Richardson, Morris renew rivalry in NFL

"It pushed me to strive for much that I want in life."

Morris' success may be surprising to those who didn't see him run over other players for years. Richardson has been watching the 5-foot-10, 218-pounder cause destruction inside the hash marks for most of his life.

"We've always been rivals," he said. "He was the reason why I never made the (high school) playoffs. Then his little brother Shawn was the next reason. I've been playing against Alfred my whole life and him and his little brother have been on the same team. They were the reason why I didn't make it to the playoffs."

That could happen again.

The Browns are a longshot to make the AFC playoffs, and need to win their final three games to have any chance at the postseason. Cleveland's defense will have to contain Griffin, assuming he plays, along with Morris, who needs 288 yards to surpass Clinton Portis' team single-season rushing record.

Morris didn't have records in mind when he was drafted. His only objective was to win a job with Washington.

"I wasn't guaranteed a spot on this team, so I had to bust my butt in camp," he said. "My goal was to make the team. And, after that, the opportunity will come and when it does come make the most of it."

He's done that.

There were skeptics who doubted Morris could play at the game's highest level. They looked at his size and college and wondered.

They should have talked to Richardson.

"He didn't get that much recognition because of the school he was at," Richardson said. "They didn't get seen a lot. But Alfred has always been a baller to me and he's always had a nose for the end zone.

"He's always been a baller to me."

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NOTES: Browns coach Pat Shurmur believes Shanahan will commit to one quarterback Sunday and won't rotate Griffin with rookie Kirk Cousins, who came off the bench last week when Griffin sprained his right knee. ... Sunny skies and temperatures in the 40s allowed the Browns to practice outside for the second straight day. ... Richardson wasn't upset he only averaged 2.3 yards in last week's win over Kansas City. "It doesn't bug me because we won," he said. "If we didn't win, it would bug the mess out of me."

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