Oakland Raiders: McKenzie’s 5 “Riskiest” Moves So Far This Offseason

Nov 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts defeated the Jaguars 23-3. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

Signing Trent Richardson

Richardson was not necessarily known for his bad attitude, but for his lack of production at the NFL level. After a stellar college career that made him a first round pick, it’s hard to describe Richardson as anything but a bust right now.

But the Raiders, with their storied tradition of taking players off the scrap heap and breathing new life into them, are at it again. McKenzie and HC Jack Del Rio believe that they can do something neither the Cleveland Browns, nor the Indianapolis Colts could do – get the best out of Trent Richardson.

Having let Darren McFadden – somebody, like Richardson, who is widely considered a huge bust – walk as a free agent, and with Maurice Jones-Drew retiring, the Raiders needed some help in their backfield.

Enter Richardson.

Guaranteed just $600k, Richardson is a very low risk deal financially speaking. But with Murray the only real workhorse type back in the stable, the Raiders running game needs him to perform. While the ground game couldn’t be any worse than it was last season if Richardson doesn’t perform, Oakland really needs to get some production out of its backs in the worst way.

If Del Rio and his staff can find that thing inside of Richardson that neither Cleveland nor Indianapolis could, if they can light a fire inside of him that he hasn’t had since he turned pro, it has the potential to be the most surprising, and underrated signing this season.

Nobody is really expecting a lot from Richardson, but if he can indeed regain his form, the Raider offense will become downright lethal.

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