Bengals Say Richardson ‘Nothing Spectacular

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Richardson totaled just 39 yards in his first game (Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE)

BEREA — Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga said he didn’t see anything ‘spectacular’ from running back Trent Richardson last Sunday.

“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 told CBSSports.com earlier this week. “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.”

Maualuga was the 37th player selected in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Bengals, one spot after the Browns selected wide receiver Brian Robiskie. Maualuga had seven tackles in the season opener against the Ravens.
Richardson did have very pedestrian numbers in his debut with 39 yards in 19 carries for a 2.1 average. He caught one pass for five yards and dropped a pass in his first action after missing a month of training camp and the entire preseason.

Richardson’s response to Maualuga’s comments was short and to the point.

“Of course, it sparked me,” Richardson said after practice Thursday. “I’ll just let my game speak for itself on Sunday.”

Pat Shurmur said it wasn’t his style to put stories or quotes like that in a player’s locker to give the player extra incentive.

Offensive coordinator Brad Childress said he there’s no doubt in is mind that Richardson will break loose soon.

“He’s a dynamic player,” Childress said. “It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.”

 Shurmur said he expects more from Richardson this week.

“I think so,” he said. “I saw him practice yesterday better than he did a week ago. I anticipate he’ll have a better performance.”

Childress said there was no formula on how much work Richardson could handle in his first game.

 “I think he was strong,” Childress said. “We saw more spryness Wednesday at practice. We were comfortable with him obviously.

“We didn’t want to overdo it and didn’t,” he said. “You have to trust your eyes. It’s more a feel thing as you go along.”

Richardson said he expects more this week.

“Yeah, most definitely,” he said. “My expectations are always going to be high. I always set my goals high, and the sky is always the limit as I see it as how good I can be or how good this team can be, as a group and as a unit, how much we can come together, and try to do the best we can to win.”

Richardson said he’s more than ready to expand his role, whether that be more carries or on third downs.

“I’m going to play my role,” he said. “If coach needs me on third down, I’m going to go in on third down. If he needs Brandon (Jackson) to be in there, if he needs Chris (Ogbonnaya) to be in there, Montario (Hardesty), whoever it is, we are all out here hungry for the same thing.

“We are all ready to win, so whichever one of us he puts in there, we will do everything it takes to win.”