/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19774325/20130915_kkt_au3_264.0.jpg)
Yes, you read correctly, whether it was on twitter or elsewhere. Trent Richardson was in fact traded to the Colts.
Historically, the Browns have never made moves that made sense. Now that there's a new regime, with general manager Michael Lombardi and CEO Joe Banner, the Browns have now made yet another questionable move by trading their top offensive player.
It's definitely a move made with the long term in mind. There's no way around it right now. The Browns, specifically on offense, stink. They hired a head coach that is peculiarly particular about the type of running back he wants, and it would appear Richardson does not fit the bill.
The quarterback the previous front office drafted, Brandon Weeden, has been a disaster for a little over a season now. The Browns, in theory, can now draft a franchise quarterback and perhaps another offensive weapon in the first down with this move.
But this still sent a shock wave around the NFL, all beginning with Jim Irsay's tweet that a major trade was on the horizon. (By the way, Irsay has been the boy who cried wolf for some time, always over-hyping his trades. This, for once, connected.)
Here's how many reacted to the news Wednesday night:
Torrey Smith wanted to know if Adam Schefter was joking.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter">@AdamSchefter</a>: Filed to ESPN: Browns RB Trent Richardson traded to Indy for Colts' first-round pick.....is this a real tweet</p>— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) <a href="https://twitter.com/TorreySmithWR/statuses/380456212120498176">September 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Jameel McClain questioned SportsCenter's tweet relaying Schefter's report.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"<a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter">@SportsCenter</a>: BREAKING: Browns trade RB Trent Richardson to Colts for 1st-round pick. (via <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter">@AdamSchefter</a>)"??</p>— Jameel McClain (@JameelMcClain) <a href="https://twitter.com/JameelMcClain/statuses/380457298722050048">September 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Christian Thompson put into perspective the business realities of the NFL.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Trent Richardson traded to the colts? Whoa this is a business driven league and that's a prime example of it.</p>— Christian Thompson (@C_33_T) <a href="https://twitter.com/C_33_T/statuses/380467446517596160">September 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Former Ravens receiver and WBAL analyst Qadry Ismail poked fun at the Browns a bit:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/taramtowers">@taramtowers</a> wow, that's crazy trading Trent! You can jump ship if you want- we win in Purple!</p>— Qadry Ismail (@QadryIsmail) <a href="https://twitter.com/QadryIsmail/statuses/380485326390984705">September 19, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Former Ravens fullback Le'Ron McClain doesn't understand the trade:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Richardson to the COLTS... Week 2??? Man that's...... I don't even know what's that... <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23sweater&src=hash">#sweater</a></p>— Le'Ron McClain (@LeRon_McClain33) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeRon_McClain33/statuses/380466224158613504">September 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson said the move was made because Richardson wasn't a fit in Cleveland:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Trent Richardson didn't mesh well with Rob Chudzinski, lobbied for carries, had bit of a diva attitude, per a source close to situation</p>— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/statuses/380465484069486592">September 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Whenever you're not having a good day, The Sun's Mike Preston wants you to know it could be worse:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>When you are down and out, and life is so cruel, remember, it could be worse. You could be a Cleveland Browns fan.</p>— Mike Preston (@MikePrestonSun) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikePrestonSun/statuses/380466577868455936">September 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Follow me on twitter: @JasonHButt