Trent Richardson Has A Steep Hill To Climb
Related Story: Trent Richardson's Success Is On Trent Richardson
Baltimore Ravens fans should not get their hopes up about Trent Richardson. He was a former top pick by the Cleveland Browns and he is therefore a big name. The Alabama Crimson Tide standout has done next to nothing in the National Football League. The Ravens are the fourth team to give Richardson a shot since he was drafted in 2012. The previous sentence really tells the whole story, doesn’t it.
Things are not looking good for Richardson. According to a report by Jamison Hensely of ESPN, Richardson still is not in elite shape. According to the Hensley Richardson has been nagged by a hamstring issue. This is a quote from John Harbaugh in Hensley’s report:
"“Trent just needs to get healthy,” coach John Harbaugh said. “I think the workload and the amount of work it takes to be a world-class conditioned athlete is something that he’s working on right now. That’s what he needs to understand, and that’s where he needs to get himself.”"
That’s coach speak, which is what you’re going to get from Harbaugh right now. It’s fair to say that conditioning is not an overnight process, but we’re kidding ourselves if that is an excuse for Richardson. He had to lose weight and prove to the Ravens he was committed just to get this opportunity.
A hamstring injury is what it is. The problem here is that we’re not talking about a hamstring injury here. We’re talking about a player whose work ethic has always been questioned that’s not ready to go.
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The Ravens have plenty of players that can carry the football. Richardson is part of a log jam at the position. Justin Forsett is not going anywhere. Javorius “Buck” Allen just proved he has a flashy skill set, last season. Kenneth Dixon was a fourth round pick who has upside to the clouds.
That’s not even mentioning Terrence West and Lorenzo Taliaferro. Richardson is starting his bid for a roster spot, already behind. This is troubling for a player who may have been the odd man out any way.
It would be shocking to see Richardson make this team, because the Ravens have more than enough players at the running back position. This is a running back that has a 3.3 yard per carry average in his career. In four seasons Richardson has 2,032 rushing yards. Even after considering he only played in two games in 2013, that is not good at all.
The Ravens signed him as a just in case opportunity. He has the physical ability to be great. If he figured out how to do it in a Ravens uniform, Harbaugh would look like a football profit. But in this case I can see the future myself.
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Richardson, who has to overly impress just to be a back up, will disappoint. The Ravens have young and unspoiled backs with potential behind a very solid Justin Forsett. The Ravens don’t need Richardson, Richardson needs the Ravens.