Colts Must Be Too Embarrassed to Start Ahmad Bradshaw Over Trent Richardson

The only person who might actually want Trent Richardson starting for the Indianapolis Colts is currently suspended — and that’d be owner Jim Irsay, only to say he didn’t give up a first-round pick for a below-average running back. Yep, a running back. In 2013.

Not only has that running back never averaged even four yards a carry in a season, but he’s only done it twice in 18 games with the Colts — and he only received a combined 24 carries in those two games. He’s also only scored five total touchdowns in those 18 games. That’s absolutely pathetic for a starting running back on a playoff team.

And the most embarrassing part of it all is that they have a man playing second-fiddle who might be twice the player Richardson is: Ahmad Bradshaw.

That’s right, the former New York Giant has been immensely more effective and in all facets of the game: running, receiving and pass blocking.

While Richardson has averaged an abysmal 2.9 and 3.3 yards per carry the 2013 and 2014, respectively, Bradshaw has averaged 4.5 and 5.4 yards per carry. Behind the same offensive line, the Colts’ No. 2 back has averaged well over a yard more, if not two full yards like this season, over their RB1. Granted, Bradshaw has slightly under half of the amount of carries that Richardson does. But keep in mind, Bradshaw also has six total touchdowns, one more than the former Cleveland Brown, in less than half the touches and games, for that matter (only seven games played due to an injury last year).

So as stated before, the only logical reason I can see that Richardson is still the No. 1 guy is because Irsay and the Colts’ front office are too embarrassed after giving up a first to make the right move, which is absolutely foolish. You don’t get the luxury of playing the Jacksonville Jaguars or Tennessee Titans every week, and those are about the only teams in which Richardson has been effective at all. And against defenses such as the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals — their next three opponents — the Colts will need their best players in the game, as well as balance on offense.

All this said, the decision is clear: start Bradshaw. Or, at the very least, give him the majority of the load once Richardson inevitably starts struggling mightily in the next few games.

Brian Neal is a columnist for InkOnIndy.com. Follow him on Twitter @brianneal23.