Reports: Patriots Add Veteran RB Joseph Addai To Backfield
BOSTON (CBS) -- Raise your hand if you expected the reporter responsible for announcing the Patriots' newest roster addition to be Peyton Manning.
That's exactly what happened over the weekend, with the now-Broncos quarterback telling Indy Star reporter Mike Chappell that longtime Colts running back Joseph Addai will sign with the New England Patriots.
The report has since been confirmed by ESPN's Mike Reiss.
Addai's addition will fill the void left by BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who departed to Cincinnati via free agency.
Addai, 29, has spent his entire six-year career with the Colts. He began his career in 2006 and '07 with back-to-back seasons of 1,000-plus rushing yards, but his numbers have dipped since, as he has played in 47 of a possible 64 games since then. For his career, he's averaging 4.1 yards per carry and 7.6 yards per reception.
He'll join Danny Woodhead, Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen in the Patriots' backfield.
Chappell said Addai is a valuable player whom the Colts should have re-signed.
"He still can be an effective runner in spots, is an exceptional receiver out of the backfield and is an outstanding blocker in pass protection," Chappell wrote, adding that Addai is "a younger Kevin Faulk."
