The Trent Richardson Thread (1 Viewer)

[Philogelos]

Oh and one more thing, people please stop whining about not getting emails and take responsibility a little for running your team(s). Twitter exploded around 6:30 tonight so if you had any presence there you couldn't help but notice it. Email is like waiting for Paul Revere to come tell you the Redcoats are coming! Had enough time to grab Obiwankannobe on waivers 14 minutes before 7pm for our blind bidding deadline. Just saying...FBG can't do everything for everyone and this was out of left field and struck everyone as fake at first. And btw, I am not even a subscriber here anymore just saying let's be reasonable about this folks!

what's the most you'd be willing to pay me for a service i never deliver? serious question, i don't mind free money.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

.Complaining about FGBs is always going to get the same reaction in here.

Unless it's about a change in board software because that's some serious ####!

 

[Bruce Leroy]

I have T-Rich on my subscriber team!!

 

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

Trent is just in year 2, so he's got almost 3 full season on that cost controlled rookie contract.

Which is great for the Browns, but not so much for the Colts.

When NFL franchises sit down and decide on who they want to invest in long term, they have to essentially re-vet the player all over again. How are his work habits? How does he deal with the press? How does he deal with team mates? How does he deal with things when things don't go his way? How marketable is he to local business and corporations? Does he drive season ticket sales and fan interest? What key demograhics does he appeal to now? Does he have any lingering off the field concerns to worry about? Does he have any lingering injury concerns? Has he reached his peak yet? How much longer will his peak last? What are the trends for similar players at similar positions around the league recently?

In the new NFL front office climate, teams have to start thinking about a re-up starting in Year 3 of that rookie contract. At a demarcation point in Year 4, an agent will typically advise a young player to run the gauntlet and try to have a career year and drive up the next contract ( i.e. Joe Flacco last year) The Colts will have to evaluate Richardson long term for a season he wasn't on their team, but ended up injured and wearing a flak jacket most of the year and under Pat Shurmur. How much of Richardson's struggles in Year 1 relate to him? Or his coaches? Or that franchise? Year 2, he's already 2 games done, going into a new system where he doesn't know the playbook.

The new system is designed to prevent situations like JaMarcus Russell and Logan Mankins. On one side, young players making top shelf money before they even play a snap. And on the other side, players who have proven themselves and are essentially losing one full contract across their career because they had to sign cost controlled 5 year deals with a team leveraged sixth year option.

If Richardson succeeds in Indy, he is an expensive re-up coming at the SAME TIME as when the Colts have to deal with Andrew Luck's 2nd contract. Teams, whenever possible, want to avoid having two major contract issues riding the same off season. This will be a potentially expensive re-up at a position that classically has a short shelf life and where most players hit their decline phase within their 2nd contracts and generally has low positional value.

If Richardson fails in Indy, he brings an opportunity cost question for the franchise. What could they have gotten with that first round pick? With a full and complete situation to truly evaluate that young player. Are you giving snaps to a player that you could get 70-75 percent of his production at 5 -15 percent of the overall cost? ( Cost is just not salary and cap space, but also roster space, coaching time and investment against what other players could give you)

The Browns are giving up the Number#3 player in last years draft for what could be a low first rounder, implied in that cut rate is the very narrow window that Indy has to evaluate Richardson for the long term.

On the reverse side of this coin, Lombardi has to consider the expanded role of today's GMs. It's not just about dealing with personnel, it's also dealing with the media, the ownership and helping to market the franchise. For a team that has had constant upheaval after constant upheaval, it's demoralizing for the fanbase and it's hard to sell season tickets and those expensive luxury boxes when there appears to be no constants within the franchise itself. At least the Cardinals can say Larry Fitzgerald is still there. A stalwart in the storm. No matter how bad things got for the Skins, they had Darrell Green. I think Ray Bourque must have been the most empathized with player in the NHL for about a decade, for the long suffering Bruins. Any sport, any franchise, you need some touchstones for the fanbase to galvanize around. Whether it's Tony Gwynn in San Diego or Ryne Sandberg with the Cubs, you need a guy you can market around and give the fans some hope. Churning players might be good for rearming draft picks. However churning players on a franchise that has seen so much upheaval in the last decade, I think you create a dangerous tipping point with your fanbase.

How often in the current NFL do you see 1st round draft picks traded for players? ( Remove senile Al Davis and any combination of inexperienced front office situations like Xanders/McDaniel) It doesn't happen often anymore and that infrequency happens for a reason.

