There’s been a move away from workhorse backs around the league in recent years, but the Browns are looking to kick it old school in 2013.
Offensive coordinator Norv Turner said Tuesday that he would like to see Trent Richardson carry the ball at least 300 times during the regular season. Only five players did that in 2012, but Turner thinks it is the way the team can make the best use of a player he believes is “capable of doing great things” in the NFL.
“Obviously, the trend in the league is to not do that, but I think it depends on your team and everyone around it,’' Turner said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “If that player is your best player, then I think it’s probably a good thing to have him in the game and give him the ball. So I would hope Trent would have that many carries. That means he’s playing healthy and playing at a pretty high level.”
Richardson’s health is a bit of a concern after he was hampered by injuries in 2013, but Turner said that the team is going to structure Richardson’s practice schedule to make sure he’s “fresh and healthy” for the season. If they are able to keep him that way, Richardson, who ran the ball 267 times last year despite missing one game and being limited in others, should reach the 300-carry mark fairly easily.
And if he runs as well as Turner believes he’s capable, that should be good news for the Browns offense.