Cleveland Browns’ Trent Richardson frustrated about lack of outside runs
By Mike Dyce
The Cleveland Browns took running back Trent Richardson in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft and in some regards he underperformed in his rookie season. In his rookie season he carried the ball 267 times for 950 yards or a pedestrian 3.6 yards per carry. Richardson was frustrated with the amount of inside runs that were called and wanted to get more opportunities to take the ball outside.
“It came time where they’d just run me on the inside,” said Richardson, via the Akron Beacon-Journal. “It was like, ‘Can I get an outside zone play? Can I get a mid-zone play? Can I get out in space some?’ With that, I’m the type of person that never questions. I just do what I’m told and do what I’m asked, and I just go give it my all whatever it is.
“I know it’s going to be way different this year. So when that time comes to run outside zone, get in space or whatever it is, I’m going to be prepared and in shape and running full speed, 100 mph, whatever I’ve got to go. I’m going to be ready to go downhill.”
They might want to run him outside if he is feeling as quick as he says he does.
“I feel real soft on my feet, real light on my feet, and it’s a good thing, a real good thing,” Richardson said. “When I do make that explosive cut through the hole, hopefully nobody can see me.”
Richardson is looking forward to the season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
“You really want to set the tone,” Richardson said. “I know people say it’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish. You still want to get off to a good start. You still want to win that season opener. You still want to go in and get guys’ confidence up and have high hopes for the whole season. It is very important to win this game.”