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Trent Richardson still prefers tacklers over green grass

Posted by on Sep 11, 2014 11:27

Trent Richardson is a rumbling bowling ball when he gets into the open field. But along with staying healthy, that last part — getting into the open field, ever — has been a problem throughout his first two NFL seasons.

And early signs indicate little will change for Richardson this year. He has more than enough speed to reach a hole, and hit it hard. But he’s still indecisive and far too hesitant in the backfield, missing opportunities.

Here’s a prime example from the Colts’ Week 1 loss to Denver…

If he sprints to the outside immediately, Richardson would have had plenty of glorious, wide open space. There’s so much greenery there that in the second frame as the wayward running back is dancing and bouncing (translation: doing nothing), tight end Dwayne Allen still hasn’t found anyone to block yet.

We’ve seen this horrible movie before. Many times too, and although the Colts will stubbornly still give him chances because that’s what you do with a player who cost your franchise a first-round pick, he simply lacks the required vision to be a successful NFL running back. 

Already after one week that stubbornness may be fading, along with the Colts’ patience.

Indianapolis mounted a comeback that fell just short, outscoring Denver 17-7 in the second half (they lost 31-24). During that time Ahmad Bradshaw was the much more productive running back, recording 59 of his 85 total yards.

The Colts running game as a whole was woeful, but especially Richardson as he averaged 3.3 yards per carry. At best Richardson and Bradshaw are equals in the passing game, with the former often a step or three behind (Bradshaw had 70 receiving yards Sunday, while Richardson finished with 31).

A running back who was worthy of the third overall pick only two years ago shouldn’t be getting pulled off the field on third downs, and his production shouldn’t be on par or behind his 28-year-old backfield partner.

But that’s still the reality of Trent Richardson’s existence, which is why he’s little more than a platoon option.

A highly drafted, once highly praised platoon option who has thoroughly busted.

About Sean Tomlinson

Hello there! This is starting out poorly because I already used an exclamation point. What would you like to know about me? I once worked at a mushroom farm, which is sort of different I guess (don't eat mushrooms). I'm pretty wild too, and at a New Year's Eve party years ago I double-dipped a chip. Oh, and I write about football here and in a few other places around the Internet, something I did previously as the NFL features writer and editor at The Score. Let's be friends.

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