What does deal for Trent Richardson mean? 10 questions for Colts
By PAUL SIEGFRIED
ISL Correspondent
After a week of disappointments, the Indianapolis Colts got a lift Wednesday when they traded their 2014 first-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for running back Trent Richardson.
The Colts had a need after losing starting running back Vick Ballard for the season, and boy did they fill it. Richardson ran for 950 yards and 11 TDs and caught 51 passes last year.
In case you’re not aware of what he can do, here are highlights, courtesy of YouTube user NFLHighlights225:
With the blockbuster deal done, let’s try and answer 10 questions from the faithful about the Colts (1-1) as they head into Sunday’s game against the 49ers (1-1) at San Francisco.
1) Does trading for Trent Richardson save our season?
It’s certainly a step in the right direction. With three starters lost for the season to injury including Ballard, and coming off a disappointing loss to the Dolphins, the Colts were pretty low mentally. Richardson is one of the best young runners in the game, and just what the doctor ordered. He is a powerful runner inside with speed to turn the corner and soft hands as a receiver. He was the third overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft behind the top pick, Colts QB Andrew Luck and Washington’s Robert Griffin III. Adding Richardson is certainly enough for the team and their fans to pull their fingers from the panic button.
2) So everything is OK now, right?
Well, there are still some problems. The offensive line lost Donald Thomas and inserts rookie Hugh Thornton into a unit that has been shaky so far. TE Dwayne Allen is gone, leaving only Coby Fleener as an experienced TE. Plus, the Colts play the NFL’s best three teams over the next five weeks. Quarterback Andrew Luck made some uncharacteristic mistakes against the Dolphins. And Richardson is not immune from injury. He had knee troubles at the start of last season and suffered broken ribs during the year. He has been nursing a shin injury this year.
3) All right, now my finger is back on that panic button.
Don’t worry. It’s not that bad. It’s early in the season and everyone has to deal with injuries at some point in the year. Richardson alone gives instant respectability to the Colts’ run game, which they haven’t had since Edgerrin James a decade ago. Teamed with Luck, Indianapolis becomes one of the most balanced and explosive teams in the league. And even with all their mistakes, the Colts were in position for the win at the end. It took a nearly flawless effort from the Dolphins and QB Ryan Tannehill to get the win.
4) Speaking of which, is Ryan Tannehill a better quarterback than Andrew Luck?
No. Luck is still the quarterback nearly every team in the league would want to have for the next decade. Tannehill showed he might be a good one, but he’s not better than Luck, who is a once-in-a-generation quarterback. Tannehill made a couple big plays, and Luck made a few mistakes. It happens. It shows just how close the overall talent is in this league and that in the end it is a team game.
5) You mentioned something about the schedule. What’s up with that?
Yeah, um, about that. Over the next five weeks before the bye, the Colts will play at San Francisco this Sunday, host Seattle Oct. 6 and then host the Denver Broncos and the return of Peyton Manning in a Sunday night showcase Oct. 20. In between are games at Jacksonville (Sept. 29) and at San Diego (Oct. 14). If the Colts are going to be in the playoff hunt, those two games will be must-wins, especially if they can’t pull off an upset of one of the big three.
6) OK, then what’s the good news after the bye week on Oct. 27?
The good news is that the schedule gets easier in the second half. The AFC South is not a strong division and the Colts could easily go 5-1 in those games. If they do that, they will win the South and earn the playoff spot. The big games with be the two against the preseason division favorite Texans Nov. 3 at Houston and Dec. 15 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
7) That’s way down the road. What about this week at San Francisco?
The 49ers had their pride wounded with a 29-3 loss at Seattle and will be wanting to show they are better than that result indicated, more like the team that whipped the Packers 34-28 in the season opener. The Colts defense was baffled by the multi-threat Terrelle Pryor in the opening game, and Niners QB Colin Kaepernick is the same type of quarterback, only a whole lot better. We’ll see how much the Colts learned since that opening contest.
8) So we could pull off an upset?
In the NFL, nothing is a sure thing. Of course the Colts can win the game. They have plenty of talent, and San Francisco was exposed by the Seahawks. The Niners have allowed 57 points in their first two games. If Indianapolis cuts down on the mistakes and takes advantage of opportunities, they can certainly pull it off. But don’t forget: San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh was Luck’s college coach at Stanford.
9) What is realistic to expect?
Richardson will take a little bit to learn the Colts playbook, but running back is one of the easiest positions to learn. He’ll basically need to know which hole to run to, and then will let his natural ability take over. Don’t be surprised if the Colts give Richardson a lot of carries early. It will also be easier for the rebuilt offensive line to get lathered up run-blocking, which is easier than pass-blocking, especially against San Francisco’s explosive pass rushers Aldon Smith and Justin Smith. And if the Colts can run the ball, they will keep the Niners offense off the field. With Allen out and Darius Heyward-Bey dinged, look for Luck to target always-reliable Reggie Wayne numerous times. The Colts will also want to take a few selected shots downfield to big-play receiver T.Y. Hilton.
10) How do we handle Kaepernick and all the San Francisco offensive weapons?
The Indianapolis defense will need to contain Kaepernick and not let him out of the pocket to freelance. That will take discipline among the front seven. The Colts secondary will be challenged by receiver Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis. Boldin was held to just one catch by Seattle after a 200-yard effort against Green Bay, and Davis is a matchup nightmare for any team. If the Colts can somehow force San Francisco to be a one-dimensional running team, they will be in much better position to pull off the upset. Running back Frank Gore has struggled through the first two games.
