Bengals LB Rey Maualuga: Browns RB Trent Richardson Is Nothing Special

Jun 12, 2012; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson (33) runs with the ball during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns will meet in a heated AFC North showdown this weekend. The in-state rivals will participate in a heated matchup but the intensity level may have just been kicked up a few notches thanks to Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga and Browns running back Trent Richardson.

Maualuga started the trash talk earlier this week when he failed to give Richardson any sort of credit. In fact, he downplayed any talent that the former Alabama star may or may not have.

“He can run you over and you can miss a tackle, at the same time, from what we’ve seen he didn’t do nothing spectacular,” Maualuga said. “From running screens, missing passes, trying to find a hole when he’s running the ball. He just didn’t do anything spectacular from what I’ve seen. I’m pretty sure he’s going to want to get after it once he plays us.”

Richardson caught wind of Maualuga’s comments and told the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mark Kay Cabot that he was motivated by the criticism.

“When somebody wants to talk mess, I mean, hey, that’s them. I let my game speak for itself, so if they want to see how mad I am, or how upset they got me about the comment, you’ll see Sunday,” Richardson said.

It is going to be a physical and pivotal matchup in the division and you can expect Maualuga and Richardson to seek each other out for some controlled violence. If Richardson targets Maualuga like he did Eagles safety Kurt Coleman last week, Richardson will get the physical edge.