NFL Week 3 thread, Trent Richardson is a Colt

[Lathum]

Cleveland Browns trade Trent Richardson to Indianapolis Colts, according to source - ESPN

[bhlloy]

Fucking embarrassing attempt at tanking that doesn't even make any sense. Turn the fourth overall pick two years ago into a late round first. Complete joke of a franchise.

[Lathum]

yeah, just makes no sense at all. Prior to the new CBA you could maybe make the argument to save money, but rookie contracts are cheap.

At least send him to the Raiders or some other non playoff team. Makes you wonder how much they really shopped him, I can't imagine the Giants wouldn't have given up more.

[SegRat]

Wow, how dumb.

[Atocep]

I think it's a good trade for both teams. The browns have a new GM that doesn't have attachment to Richardson and it's hard to argue that he's worth more than a pick in the 20s. On the other hand the colts need a running back and get one that is league average-ish.

This trade probably helps make the Browns better in the long run than if they just kept Richardson and the trade makes the Colts better right now and for the the next couple of years.

I really don't see how this is a bad trade.

[Suicane75]

I don't think it's a bad trade, but damn those poor fans.

[MrBug708]

It's a great trade in the sense they got more value for TR then he was worth at this point, but the tank job is easy. Are they shooting for Bridgewater or Hundley at this point?

[MrBug708]

In terms of fantasy value, whose the starter for Cleveland?

[M GO BLUE!!!]

So since the GM has no attachment to anybody on the team prior to this season, why not have a fire sale, dump Thomas, Weeden, et all for whatever anybody offers? They might get a team together within the next couple decades...

[Suicane75]

Oh I imagine they'd dump Weeden if they could get a box of bags for him.

[rowech]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

In terms of fantasy value, whose the starter for Cleveland?

Sounds like McGahee.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

So since the GM has no attachment to anybody on the team prior to this season, why not have a fire sale, dump Thomas, Weeden, et all for whatever anybody offers? They might get a team together within the next couple decades...

Thomas is going to have value to them if they end up drafting their QB of the future next year. Who would give anything for Weeden? He's a soon to be 30 year old QB that plays like a 3rd stringer at best. The rest of their pieces that would have any value are all 25 and younger I believe. Richardson is a case where what they're getting is honestly more than what he's worth. Realistically, based on how he's played in the NFL, he's worth no more than a 3rd round pick. The only reason they're getting a 1st round pick is the colts are desperate for a running back and the name Trent Richardson still carries some value.

[CleBrownsfan]

OKAY OKAY!!! It's officially an embarrassment that my user name on here is CleBrownsFan!!! This franchise is a joke!

[chadritt]

I want to know who called who. Did the colts call up and just say "hey, can we have Trent Richardson" as a joke and it worked out or did the Browns call them and say "hey, want our best young offensive player?" Im assuming Richardson asking to be a bigger part of the offense, which he should have been for cleveland, just really didn't go over well.

[Chief Rum]

If the Browns are not going to contend this year, this might be a good deal. They improve the chances that they suck this year and it seems like it will be a pretty strong QB draft, and they get another first.

On top of that, when it comes down to basic running between the tackles, is McGahee that much worse than Richardson? Main issue, is he healthy? If he is, he can do the dirty work a la BGE or Benson in GB.

Where this hurts is throwing in the towel two games into the season and also the fact Richardson was a Top 5 pick that essentially has gone to waste (in another strong QB draft, that one, too).

[bob]

I've never played organized football. How hard will it be for a running back to step in at this point, learn the playbook, blocking schemes, etc?

[RedKingGold]

So wait, do we think the Richardson is that good of a player that the Browns will surely tank now without him?

[RedKingGold]

If anything, this is an indictment of how bad Holmgren was as a GM.

[fantom1979]

Originally Posted by bob

I've never played organized football. How hard will it be for a running back to step in at this point, learn the playbook, blocking schemes, etc?

