Running game still needs work for Colts

Oct 12, 2008 - 10:55 PM By Bob Birge PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

In what cannot be good news for the rest of the league, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning feels he finally has his timing back.

But the Colts' running game still needs improvement - especially after Joseph Addai and Mike Hart were injured in Sunday's 31-3 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Addai carried only twice for three yards before limping off the field with a hamstring injury on the Colts' second series.

Hart, who carried only once for two yards, suffered a right knee injury and also did not return.

Of the two injuries, Colts coach Tony Dungy believes the one to Hart is more serious.

"You don't expect two backs to get hurt." he said. "I think Joseph is going to be OK. Mike Hart is a little more doubtful. He has a knee injury and we don't know the extent of it, but right now it doesn't look good."

Addai was not missed, as Manning threw three touchdown passes in the first half, helping the Colts (3-2) build a 24-0 halftime advantage.

"In some ways, you could say that this is my first week of the season," Manning said. "This year, it was frustrating to not be able to get my timing down."

Still, Indianapolis entered Sunday's ranked last in the NFL in rushing, averaging only 67.8 yards per game.

Addai entered the contest with only 213 yards on the ground - an average of 53.3 per contest.

His slow start has come after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, but Addai has not had a 100-yard game since a 24-20 loss to New England in Week Nine of last year.

Dominic Rhodes helped pick up the slack after Addai went down Sunday, rushing for 73 yards on 25 carries, although he averaged only 2.9 yards per attempt.

"I thought he was going to have a good day and he did," Dungy said. "He stepped up."

The Colts may have turned around their season, winning consecutive games for the first time this year to climb over .500.

But if they are going to make up a two-game deficit on Tennessee (5-0) and win a sixth straight AFC South title, developing an effective running game would be a big help.