OT: Trent Richardson traded to Colts
per ESPN's Adam Schefter. For a 1st rounder.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9690728/cleveland-browns-trade-trent-…
Mods delete if needed. I understand it's not OT season but this is pretty big news.
September 19th, 2013 at 1:45 AM ^
September 18th, 2013 at 10:45 PM ^
I truly believe running back has become the least important offensive position in the NFL, as having a good one is mostly a by-product of having a very good line (see E. Smith having more yards than B. Sanders). But with that said, this move make no sense. I live in NE Ohio and watching the Browns each week is sad. It's only going to get worse now.
September 18th, 2013 at 11:06 PM ^
wait for it.....................Devin Gardner!!!!
September 18th, 2013 at 11:30 PM ^
Hey, I know he had a bad game last week, but there's no call for wishing that kind of harm on a Michigan athlete.
September 19th, 2013 at 12:08 AM ^
As much as I hate to say this, I would love to see Henne, Gardner, and Robinson on the same team in the future.
September 18th, 2013 at 11:30 PM ^
Richardson wasn't doing much for Cleveland, terrible OL or no. I'm OK with throwing away this season if we can hopefully get a decent QB for next year.
0-16. I can feel it.
September 18th, 2013 at 11:54 PM ^
There's a small part of me that understands the move. Cleveland brings in a new coach that has no loyalty to Richardson, didn't draft him, and obviously wants to make the passing game the focal point of the offense. Also, Richardson has been somewhat injury prone over the past year. His style of play probably doesn't do much for his overall longevity in the game.
Still, when healthy, Richardson might be their most talented player on the offensive side of the ball. I'm surprised they don't ride the season out, see what he can accomplish, and if they're not impressed, deal him after the season.
I guess they want to stockpile on draft picks, but I guess Browns fans should be settling in for another long season. But they should be used to it by now. The Browns have been rebuilding for 15 years. Not sure why that'd stop now.
Oh well, at least Richardson can go play for a winning team now. He and Andrew Luck on the field at the same time is a very scary thought for opposing defensive coordinators.
September 19th, 2013 at 12:56 AM ^
I think Cleveland is stupid, this move is dumb
September 19th, 2013 at 9:18 AM ^
18 games, 18 games and the dude couldn't get 1 run over 32 yards? Any professional RB can hit a hole. If this guy needs perfect blocking to make an impact, then why do we need you?
The entire league is moving towards a passing offense, and we traded up to do the exact opposite for a guy that has an injury history.
September 19th, 2013 at 4:29 PM ^
During his rookie year, O.J. Simpson's long run was 32 yards. Ricky Williams's long run as a rookie was 25 yards. Did those guys lack the explosiveness to play in the NFL?
In the NFL, a RB can't just break a long run with shitty blocking like some guys can do in college. If the blocking doesn't get Richardson to the second level, there's not much he can do. When he gets the chance, he looks pretty explosive - for instance, look at the run and the catch in this clip:
September 19th, 2013 at 12:22 PM ^
What's the tiebreaker for 0-15-1?
Because if your plan is to draft a QB you're going to need that #1 pick, because I don't see the Jags trading it to you since their QBing sucks pretty hard too. And if you want one of the other QBs you might as well win a couple of games, because they'll be available later in the top ten.
September 19th, 2013 at 12:42 PM ^
First of all: Trent Richardson has been a terrible tailback. This isn't NCAA 2011 - he has averaged 3.5 yards per carry. You know what that ranks among halfbacks who have gotten 200+ carries in the last 18 regular season games? Dead. Fucking. Last.
Oh no! Whoever can they find to run for 3.5 yards per carry? ANYONE.
Even if we assume Richardson has been terrible, NFL tailbacks have a functional shelf-life of roughly 5 years, Richardson is on year 2 of his, and the Browns are abysmal. How much of his useful shelf-life will line up with a competent supporting cast in Cleveland? 1 year? Maybe? So what's the point in keeping him?
The Browns essentially got a mulligan on a TERRIBLE draft pick (set aside the fact he sucks, drafting tailbacks in the first round has roundly been demonstrated a folly unless you're drafting Adrian Peterson or Ladanian Tomlinson - that's why it's virtually never done anymore.
The Colts, on the other hand...god now what they did this for.
September 19th, 2013 at 1:55 PM ^
RBs are an expendable commodity in the NFL except for a couple premier guys.
The Browns are loading up on draft picks and have quite a bit in the 2014 draft so I don't think it was a terrible move. Maybe they took Richardson knowing they would later trade him for another 2014 1st round pick? IDK.
September 19th, 2013 at 2:37 PM ^
I'd never have drafted Richardson in the first place so this feels like the best of a bad situation. But yeah, if you are a Browns' fan, this has to hurt to see such wasted picks with nothing to show for it. I mean, you have a chance at some studs and you take Richardson and a 28-year-old Weeden and say "oh yeah, we're good."
Colts might miss that draft pick, though.