Patriots Grab Veteran RB, Add Joseph Addai
Joseph Addai is now part of the Patriots backfield heading into training camp. |
After BenJarvus Green-Ellis headed off to Cincinnati as a free agent, it left the Patriots with a veteran void as the team transitions to a new ground attack that will likely feature more from 2nd year runningbacks Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen this season.
Saturday night they filled it, with New England bringing in former Colts runningback Joseph Addai.
Addai had seen a drop off in production last season, but that was likely due to the fact he was hampered by a hamstring injury that limited him to 12 games. That injury, along with the Colts being in complete disarray, set up a rough finish in what was the last of his six year tenure in Indianapolis for the former first round pick.
The veteran had received limited interest in free agency, but considering the success the Patriots have had in getting the most out of guys that most teams have written off in the past, it should be interesting to see if the Patriots have once again managed to grab yet another player who could give them a lot of production this season.
The backfield is quite crowded at this point, with Ridley, Vereen, Danny Woodhead, Eric Kettani, and now Addai battling for a roster spot. Needless to say this position, along with the receiver group, are definitely two key ones to watch once training camp begins in just a couple of months.