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Some final thoughts on the Trent Richardson trade

A day after the Cleveland Browns threw in the towel on the 2013 NFL season by trading starting running back Trent Richardson to Indianapolis, we found these quotes about the move particularly interesting:

“Cleveland knows they have time and are just accumulating picks. Sooner or later, (the) future will get here.” – NFL personnel executive to USA Today.

Can we take the “sooner” on that, please?

“From Cleveland’s standpoint, they’re 0-2 but in a honeymoon year with a new owner (Jimmy Haslam), team prez (Joe Banner), GM and head coach. So, if you’re gonna be bold, this is the time to do it.” – NFL executive to USA Today

This is a honeymoon year? Man, if that’s true, we hate to see what next year is going to be like.

“Anytime a great young player like Trent Richardson leaves your division—now we still get to face him this year, but once instead of twice. He’s a fine player and, I think, has a big career ahead of him, so not bad that he drives two hours west of us instead of four hours north.” – Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis on Sirius NFL Radio

We have a feeling that Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh would agree.

“We have a commitment to win. That goal is something we strive for regardless of circumstances, of anything put in our path. That’s how we roll.” – Colts GM Ryan Grigson.

Hmm, a commitment to winning. Wonder what that is like?

“When it’s the player that it is, I don’t know how you pass it up or don’t give it some thought, try to make it work. We did not bring him in here to, I guess, be the water boy. He’ll be ready to roll.” – Colts coach Chuck Pagano

Ready to roll!

“We have to earn their belief and trust in the decisions we’re going to make as a group, and I don’t expect them to trust that until we prove that the trust is well placed. So, I understand the skepticism for now. We have to do what we think is right, move the franchise forward and get it to where we want it to be.” – Browns CEO Joe Banner

The Cleveland Browns. Earning (and abusing) the fans trust since 1999.

(Photo courtesy of The Plain Dealer)

The 57 days of Trent Richardson

The Cleveland Browns opened their three-day minicamp on Tuesday with what some will have fans believe is chilling news: running back Trent Richardson will not take part in any practices until August.

“We don’t want his muscle strain to get any worse, so we’re going to rest him now and give him a full summer to prepare,” Browns coach Rob Chudzinski told ESPN after Tuesday’s workout. “He could have went out, if necessary, and practiced these next few days, but we just didn’t see any sense in it. I don’t know the medical (risks going forward), but he’s got a strain right now. I’m not concerned about anything else at this stage.

“My only concern, really, is Trent needing to stay into it mentally while he’s out. So far, he’s done a great job taking mental reps and getting into game shape.”

Read more…

Do the numbers really reflect Trent Richardon’s value?

From the moment that he separated Philadelphia safety Kurt Coleman from his helmet in Week 1 of the 2012 season, Trent Richardson has been the kind of player that Cleveland Browns fans can get behind.

Even though injuries – including two broken ribs that he played with for nine games – limited his performance, Richardson still rushed for 11 touchdowns and 950 yards, giving fans hope that the best is yet to come.

But according to an analysis of rookie running backs by Cold Hard Football Facts, that may not be the case.

Read more…

Browns avoid losing to the Chargers

It certainly wasn’t the prettiest game you’ll ever see.

It definitely was not a game you will be telling your grandkids about one day.

But when you win as infrequently as the Cleveland Browns do, every win is a good win.

On a rainy, windy and generally unpleasant day at Cleveland Browns Stadium, the Browns did just enough to win (or just enough not to lose, depending on your perspective) against the San Diego Chargers, 7-6.

For all the details, head over to The Cleveland Fan.

(Photo courtesy of The Plain Dealer)