Trent Richardson never saw his trade from the Cleveland Browns coming.
"I was shocked," Richardson said Wednesday on a conference call with Cleveland reporters, according to The Plain Dealer. "I had no clue at all. I had no type of heads up."
The former No. 3 overall pick was dealt to the Indianapolis Colts last October, just 17 games into his NFL career. It hasn't been an easy road since. Richardson's struggles with the Colts have been extensive and well-documented.
Cleveland's decision to deal him for a first-round pick still burns. Richardson won't hide his motivation as he prepares to face his former team for the first time.
"They gave up on me," Richardson said. "I'm going to go into this game like it's my last one."
Richardson has averaged just 2.0 yards per carry over the past three weeks and has averaged just 3.1 yards per rush for his Colts career. Dan Herron, like all other Colts players who have shared the backfield with Richardson before him, has been a far more productive option.
"A lot of people are saying, 'He's a mistake. He's this. He's that,'" Richardson said. "Well, watch these next four weeks, because it ain't like I've been playing bad football."
Opinions vary. Richardson might be playing for his NFL career over these next four weeks.
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