The Indianapolis Colts picked up Trent Richardson last season in hopes that he would jump start their running game. It did not work and eventually Richardson found himself behind Donald Brown on the depth chart last season.
With Brown gone to San Diego, Richardson now is once again atop the the depth chart for the Colts in the back field yet nothing has changed.
Richardson has rushed for 34 yards on 14 attempts in two preseason games. The numbers are not lying, Richardson is actually rushing for less yards per carry this preseason than he did for the Colts last season.
And just like last year Colts coach Chuck Pagano is throwing his support behind Richardson.
“I think everybody wants this guy to get going and that guy to get going, but there’s some tough sledding right now and we’re working at it,” Pagano said, via ESPN. “I think having the capability to do the other thing is going to open things up in the run game for us.”
General manager Ryan Grigson was less supportive saying the running back needed to live up to his ability.
“Trent, he needs to answer the bell and do his job to the best of his ability,”Grigson said. “He’s such a hard runner, we know how tough he is, but he’s got to produce just like all these guys do on this final 53.”
The Colts offense this preseason is not exactly how it will look once the regular season starts something that Richardson is banking on helping him find holes.
“When Reggie’s out there, and T.Y. and Hakeem, you can’t double all of them,” Richardson said. “To have them with us, especially when Ahmad comes back, it’s going to be dangerous, and I like the direction we’re going in. I’m just proud to be able to be where we’re at right now. I know there’s still a lot to come and still a lot to work on. When it comes down to it, we’re just a work in progress right now.”
Bradshaw may be the most important name that Richardson listed. After-all he could take over ball carrying duties in the Colts backfield.
