The Colts wasted a 1st round draft pick

Let me explain before letting the illusion that Trent Richardson is good manipulate your judgment.

This isn't even so much about Trent Richardson's ability. I will take both angles, though:

1. Trent Richardson (or, T-B*tch as Browns fans knew him) isn't a very good back- in fact - Browns fans have written him off as a bust. Any time you're traded from the Browns and the fans only care because they don't know who is going to replace you... that's not good. He was averaging 3.5 yards per carry- so the Browns' perspective is; we can find any bum to put up those numbers.

2. If you watched the Colts and 49ers game this week, you saw something happen: A run game. But it wasn't Trent Richardson. It was Ahmad Bradshaw - who I've said for years may be the most underrated back in the NFL.

The problem with this is - it exposed the Colts' front office for pulling the trigger on a position that they didn't really have an issue at. So not only do they most likely toss a 1st round draft pick for a mediocre running back- they also did it for... no reason.

3. On the flip-side, if you saw the Browns play this week you noticed something from them as well: They actually looked good. For the first time in a while they scored points. So they're not missing the guy as of yet.


A few numbers to chew on:

Richardson's average with the Browns: 3.5 yards per carry
Richardson's average with the Colts: 2.7 yards per carry

Browns' rushing average WITH Richardson: 3.4 yards per carry
Browns' rushing average WITHOUT Richardson: 6.1 yards per carry

Other Colts' RB average Sunday: 5.1 yards per carry
Richardson's average Sunday: 2.7 yards per carry


Now- I know what those of you that don't understand the position will say:

But, it's his first week! He doesn't know the system yet!

Uh... It doesn't take much adjustment in the RB position. The only thing complicating about it is pass protection- which he surely will need time to adjust to.

But the running plays he was given- they're the same ones he had in Cleveland... and he didn't look like anything special... as he hasn't for 2 seasons.




Basically:

The Browns got rid of a 1st round bust for a chance at a better 1st round choice in the future.

The Colts gave away a 1st round pick FOR a first round bust when they didn't need the player anyway.


Summary: The Colts are stupid. And it's awesome to see them falling apart before our eyes... finally, after so many years of being brilliant in their FO and drafts.

Richardson will probably be back up to his 3.5 yards per carry average soon... but he's never going to be anything we should worry about. Neither should Andrew Luck, for that matter.