BEREA, Ohio -- The winless Browns have multiple problems, few of them good and none as enviable as one conundrum: How much is too much of Trent Richardson?
There are lots of NFL coaching staffs that would like to be saddled with such a dilemma. From the helmet-ejecting hit on Kurt Coleman in his NFL debut to his streak of four games with a rushing touchdown, Richardson leaves many fans clamoring for more. 
Wouldn't it be great, for instance, if the Browns gave their muscular halfback as many opportunities as the Baltimore Ravens did Ray Rice? Believe it or not, they do. Each has 81 rushing attempts. The All-Pro has just three more receptions (23) than Richardson, who ranks third among running backs in catches and times targeted.
"I'm very impressed with Trent Richardson," said NFL on CBS analyst Dan Dierdorf. "When you're taken No. 3 overall as a running back when some teams are finding good backs lower in the draft, you had better be special. He warrants that pick.
"I just don't see where the kid has a weakness."
Such glowing commentary does nothing to mute the criticism of coach Pat Shurmur and his staff for not having him on the field during the game-changing third-and-1 play against the New York Giants last week that resulted in an interception and ignited the Giants' rally in a 41-27 victory.
Richardson participated in a season-high 84 percent of the snaps Sunday. He ranks seventh among all NFL running backs with 242 snaps, according to ProFootballFocus.com.
"He has to get a drink of water sometime too, you know?" Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress said.
When it comes to Richardson's playing time, Browns coaches find themselves in a similar predicament to that faced by Cavaliers coaches last season with NBA Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving. The halfback seems good enough, strong enough and productive enough to never leave the field.
"I love Trent Richardson," ESPN analyst Damien Woody said. "I love how hard he runs and how he doesn't take plays off. It will be interesting to see how (the Browns) develop him."
Richardson, who ranks 13th in rushing attempts, said he has no concerns about hitting the proverbial rookie wall. He leads the Browns in rushing yards (303) and receptions (20), and is second in receiving yards (169).
Beyond the check-downs, the Browns are making an effort to get him the ball in space with short passes.
"I feel like I have a full head of steam and I can do more in space and I like making guys miss," Richardson said of screen passes. "Lot of people think I'm here to just run over people. I don't have to run over people. That's part of being a complete back. . . . It's having a lot of talent and being blessed with a lot of the skills that God gave me."
Dierdorf, who served as the analyst for the Browns-Giants game, appreciates the confidence Richardson exudes and the willingness to speak his mind. The Alabama product inherited the candor from his mother (Katrina) who he said taught him, "don't hold anything in because that can kill you inside."
Woody and Dierdorf believe Richardson can handle an increased number of carries, although the CBS analyst is quick to note a coaching staff would know what's best for their player. Dierdorf envisions the 5-foot-9, 230-pound back becoming a terror against nickel packages and thinks Richardson could get 25-plus carries per game. The Hall of Fame offensive lineman is eager to dispel the notion that running the football is a dying art form in the NFL.
"The last two games I've done, New England ran all over Buffalo and the Giants ran all over Cleveland," he said.
The Browns rank 29th in total rushing attempts (94) – 97 carries behind the Patriots – in part because they are often trailing. They also aren't giving the ball to a halfback other than Richardson. Chris Ogbonnaya has two attempts – or two fewer than receiver Travis Benjamin.
Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden finds himself second in passing attempts (202) and tied for the most interceptions with nine.
Woody, who spoke to the Plain Dealer before the Giants game, sees improvement in Weeden and said the biggest problem with the Browns' passing game is its receiving corps.
As pigskin pundits debate how much is too much for Richardson, the player seems to trust in his coaching staff – making for one less problem for Shurmur.
"As a football player and an athlete you always want to play every play of the game . . . in due time that's going to come," Richardson said. "I know coach has a plan and he's doing what he knows best. He's going to get everyone in and make sure he puts me in the right position to score touchdowns or gain yards and make a first down. The game is much bigger than me and we have other guys out there with a lot of potential."
Just not as much as Richardson.
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/10/cleveland_browns_coaches_dilem.html
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