Lack of run game finally dooms Colts

It’s one-and-done here in Indianapolis again, and one of the main reasons couldn’t be simpler.

All pass, no run.

Even Norv Turner can beat you when all you do is pass.

That’s what the Indianapolis Colts have become — a finesse, pass-happy offense combined with a quick, but under-sized defense. That one-dimensional formula may have given the Colts all kinds of regular season records and success, but how often does a team that predictable advance in the playoffs?

Never.

Every Super Bowl champion this decade — even the ‘06 Colts — could run the ball. This year’s Colts didn’t just fail at the run, they abandoned it.

This season, the Colts totaled just 370 rushing attempts to 585 passes. Joseph Addai let down fantasy owners everywhere with a measly 544 yards and five touchdowns.

Why not mix it up? The Colts might as well have just given San Diego their playbook. Any defense can look good if it knows what the other team is going to do. 

It’s easy to complain after the loss, but the real question is how does the team fix the running game?

Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes have been 1,000-yard rushers before, and they can again if they get good blocking. Jeff Saturday isn’t going to be around much longer, and the Colts can no longer rely on starting sixth-round picks and guys from MAC schools on the O-line.

Maybe it’s time to spend whatever cap room is available. Maybe it’s time to trade a talented skill position player for a high draft pick. Either way, the Colts need to find someone to lead the way for the backs.

There’s no way Bill Polian changes his ways now, but there will be talented offensive linemen available through free agency and high in the draft. But if he decides to just plug in the next guy in line, as usual, expect a similarly putrid running game next year.