The Browns have been the laughing stock of the NFL for quite a while, and they have been in re-building mode lately. One of the key pieces to their rebuilding project was Trent Richardson, a running back from Alabama, who they drafted with their fist round pick in the 2011 draft. It seems as though they have given up on him after just 17 games though, as he has been traded to the Indianapolis Colts.
ESPN.com reported the trade Wednesday evening. In return for the young running back the Browns will receive a first round pick from the Colts. Richardson was the the third overall pick in 2011, and was considered the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson.
The Colts had a need at running back because their starting running back, Vick Ballard, tore his ACL, and is now out for the year. Ahmad Bradshaw was set to be the new starting running back but he is anything but reliable because of his past injury history. Now they have a solid group of running backs alongside Andrew Luck, the young stud quarterback.
Before Wednesday there was no hint that the Browns were looking to trade Richardson. But Jim Irsay started to make a big trade seem likely with his tweets Wednesday afternoon reports CBS Sports. Irsay tweeted "Colts nation...are you sitting DOWN!!!!!!," at first and then went on to tweet about an unexpected trade that "rolled the dice."
This trade comes as a huge surprise, given Richardson's young age (23) and supreme talent. But looking at it from an outsiders perspective, this is a huge win for the Colts, a team that has playoff aspirations. From the Browns side though it looks like they want to rebuild again, as Brandon Weeden doesn't seem like the answer at quarterback, and they just traded their best asset.
Richardson has rushed for 105 yards on 31 carries so far this year, after rushing for 950 yards last season with eleven touchdowns as a rookie.
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