I never made it past high school football, and I played defense... But my understanding is blocking schemes are the toughest things for runningbacks to pickup in a new playbook. As long as the lineman block the way McGahee is used to (man to man or zone), he should be fine picking up the running play book. Not hard to find the 1 hole and run.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by bob

I've never played organized football. How hard will it be for a running back to step in at this point, learn the playbook, blocking schemes, etc?

Neither have I, but as a lifelong fan, it has always been my understanding that it is one of the more simpler positions to grasp from the get-go, and especially if you're not really expected to be out there on passing downs.

This is supposedly why you see rookie RBs impact faster than rookies at the other skill positions.

[BillJasper]

I think Irsay likely drove this trade and was drunk while doing it. If you're going to give up a 1st round pick, why not try to hit a home-run?

[fantom1979]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

So wait, do we think the Richardson is that good of a player that the Browns will surely tank now without him?

Didn't see anything out of Richardson that would convince me that he was going to be great... But at the same time, I am not sure how much we have seen him healthy. I believe he was playing with broken rib(s) last year.

Too bad Mike Ditka is still not in the league. The Browns could have stolen an entire draft for Richardson.

[cuervo72]

Nice editing there by ESPN. One paragraph saying he was taken in the 2011 draft, then 2012 two paragraphs later.

[fantom1979]

I have a fantasy league where we only get 6 pick-ups a year, and I was thinking of picking up McGahee. I just read though that it is no guarantee that he will pass the physical.

[bulletsponge]

this wasnt a dumb trade, drafting TR with the 3rd pick 2 years ago was the dumb move

[Lathum]

further proof teams should never take a running back early.

[BillJasper]

Wouldn't it have been smarter for the Colts to sign the more experienced MaGahee and use him with Ballard instead of burning a first-round pick?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

Wouldn't it have been smarter for the Colts to sign the more experienced MaGahee and use him with Ballard instead of burning a first-round pick?

Ballard is done for the year

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

this wasnt a dumb trade, drafting TR with the 3rd pick 2 years ago was the dumb move

+1 And I like(d) Trent Richardson a lot. He's a hard runner between the tackles and is a much better pass catcher than anyone gives him credit for. If Indy can win 10+ games and make the playoffs (thus the pick falls around 20) I think they did fine. Not great because I think they have bigger holes, but I understand Irsay isn't the most patient owner - and that free agent RB pile is pretty bad right now.

Cleveland also did right by them. New GM was willing to admit that TR never should have been picked 3rd overall and got a 1st. If it ends up in the 10-15 range, they probably won the trade, if it's around 20 it's a push, but they're definitely a few players away from being a playoff team, although they do have a few nice young building blocks in Haden and Thomas.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

We'll get to see what Richardson can do with halfway decent blocking. I admittedly have not watched the Brownies play this season, but based on the numbers put up by him & Weeden it doesn't look like the line has blocked anybody.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Ballard is done for the year

But they have Bradshaw. So the answer to Jasper's question is, yes (IMO), that would have been the smarter move.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

So wait, do we think the Richardson is that good of a player that the Browns will surely tank now without him?

They were going to tank with him. This just gives them a first rounder next year so they can start building something next year. Once the shock of it wears off, I'm sure this makes more logical sense, but it is still rather shocking that they pulled this off. Richardson might have looked average but factor in injuries and the support he had, and it really isn't a surprise in regards to how limited he was. If nothing else, he went from playing behind the worst starting QB from last year's draft to arguably the best.

[BillJasper]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Ballard is done for the year

Brain fart. Meant Bradshaw.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

this wasnt a dumb trade, drafting TR with the 3rd pick 2 years ago was the dumb move

Originally Posted by Lathum

further proof teams should never take a running back early.

I'm in this group. Richardson doesn't appear to be in the Petersen, once a decade stud RB mold.

