Richardson is ready for re-start with Riders
The Canadian field may be larger and the salaries may be smaller, but it’s just football to Trent Richardson.
The former University of Alabama Crimson Tide star, who was chosen third overall in the 2012 NFL draft by Cleveland Browns, is looking forward to re-starting his professional football career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“If you put a pigskin in my hand, I’ll be ready to go and ready to do what I do best,” Richardson said Tuesday after his first practice with the CFL team.
The 27-year-old tailback, a college teammate of Roughriders returner Christion Jones, is the latest third-overall draft choice to join the Green and White.
In March, Saskatchewan signed former University of Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young, the third pick in the 2005 NFL draft.
Young attended training camp with the Roughriders, but left the team after tearing a hamstring.
Although Richardson’s resume has some similarities to that of Young, the Roughriders were not hesitant to bring in another former NFLer.
“There’s a whole bunch of people who thought they were real good players once upon a time,” Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones said.
“For us not to bring a guy in who has that type of pedigree and at least kick the tires, I don’t know how smart that would be if they’re willing to come.
“We’ve had people who they know and trust who have kind of spurred their interest, so when CJ (Christion Jones) talked to Trent, then all of a sudden he had an interest in possibly coming to play. For us not to investigate it, I don’t know how smart that would be, either.”
Richardson spent time in the NFL with the Browns (2012 and 2013), Indianapolis Colts (2013 and 2014), Oakland Raiders (2015) and Baltimore Ravens (2016).
As an NFLer, he rushed 614 times for 2,032 yards — an average of 3.3 yards per carry — and 17 touchdowns (including 11 with Cleveland in 2012).
He has not played in a regularseason game since 2014.
In 2011, Richardson rushed for 1,679 yards and 21 TDs with Alabama.
He caught 29 passes for 334 yards and another three majors.
“As far as the running back getting the ball and running, if a guy has been doing it that long, he knows how to read a hole and go where he needs to go,” Roughriders quarterback Kevin Glenn said when asked how much practice time a tailback typically requires.
“A lot of the run plays are very similar. As far as blocking schemes, that’s the biggest thing. You’ve got to make sure that you have a guy back there who understands the blocking schemes and what’s going on and communicating with the offensive linemen.”
Chris Jones said Richardson won’t play Friday when the Roughriders oppose the host Ottawa Redblacks.
Saskatchewan’s first-string tailback, Cameron Marshall, is on the six-game injured list.
National tailback Kienan La France started for the Roughriders on Sunday in a 15-9 home-field loss to the Calgary Stampeders.
He had four carries for four yards.
Josh Harris, an international, had one carry for two yards and was subsequently released.
Roughriders receiver Naaman Roosevelt left the Calgary game in the second quarter after absorbing a hit to the head.
Roosevelt, who subsequently underwent concussion protocol, did not practise Tuesday and is not expected to play Friday.
Antwane Grant is to start in Roosevelt’s slotback spot.
Jones added that Roosevelt, who leads the Roughriders in catches (64) and receiving yards (929), is most likely to return Oct. 7 against the host Toronto Argonauts.