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What the addition of Joseph Addai would mean for the Patriots’ running game 05.05.12 at 6:53 pm ET
By

Joseph Addai (AP)

The reported addition of veteran running back Joseph Addai would bring another veteran presence to the Patriots backfield. The 5-foot-11, 214-pounder, who turned 29 years old this past Thursday, has played six seasons in the league, all with the Colts, and his finest season came in 2007, when he rushed for 1,072 yards and 12 touchdowns on 261 carries.

Addai, who was released in March by the Colts, has struggled with injury as of late, having played in just 12 games the last two years. Perhaps as a result, he is not considered a traditional every down back in the mold of the other veteran free agents the Patriots kicked the tires on earlier this offseason, a group that included veterans Ryan Grant and Tim Hightower.

Instead, Addai’s strengths are more as a blocker as a presence in the passing game out of the backfield — in three of his six years in the NFL, he’s gone for 300-plus receiving yards, with his best season coming in 2007 when he caught 41 passes for 364 yards and three touchdowns. As a result, if he does join the Patriots, look for him to compete for snaps with New England’s changeup, third-down backs like Danny Woodhead and (if he’s re-signed) Kevin Faulk.

While there’s still time for the Patriots to bring in another veteran running back, it’s reasonable to assume that at least for now, the acquisition of Addai means Stevan Ridley is the closest thing the Patriots have to a No. 1 back (or at least a first- and second-down running back). The New England depth chart now has Ridley, Addai, Shane Vereen (also going into his second season in the league) and Woodhead, while Faulk still remains a possibility to return for his 14th season in the NFL.

Two final notes on Addai: One, if the Patriots do decide to bring back Faulk, that would give them three former LSU running backs on the roster in Addai, Ridley and Faulk. And two, on the first day of the 2006 draft, the Patriots took running back Laurence Maroney 21st overall, while the Colts selected Addai at No. 30. After the first round was done, Indy QB Peyton Manning reportedly texted Tom Brady to say, “You took our running back.” Maroney played four-plus seasons with New England — breaking the 800-yard barrier once — before the Patriots dealt him to Denver in 2010.

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  • Michael Wittkopp

    Doesn’t matter the bills will still kill them

  • Anonymous

    Why did you sign Jim Kelly?

  • Livingr8

    Much rather see the Pats get Steven Jackson.

  • Tito

     When was the last time the Bills even won a playoff game?!?

    Go jump in the river you turd.

  • J Din

    Bills blow your a faggot

  • Nicktipados

    bills kidding me what a joke williams signing haunt bills for a very long time simillar to the famous contract to haynsworth

  • dudeman

    keep turds out of the rivers! People use that water!

  • Marshalldorsey12

    We the dream team now with the players we got now I love it we are going back to the super bowl and we are to win it LOVE IT!!!

  • CityofChampions

     That’s hilarious.

  • Batayj

    The Bills couldn’t kill a roach strapped to a fence.

  • M226pr

    Your smokin crack it ten years your team still suk

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mesut-Özil/586703682 Mesut Özil

    Bills will kill Patriots..wow, some people just really dream a lot..

  • Howard Beale

     http://markrfox.hubpages.com/hub/Patriots-Sign-an-Undrafted-Free-Agent-Out-of-Ole-Miss
    Read about the most recent undrafted rookie free agent signed by the Patriots.

  • Howard Beale

     http://markrfox.hubpages.com/hub/Off-Season-Decision-Making-Patriots-Sign-Joseph-Addai
    Read about New England’s most recent signing of former Colt, running back, Joseph Addai.

  • Howard Beale

     http://markrfox.hubpages.com/hub/Diamonds-in-the-Rough-New-England-Signs-Five-Undrafted-Rookie-Free-Agents
    Read about the undrafted rookie free agents the Patriots signed and see which players have a chance to make the roster and contribute in 2012.

  • Hesher

    Seriously why does EVERY single addition the Patriots always have to “MEAN SOMETHING” lol…why can’t it just be adding Veteran RB depth. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1177631714 Christopher Lee

    Really? You think two players are going to miraculously turn a 6-10 team into a better team than the Patriots? Hmmm… doubt it. And before you use injuries as an excuse: do you realize how lucky the Bills were early in the season? They overcame 21 point deficits in back-to-back weeks. EVERY team gets a lot of injuries, it’s not the Pats’ fault that the Bills have no depth…

  • UDFA

    In your dreams my friend. It takes more than talented players to win a football game and go on to the Super Thrill.

  • troll hunter

    ha ha ha ha ha good luck mike   bills not there yet . i think they are close to being second in the afc east  miami sucks jets are a travaling circus so things are looking up for the bills. still they are no match for the patriots sorry mike!

  • shack

    would not go that far ! the db”s is still very weak o is great the d is still  suspect.  gonna be a fun year!