Out of the four trades Grigson could have made, this one makes the least sense and incurs the most long term cost. This trade does not reek of collusion, it reeks of two ownerships bull rushing their GMs and going full tilt Steinbrenner on their front offices.

If this was going to happen, it should have happened in the preseason and off season. Not after the season has started.

it takes you a long time to say next to nothing at all.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

Trent was number 3 in college. Wouldn't surprise me if he goes back to that.

That would be pretty surprising, since it's not possible in the NFL.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

it takes you a long time to say next to nothing at all.

I see you have met GordonGekko. Good luck with that.

 

[Donsmith753]

The butthurt from some Browns here is ridiculous, in a 12 page thread I've only seen one or two seeming reasonable.

 

[ghostguy123]

The butthurt from some Browns here is ridiculous, in a 12 page thread I've only seen one or two seeming reasonable.

You would be surprised how many Browns fans didn't like the pick on draft day, let alone trading up to make it.

Just curious though..............what do you personally think Richardson should be worth in a trade? You can't possibly think he is worth a top 5 pick can you??

 

[Donsmith753]

The butthurt from some Browns here is ridiculous, in a 12 page thread I've only seen one or two seeming reasonable.

You would be surprised how many Browns fans didn't like the pick on draft day, let alone trading up to make it.

Just curious though..............what do you personally think Richardson should be worth in a trade? You can't possibly think he is worth a top 5 pick can you??

I think the price was fair and I like the deal for both sides, my issue is with the petty comments like "he's not a fit for the system", "he's not even that good" and "he's got some issues".

There's no shame in making the move as they've got nothing at QB but trying to discredit Richardson irks me.

He's one of the highest rated prospects (at any position) to come out in the last 10 years and IMO has done nothing to change that view yet.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

2012 first (4th), fourth (118th), fifth (139th), and seventh round (211th).

For 2014 1st from Colts.

well alrighty then

 

[ghostguy123]

The butthurt from some Browns here is ridiculous, in a 12 page thread I've only seen one or two seeming reasonable.

You would be surprised how many Browns fans didn't like the pick on draft day, let alone trading up to make it.

Just curious though..............what do you personally think Richardson should be worth in a trade? You can't possibly think he is worth a top 5 pick can you??

I think the price was fair and I like the deal for both sides, my issue is with the petty comments like "he's not a fit for the system", "he's not even that good" and "he's got some issues".

There's no shame in making the move as they've got nothing at QB but trying to discredit Richardson irks me.

He's one of the highest rated prospects (at any position) to come out in the last 10 years and IMO has done nothing to change that view yet.

I would more say he has done nothing to warrant that high rating.

I don't know who is saying he isnt a fit for the system. Whoever is saying that isn't thinking clearly.

He IS good............he has shown nothing to me where I think he will be great.

I will look at 17 games worth of playing time over "prospect ratings" any day for a RB.

 

[ghostguy123]

2012 first (4th), fourth (118th), fifth (139th), and seventh round (211th).

For 2014 1st from Colts.

well alrighty then

Do you want me to find you 100 examples of where something like this would be VERY GOOD for teams almost 2 years later? Lot of teams would be happy as hell to get a future 1st for their top 5 busts. Not saying Richardson is a bust at all, but this post of yours is worthless.

 

[ghostguy123]

2012 first (4th), fourth (118th), fifth (139th), and seventh round (211th).

For 2014 1st from Colts.

well alrighty then

Do you want me to find you 100 examples of where something like this would be VERY GOOD for teams almost 2 years later? Lot of teams would be happy as hell to get a future 1st for their top 5 busts. Not saying Richardson is a bust at all, but this post of yours is worthless.

i woud like to see that...

Me too. Provide me a list of the top 5 picks for the last 50 years. I am pretty sure we can find 100 out of those 250 that two years later a lot of us would deal for a mid-late 1st.

 

[snogger]

Says it all

 

[BigSteelThrill]

2012 first (4th), fourth (118th), fifth (139th), and seventh round (211th).

For 2014 1st from Colts.

well alrighty then

Do you want me to find you 100 examples of where something like this would be VERY GOOD for teams almost 2 years later? Lot of teams would be happy as hell to get a future 1st for their top 5 busts. Not saying Richardson is a bust at all, but this post of yours is worthless.

I don't care one way or the other, post whatever you like.

I was just seeing/posting what all transpired on the way to this result.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

2012 first (4th), fourth (118th), fifth (139th), and seventh round (211th).

