Stunning NFL news Wednesday as it was announced the Browns sent star running back Trent Richardson to the Colts for a 2014 first round pick. The move, which seems almost too desperate this early in the season, is viewed as a mulligan for Cleveland’s shot to get a new star quarterback and a successful attempt for Indy to fill their running back void after it was announced Vick Ballard was done for the year.
Via ESPN
The Cleveland Browns on Wednesday traded former first-round pick Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round pick.
The deal was first reported by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Cleveland selected Richardson with the third overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft out of Alabama.
Richardson has rushed for 105 yards on 31 carries in the first two games. He rushed for 950 yards and a Browns rookie record 11 touchdowns last season.
After carrying the ball 13 times for 47 yards in a season-opening loss to Miami in which he didn’t receive a carry in the fourth quarter, Richardson said he wanted to a bigger role with the Browns. He made similar remarks during his rookie season while he played much of the campaign with broken ribs….
…The acquisition of Richardson gives the Colts the first and third players taken in the 2012 draft.
What the Richardson deal means:
- Brandon Weeden can officially kiss his starting QB spot in Clevelend goodbye, no matter how well he plays from here on out. The Browns made this move to try and get the quarterback they didn’t get in the RGIII/Luck draft.
- The Colts don’t trust Ahmad Bradshaw.
- Trent Richardson’s value just went up. The Colts have a better QB — and simply a better team than Cleveland — and won’t have to go all-out pass-happy in the fourth quarter to try to get themselves back in ball games, which leads to my next point…
- Cleveland ranks 29th in the NFL in rushing attempts this season with only 33. Indianapolis ranks 18th with 52 attempts. Richardson’s value just went up.
- Indy ranks 5th in the league in average rush per carry at 5.0. Cleveland is 19th in the NFL at 3.4 per carry. Again, who’s been carrying the ball in Indy? Not a guy as talented as Richardson.
- Someone will have to carry the ball for Cleveland, which means there might be a lottery ticket out there for a decent sub flex play. Bobby Rainey and Dennis Johnson are the backups on the official depth chart.
Overall this trade helps Richardson and the Colts while it continues to remind the Browns they are still the Browns.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on @JHelmuth or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
