In Surprising Move, Browns Trade Trent Richardson For Draft Pick

The Browns yesterday "sent shock waves through Northeast Ohio and the NFL" by trading RB Trent Richardson to the Colts for a '14 first-round draft pick. The deal is "easily one of the biggest and most stunning blockbusters in team history," and it saves the team $6.6M in future payments. The move "signals the organization's new regime is in a total rebuild mode as it collects ammunition to reconstruct the roster" in next year's draft (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 9/19).

The INDIANAPOLIS STAR's Stephen Holder writes the Browns' decision "was met with widespread shock, seen as them giving up on the 2013 season by trading one of their best players from a roster lacking in elite talent" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/19). NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal writes Browns GM Michael Lombardi "will take a lot of heat for this move" (NFL.com, 9/18).