For 2014 1st from Colts.

well alrighty then

Do you want me to find you 100 examples of where something like this would be VERY GOOD for teams almost 2 years later? Lot of teams would be happy as hell to get a future 1st for their top 5 busts. Not saying Richardson is a bust at all, but this post of yours is worthless.

i woud like to see that...

Me too. Provide me a list of the top 5 picks for the last 50 years. I am pretty sure we can find 100 out of those 250 that two years later a lot of us would deal for a mid-late 1st.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_NFL_Draft

Just cliick the previous year on each page when you need to look at the next one.

 

[tim_whatley]

What does this mean for Gordon and Cameron?

IMHO, it shouldn't change too much for Gordon and Cameron.

Wrong answer.

 

[Billy Bats]

I get a kick out of the snobs looking down at the guys here that expected an e-mail

The email was sent. I get a kick out of the spoiled "need for instant info" generation. Has nothing to do with being a snob, but a realist. YOU impatient instant info punks are the snobs. I received an email at 6:50 from Joe with 6 paragraphs giving some insight on the trade and how it effects both teams. What the #### do you people want??? Joe took a minute, evaluated the situation, gathered his thoughts on the trade then sent out the email. Whoever DIDNT get the news faster than that is at fault in this day and age with twitter and apps sending out one line info texts/alerts. I can't imagine what you impatient, need to know everything right now kids would do if you had to add up your fantasy scores with Monday's newspaper. You idiots don't know how good, and ridiculous, you have it, a selfish impatient joke of a generation. NOW GET OFF MY LAWN #######IT.

 

[Rick James]

I get a kick out of the snobs looking down at the guys here that expected an e-mail

The email was sent. I get a kick out of the spoiled "need for instant info" generation. Has nothing to do with being a snob, but a realist. YOU impatient instant info punks are the snobs. I received an email at 6:50 from Joe with 6 paragraphs giving some insight on the trade and how it effects both teams. What the #### do you people want??? Joe took a minute, evaluated the situation, gathered his thoughts on the trade then sent out the email. Whoever DIDNT get the news faster than that is at fault in this day and age with twitter and apps sending out one line info texts/alerts. I can't imagine what you impatient, need to know everything right now kids would do if you had to add up your fantasy scores with Monday's newspaper. You idiots don't know how good, and ridiculous, you have it, a selfish impatient joke of a generation. NOW GET OFF MY LAWN #######IT.

you should've ended with "NOW GO GET YOUR F-CKING SHINEBOX"

 

[mjr]

One thing a lot of people complaining about the speed of updates are overlooking: confirmation.

If I see a one-line blurb on twitter about a trade of this magnitude, I'd want to make damn sure it's true before I start e-mailing thousands of subscribers. Imagine the b*tching on a thread like this if FBG sent out a knee-jerk mass e-mail that was based on bad info.

Just go back to the first page or two of this thread. More than half of the people didn't believe it / thought it was fake even when they did get the news.

 

[Shutout]

I don't think this is as slam dunk for trich as people are saying. Teams with GREAT qbs, and I think Luck is on that path, don't build their teams around what a RB will bring to the table. The RB benefits from Rodgers or Bree's, not the other way around.

At best, I see this as a sjax to Atlanta in the best case scenario but definitely not as good as even a few months ago when people were drooling that trich would get a ton of carries in Cleveland and be the focal point. The colts want a power running game. Don't misinterpret that for "we want to run all the time". They just want a physical and reliable player that can clinch games and move the chains, not some guy that they are going to waste all their offensive talent behind and just sit back and hand it to all day.

I think this move solidifies trich in the sense that he is probably now a safer top 10 guy but in no way do I see it as it makes him a better ff play (like, he's now a top 3-4 RB).

I see your point. That said, doesn't the Luck/TRich duo remind you a little of Manning/Edge? That worked out pretty well for Edge owners. Sometimes the pass sets up the run, right?

Yeah and that's a good thought on it. It COULD develop into that situation. I just don't know if Luck is at that point yet. Manning was always a bit unique. I think he learned very early (and had the freedom to do so) to change those plays and take the run when it was there for them. IF Luck has that freedom to do so, recognizes it, and will do it, then, yeah, I think we could see that. In the short-term, however, I think the trend is more like what we see in today's NFL where you have a Rodgers, Ryan, Brees, etc that is really looking to throw and as a byproduct, there are running opportunities available and they get used productively (but are not the priority).

