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Updated: May 5, 2006, 3:38 PM ET
Quiet Addai wants to let his game do the talking
Associated Press
National Football League News Wire
INDIANAPOLIS -- The temperaments of Edgerrin James and Colts first-round running back Joseph Addai couldn't be more different.
James was often loose and funny. Addai seems soft-spoken and thoughtful.
But when it comes to their performance on the field, Addai would like to be as important to the Colts as James was in starting 95 regular-season games over the past seven seasons.
During that time, James gained 9,226 yards and scored 56 touchdowns, both franchise records.
"I don't want to look at it like, 'OK, I'm trying to fill in for Edgerrin,' because there are other good running backs here, too," the former LSU back said Friday before the start of the Colts' three-day rookie camp. "My whole plan is to just come out here and compete. I just want to get on the field and be a part of the team."
The team's seven draft picks and 19 undrafted free agents joined a small group of veterans for the workouts, which are scheduled to finish Sunday.
"I've been trying not to overwhelm myself," Addai said. "I've talked to a lot of players who have been in the NFL, and they told me the biggest thing was just to come up here and be relaxed. Don't put pressure on yourself, and that's what I've been doing."
Coach Tony Dungy says that he understands Addai's personality.
"I think he's just going to be one of those guys that's going to let his actions speak a little louder than his words," Dungy said before practice. "I think he's going to be a good teammate and a guy that the community is going to like. I think that he's going to be a hard-working guy."
With James now a member of the Arizona Cardinals, former backup Dominic Rhodes is slated to take over as the Colts primary running back. But Dungy and team president Bill Polian have stressed that they plan a two-back system where Rhodes and Addai will share most carries.
"I think Joseph's going to contribute for us in a lot of different ways," Dungy said. "We'll see what happens, when he's going to play and how much he's going to be able to contribute."
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire
Quiet Addai wants to let his game do the talking
Associated Press
National Football League News Wire
INDIANAPOLIS -- The temperaments of Edgerrin James and Colts first-round running back Joseph Addai couldn't be more different.
James was often loose and funny. Addai seems soft-spoken and thoughtful.
But when it comes to their performance on the field, Addai would like to be as important to the Colts as James was in starting 95 regular-season games over the past seven seasons.
During that time, James gained 9,226 yards and scored 56 touchdowns, both franchise records.
"I don't want to look at it like, 'OK, I'm trying to fill in for Edgerrin,' because there are other good running backs here, too," the former LSU back said Friday before the start of the Colts' three-day rookie camp. "My whole plan is to just come out here and compete. I just want to get on the field and be a part of the team."
The team's seven draft picks and 19 undrafted free agents joined a small group of veterans for the workouts, which are scheduled to finish Sunday.
"I've been trying not to overwhelm myself," Addai said. "I've talked to a lot of players who have been in the NFL, and they told me the biggest thing was just to come up here and be relaxed. Don't put pressure on yourself, and that's what I've been doing."
Coach Tony Dungy says that he understands Addai's personality.
"I think he's just going to be one of those guys that's going to let his actions speak a little louder than his words," Dungy said before practice. "I think he's going to be a good teammate and a guy that the community is going to like. I think that he's going to be a hard-working guy."
With James now a member of the Arizona Cardinals, former backup Dominic Rhodes is slated to take over as the Colts primary running back. But Dungy and team president Bill Polian have stressed that they plan a two-back system where Rhodes and Addai will share most carries.
"I think Joseph's going to contribute for us in a lot of different ways," Dungy said. "We'll see what happens, when he's going to play and how much he's going to be able to contribute."
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire
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