Trent Richardson to Colts

[ThunderHorse]

Richardson rushed for 56 yards on 18 carries today further solidifying his 3 ypc average.

The guy isn't playing like a top 10 back in the league but he's the best RB the colts have had for a long time. After three weeks I can see why Cleveland let him go.

 

[MmmmBeeeeer]

He had some crucial carries at the end, but it was nothing earth shattering.

 

[dave]

I am getting the Herschel Walker feeling with Trent Richardson.

Walker had all the measureables and was a college legend, but somehow could not translate those measureables in the NFL. Great speed, NFL body, but didn't have the football instincts at the NFL level to be anything but ordinary (or in Richardson's case ... not even ordinary). Still too young to write off, but I suspect Cleveland did the right thing trading him.

 

[ThunderHorse]

He's getting better.

Big play yesterday and he's had a couple this year. The 3rd down conversion against Seattle last week was huge.

IMO Trent's struggles here can be attributed moreso to the offensive coordinators stubbornness. For example Indianapolis' offense this year, for the most part, has been most successful with 1 te, 3wr, 1 hb sets. Running and passing both have been most successful for this team when they get away from these heavy sets that Hamilton made so popular at Stanford. Hamilton is doing things like bringing in backup lineman to run heavy off balanced sets in order to create mismatches in this power run scheme Indianapolis is trying so desperately to install. The issue is he's also taking skill players off the field, reducing he number of viable options Luck has to throw to. They become one deminsional because defenses know they are only going to run out of these sets, and it sets the runningbacks up for negative plays.

When your coaches aren't putting guys in positions to succeed its tough to evaluate these guys and make blanket statements like "he just sucks", there's more in the equation than that.

That said there is still a tentativeness to richardsons running style. It's gotten better each week and he's run more downhill. But he's gotta become more consistent. The dropped screen pass last night was horrible but nobody was catching anything for Indy last night. Even Reggie Wayne dropped key balls.

I can tell this is the most talented ball carrier Indy has had since the turn of the century, I don't think anyone else will see that too until Indy figures out how to use their personnel in game plans and gets some actual talent in their offensive line. Anyone mistaken enough to believe Indy's offensive line is competent needs to watch the tape, they might have one of the worst interiors in the league. Mike McGlynn and Sampson Satele might be the worst center guard combo I've ever seen.

 

[Chrispy]

 

[MrBill]

I still can't believe I traded Brandon Marshall for him :facepalm:

 

[Tailback U]

By now we all know all there is to know about Richardson. Phenomenal athlete but he isn't a special back.

He lacks burst and top end speed. He is a poor mans Marshawn lynch.

Reminds me a little bit of Cedric benson, another guy who was drafted high and had a solid career but was never anything special.

 

[SuperKevin]

I am getting the Herschel Walker feeling with Trent Richardson.

Walker had all the measureables and was a college legend, but somehow could not translate those measureables in the NFL. Great speed, NFL body, but didn't have the football instincts at the NFL level to be anything but ordinary (or in Richardson's case ... not even ordinary). Still too young to write off, but I suspect Cleveland did the right thing trading him.

Mentioning Trent Richardson in the same sentence as Herschel Walker is incredibly disrespectful to Walker.

 

[SethMode]

I am getting the Herschel Walker feeling with Trent Richardson.

Walker had all the measureables and was a college legend, but somehow could not translate those measureables in the NFL. Great speed, NFL body, but didn't have the football instincts at the NFL level to be anything but ordinary (or in Richardson's case ... not even ordinary). Still too young to write off, but I suspect Cleveland did the right thing trading him.

You really say things at times that are just inexplicable. Trent Richardson is fine, but Walker was a beast. I agree with Kevin, the comparison is stupid.

 

[Vinsane]

If/When Trent makes his mind up to run up the field? He's decent at best. It's that damn dance behind line and try to create space with his feet that he gets in trouble. The dude loses all momentum when he does that little shuffle of his and he becomes an easy down. If he would just make his mind up, lower his head and go? He'd be leaps and bounds better.

Indy is still 4-2. Cleveland 3-3. Neither one of those picks this early are looking that great. Cleveland's record obviously will not improve with Weeden under center again and the ineptitude of the offense. Indy on the other hand? Probably still a playoff team. The value of the trade is still debatable this early and it all comes down to who the Browns select with Indy's pick.

 

[SuperKevin]

If/When Trent makes his mind up to run up the field? He's decent at best. It's that damn dance behind line and try to create space with his feet that he gets in trouble. The dude loses all momentum when he does that little shuffle of his and he becomes an easy down. If he would just make his mind up, lower his head and go? He'd be leaps and bounds better.