 

[cstu]

The butthurt from some Browns here is ridiculous, in a 12 page thread I've only seen one or two seeming reasonable.

You would be surprised how many Browns fans didn't like the pick on draft day, let alone trading up to make it.

Just curious though..............what do you personally think Richardson should be worth in a trade? You can't possibly think he is worth a top 5 pick can you??

I think the price was fair and I like the deal for both sides, my issue is with the petty comments like "he's not a fit for the system", "he's not even that good" and "he's got some issues".

There's no shame in making the move as they've got nothing at QB but trying to discredit Richardson irks me.

He's one of the highest rated prospects (at any position) to come out in the last 10 years and IMO has done nothing to change that view yet.

I would more say he has done nothing to warrant that high rating.

I don't know who is saying he isnt a fit for the system. Whoever is saying that isn't thinking clearly.

He IS good............he has shown nothing to me where I think he will be great.

I will look at 17 games worth of playing time over "prospect ratings" any day for a RB.

Did you think Marshall Faulk was going to be great? He had a 3.8 YPC after 5 years before going to a high powered offense.

 

[GroveDiesel]

You guys must be in the guppy subscription plan. Us Sharks got a personal phone call from Joe Bryant an hour before Schefter announced the trade.

 

[RUSF18]

I haven't seen this mentioned yet, so forgive me if I missed it. This thread got very big very quickly.

But did anyone else hear Mike Lombardi's frequent appearances on the BS Report podcast with Bill Simmons? Something he always talked about was the concept of blue chip players (top 5 at their position) and red chip players (top 10), with both distinctions containing more subjective assessments in order to meet the definition (things like degree of ability to create mismatches, consistency, etc), and how imperative it was to acquire as many of them as possible. He's from the Belichick school. With that in mind, unless his stance has changed, I think it would be very surprising to see him send off a ton of draft choices in order to get a QB.

 

[twistd]

There is a lot of talk about how this trade is bad for the Colts because starting RBs can be found later in the draft. While this may be true, at least with Richardson you have a realtively proven commodity. He is a player who has had success in the NFL. While talent can be found in the later rounds, for every Alfred Morris there are 20 players that never pan out. I think the 2008 RB class is a good example of the talent that can be found later in drafts. Here are the RBs that were drafted in 2008 and the round they were drafted in:


1 McFadden, Jonathan Stewart, Felix Jones, Mendenhall, Chris Johnson
2 Forte, Ray Rice,
3 Kevin Smith, Jamaal Charles, Steve Slaton,
4 Tasard Choice
5 Ryan Torain, Tim Hightower, Marcus Thomas,
6 Thomas Brown, Jalen Parmalee, Xavier Omon, Mike Hart, Lex Hilliard
7 Chauncey Washington, Justin Forsett, Cory Boyd, Allan Patrick

In this draft there were 13 backs taken after the 3rd round and of those only Tim Hightower was a starter for any significant period of time. In the earlier rounds you would have to say that Stewart, Jones, Mendenhall, Kevin Smith and Steve Slaton were all disappointments. So half the backs taken earlier didn't really work out. And this was a very good crop of running backs, when you see Forte, Rice and Charles taken in the second and third rounds. By contrast, here is a look at 2009.

1 Moreno, Donald Brown, Beanie Wells
2 LeSean McCoy
3 Shonn Greene, Glen Coffee
4 Mike Goodson, Tony Fiametta, Andre Brown, Gartrelle Johnson
5 Quinn Johnson, Frank Summers, Javon Ringer
6 Cedric Peerman, Aaron Brown, James Davis, Bernard Scott
7 Chris Ogbonnaya, Javarris Williams, Fui Vakapuna, Eddie Williams, LaRod Stephens-Howling, Rashad Jennings

In the 2009 class McCoy is obviously the best of the group. Shonn Greene had a couple of decent seasons, and a few of these guys are role players but there is not much else here.

So although the Browns may have done the right thing in getting value for a player who has failed to live up to his draft status. I think that it is very possible that the Browns could use both the third round picks, and both the fourth round picks they have in the next draft on running backs and still not find a solid starting running back. So don't under estimate the value of a player who has proven himself to be productive. And don't assume that because productive RBs can be found in the later rounds of the draft that it is an easy thing to do. The Browns may very well be able to find a replacement for Richardson next year in the draft. But, if they draft a running back, it is far more likely he won't pan out and they will be back to the drawing board again.

