BEREA-- Trent Richardson exploded up the middle early in the Browns first practice and the fans erupted with cheers.
Showing no signs of a lower leg strain that sidelined him during the OTAs and minicamp, Richardson kept true to his word that he would be ready for the start of training camp.
"It felt great to be back out there with my teammates," Richardson said. "To be back in the huddle and with the fans coming out, it was great."
Richardson said he completely trusts his health.
"You're going to see my game elevate," he said. "I'm not taking no backstep. I trust my shin and feel great."
Richardson wore no flak jacket for his ribs, a brace on his knee or sleeve on his shin. He played virtually all of last season with various injuries and missed all of the preseason after arthroscopic knee surgery.
"I think I didn't start running until the Thursday before the opener (against the Bengals) last year, with no cutting and played Sunday," he said. "I was going on adrenaline."
Richardson is looking forward to getting some work in the preseason.
"Playing in the preseason is important," he said. "I didn't get to do that last year."
Richardson is listed at 230 pounds, but he says he's closer to 225, lighter than last year.
"That's a good weight for me," he said. "I've played my whole career at that weight and had my most success there."
Richardson said he thinks the offense can get much better.
"I feel like we can get a lot better," he said. "It's just one day at a time. We need to take small steps before we take big steps."
Weeden was impressed with what he saw from Richardson.
"Trent looked great for sitting out some of OTAs and minicamp," Weeden said. "He didn't miss any assignments and was moving out there."
One of the radio stations broadcasting from Berea, said that Jim Brown addressed the team before practice and brought Richardson up before the team and praised him before the team.
"I still have a lot to prove to (Jim Brown) and Browns fans."
