Colts' James outworks everyone

He hasn't changed his approach in seven seasons with the team.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Edgerrin James prefers the simplicity of hard work. He waits patiently for his blockers, uses shifty moves to make defenders miss and finishes by falling forward.
Nothing outrageous.
Seven seasons as the Indianapolis Colts' workhorse have not changed James' freewheeling approach to football, but experience has taught the 27-year-old how to prepare for the playoffs.
"It's just outworking everybody," James said, his gold teeth glittering. "If you work hard taking reps [in practice], then the games are easy."
Few NFL players carry a heavier burden than James, the key to the Colts' high-scoring offense.
Second in total touches
He finished this season with 404 touches, the second-highest total in the NFL despite resting for the last six quarters before the playoffs.
He still led the league in first downs (115), rushed for 1,506 yards, caught 44 passes for another 337 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.
And he continues to be, at least in the eyes of Peyton Manning, the most valuable blocking back in the league.
Despite the workload, James insists he will have fresh legs Sunday against Pittsburgh.
"I think I have everything together," he said. "I know how to play now. In other years, I'd come back the next day after a game and be sore. Now I don't feel sore. I've got my health and I feel good."
He's performed like it, too.
Over 100 yards in first game
In the first meeting with Pittsburgh this season, James ran for 124 yards and became the first back to top 100 yards against the Steelers in 23 games. As usual, though, James' proficiency isn't measured in numbers alone.
A deceptive play-action fake on the Colts' first play led to an 80-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Marvin Harrison and his grinding runs in the second half helped the Colts (14-2) seal the victory.
Coach Bill Cowher knows that if his Steelers (12-5) are to stop the Colts, they must start by slowing James.
"You've got to be careful, but of all the weapons that they have Edgerrin James is the one guy," Cowher said Tuesday. "He makes some unbelievable runs. We had him pinned a couple times in the first game and the next thing you look up and he's gained one yard or two yards."
James craves the ball, even in practice. But over the years, he's learned some valuable lessons about taking care of his body: Run over defenders when he has them off-balance, go down when necessary and use the sideline when you can. He'll even take an occasional break.
But the more the Colts ask him to do, the less James seems to tire.
"He's just a different guy," coach Tony Dungy said. "He likes to run the football, he takes care of himself and he trains awfully hard. Last year, we had four games in 19 days or something, and one time I said, 'I'll take you out so you're fresh for the next game.' He said, 'No, I'll be fine.' "
Future is uncertain
The only real complication in James' football life is the one question he'd rather avoid -- whether he'll be back in Indy next year.
James was designated the Colts franchise player in the offseason, signing a one-year deal worth a little more than $8 million.
This year, James, receiver Reggie Wayne, linebacker David Thornton and defensive end Raheem Brock -- all starters -- could become unrestricted free agents.
If that happens, the Colts may have to choose who to keep and Bill Polian's decision to let agent Drew Rosenhaus shop James in March may indicate which direction the Colts will pursue.
Rather than pout, though, the fun-loving James has produced what may be his best season.
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