 

[chad in Indy]

I always hear complaints about him not getting 3rd down looks, so I gotta wonder how he is on pass protection. Anybody have any insight into his abiility here? Obviously, it's important, b/c Bradshaw is one of the best in pass blocking.

 

[cstu]

For all of you complaining about not getting an email, neither did Trent:

Trent also said a friend called, said "You've been traded?" he told him to shut up & hung up. Turned on radio and learned he'd been dealt.

 

[GroveDiesel]

For all of you complaining about not getting an email, neither did Trent:

Trent also said a friend called, said "You've been traded?" he told him to shut up & hung up. Turned on radio and learned he'd been dealt.

Oof.

 

[TheLurkerBelow]

e-mail is the new snail mail

Thank you for the morning chuckle

 

[snogger]

For all of you complaining about not getting an email, neither did Trent:

Trent also said a friend called, said "You've been traded?" he told him to shut up & hung up. Turned on radio and learned he'd been dealt.

Oof.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

When the Browns play the Jags do you think the GM's will make their players play with their helmets on backwards and their pants around their ankles - trying to ensure "victory"?

 

[Boomer1]

What does this mean for Gordon? Team in our league dropped him to pick up McGahee which seems totally bassackwards to me.

 

[weebs]

What does this mean for Gordon? Team in our league dropped him to pick up McGahee which seems totally bassackwards to me.

Wow epic fail

 

[glock]

I get a kick out of the snobs looking down at the guys here that expected an e-mail

The email was sent. I get a kick out of the spoiled "need for instant info" generation. Has nothing to do with being a snob, but a realist. YOU impatient instant info punks are the snobs. I received an email at 6:50 from Joe with 6 paragraphs giving some insight on the trade and how it effects both teams. What the #### do you people want??? Joe took a minute, evaluated the situation, gathered his thoughts on the trade then sent out the email. Whoever DIDNT get the news faster than that is at fault in this day and age with twitter and apps sending out one line info texts/alerts. I can't imagine what you impatient, need to know everything right now kids would do if you had to add up your fantasy scores with Monday's newspaper. You idiots don't know how good, and ridiculous, you have it, a selfish impatient joke of a generation. NOW GET OFF MY LAWN #######IT.

No email received here.

Edited to add: 'Twas in my spam. Time stamped 7:15PM EST. Not too shabby for an email update.

 

[ebsteelers]

You guys must be in the guppy subscription plan. Us Sharks got a personal phone call from Joe Bryant an hour before Schefter announced the trade.

just an hour?

i got my information yesterday morning while I was drinking my coffee..

I am in the sharkiclicious subscription though

 

[ebsteelers]

and what exactly are people looking for in that email, how they should babysit their team going forward if they t-rich?

just seems silly to ##### about that, look at all the good stuff you get from being a subscriber.. an email about t-rich being traded when the whole world all know seems silly to complain about it.

thats just me though

Maybe they would have appreciated the heads up to take a flyer on another CLE RB?

right after the trade, they probably had no exact answer quite yet, I still dont think people really no. Its not a situation like balt if ray rice is out there is a clear back up.

and if they sould of said pick up rainey, and willis got signed people would complain either way

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Hey look! Someone started a new thread for complaints about emails!

 

[comfortably numb]

Welcome to 2013

" Whaaaaa, I only got an email 42 minutes after a story broke"

You people are as bad as my kids freaking out when their Ipad is not charged.

NEWSFLASH!!!!

If you are relying on an email notification to get your breaking news...The only thing that is broke is your method of receiving breaking news.

 

[ebsteelers]

Oh and one more thing, people please stop whining about not getting emails and take responsibility a little for running your team(s). Twitter exploded around 6:30 tonight so if you had any presence there you couldn't help but notice it. Email is like waiting for Paul Revere to come tell you the Redcoats are coming! Had enough time to grab Obiwankannobe on waivers 14 minutes before 7pm for our blind bidding deadline. Just saying...FBG can't do everything for everyone and this was out of left field and struck everyone as fake at first. And btw, I am not even a subscriber here anymore just saying let's be reasonable about this folks!

people be reasonable about anything? yeah right

 

[ebsteelers]

Why can't I get a text message telling me to read my email. Way to go FBG.

EXACTLY

Hey, I gave Joe my phone number for occasions just like this. Why didn't he call me? Then I could have picked up a pure garbage running back on a terrible team to save my season.

good post.. people are acting like Willis and Rainey and the other guy are the second coming.. If T-Rich was running like that behind that line, what makes people think these guys (none of which anyone can say this is the guy) will come in and be a top 20 back

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Why would Norv Turner trade a young workhorse - that's his bread and butter.

