Once again, Trent Richardson is being outplayed by another running back. Since putting together a Heisman trophy campaign at the University of Alabama, Richardson has not looked the same in the NFL. He was one of the last running backs to be taken in the first round of an NFL Draft and has since bounced around two different teams, failing to averaging more than four yards per carry. After another disappointing game, could Richardson get the boot for someone else?
The Indianapolis Colts have remained patient. They acquired Richardson last year at the beginning of the season and he never truly looked comfortable in the offense. Most blamed it on his lack of familiarity with the playbook. However, this season has not been much different for Richardson.
In Week 13, Richardson put up 12 yards. He is currently averaging 3.3 yards per carry, his biggest game coming against Philadelphia in the second week of the season with 79 yards total. He was outplayed by Dan Herron who put up 88 yards on just eight carries including a 49-yard score. Head coach Chuck Pagano had nothing put good things to say in regards to Herron which could hint a change at the top of the running back rotation.
"He's a talented, talented guy, and I think we've seen that out of him," Pagano said, via the Indianapolis Star. "He's quick, he's fast to hit the hole and once he gets outside, he's got some long speed; I think we all found that out."
The Colts are pushing their way to the playoffs. In order to make a deep run they need a balanced attack and right now the run game is lacking in that department. Does Indianapolis make a move? According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Colts are one of four teams interested in signing Ray Rice who just won his appeal and was reinstated back into the NFL. Most assume that the only chance Rice has of getting signed this season is by a playoff-contending team in need of one more playmaker, otherwise he is out until 2015.
The Colts have not confirmed nor denied interest in Rice, but Richardson's struggles point to a need for him. If the Colts were to make a move on Rice, the question becomes what happens to Richardson. The running back is not a free agent until 2016 and has $3 million remaining on his deal. That is not a bad pickup for another team, but the Colts would have to lower their expectations on what they could get in return.
