Quote:I don't know what more you would want from a RB Sammy... Peyton had a real good one in Edgerrine James in Mannings prime years... he was a work-horse too if I recall it right...he had several seasons where he carried the ball 300+ times plus he had several years off 1500+ yards for the season...


I know both the Pats and Colts geared their game plan to throw the ball...but it's not like the Colts didn't run it a lot during Edges time there... the stretch play-action with James was one of their favorite plays...


All I was speculation on was MOJO could have operated in both of their systems just fine without a FB because of the QB... with the Jags and a lack of a passing game, defenses stacking the box a FB is needed more here than there...

 

You do make a good point, however I do as well consider that the Colts running effectiveness went downhill with the loss of Edgerrin James, but that decline also coincides with the injury season of Marvin Harrison, and beyond. When I think back to around that time I felt the Colts did somewhat (I stress "somewhat") replace James with Addai, but to me I feel Harrison's decline, and departure hurt the Colts rushing game even more than the departure of James (IMO). Had Gonzalez been even a mediocre replacement for Marvin, I believe the Colts rushing game could have turned out very differently production wise than it did.
 
The Colts just didn't face safeties playing in the box in run support when Marvin Harrison was healthy, nor did teams run blitz the Colts that often (if ever), whether it was James, or Addai, so I guess Harrison removed the same 8th man in the box that a fullback would have removed in a way.
 
I do appreciate that Pagano covets the FB position to help the running game (and protect Luck). With the loss of Dwayne Allen (Which I think has been a far better all around TE than Fleener) for the season, I would like to see the Colts "really" make an attempt to run the ball better, and it looks like they are. I honestly feel that the Colts success this season will hinge on the run opening up the passing game more than the other way around.
 
Well darn, I'm not sure I made the point I was trying to make as I got totally sidetracked in thought. It's an age thing, I am sure you understand. I was trying to say ... :blink:  ... umm, what was I trying to say? I had a point Shag, I swear I did. Embarrassing .

---