodes. The Addai camp overvalues Addai.

I live in Indy so I rarely have Colts on my team because of that - but I don't expect either guy to be on one of my teams this year - someone will take a chance on both before I'd want to.

 

[CalBear]

I tend to push both of them far back my list. The Rhodes camp overvalues Rhodes. The Addai camp overvalues Addai.

Addai is currently being taken in the beginning of the fifth round as the #26 RB. Rhodes is being taken at the end of the sixth round as the #32 RB. Do you really think that Indianapolis will not have a top-25 RB this year? Rhodes finished as the #11 RB when he started in 2001. Even in James' return from ACL in 2002 he finished as RB#24, and James freakin' Mungro finished as RB#40 that year. There is definitely value here. There could even be value in both players, given where they're currently being drafted, but there is a good chance that one of the backs will emerge and significantly outperform his draft position. The trick is figuring out which one that will be.

 

[Otis]

There is only value here if one of these guys gets the bulk of the playing time. If one does (and you can pick the right one), the value is great.

 

[duaneok66]

Rhodes is not the same guy he was in 2001 . . . he is being overvalued this year . . .

Perhaps, and my post above reflected that I think he might be overvalued. But I also happen to think that Addai is overvalued as well. I tend to push both of them far back my list. The Rhodes camp overvalues Rhodes. The Addai camp overvalues Addai.

In the 5th round, as a RB3, I think Addai represents very good value . . .

 

[CalBear]

There is only value here if one of these guys gets the bulk of the playing time. If one does (and you can pick the right one), the value is great.

It's reasonable to expect something like 1600 rushing yards, 50 receptions, 400 receiving yards, and at least 10 TDs to be split among the top two Indianapolis backs. A perfect split would give each of them 1000 yards and 5 TDs, which would be around RB#25. If it goes 1200/6 and 800/4, which is more likely, the #1 RB will be in the top 20. If it goes 1500/8 and 500/2, more like the split with James on board, one back will be huge compared to where he's being drafted.

 

[duaneok66]

There is only value here if one of these guys gets the bulk of the playing time. If one does (and you can pick the right one), the value is great.

It's reasonable to expect something like 1600 rushing yards, 50 receptions, 400 receiving yards, and at least 10 TDs to be split among the top two Indianapolis backs. A perfect split would give each of them 1000 yards and 5 TDs, which would be around RB#25. If it goes 1200/6 and 800/4, which is more likely, the #1 RB will be in the top 20. If it goes 1500/8 and 500/2, more like the split with James on board, one back will be huge compared to where he's being drafted.

excellent point . . . give the nod to Addai; we already know that Rhodes is mediocre . . .