Dungy not concerned with Colts' sluggish ground game

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Joseph Addai keeps chugging along.

The running back keeps breaking tackles, using nifty spin moves to elude defenders and has become a more integral receiver in the Colts' offense with Marvin Harrison out. He's done everything Indianapolis could ask.

But over the last six weeks, Addai also has become a symbol of something else: the Colts' plodding ground game.

"Obviously, we need to run better and from my own perspective, I want to see our numbers get better," three-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday said Wednesday. "I don't care about total yards, but I want to see our average per carry up."

Saturday has reason to fret, given the Colts' troubling splits.

During the first eight games, the Colts (12-2) averaged 137.7 yards rushing per game and 4.4 yards per carry. Since then, the ground game dried up. The Colts have averaged just 73.2 yards per game and 2.9 per carry over the last six weeks, winning three times by a touchdown or less.

Sure, there are explanations.

The Colts have run the ball roughly six fewer times per game.

At times, Addai also has contended with a makeshift line missing both starting tackles and at one point having moved starting guard Jake Scott over to tackle.

They have faced two of the league's most stout run defenses in Jacksonville and Baltimore this month, and, yes, opponents may think now is the time to force Peyton Manning into more throws because his favorite target, Harrison, is out with a left knee injury.

The problem is the Colts expect more productivity.

"We've got to get back to being more balanced, running it on first down more effectively," said Manning, one of five Colts headed to the Pro Bowl. "Running it effectively helps you drop back to pass and run play action, and we need to do that."

Some disconcerting trends also stand out.