08 May 2008 - 10:56

Rhodes signs one-year deal with Colts  Comments

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Colts have put their tag-team runners -- Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes -- back together.

The tandem that helped Indianapolis win its first Super Bowl title has been reunited after Rhodes agreed on a one-year deal to return to the Colts. Rhodes' agent, Mike McCartney confirmed the signing in an e-mail to The Associated Press although he did not disclose financial details.

The move means Indy will have two 1,000-yard runners in its backfield next season.

What fans will remember most about the two runners is their impressive 2006 playoff run.

As they split carries, Addai and Rhodes combined for 190 yards rushing in a 23-8 victory over Kansas City, closed out a 15-6 victory in Baltimore when Indy settled for five field goals and then helped wear down New England's defense in the AFC championship game. Addai scored on a 3-yard run with one minute left to give Indy a 38-34 victory over the Patriots.

In the Super Bowl, they were even better. Addai ran 19 times for 77 yards, while Rhodes finished with 113 yards rushing and one touchdown in a 29-17 victory over Chicago.

The transition should be smooth for Rhodes.

He spent his first six NFL seasons with the Colts, rushing for 2,274 yards. Rhodes set the league record for an undrafted rookie with 1,104 yards rushing in 2001. He also was the starter for all 16 regular-season games in 2006 before losing the job to Addai in the playoffs.

Then, last spring, Rhodes became a free agent and signed a two-year deal with Oakland. He was hoping for a chance to start, but after serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, his opportunities dwindled. He finished with 75 carries, 302 yards and one TD.

Shortly after the NFL draft, the Raiders released him.

The addition of Rhodes means the Colts will have added more depth to an already talented backfield.

Addai, the starter, topped 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. Indy also drafted Michigan running back Mike Hart in the sixth round and still has last year's primary backup -- Kenton Keith.

Keith was arrested last month, six days before the draft, after police said he refused to leave the parking lot of a nightclub. He was charged with criminal trespassing and has pleaded not guilty. Rhodes also has a legal history in Indy.

He was pulled over by an Indiana state trooper in February 2007 for driving 81 mph in a 55-mph zone. He was originally charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit, but later pleaded guilty to reckless driving.

In 2002, Rhodes was charged with domestic battery in connection with a disturbance at his home involving his child's mother, Latrina Moore. He avoided prosecution and was placed in a diversionary program and underwent mental health counseling.

Rhodes sat out the entire 2002 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which occurred during training camp.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.

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posted by Paddi. 08 May 2008 - 10:56