Should Colts Fans Be Worried About Trent Richardson?

Jan 11, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) during the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts faced the New York Jets tonight in Week 1 of the NFL’s preseason, and the Jets were able to pull out a 13-10 win. Trent Richardson has been very vocal about his goals and improvement for the upcoming season, but he didn’t show any of that tonight. He carried the football just five times for 13 yards, which ends up totaling a 2.6 yards per carry average.

Richardson’s main issue last season was that he could not put any type of good yardage together, and part of it does have to do with his offensive line. The offensive line was a huge disappointment this evening, and to be quite honest it was terrible. If the Colts are going to get Richardson going this season, they are going to need to give him some space to run when he does touch the football.

There is no doubt that Colts fans should still be concerned about Richardson, simply because they lost Vick Ballard earlier this year. They can’t afford Richardson to have another bad season like last year, and even though this was just one preseason game, it is still very much a concern. Boom Herron was able to come into the game for the Colts and put up solid stats, and it looked like Donald Brown from last season all over again.

It is very strange that Richardson can’t find any holes in the defense, while Brown did last season and Herron did tonight. Obviously the defense wasn’t as good when Herron as in the game due to the starters being benched, but it is still something to keep an eye on. While most of the commentary about Richardson will be negative following the first preseason game, he did look much more comfortable in the backfield for the Colts tonight.

Despite all of the concerns surrounding the offensive line, Richardson has to figure out a way to make things happen on the ground. It’s much easier said than done, but he showed the potential when he played his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns. There is plenty of reason to be concerned for Richardson at this point in time, but not worried.

Overall, it is a bit too early in the preseason to be getting worried about Richardson. There are plenty of reasons for Colts’ fans to be concerned about his lack of production, but it is not time to begin worrying yet. All of that being said, the Colts have two very solid running backs behind him in Ahmad Bradshaw and Boom Herron. If Richardson struggles and isn’t able to pick up his play when the regular season rolls around, he won’t have too long of a leash.