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Source: Mike Chappell, The Indianapolis Star [ Full Article ]

The Indianapolis Colts' first significant free agent loss this offseason leaves them with a hole in their backfield, and an interesting question.

Should the Colts replace Dominic Rhodes -- the veteran running back who agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million contract Friday with the Oakland Raiders -- with another proven runner and continue the tag-team running approach that helped them win Super Bowl XLI?

Or should they require Joseph Addai to carry a much heavier load in 2007?

The team had no comment Friday, but coach Tony Dungy recently emphasized the value of having two reliable backs.

"The way we ran the ball in the playoffs quite a bit had to do with those guys being fresh and not being worn down," Dungy said. "They were playing as fast as anybody."

Rhodes started every game in the 2006 regular season, with 187 carries for 641 yards. Addai platooned and got the bulk of the work: 226 carries for 1,081 yards. In all, the Colts averaged 110 rushing yards per game, 4.0 per attempt.

In the playoffs, the roles switched and the production improved. With Addai starting and Rhodes subbing in, the Colts averaged 151 rushing yards -- 4.1 per attempt -- in the four games. Rhodes saved his best game for last, rushing for a game-high 113 yards in the Super Bowl victory over Chicago.

With Rhodes now out of the mix, the complementary spot alongside Addai is wide open. None of the prospects on the roster -- running backs DeDe Dorsey and Kenton Keith and fullback Luke Lawton -- has carried the ball during the regular season in the NFL.

The Colts claimed Dorsey off waivers from Cincinnati prior to the start of the '06 season. In three preseason games as a rookie with Cincinnati, he rushed 20 times for 149 yards.

"DeDe's going to be a good player," Dungy said. "He's got running skills and he's a very determined guy."

Keith, 28, has spent the past several seasons with Saskatchewan in the Canadian Football League. He rushed for 1,037 yards last season.

It's conceivable the Colts will add another running back in the April 28-29 draft or sign a veteran in the coming months. There are some competent runners on the market, including Chris Brown, Ron Dayne and Correll Buckhalter, but it would be out of character for the Colts to invest heavily in a No. 2 back.

One possibility is re-signing James Mungro, one of the Colts' 11 unrestricted free agents. He has been with the team since 2002 but missed the entire '06 season after tearing a knee ligament in the preseason.

Rhodes is eager to attack the next phase of his career. He is expected to enter another platoon system, possibly alongside LaMont Jordan, who rushed for 434 yards and two touchdowns last season before going down with a season-ending knee injury Nov. 19.

The Raiders also have Justin Fargas, who rushed for a team-high 659 yards in '06.

"I just want to come in and help this team win," Rhodes told The Associated Press. "It's an honor to be here and an awesome experience to play for the Raiders. The whole history of the Raiders, I love it."

The recent history hasn't seen much to love. Since losing to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl XXXVII after the 2002 season, the Raiders have won only 15 of 64 games. They were a league-worst 2-14 in '06, and their running game ranked 29th among 32 teams.

[SteveRobWhatever]

They had success finding a RB in the draft.....why not go that same route again? Arizona RB Chris Henry could be a dark horse.

[Chrisbob]

Could they be players for Tatum Bell? The Colts like to zone block and given their cap situation, he carries no signing bonus as he is under contract.

[SteveRobWhatever]

Wonder what it would take to make it happen.....I think it would be a good fit.

Originally Posted by Chrisbob

Could they be players for Tatum Bell? The Colts like to zone block and given their cap situation, he carries no signing bonus as he is under contract.

Colts cant afford Tatum Bell.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Chrisbob

Could they be players for Tatum Bell? The Colts like to zone block and given their cap situation, he carries no signing bonus as he is under contract.

Why would the Lions trade Bell? They acquired him due to the uncertainty of their RB position, so I doubt they'd be quick to give him up. If the Colts are going to replace Rhodes (which I think they should), I'd like to see Lorenzo Booker take that role. I think he could be had in the 4th, and he'd make a great backup.

[Chrisbob]

Originally Posted by indysteve1563

Colts cant afford Tatum Bell.

As in they can't afford his contract or can't afford the compensation? Bell carries no signing bonus and he is under contract for two more years at saleries of $510,000 for 2007 and $545,000 for 2008 which is easy to get under your cap (considering rule 51, it would probably only effect the cap by about $150-200k). I doubt the Lions would ask anymore than a 3rd or 4th round pick for him.

Originally Posted by Dam8610

Why would the Lions trade Bell? They acquired him due to the uncertainty of their RB position, so I doubt they'd be quick to give him up. If the Colts are going to replace Rhodes (which I think they should), I'd like to see Lorenzo Booker take that role. I think he could be had in the 4th, and he'd make a great backup.

They acquired him as much just to get something of value for Dre Bly and he has been linked with a trade since moving to Detroit. It could all be BS but they have since signed TJ Duckett and still want Jones to make a comeback. I think if they got an offer of a mid-round draft pick they'd do business. It's the Lions and Matt Millen remember!

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by indysteve1563

Colts cant afford Tatum Bell.

Isn't he still on his rookie contract? Rookie contracts of 2nd round picks aren't generally that expensive.

[Chrisbob]

See my post above Dam :!:

Originally Posted by Dam8610

Isn't he still on his rookie contract? Rookie contracts of 2nd round picks aren't generally that expensive.

Colts' salary cap is very small right now.