If your the Browns, how do you justify this trade?

[therealjohncarlson]

If not to tank, why in the hell do you make this trade? I just dont get it

 

[RolandDeschain]

"We're rebuilding for the second time this year. FASTEST WORK EVER."

 

[joeseahawks]

Draft picks !!! They have 2 first rounders next season. They can start accumulating talent next season ... Richardson was not worth it.

 

[Subzero717]

Richardson is good but he's not special. I think the Colts panicked a little.

I also believe I heard that he was complaining about his role.

 

[Popeyejones]

Richardson has been living off of name recognition and his draft slot. He was always injured, and has been really pedestrian while playing and only looked effective by the end of last year because he was such a compiler. And there's stuff like this now leaking out:

@JeffDarlington
A Browns starter tells me: "It makes sense. Trent has some things he needs to figure out before he becomes a dominant player in the league.

Basically, it's always better to trade a player a year too early than a year too late. That's particularly true for high first round picks that you've gotten a better look at than anyone else and that you're not that enthused by. If the Browns didn't like his attitude and what he was putting on the field, they may have been faced with getting a first for him now versus a fifth for him next year. Heck, if the Hawks had traded Curry at the beginning of 2010 rather than benching him and then trading him in 2011 they probably could have gotten a low first or high second for him. It's why I'm surprised by the move, but also okay with it.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

Like many trades, the grade will be an "Incomplete" until we see how that extra first-rounder pans out for the Browns.

 

[Smelly McUgly]

Would you rather have Trent Richardson for three more years, or Bridgewater?

Would you rather have Richardson + whoever you get at between 1-4 or Clowney + Manziel?

Those are just two examples, but slot in a top three player and a player that can be had at 13-19. Then ask yourself whether you'd rather have Richardson or whatever players that you have slotted in for the Browns, one of which probably has to be a QB.

 

[HawkWow]

Maybe they get some bizarre fulfillment watching the Ravens win SBs. Like Seattleites cheering on the Thunder (not quite the same but..well, you know).

 

[MLOhawks]

They now have 2 picks in each of 3 of the first 4 rounds or so, they are saving up picks to move up in the draft and get one of the top QB's.

 

[therealjohncarlson]

They now have 2 picks in each of 3 of the first 4 rounds or so, they are saving up picks to move up in the draft and get one of the top QB's.

At this rate they wont need to trade up

 

[pinksheets]

They now have 2 picks in each of 3 of the first 4 rounds or so, they are saving up picks to move up in the draft and get one of the top QB's.

At this rate they wont need to trade up

Then they get 2 players who will likely contribute more than a running back, which they can get later. They win this trade, IMO.

 

[Carmon1274]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFyI98FyaZo

 

[Carmon1274]

They now have 2 picks in each of 3 of the first 4 rounds or so, they are saving up picks to move up in the draft and get one of the top QB's.

At this rate they wont need to trade up

Browns/Jags are one of the teams looking for a QB

 

[Maelstrom787]

I justify the trade by reminding everyone that Trent Richardson was not drafted by the current front office and that the franchise could use another first for a potential key piece much more so than a 3.6ypc running back.

 

[IBleedBlueAndGreen]

Take a look at the article up now by La Canfora. Apparently multiple scouts and GMs around the league believe that the Colts panicked and overpaid for Richardson. Truly, I think that the general public's views of a player gets very skewed by the "Fantasy Football Phenomenon." This was a running back taken third overall in the draft and so he must be a complete stud. However he has serious injury history, was worked very hard while at Alabama, and didn't fit the scheme the Browns have in place. This could very well be a win/win long term for both organizations.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jas ... for-browns

On another note - here is a fair comparison of rookie years for highly drafted running backs

Trent Richardson '12: 267 carries, 950 yards, 3.6 ypc, 11 TD
Cadillac Williams '05: 290 carries, 1178 yards, 4.1 ypc, 6 TD

The rest of Cadillac's career: never had another 1000 yard season, never had more than 4 rushing TDs, missed 29 games over six years. Hindsight is 20/20 but don't you think if Tampa could have traded him for a 1st rounder if they thought this might be coming they'd have made that deal? If you're not comfortable with a player and have a way to make a move to rid yourself of him while getting a possible upgrade then it makes sense to do so, no matter what the public thinks.

 

[The Radish]

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