When I heard about the Trent Richardson trade
earlier this week I was shocked that Cleveland would do such a thing. He was
the best offensive skill player on their team and frankly the only good one
since Joe Thomas isn’t in a skill position. And for what, a first round pick?
When the Redskins traded for an unproven RGIII they
gave up 3 first round picks and a second to trade up less than ten spots. For
Richardson, the Colts gave Cleveland a late first round pick (since I now know
they will probably go to the playoffs) for a proven player that was taken Number
3 overall. And why, because he didn’t fit into Norv Turner’s offense? Last time
I checked Norv was the new coordinator whose last coaching endeavor turned a
top NFL offense into one of the most turnover filled and careless in the NFL.
There are some people who say that because the Colts
gave a first round pick it was a good deal for the Browns. I completely
disagree. Trent was a top five pick and an already proven running back. If you
don’t remember the Browns even traded up to get him, giving up a fourth round
pick and now he is gone. The Colts will now give up a late pick that the Browns
will use to draft a player who has a good chance of being a bust. Odds are, at
best, he will have an average career and not even become a top 10 player at his
position in the league. Now here’s the kicker. The Colts would most likely have
used that pick to draft a running back and instead they get a proven one today
rather than an unproven one tomorrow. Brilliant!
If I was Roger Goodell I would either penalize the
entire Colts organization and suspend all of their front office for stealing or
pull a “David Stern” and veto the trade like he did with the Lakers for Chris
Paul.
So, now Andrew Luck has a run game which will take pressure
off him and allow him to make more big plays. Overall, the trade helps the Colt’s
run game, the offensive line, the passing game and makes them an overall better
team.
The other thing I don’t understand is why everyone is
saying it is such a big deal that the Colts traded away a first round pick to get
a great player. They say they are playing for now not the future. I don’t see it that way at all. If you could, wouldn’t
you take a sure thing now rather than wait for something that may or may not
happen later? Also, Trent is in his second year, not even in his prime, and
definitely nowhere near the twilight of his career. The way I look at it, the
Colts made a move for now and for later.
Let’s not forget Trent. He may be a little upset with
the Browns now but a few years from now he will be so thankful he may just send
the Browns one of his Super Bowl rings. And, let’s just pretend for a second that
this move is a bust and that Trent doesn’t live up to Indy’s expectations. Oh
well, they are still a good team with a great QB that lost one first round
pick. It’s barely a setback. First round picks are busts all the time. But, let’s
say he lives up to all their expectations, then the Colts have a top QB, a top
RB and maybe even a top WR. They would be a top offense in the NFL for many
years to come and could become the next NFL dynasty.
Jim Irsay, Ryan Grigson, Chuck Pagano and the rest
of the Colt’s staff should be proud. This is how you build around your
franchise QB and build a championship team. Well done Indy.