Indy is still 4-2. Cleveland 3-3. Neither one of those picks this early are looking that great. Cleveland's record obviously will not improve with Weeden under center again and the ineptitude of the offense. Indy on the other hand? Probably still a playoff team. The value of the trade is still debatable this early and it all comes down to who the Browns select with Indy's pick.

The value of Indys pick has more to do with whether they can package it in order to move up to get a QB

 

[NAHSTE]

He lacks burst and top end speed. He is a poor mans Marshawn lynch.

Reminds me a little bit of Cedric benson, another guy who was drafted high and had a solid career but was never anything special.

I like both of these comps, but if I recall it took Lynch a few years, and a second franchise, to get his career going. Still hope for T-Rich to end up more like Lynch and less like Benson.

 

[Glenbino]

I like both of these comps, but if I recall it took Lynch a few years, and a second franchise, to get his career going. Still hope for T-Rich to end up more like Lynch and less like Benson.

Lynch was good for at least a year or two in Buffalo IIRC

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[Maynard]

The value of Indys pick has more to do with whether they can package it in order to move up to get a QB

thats true, but regardless of the pick, cleveland looks to be the clear winner by getting a 1st rounder for him.

we talked about him at work today and what is interesting is he is being used in Indy the same way he was being used in Cleveland. not alot of touches. 10 carries, a few passes at best. Its weird that both teams are not using him as a feature back and they certainly dont take advantage of his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.

everytime i saw the colts it seemed like Donald Brown was in the backfield. indy traded to get him to help, but they use him like he sucks...its very odd cause i dont think he is horrible, but its obvious these teams know something we dont

 

[dave]

Mentioning Trent Richardson in the same sentence as Herschel Walker is incredibly disrespectful to Walker.

Herschel Walker is a college legend and was an ok NFL player. I'm not saying Richardson is Walker. I am saying people are saying Richardson should be something in the NFL he isn't, despite having all the measureables.

 

[Tailback U]

I like both of these comps, but if I recall it took Lynch a few years, and a second franchise, to get his career going. Still hope for T-Rich to end up more like Lynch and less like Benson.

Lynch was good for at least a year or two in Buffalo IIRC

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Lynch missed 3 games due to an ankle injury in his rookie season and still totaled 1115 yards and 7 TDs, averaging 4.0ypc.

His sophomore season he had 1036 and 8, 4.1ypc.

In 2009, his third season, he was suspended for the first 3 games due to a weapons charge and was supplanted by Fred Jackson.

In 2010, Lynch hurt his ankle (same ankle that made him miss 3 games his rookie season) and the Bills traded him on October 5th to the Seahawks for two draft picks - a 4th rounder in 2011 and a conditional pick in 2012.

What helped Lynch most was going to a better team. He had already established himself as a pretty good halfback in his first 2 years.

Guys still an idiot, though.

 

[Tailback U]

More stats:

Lynch's longest run in his rookie season 56 yards. Second year - 50 yards. Last year - 77 yards.

Richardson's longest of his career - 32 yards.

Rich obviously has a much smaller sample size given that he's only in his second season but 32 yards would be the lowest "longest run" of Lynch's career.

Richardson is a tough runner and will fall forward, but he's not going to turn into Lynch. I just think he lacks the burst and explosiveness to be a great back.

 

[SuperKevin]

Herschel Walker is a college legend and was an ok NFL player. I'm not saying Richardson is Walker. I am saying people are saying Richardson should be something in the NFL he isn't, despite having all the measureables.

Better comparison to have used would have been Rashaan Salaam or Curtis Enis

 

[dave]

Better comparison to have used would have been Rashaan Salaam or Curtis Enis

I'm ok with that. Herschel was just the first guy to come to mind at the time. Frankly, I kinda like the Cedric Benson comparison ... but I understand your view here. Herschel was a very special player ... no one can deny that.

 

[ThunderHorse]

thats true, but regardless of the pick, cleveland looks to be the clear winner by getting a 1st rounder for him.

we talked about him at work today and what is interesting is he is being used in Indy the same way he was being used in Cleveland. not alot of touches. 10 carries, a few passes at best. Its weird that both teams are not using him as a feature back and they certainly dont take advantage of his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.

everytime i saw the colts it seemed like Donald Brown was in the backfield. indy traded to get him to help, but they use him like he sucks...its very odd cause i dont think he is horrible, but its obvious these teams know something we dont

Donald Brown is getting snaps in key situations because he knows the play book and the blocking schemes.

Even against San Diego Indianapolis had to pull Richardson out on some series because he still doesn't seem to have the entire playbook down. However he's seen more work the last two weeks than brown has.

Make no mistake. Trent Richardson is the colt's starting tailback. The Donald is getting plays tailored to his skill set that are working for him. Brown is not a good runningback, but if you can get him into the second level without getting touched he's got the speed to hurt defenses.