If they end up with Bridgewater with their 1st pick, another strong piece with the Colts piece, and have their early 2nd round pick, they are probably ahead of where they are heading now looking at 2015, when they'd either be paying Richardson big $, or letting him walk, and looking to replace him.

[spleen1015]

I like the Colts' aggressiveness, but I don't think I like the player they got.

We'll see.

[miked]

It makes decent sense for the Colts, but why does everyone think Richardson is so bad. He put up 1400 yards and 12 TDs as a rookie for a team with no threat of a passing attack.

[Danny]

Fine Trade for the Browns

Also a good trade for Indi. Richardson will be extremely valuable to them. I think hes one of the 10 best overall running backs in the league easily considering what he has done for a such an awful offense.

[Julio Riddols]

Holy shitballs. I have never been much of a fan of Richardson, he reminds me of another Alabama RB down in New Orleans.. But wow, what an unexpected deal.

[Pyser]

so aside from peterson, has there been a good 1st round rb anytime recently?

[Danny]

Doug Martin last year with pick 31. Spiller in with #10 in 2010.

Overall, taking RBs in round 1 is really not a good idea, especially the 1st half of the round

[spleen1015]

I'm sure all of the positions are the same way. Not every #1 pick is worth a shit, no matter what position. I would say they are all pretty even.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Danny

Fine Trade for the Browns

Also a good trade for Indi. Richardson will be extremely valuable to them. I think hes one of the 10 best overall running backs in the league easily considering what he has done for a such an awful offense.

Football Outsiders, through 2 games this season and all of last season, has the Cleveland adjusted line yards higher than the RB yards. Cleveland's running game was roughly the same in 2011 with an out of shape Peyton Hillis and Chris Ogbonnaya than it's been with Richardson. What Richardson does do well and is an underrated aspect of RB production is he catches the ball.

Right now he's a RB that's struggled to stay healthy in his 1+ years in the league and didn't break the top 35 running backs last season. Not exactly a guy I'm looking to build around.

He should do better with the colts, but I don't see him jumping into the upper echelon of RBs. He's a guy that became the 3rd overall pick running behind a line that made Mark Ingram a Heisman Trophy winner.

[cuervo72]

Guess they won't be showing that "you're my favorite player" commercial anymore.

[Julio Riddols]

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Guess they won't be showing that "you're my favorite player" commercial anymore.

We'll just see how good their special effects artists are.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Football Outsiders, through 2 games this season and all of last season, has the Cleveland adjusted line yards higher than the RB yards. Cleveland's running game was roughly the same in 2011 with an out of shape Peyton Hillis and Chris Ogbonnaya than it's been with Richardson. What Richardson does do well and is an underrated aspect of RB production is he catches the ball.

Right now he's a RB that's struggled to stay healthy in his 1+ years in the league and didn't break the top 35 running backs last season. Not exactly a guy I'm looking to build around.

He should do better with the colts, but I don't see him jumping into the upper echelon of RBs. He's a guy that became the 3rd overall pick running behind a line that made Mark Ingram a Heisman Trophy winner.

Yeah I looked at the line rankings after posting that and CLE was a lot better than I thought. I could be wrong, I havent actually watched Richardson play in the pros at all, but was mostly going off what I saw in college.

[Danny]

But I do think having him will help Luck who I have as my fantasy starter in one of two money leagues, so I am happy with the deal

[bulletsponge]

i just read that the Browns traded thier 4th 5th and 7th round picks to move up from #4 to #3 to draft trent. wow is that true?

[cuervo72]

I think they were just lost after the Redskins traded up to get RG3.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Lathum

further proof teams should never take a running back early.

It's definitely not the position you should take if your team flatout lacks talent/sucks IMO. For every Peterson, that is able to get yards against defenses that don't respect his QB, there are a many more mere mortals who, despite their various skills, just aren't going to be able to do much when the QB and O-Line both suck.

Better to build your line and try steal a runner later in the draft IMO.

[Danny]

Teams should just pay shanahan 5 million fee to pick them a rb in the 6th round