Trent Richardson: Browns Need Star RB vs. Eagles in Week 1

The Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles are matching up on Friday, August 24, for Week 3 of the preseason, but things are hopefully going to be a lot different for the Browns when the teams meet again to open the regular season.

Trent Richardson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 draft, is still rehabbing from arthroscopic knee surgery he underwent back in early August.

The stud RB is attempting to get back on the field in time for the September 9 clash against Philly, and team president Mike Holmgren is cautiously optimistic.

According to Tom Reed of The Cleveland Plain Dealer:

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"If it goes according to schedule and there are no setbacks, there's a chance he [Richardson] could be ready to play in the first game," Holmgren said. "As a coaching staff and as an organization you have to be really smart in how you do that.

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The former Packers and Seahawks coach went on to say,

"As much as we'd all love to see him play, and are looking forward to him playing, we can't rush him back in before he's ready."

If Cleveland has any hope of beating the Eagles, they will need the fiery young RB on the field. He’s an absolute truck and one of the few backs that is actually worth—and should actually live up to—a top-five selection in the NFL draft.

Philadelphia is re-tooled and angry after their failed “Dream Team” season in 2011. They will be looking to open the season with a strong message against a young and inexperienced Browns team.

That will certainly happen, unless Richardson is on the field.

As the 21-year-old proved last year at Alabama, he can change a game in a heartbeat. If he steps onto the gridiron in that opening week, the former Crimson Tide star will be hungry and eager to prove something in his NFL debut.

With Richardson on the field, the Browns have a outside shot of pulling an upset. Without him, the team is doomed.