SoonerPatriot
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2004
- Messages
- 3,375
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workhorse said:I'm not the only one that feels that way...
Fox Sports says...
What a really good day 1 for Bill Polian and the Colts. We chatted with Polian during the radio broadcast, and he raved about Joseph Addai's hard-nosed style. He is a skilled pass protector, a tough runner, and has good hands, all of which are very important in the Colts scheme.
On Maroney..
Negatives: Bit undersized and does not have the lower body power to break tackles when running into traffic...Lacks the push needed to move the pile, but is too undersized to gain too much positive yardage between the tackles...Lacks a feel for route running and is not fluid trying to adjust to the off-target throws...Lets the ball absorb into his body rather than pluck and extend to catch the ball...Non-factor as a blocker, as he does not show aggression stepping up vs. the blitz and just seems to go through the motions when asked to locate and neutralize the linebackers in the second level.
Sportsline...
Addai is a very quick and agile runner with the feet to make sharp cuts and can bounce inside runs outside when the middle is clogged up. Has very good vision and instincts, and really shows patience following his blockers and cutting sharply off their blocks. Has good hands catching passes out of the backfield and can make sharp cuts in the open field, which makes him a good open-field runner. Has the strength and balance to keep his feet when taking hard hits. Does a good job of pass blocking -- can cut block or block upright, and is effective doing both.
Maroney does not run aggressively on every snap, which limits his production. When there is no hole he tends to slow up, turns back and goes down easily. Too often he runs upright, does not attack the small hole and does not run aggressively on every carry. When he does not run aggressively, he does not break tackles and struggles to consistently gain yards after contact. He is not an elusive make-you-miss runner. He has a quick burst through the hole, but lacks the explosiveness through the hole and does not have the elite speed to run away from defenses. He is not a consistently productive pass blocker because he does not always step up and pick up blitzers aggressively.
I've seen several other places mentioning the same type of things, but I figured these two made the point.
Bottom line: Given a choice between Addai(who I think is a nice back), Maroney and Williams no way the Colts pick Addai. They pick Maroney or Williams. So while I don't think taking Addai at 30 was a reach in any way, he wouldn't have been their first choice.