The running game is a big question mark for the Indianapolis Colts this season. Everyone is excited about Andrew Luck, Reggie Wayne and the passing game, but the ground attack elicits questions.
Donald Brown can’t stay healthy, and hasn’t lived up to first round draft pick status. Vick Ballard has been a steal of a fifth round pick.
Indianapolis Colts RB
Ballard led the team in rushing with 814 yards, but he’s still obscure. Well, very underrated. When he returned home to Mississippi in the offseason his family and friends were more interested in learning about Ray Lewis and what it’s like to play against Ray Lewis. Ah, the power of ESPN and their deifying. Brown enters a contract year, so he’s on the spot. Is there anything left for Ahmad Bradshaw? He ran for a grand last season, but is he ever going to be the same again? His foot injury currently keeps him from action. He’s listed as questionable. Stanley Havili starts at Fullback.
Indianapolis Colts LB
Erik Walden was a great acquisition because he fits the system quite well. As they shift from a 4-3 to a 3-4, or the “hybrid” as they called it last year. The Walden deal looks like overpayment, but he’s worth it because he fits the system. Robert Mathis starts at the opposite outside spot but will be pushed by rookie Bjorn Werner from Florida State. The first round pick made himself a lot of money in the Orange Bowl versus NIU and he should get plenty of P.T. because he gets sacks’; the players ahead of him don’t usually. Jerrell Freeman starts at right inside linebacker, the man with the coolest name ever for a football player, Pat Angerer starts beside him.
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Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An analyst for 95.7 The Fan, he also writes on Chicago sports media for Chicago Now. President Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)