Trent Richardson's 2013 NFL season can be summed up as a disaster. The former first-round running back struggled with the Cleveland Browns, resulting in a trade to the Indianapolis Colts. Things have not gone well there either as Richardson is no longer a starter but merely a rotational guy. After a fumble and benching in the Wild Card playoff round, the running back is in need of some redemption.
Richardson touched the ball once against the Kansas City Chiefs. He then fumbled that touch and set up a Kansas City touchdown. Now, Indianapolis did win the game so the fumble was over looked, but it only adds to the terrible struggles of Richardson so far in the NFL. The running back was a star and former Heisman finalist at the University of Alabama so the drop off of talent has been alarming. Richardson says he is simply focused on trying to get things back together against the Patriots.
"You feel like you've got to redeem yourself for it," Richardson said, via the Indianapolis Star. "You feel like you've got to make a statement. ... That's one thing that my brother has always told me: the fastest way to get yourself on the bench is fumbling the ball. And that replays in my head every day when I come out to work."
Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton told reporters that the fumble will not make him hesitant to use Richardson again during the playoffs. Richardson did not see the field for the remainder of the game after that play, but Hamilton downplayed it saying Donald Brown was simply running too well.
"The game itself, after the fumble, really dictated that we went into more of an attack mode," Hamilton said. "Trent actually did a great job of playing without the ball. His ability to take on those linebackers and handle all the different blitzes that we started to see, especially late in that game, was a big part of our success. No, I haven't lost any confidence in Trent at all."
Richardson does not have ball security issues which is something that keeps the Colts hopeful. The running back has lost just one fumble in 185 touches. It was the first fumble of his NFL career. The running back had similar stats in college, gaining a reputation of excellent ball protection.
"I don't fumble," Richardson said. "That's something that I had to work on all week (mentally). I know that's not me."
The Colts will need Richardson against the Patriots. New England's up-tempo offense will breakdown the defense. Having a solid running back rotation will be crucial to keep the ball moving.
