Should the Colts trade James?

[Clarkmeister]

"The reason why the pats are better than the colts is defense and coaching"

So you are saying that the Colts will never beat the Patriots until their defense is good enough to shut the Patriots out? Because thats what it would've taken to make Peyton's 3 points hold up.

[__Q__]

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So you are saying that the Colts will never beat the Patriots until their defense is good enough to shut the Patriots out? Because thats what it would've taken to make Peyton's 3 points hold up.

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No thats not what I'm saying at all. And the colts scored 24 points on them in the regular season but still lost by 3, maybe the a stronger defense WOULD have won that one for them. Hell, by your one-game-results logic, the pats have some work to do to catch up to the dolphins.

But really, Its pretty obvious what the strengths and weakness of the colts are.

[The Armchair]

In 2001, Dominic Rhodes started 10 games in James' absence.

He had 4 100 yard rushing games, including a 177 yard day.
He scored nine touchdowns.
He had 1107 total yards and a 4.7 y/rush average.

The fact is that most "average" running backs will do well on a good offensive team like the Colts, especially one with a good line. Check out Derrick Blaylock (KC), Reuben Droughns (Den), and Chester Taylor (Bal) last year for three examples. Studs? Hardly. But they put up good numbers.

The Colts could use some playmakers on the D side of the ball, and advance past the second round.

[ucfryan]

I don't think it's Manning. The Colts offensive gameplan in the AFCCG absolutely sucked. You aren't going to beat the Patriots through the air when it's snowing in their hometown. They briefly tried to establish the run early and then pretty much abandoned it for the rest of the game. You aren't going to make less mistakes than the Patriots airing it out and not controlling the clock.

Tom Brady isn't asked to go out and win games, he's asked to go out and not make mistakes. Dillon, the coaching, and the defense won it this year, Peyton Manning didn't have that luxury.

[WC64]

Just got this from espn.com

Mar. 11 - The Indianapolis Star lists four teams as possible suitors for James, whom the Colts are willing to trade after coming to the realization they can't sign him to the kind of long-term contract he is seeking. Agent Drew Rosenhaus told the paper the Colts won't necessarily demand a high price for James, potentially making acquiring the frachised running back easier on some teams.
According to the paper, the Cardinals meet all the criteria to be a legitimate suitor, but the team might choose to draft a running back with the No. 8 overall pick next month. Miami makes sense, as well, but coach Nick Saban has indicated the team isn't willing to give up much. Would a package of Patrick Surtain and a draft pick get it done?

Tampa Bay also needs a running back but still is experiencing salary-cap difficulty and might not be able to fit James in. The Star suggests a trade of Ronde Barber and a draft pick for James. The 49ers have both cap space and multiple draft picks to deal, plus the paper suggests they could include RB Kevan Barlow in a trade.

[ucfryan]

As a Niner fan I HIGHLY doubt that we'd go after James, we have Barlow and James would probably be too expensive. I could definately see him going to Miami though.

[The Armchair]

You actually have a lot of cap room. And Barlow is in the doghouse.