Ranking the Rookies too high?

[greggorymac 0]

I'm a little astonished at how high some of the rookie RBs are being ranked thus far. The two biggest examples that come to mind are DeAngelo Williams and Joseph Addai.

 

In the case of Carolina, I understand Foster's durability concerns and why he is ranked so low. I also understand that because CAR is so run-oriented, why the #2 RB would be ranked so high. What perplexes me however, is that DeAngelo's ADP is only about 2 rounds lower than Deshauns? What happen to Eric Shelton or Nick Goings (I know he is currently listed as FB but he filled in for HB quite nicely) for that matter? Do people really think that if Foster goes does down, Fox will automatically pass the torch to Williams? If Foster goes down, I see the Carolina RB position becoming a very murky RBBC, not DeAngelo's new gig.

 

The other intriguing trend I've seen is Joseph Addai actually being ranked higher than Dominic Rhodes?? I know Rhodes is not the long term answer (or else they wouldn't have spent that pick on Addai), but to rank Addai ahead of a proven veteran that knows that system? Isn't it Dominic's job to lose? I can't see Dungy relying on a rookie to protect Manning unless his hand is forced.

 

I can't tell if these are just sexy picks in the preseason, or if people will actually feel this way when it comes to their actual drafts. What are your guys thoughts?

[shutdown 40]

As far as Addai is concerned, I'm high on him because I remember another rookie who stepped into that colts system and produced big numbers in his first year - Edgerrin James. I happen to believe that Indy's running game is alot like Denvers. Because they pass so well, you could plug about any RB back there and have success. If you look at edge's numbers last year, he had very few big plays, but he had twice as many 5 - 10 yard runs as anyone in the league (saw that on an MNF graphic last year). I think that speaks more to the fact that defense gave up the run to slow down Manning and the offense takes what is there.

 

Williams has a lot of potential because Carolina wants to be a run oriented team (despite not really being able to do that consistently last year) and because Foster will get hurt. I think the wildcard there is that Goings is a good enough back to keep Williams from starting if he doesn't pick up NFL receiving and blocking schemes like some rookie RB's struggle with.

[uubeee 0]

As far as DeAngelo goes, Foster has played in 33 of 64 possible games over his 4 year career. And never played a full season. Last year, Shelton got slammed for not understanding the offense. So unless he hit the books hard, he may be a situational player for his career. DeAngelo was considered one of, if not the best senior RB in college. He should be a solid player in the years to come.

 

As far as Addai goes, the Colts did intrust a rookie to protect Peyton once before. It was Edge. While I am not calling Addai anything close to Edge, Polians track record for finding talent in the 1st round is astonishing. Addai will win the job.

 

Plus, FFB drafters are often times looking for that next big thing. So it propels them up the boards.

[toofunny 0]

As far as DeAngelo goes, Foster has played in 33 of 64 possible games over his 4 year career. And never played a full season. Last year, Shelton got slammed for not understanding the offense. So unless he hit the books hard, he may be a situational player for his career. DeAngelo was considered one of, if not the best senior RB in college. He should be a solid player in the years to come.

 

As far as Addai goes, the Colts did intrust a rookie to protect Peyton once before. It was Edge. While I am not calling Addai anything close to Edge, Polians track record for finding talent in the 1st round is astonishing. Addai will win the job.

 

Plus, FFB drafters are often times looking for that next big thing. So it propels them up the boards.

 

Uhh, Edge was the 1st RB taken, 4th OVERALL. The talent level between Edge and ADDAI, is about the same as Addai and you.

 

And unlike 1999, Polian didn't get his man. Manning was quoted as saying that the Colts had targetted Maroney. The Colts really had no other RB to pick. People like to play it up that the Colts got their man, when really they would have taken Williams/Maroney over Addai in a heart beat. So unlike Edge, they got their 4th choice of the 2005 draft, not their 1st.

 

Next, Polian has been quoted as saying they are built to win now, and didn't expect a rookie to step right in. In a redraft, Addai is way overvalued.

