Are The Cleveland Browns Being Realistic With Trent Richardson's Prognosis?

Written By Larry M. Glicken "LG"

Trent Richardson just had his left knee surgically repaired for the third time since high school and the second time this year. The Cleveland Browns are saying they expect Trent Richardson to be ready to go opening day.

It that realistic? Richardson had to have his knee repaired after a brief time in Browns camp, he wasn't taking hits from opposing defenses. T-Rich was just practicing the Browns plays and running around. The Cleveland Browns put a lot on the line to pick up Trent Richardson in the draft, they may have caved into what the fans wanted, nonetheless it doesn't matter at this point. What does matter is how well Richardson's knee will heal and how fast it can heal.

T-Rich may have super powers when it comes to rushing the football, that doesn't mean his body can repair itself any sooner than anyone else. The human body can only heal so fast, Richardson just had his left knee penetrated with a scope that enables the surgeon to go in and have a look around. Then the surgeon locates the impingement and has to cut it away. Sometimes these procedures can produce scar tissue that can impede ones abilities to regain normal movement of the joint.

Under normal circumstances, the Doctor would ask the patient to reduce their activities for at least 4 weeks following a procedure like the one Richardson just went under this past Thursday. Then the patient will be able to start resuming their normal activities.

Now, keep in mind most people's normal activities don't include taking hits to their knees by 350lbs guys trying to bring them down. The normal person is allowed to return to walking and maybe some slight jogging, the doctors I have talked to don't encourage full-out  running until six weeks have passed.

If we compare Trent Richardson's knee to everyone else, this would make it sometime at the end of September before he could start running. Then the torque placed on a guy like Richardson's knee is a lot like a race car drivers head being jerked around when he hits the corners. Experts say in certain positions the human knee takes 9 times the weight of the human body, in the case of T-rich this cold even be greater.

With all this being said it is easy to assume if the Cleveland Browns hurry Trent Richardson back into the line-up they cold see him returning for another procedure to his knee before the season even ends. The question the Cleveland Browns experts in the front office need to ask themselves if the benefits outweigh the risks int he Richardson case. The Browns front office and the coaches shouldn't use this chance to rush Richardson back into the line up to keep them from looking stupid. They should do what is best for the athlete. Trent Richardson is a lot like a thoroughbred race horse, he is no good without his legs.

Now, before you start slamming me for this article, I recommend you to do some research on your own. Google these knee procedures and see what the  proper recovery time is.

Larry Glicken is the owner of www.clevelandsports360.com and the host of the Cleveland Sports 360 Show, an online streaming sports video show at www.streamingsportstalk.com