Using Shakespearian logic, the football field is a stage and itsathletes merely are players — making entrances and exits— playing many parts.
Already this season, junior Joseph Addai has been utilized atwide receiver, running back and special teams for the LSU footballteam.
“Being that he’s a great character, he can handlemany different things,” Tigers offensive tackle AndrewWhitworth said. “You never can rattle him and that’sthe thing that helps him be such a good player. He carries himselfwith good character and is definitely kind of a symbol of what wewant our program to be.”
Addai lined up mostly as receiver during the Tigers’ firstgame against Oregon State, racking up 65 yards on five catches.Against Arkansas State on Saturday he played tailback, rushingseven times for 95 yards after second-string tailback AlleyBroussard exited the game with a headache.
Addai moved back to his role as LSU’s third-down backafter the running game suffered against OSU — a move heshowed much disappointment in, LSU coach Nick Saban said.
“He played with a lot of toughness and tenacity, but allthe time that he played receiver he never ever quit playing runningback,” Saban said. “The fact that Alley got hurt in thegame, created a role for him in the game and he took tremendousadvantage of that because he played extremely well and probably ranthe ball as effectively as I’ve seen him since he’sbeen here.”
The key to Addai’s better rushing performances is not hisfield vision but his character as he smiles no matter the task,Whitworth said.
“Joe’s always been a great player and a hardworker,” Whitworth said. “Not neccessarily is he seeinganything better I think it’s just paying off for him finallyall the work he puts in every week.”
But Addai also has a softer side, said Tigers center BenWilkerson. He said he relates to Addai’s quiet, laid-backattitude.
“We have a lot of fun with him,” Wilkerson said.”He’s not a real outspoken person too much. When hecracks a joke, everybody laughs at him so he’s a pretty funnyguy.”
Fellow tailback Justin Vincent said Addai leads more by examplethan words, keeping the team upbeat in practice.
“I think he’s trying to take on the leadershiprole,” Vincent said. “I don’t think Joenecessarily likes that part of it but it’s kind of falleninto his lap and he’s really taken charge … he’salways revved up, ready to roll.”
Vincent said words cannot describe Addai’s runningabilities.
“He runs so hard,” Vincent said. “You get inhis way — he’ll either shake you up or he’llbulldoze you. He’s a great asset.”
Tigers linebacker E.J. Kuale had no problem describing thetailback he goes against in practice.
“He’s a slash runner,” Kuale said. “Hewill drop his helmet on you. He’ll lower that shoulder andrun on you. And if you cheat to one side he’s going to shakeyou and just make you look stupid. You’ve got to bring yourA-game for every tackle when you go against JosephAddai.”
Kuale said the diversity of running styles LSU tailbacks provideis great preparation for game day.
“Having Joseph Addai on my team prepares me for anyrunning back in the nation,” Kuale said. “If I cancompete against our running backs everybody else is going to bepie.”