  • johnhenryhatesbaseball

    Addai is a perfect fit for this team, he can catch, he can run between the tackles, and he can block. This is an awsome signing. Peyton is crying.

  • johnhenryhatesbaseball

    lol…do you have a QB?

  • Wpituffguy

    Really? Ur gonna start talking smack as a bills fan? Go back to sleep tuff guy, we’ll wake u when the beating is over!

  • Qpr

    That is meaning something u dope!

  • mikepatriot

    I’ll concede that the bills are an improved team over years past. Pats are MUCH improved over what they were, i believe, even last year, so i don’t worry about the Bills much. I do believe it’s entirely possible that the Bills could beat the jets in both contests this season.

  • Stockwell1969

    Now the patriots will be unstoppable

  • Sbbeerguy

    Brilliant comment there Livingr8—otherwise known as “Captain Obvious”  

  • Governorcf

    Doesnt matter who Pats get, just like Broncos they make them productive. This is hard to say since I’m a Raider fan.

  • Governorcf

    Doesnt matter who Pats get, just like Broncos they make them productive. This is hard to say since I’m a Raider fan.

  • Adogslife52

    LOL!  LOL!  LOL!  Yeah, right!  Dream on you dellusional twit!

  • Adogslife52

    LOL!  LOL!  LOL!  Yeah, right!  Dream on you dellusional twit!

  • Adogslife52

    because patriots fans are still living in the world where their team is 19-0, instead of 18-O NOES!!! the New York Giants beat us at the last minute.  I loved that game!

  • Adogslife52

    because patriots fans are still living in the world where their team is 19-0, instead of 18-O NOES!!! the New York Giants beat us at the last minute.  I loved that game!

  • Newyorker1

    Bills Cant Even Sniff My Gym Shorts,They Bite The Small One.lol

  • Newyorker1

    Bills Cant Even Sniff My Gym Shorts,They Bite The Small One.lol

  • Spitfire1064

    Let me start by saying…….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!
    Wow that was a funny joke man! Thanks i needed that.

  • Spitfire1064

    Let me start by saying…….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!
    Wow that was a funny joke man! Thanks i needed that.

  • Leeh3760

    Now now Gents put your testostorone back in your pants,Adadii is versatile,the Pats are the Yankees of the NFL, they buy and buy,but it doesn,t always lead them back to the Super Bowl. my gut is the Bills are due. Im a Bears fan so I care not. GO BEARS!

  • Leeh3760

    Now now Gents put your testostorone back in your pants,Adadii is versatile,the Pats are the Yankees of the NFL, they buy and buy,but it doesn,t always lead them back to the Super Bowl. my gut is the Bills are due. Im a Bears fan so I care not. GO BEARS!

  • PatriotsBruinsCelticsRedSox

    Hey does anybody know if the Pats are gonna resign Brian Waters and Andre Carter? We better…Honestly we need to sign 3 guys and then our roster will be the best its been in 5 years. We gotta sign Andre Carter to a 2 year contract with incentives, we need Brian Waters back BIG TIME, and we need Welker…Welker should get a 3 year 32 million dollar deal with 18 million guaranteed…Anybody besides me think thats fair? Cause Welker aint getin anymore than that…The last thing we want is the Jets to sign him…

  • PatriotsBruinsCelticsRedSox

    Hey does anybody know if the Pats are gonna resign Brian Waters and Andre Carter? We better…Honestly we need to sign 3 guys and then our roster will be the best its been in 5 years. We gotta sign Andre Carter to a 2 year contract with incentives, we need Brian Waters back BIG TIME, and we need Welker…Welker should get a 3 year 32 million dollar deal with 18 million guaranteed…Anybody besides me think thats fair? Cause Welker aint getin anymore than that…The last thing we want is the Jets to sign him…

  • Pgarrity18

    You know there is a salary cap in the nfl right?

  • Marinevet92

    Why would Peyton cry when he is in Denver and not Indy any more??????

  • Stevencompoginis

    screw this

  • Ezewuihe

    Mike, I agree with you. I think the Bills have turned the corner. Plus, they also gave that
    undrafted Monmouth university QB a contract (did you watch his YouTube clips?).

    Man, I watched that guy on YouTube, and I must tell you; his accuracy and arm strength
    are amazing! He just might be the biggest pick up/steal by Chan Gailey. ”The Big Bad Bills”
    are back. 

  • http://twitter.com/TarponMaster Dan Hillman

    Hope so… sure looks like the Bills have lined up some fine players…

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/JCO3Q2P5JLZRQB5XWCG5JCLNYI Jacquelin

    Yes, good luck Joe! The pats will protect you or at least the owner will!!!

  • Chaddunham3

    Haha, the Bills? Thats cute.

  • 3A

    Jim Kelly isn’t walking thu that door, nor is Bruce Smith or Thurman Thomas… Bills improving, but they aren’t that good

  • Jamesharrison

    Never thought I’d see my colts put on the patriots uniform

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