 

Next, Addai wasn't even good enough to start for LSU. He got the job because others got hurt. And when he did get the job, he got hurt. You talk about Chris Brown, Addai makes Brown look like Cal Ripken.

 

Bottom line is, Addai is a huge wildcard. Rhodes got over 1,000 yards when he had to start, and since you claim "anyone can run in that system", then Rhodes should do fine. But when Addai couldn't even win a job at LSU, couldn't stay healthy when he won it by default, he's going to join the NFL, and carry the load for the Colts? *lol* Keep dreaming buddy. If Addai gets 500 yards, it will be an EXTREMELY good year for him. He has NO shot at 1,000 yards (which by a rookie, is an amazing year).

 

In redraft, NONE of the rookie RBs are worth their ADP. White comes close. Without injuries, I don't see any of them starting a single game this year (except White).

[greggorymac 0]

I guess I'm just not buying the argument of "they allowed Edge to protect Manning as a rookie so why not Addai?"

 

The importance of protecting Peyton in '06 is a much higher priority than it was in '99 (only one year after Manning's rookie debut).

 

1) Manning is there franchise, if he goes down, Indy is toast (much like every other team in the NFL, but this is a more severe case).

 

2) For the Colts to get to and with the SuperBowl (which they are now cabable of, unlike in 1999), Manning needs as much protection as possible. San Diego and Pittsburgh showed the result of what happens when you get to Manning.

[SoloMatisse 0]

Dominic Rhodes is a shrimp.....why on earth would anyone think HE can protect Manning? He'll get run over by friggin' cornerbacks. That job will be Addai's.

[greggorymac 0]

The year Rhodes stepped in for an injured Edge in 2001, Dominic started 10 games and attained 1,324 all-purpose yards and 9 TDs. Manning that year went on to throw for 4,131 yards and 26TDs.

 

Rhodes has proven that he is more than capable.

[SoloMatisse 0]

The Colts went 6-10 in '01. What else ya got??

[greggorymac 0]

The Colts went 6-10 in '01. What else ya got??

 

 

You're right... that had everything to do with Rhodes's pass-blocking ability and nothing to do with their Defense giving up 486 pts that season (the worst in the NFL that season). No, your"shrimp" observation is a much better analysis.

[uubeee 0]

Uhh, Edge was the 1st RB taken, 4th OVERALL. The talent level between Edge and ADDAI, is about the same as Addai and you.

 

And unlike 1999, Polian didn't get his man. Manning was quoted as saying that the Colts had targetted Maroney. The Colts really had no other RB to pick. People like to play it up that the Colts got their man, when really they would have taken Williams/Maroney over Addai in a heart beat. So unlike Edge, they got their 4th choice of the 2005 draft, not their 1st.

 

Next, Polian has been quoted as saying they are built to win now, and didn't expect a rookie to step right in. In a redraft, Addai is way overvalued.

 

Next, Addai wasn't even good enough to start for LSU. He got the job because others got hurt. And when he did get the job, he got hurt. You talk about Chris Brown, Addai makes Brown look like Cal Ripken.

 

Bottom line is, Addai is a huge wildcard. Rhodes got over 1,000 yards when he had to start, and since you claim "anyone can run in that system", then Rhodes should do fine. But when Addai couldn't even win a job at LSU, couldn't stay healthy when he won it by default, he's going to join the NFL, and carry the load for the Colts? *lol* Keep dreaming buddy. If Addai gets 500 yards, it will be an EXTREMELY good year for him. He has NO shot at 1,000 yards (which by a rookie, is an amazing year).

 

In redraft, NONE of the rookie RBs are worth their ADP. White comes close. Without injuries, I don't see any of them starting a single game this year (except White).

 

WOW. You seem to have a lot of hate for Addai. And it seems like you are saying that Polian took him only because he was all that was left. And that logic just doesn't pan out. With Polians track record, I would have to say that he doesn't take guys cause he is forced to. He takes guys who he thinks will be successful. And I have to say his track record is better than anything you or I could ever come close to. And so, I will have to say based on that, Addai will be successful.

 

Worth his ADP in redraft??? Not sure. But well worth it in Dynasties.