When Montario Hardesty was drafted back in 2010, he was originally thought to be the Cleveland Browns next great running back. After looking slightly less than impressive his rookie season, the Browns went out and got Trent Richardson. Clearly the best running back on the team, maybe even one of the best overall players, Hardesty's roster spot is officially in jeopardy.
Hardesty's health is not helping his case to remain with the team. He has missed most of training camp with an inflamed hamstring tendon. If he cannot get healthy in time to show off his skills in a few practices, his time with the Browns will likely be over.
"It presents a great challenge for us,'' said running backs coach John Settle. "He's a young man that has shown flashes of what he can be -- what he was last year what we would hope he'd be in 2013. But not having him, it does hurt his advancement and it hurts us as a team. But is it impossible? No. That decision is way above my head, but he's a young man that enjoys playing the game and wants to be out there."
The Browns coaches have always like Hardesty's running style and we excited at his ability to backup Richardson this season. In 2012 when he was healthy, he hit the holes fast, averaging 4.2 yards per carry for 271 yards total. However, he is rarely healthy and his production has decreased. Settle was hoping that Hardesty could return to his old ways, but so far setbacks are hurting that effort.
In Hardesty's absence, Dion Lewis is emerging as the favorite to backup Richardson now. Lewis is new to the team after being acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. Settle is happy with the addition with Lewis and is unsure what that will mean for Hardesty in the future.
"All of a sudden we saw that Dion was hard to tackle and had an opportunity to make big plays for us when we got him out in space," Settle said. "But I think all of those three guys -- Trent, Montario and Dion -- will complement each other in various ways and will really stretch defenses and force them to defend the whole field. When the lights come on and it's real, we'll see what we get. "
Hardesty is well-aware that his spot with the team is not guaranteed. He admits the injuries are frustrating and is simply hoping the team remembers the skillset he has and what he can offer on the field.
