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Indianapolis Colts: What can Edge teach Trent Richardson

By Derek Montilla

September 22, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) and running back Trent Richardson (34) talk before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. The Colts defeated the 49ers 27-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 22, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) and running back Trent Richardson (34) talk before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. The Colts defeated the 49ers 27-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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This past weekend, four-time Pro Bowl running back Edgerrin James returned home to Indianapolis – where he was once named the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1999 – to help another young running back make it over the hump of a stalled career.

Running back Trent Richardson has been considered a bust since landing with the Colts last season by way of a trade with the Browns that most people considered favored Indianapolis at the time. Richardson’s rookie campaign with Cleveland was somewhat of a disappointment, averaging 3.6 yards per carry, but he did break the Browns rookie TD record with 11 TDs on the season. Many people considered his subpar year to be attributed to Cleveland’s lack of offense in 2012 and saw much potential still for Richardson to be a top RB in the league.

The trade to the Colts seemed like it was going to be tremendous for Richardson’s career, joining a young and rising Indy offense lead by Andrew Luck. While a season ending injury to Vick Ballard opened up the need for the Colts to bring in a new RB, simply trading a 2014 first  round pick to the Browns for the RB almost seemed like a steal at the time. After all, many critics considered Richardson to be the best RB in the 2012 draft, and exchanging a 1st round pick for a previous #3 overall pick made all the sense in the world to the Colts.

Aug 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) on the bench against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Colts 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) on the bench against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Colts 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

However, Richardson did nothing but flounder for Indianapolis in 2013. Even with an efficient passing game, Trent was only able to average 2.9 yards per carry behind an injured offensive line and was relegated to being second on the depth chart behind fellow RB Donald Brown. He didn’t return to a starting role until week 15 when Brown left a game with an injury. When all was said and done, he ended up rushing for 458 yards and found the endzone 3 times rushing and once receiving. A far cry from the performance the Colts thought they we going to get when bringing him in.

With Richardson’s power and strength, there has been confusion about his struggles in Indy. The offensive line did have problems staying healthy and saw a rotating door of lineman come through for protection, but the fact remained that even in short yard situations Richardson was ineffective. Struggles with learning the system and criticism from the media has only added on to the pressure.

And that’s where Edge comes in.

Edgerrin James is historically one of the best backs in Indianapolis history. His seasons in 1999 and 2000 saw him rush for a combined 3,262 yards and 26 rushing TDs. His style was smash mouth as a RB, and confidence was one thing that few would say he lacked. He was a beast on the gridiron, and his presence at camp signals that he is trying to bring the beast out of Trent Richardson.

James has taken Richardson under his wing to share his knowledge and wisdom from being a running back for 11 years in the NFL that will hopefully compliment the raw talent that Trent has. Not only can James share his success from being with Indianapolis, but he can only as share his experiences from his three seasons behind a spotty Arizona Cardinals offensive line.

During his first two seasons with Arizona, James was able to successfully adjust his game as a power runner with little protection and still get 1000+ yards while staying healthy on a team with a weaker offense. This is something Richardson is somewhat familiar with considering the struggles the offensive line in Indy had last season.

This season is a whole new opportunity for Richardson, and the trial by fire that he went through in 2013 is only going to make the RB stronger and more determined. Many doubters have questioned now if he was even worth the 1st round pick that Cleveland received and eventually used to pick up Johnny Football.  This is another area where James can assist, by showing Richardson how to focus despite distractions and make learning the system his top priority.

James has already come to Richardson’s defense in regards to his performance last season, telling ESPN.com ““It was unfair to judge him because it is two different systems.” Which is true, and considering when you factor in the system he learned at Alabama, the young RB has been pulled in different directions during his short career. 

“It takes time. Now he has a chance to put in the proper time and the proper work and get to know his teammates and know the different plays so he can go out and play like he did when he came out of the University of Alabama.” added James.

We will see what the future holds for Richardson, but sometimes the right mentor can be a game changer. After all, where would us kids from the 80’s be without Mr. Miyagi?

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