Colts Run Game: Five Guys that Could Fit the Bill
Jan 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray talks at the SAP booth at the NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Colts have obvious need to improve backfield production in the offseason. Ink On Indy takes a look at what options the Colts have while looking for their next feature running back.
Anyone one with a brain who watched the Colts this season knows that their run offense was a complete and total train wreck. They failed to have a 100 yard rusher the entire season, and even had one game where they almost failed to have any run game at all, when they managed an inconceivable ONE rushing yard against the Cowboys in week 16. (That stat still boggles my mind to this day. How does a professional football team manage just one rushing yard in 60 minutes of football?)
It certainly appears as though Ryan Grigson has decided to part ways with Trent Richardson. After a season and a half of less-than-stellar results, Richardson figures to be cut from the team, following a suspension at the end of this year for conduct detrimental to the team.
It remains to be seen if Ahmad Bradshaw will be re-signed for another tour of duty with the Horseshoe. Colts fans were pretty excited to have Bradshaw on board when Grigson signed him two seasons ago, but the veteran back can’t seem to stay healthy.
Vick Ballard still has one year left on his rookie contract, and figures to be in the mix for some touches, along with rookie Daniel “Boom” Herron. While both of these guys certainly showed promise, they’re basically part of the “supporting cast” and not really that elite running back that the Colts need to balance their offense. New England comes to mind as the only Super Bowl contender in recent memory that didn’t have a dominant run game. Obviously, it’s hard to win consistently in the NFL without being able to run the football.
With a below average running game, the Colts were among the NFL’s best in scoring. Even when opposing defenses basically keyed on the pass the whole year, the Colts passing attack was #1 in the league. With an elite workhorse in the backfield, Andrew Luck could obliterate NFL passing and scoring records.
Obviously, the offensive line will need some help too. Depending on whether the Colts opt to fulfill that need through the draft or through free agency, that will ultimately determine how much cap room they will have to spend on a running back.
So where will Grigson finally find the missing piece to the puzzle? Here’s a look a five potential tailback options for the Colts: