DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Richardson reduced snaps?

The headline in Friday's Canton Repository caught me off guard: "Childress says no plans to demote Richardson."

Wait, what?

It's remarkable this even is a conversation. The Cleveland Browns took Richardson with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. They traded up for him! His backup is ... Montario Hardesty. Yet it's not that crazy a suggestion when you look at the numbers.

Richardson is averaging 24 carries per game during the past month, without a 100-yard game. He hasn't averaged more than 3.6 yards per carry in any of those games and was held to just 42 yards last week. For perspective, New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw has the same number of yards as Richardson this season in 51 fewer attempts.

The lack of big plays has been a problem. Richardson is seventh in the NFL in attempts yet has just two plays for more than 20 yards. (Forty runners have more; quarterbacks Jay Cutler and Christian Ponder have as many explosive runs.)

It's hard to believe. The Browns have a good offensive line, and Hardesty is averaging more than a full yard more per carry (4.7 to 3.5) than Richardson. We suspect Richardson never fully recovered from knee surgery just before the season. He also has injured ribs.


Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress said the team is "not there" when it comes to benching Richardson, but it could reduce his snaps.

"Are we going to give him a series every now and then, or every third series or something to that nature?" Childress said. "Yeah, we talk about that."

We've seen enough from Richardson to believe he'll be a very good pick in the long run. But this has been a frustrating rookie season for him, and these are questions no one expected to have asked.

Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.


Linky

Not surprising. He hasn't been good this year, regardless of what you read on this board.

41st out of 46 qualified runners in yards per carry.

Hardesty has earned a bigger share of the carries. Simple as that.

Richardson hasn't set the world on fire, that's for sure.

But I'll say that when we pass the ball, there isn't anyone in their right mind who has to worry about Hardesty as a pass catching threat.

Yeah, we don't draft our starting RB to be a receiver. But, let's face it, you have to have a good receiving RB, you just have to.

JMHO

Hey I guess there's still time for Hardesty to end the season on IR. He just needs a few more carries a game.

J/C

I know TR hasn't broken the big one, and the yds. per carry is lower than we'd like. He has done too much dancing at times. That being said, how often do you see it take 3-4-5 guys to bring him down, while he's still driving the pile forward? He's a bruising back and has left it all on the field. Add in his receiving prowess, and I still say he's going to be great.

Hardesty definitely deserves some carries - a whole series at a time when the carries come, but Richardson still deserves (in my humble opinion) to be the guy.

I agree with you... the season is all but over for us, the odds of us making the playoffs are slim.

If making the playoffs this year was the objective, Weeden would have been yanked at halftime of the Eagles game... Gordon would have been replaced by Cribbs after about week 4 because he at least catches the ball... but they were allowed to play and to grow through their mistakes and their issues and they are still making a lot of mistakes... to even consider reducing Richardson's playing time now (unless he is actually hurt a lot more than we know) would be a monumental mistake.

Richardson is trying to figure out where the hole is going to be and Hardesty runs hard expecting the hole to be there. I thought it was injuries but after rewatching several of the games over the last few weeks, its anticipation and trust. I would use Richardson on all 3rd downs just for his blitz pickups and hands but I would definitely give Hardesty more reps on 1st and 2nd.

Richardson this time next year, will be back in conversation of special back.

I've rewatched games too recently and he's missing a lot of holes.

I think your take is spot on.

If I'm a betting man, I'm still betting on Richardson to be a special player.

He's just not this year. He's been good, not special.

I've noticed that too, over the season... and without ever looking at a stat sheet. He's good for about 3-4 7-yarders ech game, and an equal number of 5-yarders, as well. Many times, those runs are on 1st down, which opens up the playbook on 2nd.

That said, we too often hand it to him again on the ensuing down, which is stuffed for one yard or no gain. That needs to change.

I thinks it's no coincidence that Montario performs as mourg described, and that Trent has not. Hardesty's been in the league for 2 years more, and although he's seen limited time due to injuries, did have time to get the speed of the game, and learn the tendencies of his OL. Trent? Not so much. Let's all remember that he had no preseason to help his learning curve. (Can't remember if he participated in TC... a litle help?)

I think he's banged up a little more than we're being told, and that he's still adjusting to the pro game. One thing's for sure- I see in him the potential to be something truly special. once he get the hang of playing in the pros.

p.s. I've also wanted to see Montario get more carries per game. but DON'T want Trent to see a significantly reduced role. Playing out this season is the best way for him to learn (so long as he's healthy enough to contribute).

.02

Running backs with more touchdowns than Trent Richardson this season: Arian Foster (+6), Doug Martin (+1).

My biggest problem predraft was that he didn't have the breakaway speed to run away from DBs.

My biggest problem now? The same thing.

For the people that compared him favorably or better than AD coming out of college...

Really?!?!? REALLY?!??!?

I'm not really gonna complain about TRich.. the guy scores TD's.. thats what matters most.

And he is a threat catching the ball.

It is what it is.. he will only get better.

I agree that there are no sacred cows. Regardless of draft choice, step aside if you can't produce. Considering this line, the play selection and its predictability, I can see TR getting less done. We need him to slam holes not think and finesse plays being all shifty in holes. This is reflection on TR, but also on the staff IMO.

Quote:

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Richardson is trying to figure out where the hole is going to be and Hardesty runs hard expecting the hole to be there. I thought it was injuries but after rewatching several of the games over the last few weeks, its anticipation and trust.

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I've noticed that some backs get praised for hitting the hole hard and fast, running down hill, staying behind their pads, etc.... other backs get praised for being patient, letting things develop in front of them,then make their move....