Norv must not think that he's that good.

I don't think an OC has much say in personnel decisions.

 

[B-Deep]

At this point they should lose every game right?

they clearly punted the season, everyone knows it

why half ### the lost season by winning

i do understand the players on the field will still try and win, it is what they do

but the organization should clearly be looking to lose

 

[Andy Dufresne]

They SHOULD offer refunds or some perks for season ticket holders.

 

[snogger]

When the Browns play the Jags do you think the GM's will make their players play with their helmets on backwards and their pants around their ankles - trying to ensure "victory"?

No worries.. The Jag's owner will just "accidentally" book a flight to London for the team, thus forfeiting the game..

 

[B-Deep]

http://www.19actionnews.com/category/240218/video-landing-page

seems like a good kid

finding out on the radio is not cool, not cool at all

very classless

 

[Backside Pursuit]

I betcha the Browns upset the Vikings this weekend.

 

[pollardsvision]

At this point they should lose every game right?

they clearly punted the season, everyone knows it

why half ### the lost season by winning

i do understand the players on the field will still try and win, it is what they do

but the organization should clearly be looking to lose

They may very well be looking to lose, and clearly traded for the future at the expense of this season.

But how much worse does this really make them?

That offense was in the bottom 3rd of the league in every meaningful category last year. They have been even worse than that this year.

24 hours ago, CLE was a team that couldn't run the ball or the throw the ball very well. They won 5 games last year. In those 5 wins, Richardson was the leading rusher on the team in only 3 of them. He rushed for 122, 85, and 72 in those 3 wins.

Anyway, Richardson's a fine back, but I really don't think there's as strong case that losing Richardson dramatically changes the course of this season for CLE. The bigger impact, imo, might be that they failed to put any depth getting touches behind their bell cow (a mistake that bad teams building around a RB seem to make more often). Injuries haven't helped, but if they had any depth at all or if McGahee has something left in the tank, this wouldn't really cost them more than a win, maybe two, imo.

 

[B-Deep]

At this point they should lose every game right?

they clearly punted the season, everyone knows it

why half ### the lost season by winning

i do understand the players on the field will still try and win, it is what they do

but the organization should clearly be looking to lose

They may very well be looking to lose, and clearly traded for the future at the expense of this season.

But how much worse does this really make them?

That offense was in the bottom 3rd of the league in every meaningful category last year. They have been even worse than that this year.

24 hours ago, CLE was a team that couldn't run the ball or the throw the ball very well. They won 5 games last year. In those 5 wins, Richardson was the leading rusher on the team in only 3 of them. He rushed for 122, 85, and 72 in those 3 wins.

Anyway, Richardson's a fine back, but I really don't think there's as strong case that losing Richardson dramatically changes the course of this season for CLE. The bigger impact, imo, might be that they failed to put any depth getting touches behind their bell cow (a mistake that bad teams building around a B seem to make more often).

you think the switch from TRich to McGahee does not downgrade them? I disagree with that,

 

[B-Deep]

I also would have to think the morale in the locker room is going to be really tested here. There's just no way this sits well with them, unless they all hated TRich. Since I have never heard that and all I have seen makes him seem like a pretty good guy, this just has to have an impact

 

[pollardsvision]

At this point they should lose every game right?

they clearly punted the season, everyone knows it

why half ### the lost season by winning

i do understand the players on the field will still try and win, it is what they do

but the organization should clearly be looking to lose

They may very well be looking to lose, and clearly traded for the future at the expense of this season.

But how much worse does this really make them?

That offense was in the bottom 3rd of the league in every meaningful category last year. They have been even worse than that this year.

24 hours ago, CLE was a team that couldn't run the ball or the throw the ball very well. They won 5 games last year. In those 5 wins, Richardson was the leading rusher on the team in only 3 of them. He rushed for 122, 85, and 72 in those 3 wins.

Anyway, Richardson's a fine back, but I really don't think there's as strong case that losing Richardson dramatically changes the course of this season for CLE. The bigger impact, imo, might be that they failed to put any depth getting touches behind their bell cow (a mistake that bad teams building around a B seem to make more often).

you think the switch from TRich to McGahee does not downgrade them? I disagree with that,

That's not what I said or what I think.

Just that, for a terrible offensive team that can't run the ball anyway, downgrading their RB may not dramatically change their season.