Brandon

Jackson

Asked to make a comparison to Shaun Alexander, Holmgren said he believes Richardson is a better all-around back. “He wouldn’t block anybody, nobody,” Holmgren said of Alexander. “The difference is Trent is an excellent pass receiver, not just a willing blocker but a very, very good blocker.” It seems Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson are no threat to Richardson on passing downs. The rookie is a borderline RB1 in fantasy football.

Injuries have limited Hardesty to 10 games since he was a second-round pick in 2010, and in the words of Grossi, he “doesn’t have (the versatility) to play on third down and special teams” that Brandon Jackson and Chris Ogbonnaya do. Hardesty isn’t in danger of being waived tomorrow, but that will change if he doesn’t have a strong camp. Browns president Mike Holmgren has suggested Richardson will be an every-down back, so either way Hardesty’s fantasy value will be nil in Cleveland.

Signed to a two-year, $4.5 million deal in late July, Jackson was expected to be Cleveland’s third-down back this season. Instead, he spent the entire year on injured reserve and Chris Ogbonnaya got the job. Jackson is owed a $1.65 million salary and $100K roster bonus in 2012. He should return to compete for snaps in a Browns backfield laden with middling talent.

Recovered from a turf toe injury that cost him the entire 2011 season, Jackson has been hyped up recently after looking “fast and explosive” in OTAs. He’ sure to see some occasional third-down work, but rookie Trent Richardson won’t be leaving the field much. Jackson will be lucky to see a dozen snaps most weeks.

Hardesty’s revitalized “burst” has been evident early in camp. If we had confidence that he could stay healthy and effective in a low-scoring offense, Hardesty would be a candidate to “handcuff” Trent Richardson. It remains to be seen which back will handle primary third-down duties in Cleveland.

Richardson looked “quick and fast” in Monday’s return to practice, as if he had never gone under the knife. The Cleveland Plain Dealer believes Richardson will start and the Browns will “play it by ear” on his snap count. If the rookie plays well in his first couple of games, his workload is expected to increase to 15-to-20 carries per game by October. As it’s shaping up at mid-week, however, this backfield has no clear-cut fantasy starter for Week 1 versus the Eagles.

Richardson probably could have played through the “hang nail particle” of loose cartilage, but it would have caused irritation and swelling. By undergoing this “minor” procedure, the Browns are taking a proactive approach with their No. 3 overall pick. They say the expected recovery time is a “two-week deal.” Still, this is Richardson’s second left knee scope in the last six months. The Browns could be hesitant to put a full workload on his shoulders -- especially early on.

Hardesty had a rough month. In four preseason games, he rushed 30 times for just 92 yards (3.2 YPC) and lost two fumbles. Jackson picked up 135 yards and 34 carries (4.0 YPC), added a touchdown and didn’t fumble at all. If Trent Richardson (knee) can’t play in Week 1, we’re likely looking at some kind of committee.

This directly contradicts ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi, who calls a healthy Montario Hardesty the favorite for the top backup job behind Trent Richardson. With the No. 2 job locked down, Pluto anticipates only one of Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya making the team. The former was a 2010 second-round pick, but Ogbonnaya’s special teams contributions may give him the edge.

Hardesty created buzz early in camp, but killed it in the preseason by losing two fumbles and plodding to just 97 yards on his 30 carries. He failed to make a catch. Jackson, meanwhile, took the rock 34 times for 135 yards, and added four grabs for 26 yards. It’s quite possible Jackson is indeed ready to pass Hardesty on the depth chart, but Trent Richardson owners would probably do well to avoid the situation altogether and look outside Cleveland for higher-quality RB4/5s.