Trent Richardson will get first crack at starting running back job for Colts
By Hayden Kane
Even as a midsummer projection for the Indianapolis Colts’ starters, it is a bit surprising to see Trent Richardson as the favorite to win the starting running back job.
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The Colts have some depth at the position but no clear favorite to be the starter. And while Richardson was truly awful in 2013, the context in which the team acquired him plays a part in how they will view the depth chart as the preseason approaches.
Mike Wells of ESPN.com writes the following about Indianapolis’s situation at running back, where he projects Richardson to be the starter ahead of Ahmad Bradshaw, Vick Ballard, and Stanley Havili:
"As I mentioned last week when I did position battles, Richardson will be given the first shot at starting because of his talent and the last thing the Colts want to show is that their trade for him last September was a failure."
In 188 attempts last season, Richardson averaged exactly 3.0 yards per carry and scored three touchdowns. Most of the time it felt like he averaged less than that, however, despite continued efforts from the Colts to establish the run.
Besides wanting to give Richardson a shot at the starting gig so it doesn’t look like the Cleveland Browns de-pantsed them in the trade that sent a first round pick for the running back, the Colts have said that they will use Richardson in different ways this season. If those plans don’t work and Richardson is still ineffective, the Colts will once again turn to Bradshaw and Ballard.
Here’s betting the Colts will once again turn to Bradshaw and Ballard.