Run game more than stats

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis knows what others are saying about its ground game.

Yes, the 3.5 yards per carry rank below the NFL norm, and the 80.9 yards per game are last in the NFL. And no, that’s not the traditional way to win a Super Bowl.

The Colts also believe those numbers do not tell the whole story, something they intend to prove starting Saturday night against Baltimore.

“I feel confident in what I’m doing, and I feel good about what’s going on out there,” running back Joseph Addai said with a confident smile.

Indy (14-2) learned just how damaging the lack of a running game can be when it failed to convert two third-and-shorts late in regulation during last year’s wild-card game at San Diego. The Chargers eventually won in overtime.

So the Colts spent the offseason revising the game plan.

They drafted Connecticut running back Donald Brown in the first round, giving them a younger, faster complement to Addai. They reinserted guard Ryan Lilja in the starting lineup at left guard after he missed all of last season with a knee injury. They moved veteran Charlie Johnson from left guard to left tackle, benching former second-round pick Tony Ugoh, and they brought back longtime offensive line coach Howard Mudd after his brief retirement.

But seven games into the season, Addai, who had topped 1,000 yards in 2006 and 2007 and went to a Pro Bowl, was averaging a paltry 3.29 yards per carry.

Then in November, Indy made one more change, putting Kyle DeVan in at right guard and benching 2008 second-round pick Mike Pollak. Addai’s per-carry average since then has jumped to a more efficient 4.21 yards.

“From a statistical standpoint, you can look at it and say it’s not very good,” coach Jim Caldwell said of the No. 32 ranking. “But I certainly don’t feel like that from a schematic standpoint and what we’re trying to get accomplished.”

All that work hasn’t changed the overall numbers much.

Last season, the Colts ranked 31st in rushing with averages of 3.4 yards per carry and 79.6 yards per game.

The Colts are more effective now in short-yardage situations than last season, having closed out several close games by running for first downs. They’ve scored more touchdowns rushing than last season (16 to 13) and have proven more efficient in the second half of the schedule than the first — all indications of improvement.

Plus, Indy should have Brown at full strength. He missed five games this season with shoulder and chest injuries and should provide a boost with his fresh legs.

“I’m just trying to complement the run and, hopefully, the defense will be playing pass,” he said. “Once we start getting the ball going, the defense won’t be as close to the line of scrimmage and we can make the most of it.”