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Indianapolis Colts need to part ways with RB Trent Richardson

By Nick Ziegler

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The Indianapolis Colts have some major decisions coming up in the offseason, and no decision will be bigger than what they decide to do with running back Trent Richardson.

Richardson was the third overall pick in the 2012 draft out of the University of Alabama, after three great seasons in college. Richardson was one of the best running backs in the history of Alabama, as he rushed for 3,130 yards with 35 touchdowns and 5.8 yards per carry.

His final season at Alabama was a great one, as he had 1,679 rushing yards on 283 carries with 21 TD, as the selection by the Cleveland Browns seemed like a very good one after Richardson dominated with Alabama in the SEC.

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His rookie season wasn’t totally awful, but it wasn’t what is expected of a third overall pick. Richardson ran for 950 yards with 11 TD in his rookie season, but a 3.6 YPC is pretty poor for a RB in the NFL.

Richardson would play in just two games with the Browns in 2013 before being traded to the Colts for a first-round pick. His sophomore year was a really poor one with the trade to the Colts, as with the two teams he had just 563 rushing yards with 3 TD, and a horrendous 3.0 YPC. The poor season was chalked up to Richardson being traded and having to learn a new offense, but 2014 would be no different.

2014 brought expectations for Richardson in Indianapolis, but Richardson would be an utter disappointment. This season, Richardson had just 519 rushing yards with 3 TD, and once again a poor YPC average at 3.3.

Richardson’s ineffective play led to him losing a majority of his snaps to Daniel Herron, who produced much more than Richardson.

In the playoffs things got worse for Richardson and the Colts, as he was suspended by the team for two games for personal reasons according to their general manager Ryan Grigson.

Now the question has arisen for the Colts, what should they do with Richardson?

It will be a tough pill to swallow for the organization after trading away a first-round pick for Richardson, which as of now looks to be a pick thrown away. With his lack of production in the past three seasons, it’s hard to imagine any team willing to trade anything for him.

According to the National Football Post’s Joel Corry, if the reason Richardson was suspended was because of conduct detrimental to the team, the Colts can use that to void guarantees in his contract. If the Colts do exercise that in his contact, cutting him will be the next thing to happen.

With the value of running backs in the draft now, the Colts could easily replace Richardson in the draft if they choose too in the middle rounds. This year offers a strong RB class in free agency with DeMarco Murray, C.J. Spiller, and Mark Ingram all being free agents.

The Colts have money to spend, and are looking to surround their franchise-quarterback Andrew Luck with more weapons to help him and the Colts get over the hump in the AFC playoffs.

Next: Who Will be the Colts RB in 2015?

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