Trent Richardson is getting a rare third chance to make it work in the NFL. After getting selected as a first-round draft pick, failed stints in both Cleveland and Indianapolis have marred all of the college success Richardson had to his name. The Oakland Raiders opted to give Richardson one more shot to give it a go in the NFL and be the star expects thought he would be. According to early reports, the running back is making the most of it.
Richardson got to work immediately after signing a deal. New head coach Jack Del Rio stressed that Richardson would be competing with Latavius Murray for the starting job while Roy Helu and Michael Dyer are working to make a name for themselves as well. According to assistant coach Mike Tice, Richardson has done a lot to impress the team having lost weight and gained muscle since the regular season ended.
"Each one has their own style," Tice said, via SiriusXM NFL Radio, via the team's official website. "I like the (Latavius) Murray kid. He really came on in that veteran minicamp. He got his legs under him and showed some quickness, some good finish. I thought the young man out of Alabama (Richardson) came on. He lost some weight, his quickness came around. And then the young man we picked up out of Washington (Helu), a local boy out of San Ramon, I think he had an outstanding offseason and he shows good quickness, good awareness."
Richardson had weight issues while with the Colts, something that hurt his status with the team. Right now, the running back needs all of the help he can get in order to regain a starting job in the league. The San Mercury News reported that Murray is favored as the starter simply because of his experience with the team, but Richardson should not be ruled out as he impresses the coaches.
The wide receivers have some battles going on as well. Michael Crabtree is looking to prove himself in a second chance given by the Raiders as he pairs with Amari Cooper. Quarterback Derek Carr is loving what he sees out of the rookie wide receiver who is expected to play a huge role for the team in 2015.
"He (Cooper) is ridiculous in and out of his breaks," said Carr, via the team's official website. "His style of play is perfect for this league. He's good at getting on toes and creating separation. He's good at when the ball is in his hands making those fast-twitch movements to make a guy go one way so he can take it to the house. It's just little things that honestly people don't even notice. His work ethic is second to none. I was throwing with him as soon as mini-camp was over so we can get more reps in, and our plan was to throw a couple more times, but he texted me that night. He said, 'Hey, let's throw at least three more times. I need to get this one route right.' Just him telling me that kind of stuff, it blew my mind."
