Getty ImagesWith quarterback Andrew Luck making a strong first impression with the Colts this season, plenty of people have pointed out that Indianapolis has replaced a Hall of Fame quarterback with at least another very good player at the position.
It’s not the only place where they feel history might be repeating itself. Interim head coach Bruce Arians thinks rookie running back Vick Ballard shares some qualities with a guy who spent seven years sharing a backfield with Manning. Arians look at Ballard and finds himself thinking about Edgerrin James.
“He’s powerful. He’s a poor man’s Edge. He’s bowlegged like Edge and he’s about the same size, and tough to bring down,” Arians said, via Jeff Darlington of NFL.com. “He’s quick, he’s elusive, doesn’t have the great, great speed, but he can make the first guy miss and he’s going to make a lot of yards because he makes people miss. He’s got a great future.”
With Donald Brown done for the season, Ballard will be the man for the Colts in the running game the rest of the way. He’s got 146 carries for 562 yards and one touchdown thus far, but is coming off his best rushing game of the season against the Titans last week with 94 yards on 19 carries. If he can repeat that against the Texans and help Indy win on Sunday, the AFC South race could go right down to the wire.
Even if they don’t win, the Colts have to feel mighty good about the future of their offense. Luck and Ballard are joined by wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, tight end Dwayne Allen and tight end Coby Fleener as rookies playing big roles and playing them well for the Colts in 2012.
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This team’s potential for future success is scary good.
Ryan Grigson deserves serious consideration for GM of the Year.
Ballard has been solid and dependable this season. He still has plenty to improve on, but I think he can definitely be a 20+ carry back in the future. Donald Brown is decent but hasn’t done too much improve his play since he’s been in the league. To me he’s a backup at best.
What would Arians know about good running backs or how to properly use one if he did?
He is a better option than Donald Brown ever was. Say goodbye to Donald; keep VB and Delone Carter; look for help in the draft or in street free agency.
Arians will get one of these open jobs, he has proven himself big time. Talk about what difference 6 months makes. Fired by Tomlin goes to colts and ends up taking them to the playoffs as interim head coach