Browns coach Pat Shurmur says Trent Richardson will "play the whole game" if he's active in Week 1, according to ESPN Cleveland.  "He’s going to give it everything he’s got," Shurmur said Saturday. "

According to Browns general manager Tom Heckert, Richardson "looks real good right now," and "has had no setbacks whatsoever."  This could be a huge lift for the Browns in their game against the Eagles, if Richardson is unable to play, the Browns would have to go with Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson in his place.

There is a chance early on that Richardson will share early-down work with Hardesty while Jackson works into the mix on third downs.  Richardson's left knee problems are also recurring, so the Browns are being extra careful with their first-round pick; he had the same knee scoped on February 3.

Even with the depth and talent the Eagles have on the defensive line, they have struggled against the run, using the “wide nine” pass rush.  The best way to beat the Eagles is to run right them. The Browns , without Richardson in their preseason meeting really struggled to move the ball on the ground.

While many people think the Browns will struggle this season with a rookie quarterback and rookie running back, not to mention limited options at wide receiver - running the football effectively is one way that can keep any team in any game.

 

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