By now, all of you have probably heard of a slightly significant trade the Browns made with the Indianapolis Colts Wednesday at roughly 6:20 PM. In this viciously criticized trade, the Browns shipped starting running back and the 2012 NFL Draft’s 3rd overall pick, Trent Richardson, to the Colts in exchange for their 1st round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Many of you have probably lost a lot of faith in the Browns’ front office on account of this trade, and it’s hard to blame you. Essentially, the message Browns president Joe Banner and GM Michael Lombardi are sending is that this is yet another lost season, and we will have to wait yet another year (or more) to see true progress. Really? that’s what Browns fans have been given every 2-3 years since the team returned in 1999. “Yeah, sorry guys, but we’re not quite there yet. Just wait until next year though!!!!” Right. Nothing gets me more excited than the phrase “Just wait till next year.” However, I am here to tell you that from a business/personnel standpoint (obviously not from a loyalty to the fans/PR standpoint) this move actually makes a lot of sense.
First of all, no team is carried to championships by a franchise running back. An elite quarterback, usually paired with a stellar defense, is what leads a team to the Super Bowl. I really do hate to say it, but the Steelers’ and Ravens’ recent championship winning teams are a perfect example. Both franchises consistently have stifling defenses, and both also have a franchise quarterback who knows how to win (Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger). If I may, though, I will just point out that absolutely nobody likes either of them. I can’t think of one single reason to like Joe Flacco at all. Whatsoever. That’s beside the point.
Anyhow, that seems to be the mold for a Super Bowl winning team in this league, and as I see it, the Browns are headed down that path. The front office has already built what looks to be a very strong defense, headlined by a relentless pass rush and stout defense against the run. Offseason additions like LBs Paul Kruger, Barkevious Mingo, and Quentin Groves are already making an impact, and DL Desmond Bryant has been an absolute force of nature on the defensive line, fitting in extremely well with mainstays Phil Taylor, Ahtyba Rubin, and the rest. Personally, I feel that we are a couple solid defensive backs away from one of the best defenses in the NFL. In terms of getting the elusive franchise quarterback, the acquisition of the Colts’ first round pick should help the Browns’ brass to accomplish that. Granted, Indy’s pick may end up in the 20’s, but in the case that we need to trade up to acquire one of the top QBs of the draft class, having a second first round pick is a crucial bargaining chip. This year is expected to be loaded with QB prospects as well.
My second point is that, in all honesty, Trent Richardson probably won’t even be the franchise running back he’s cracked up to be! Already, just a year and a couple games into his NFL career, he has consistently struggled to stay healthy. This was certainly a concern when T-Rich was drafted, but it seems that the issue ended up being more significant than what the Browns originally envisioned. And even when he has been healthy, his play has been very sporadic; he seems to have a hard time finding holes (not completely his fault, but still), and in addition he doesn’t have the breakaway speed to turn an average gain into a big play. Overall, he hasn’t shown that he has the talent to be an superstar-caliber running back, on the level of guys like Adrian Peterson of the Vikings and Arian Foster of the Texans.
Furthermore, I heard an interesting point the other day on ESPN- starting running backs really aren’t all that hard to come across. Foster was actually an undrafted free agent signed by Houston a few years ago. Alfred Morris of the Redskins, who rushed for 1,600+ yards last year, was drafted 170 spots lower than Richardson in the 2012 Draft. Kansas City Chiefs starting running back Jamaal Charles was drafted in the third round! Overall, running back is not nearly as hard of a position to fill as quarterback. And again, with so much QB talent available in this draft, it’s a risk worth taking.
So, all in all, you certainly have a right to be furious at the organization for throwing up the white flag in yet another doomed season, but this is a very bold move that suggests the front office knows exactly what it wants to do in the 2014 Draft. It’s disheartening to have to wait for yet another draft to roll around to regain any hope we still had, but the boldness and shrewdness of this trade shows that the Browns could be in position to turn this team around very quickly.
