http://msn.foxsports.com/lacesout/colts ... d=ansfox11

Holy moly....this doesn't make sense for either team.

Honestly, I haven't been impressed with Richardson at all. The guy is constantly nicked up. I don't necessarily blame the Browns, albeit I have no idea who they're rolling with the rest of the season.

Looks like McGahee, actually.

Browns fans were basically just told "Come back next year. We have to introduce you to Mr Bridgewater"

There's already a thread on this in the NFL forum.

I saw that. Mike Lombardi at work for the Browns and giving a hell of a signal to the team 2 games into the season.

Indy is not wanting to just count on Ahmad Bradshaw staying healthy for the entire year with Vic Ballard gone, but a 1st round pick is steep.

It makes perfect sense for both teams.

Outstanding trade by both parties, IMO.

I agree with this. Lombardi is positioning the team to get a top QB. With Jacksonville in the mix I don't know if it will necessarily be Bridgewater, but there seems to be a few good options. Its probably worth it for them because Weeden isn't getting them anywhere. A top QB and bargain running back drafted next year are better long term.

I think this trade makes more sense for Indy. The passing game took a huge hit with Allen down. Richardson can give Luck a great check down option in the pass game (think of the forced deep throws last week). He also doesn't have to be the whole offense like in Cleveland so perhaps he gives quality as opposed to quantity carries. This could keep them in the running for the playoffs.

Richardson is probably better than the mid first rounder Indy would have anyway.

I could agree with you if maybe this were mid-season and Trent was having a good enough year to prove that value, despite the Browns continuing to lose. Otherwise, I think this is a pathetic move for Cleveland who just punted the season and lost a good bit of money from attendance. & Indy didn't negotiate very well for an argueable bust. IMO

I fail to see on any account how this is a pathetic move for Cleveland. The guy was always hurt and so far has not lived up to his draft status. In return the Browns got a worthwhile 1st rounder to pair up with their pick next year. They weren't going anywhere with Richardson.

I think it is a good trade for Indy as it gives Luck a talented running back and knowing that he throws the ball up and down the field, having Richardson pound it in within the 10 yard line area will be a great benefit IMO.

He is a solid running back that will add to Indy's arsenal.

The real message here?

Don't spend high draft picks on RB's, unless they're Barry Sanders or Adrian Peterson type of prospects.

Cleveland took Indy to the cleaners IMO. If Indy was that desperate they could have just signed McGahee themselves. But now Cleveland gets a first from them and still has a decent back that was just sitting there lol. Indy = Dumb...

Bradshaw is a good back, so is McGahee.

Don't spend high draft picks on RB's

Yep, you need a QB 1st.

I think Norv said that a couple weeks ago..Didn't he

... or a LT.

What took so long.....Could you imagine a front office passing on Aaron Rodgers or Matt Flynn...Dahhhh

No it doesn't. It doesn't make sense for the Colts. They have so many holes on that team that trading a 1st round pick on a guy that was already overdrafted is silly.

Not to mention they only have 33 players under contract next season and have $82 million in cap liability.

They still need to build up that offensive line and pretty much revamp their defense.

For the Browns, it makes sense. Clearly, Brandon Weeden is not the future and now they have an extra chip to play with in the first round.

The Colts may have just spent a high draft pick on Trent Richardson the way their season has started...

49ers next. It's not going to get any easier for them.

I think they still end up 8-8, or 9-7 at worst.

Richardson is a perfect fit for that offense...He's going to feast for years with Luck.

I'm not Richardson's biggest fan and thought it was idiotic to take him at #3, but for Indy, a future mid-late first round pick is worth it, given the fit and need.

What I said a couple weeks ago about staying committed to the run has nothing to do with my overall assessment of the guy in terms of this deal.

They'll probably wind up around .500, I agree.

I do not agree with giving up a first round pick for a running back. With Luck as the QB, the speed they have on the outside and the talent they have at tight end, if they shored up their offensive line you could plug and play a generic RB into their offense and find success.

Seems like overkill with all of the other needs they have.

Especially for the Colts. A first round pick sounds high, but he was a former first round pick ... actually the third overall pick last year. I think Richardson is a load, but he isn't the typical play-making RB that I'm used to seeing with the Colts.

"Former Colts vice chairman Bill Polian called him one of the "three sure-thing players" in the 2012 draft."

.

1-1?

Agree, but I believe Cleveland could have gotten at least another pick, like a 3rd. TR means nothing to Cleveland without a top Qb, so I understand the reasoning.

We're on the same page with how we value RB's.

But the Colts want to run the power run game a lot, and they probably think this will help the protection as much as better personnel on the OL.

Pep Hamilton wants to bring to Indy what he had with Luck at Stanford. He'll let Luck fling it around, but the foundation of the offense will be centered around developing a run game on early downs. A 1st round pick is high for 9/10 teams, but for Indy I think it was a nice, bold move.

Yeah, barely squeaking by a bad Oakland team at home. What happens when they go out to San Fran?

Think might be reading more into it at the moment. Bad teams can play good games, especially on opening weekend.

And I think you're a little too hung up on my comment. I did use the word may... it leaves it open to possibilities...

There might be a career in "maybe" articles for a paper is your calling.

Am I the only one to whom this sentence makes no sense?

You don't know what "maybe" sports articles are? Its reporting something without actually reporting anything.

I was pointin out the possibiity to some who didn't see. Sorry for not meeting your reporting standards on a fan forum...

Am I the only one who thinks his entire angle in this thread makes no sense?

Thanks for being such a forward thinker.


I know the irony of your comment is wasted on you.

I did not have an angle, just was trying to figure out how one could suggest a playoff team from last year might be giving up a high pick in Rd. 1 with a 1-1 record.

You are the one who got all bent out of shape. I guess you believe you are above being questioned on post.

I dunno know. Maybe a blow out Win?