Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson could have the answer to improving his game this season.
Richardson came over to the Colts from the Cleveland Browns in a mid-season trade in 2013 and never really got things going. Looking to have a better 2014, Richardson met with former Colts tailback Edgerrin James during the team’s practice on Saturday.
“Last year when he got here during the middle of the season, it wasn’t fair to him to try to get in with all the stuff he had going on,” James said, via Colts.com. “I told (Colts owner) Mr. (Jim) Irsay that I would come up during training camp.”
James spent seven of his 11 years in the NFL with Indianapolis, rushing for over 1,000 yards five times with the Colts. Richardson said the two communicated last season when Richardson struggled.
“We’ve had a lot of phone calls. Mentally, he’s always been on my side, keep me positive and stuff,” Richardson said. “Even with the stuff that was happening last year, we always kept in touch.”
Richardson’s Colts career started off with a bang when he scored a touchdown on his first-ever carry with the team. But the rest of the season did not turn out as nicely, and Richardson averaged just 2.9 yards per carry in 14 games.
The third-year running back said James gave him some advice on Saturday and will return to practice to give him some more help on Sunday.
“Just little stuff, stay behind my pads,” Richardson said of James’ advice. “That’s one thing I’ve always done, one thing he’s always told me that’s been a positive about me. And make sure I finish runs. That’s when you’re at practice and not at practice, it all shows up.”
Photo via Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports Images
