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The Running Back Conundrum (Richardson Thread)

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  • Player Class Pos Yards Att TD Y/A

    Adrian Peterson SO RB 1,108 220 14 5.04

    Jacob Gutierrez SO RB 254 48 2 5.29

    Did the Vikings make the right pick?

  • i hope all you trent richardson he-man love club members have all your nooses ready because the way you talk it's as if you can't live....."if living is without you(trent)!" cuz the browns aren't drafting him.

  • i hope all you trent richardson he-man love club members have all your nooses ready because the way you talk it's as if you can't live....."if living is without you(trent)!" cuz the browns aren't drafting him.

    @miktoxic said:

    i hope all you trent richardson he-man love club members have all your nooses ready because the way you talk it's as if you can't live....."if living is without you(trent)!" cuz the browns aren't drafting him.

    Great song, but the other night I peeked in on American Idol and one of the contestants was doing that song (and doing a pretty good job).

    But that dumbass Randy Jackson said something on the order of "Wow, Mariah Carey would be proud of how you sang her song". I thought WTF, asshole. That song was a great hit by Harry Nillson before Mariah Carey was ever freeking born.

  • ...Colt McCoy will be signing this song about Trent Mid September if we fail this draft...

    1)If we were picking 10th this year we'd ALL be bummed about not being able to draft Trent.

    2)Once in a Blue-Moon does a team wind up this lucky, to be in the position we're in to draft a special player like #3...

    3)K.I.S.S - Keep it simple stupid. Don't overthink this pick or outsmart yourselves, Trent SHOULD be our pick at 4.

    4)It's not often that 1 player can upgrade each and every position on your team... Trent does this. Makes the OL look better, makes Colts job easier/takes pressure off Colt to preform at his best, helps the WR get open through the play action pass, increases the quality of blocking on blitz pickups and improves the running game by 100%, helps keep the Defense fresh because we can grind on the clock.

    5)Every hater of the TRuth pick at 4 keep thinking that this draft will constitute an end product! We will continue to add pieces through FA(which is much easier to find a great WR if you're willing to spend the money, much harder to get a team to part with an AP runningback, true?). We also have more drafts to continue to add more pieces to next year and the year after that, ect. ect...

    6)Don't like Trent for the Browns? Boo-Hoo! Too bad- it's happening... Trent IS coming...

  • @miktoxic said:

    i hope all you trent richardson he-man love club members have all your nooses ready because the way you talk it's as if you can't live....."if living is without you(trent)!" cuz the browns aren't drafting him.

    Great song, but the other night I peeked in on American Idol and one of the contestants was doing that song (and doing a pretty good job).

    But that dumbass Randy Jackson said something on the order of "Wow, Mariah Carey would be proud of how you sang her song". I thought WTF, asshole. That song was a great hit by Harry Nillson before Mariah Carey was ever freeking born.

    @the-gipper said:

    Great song, but the other night I peeked in on American Idol and one of the contestants was doing that song (and doing a pretty good job).

    But that dumbass Randy Jackson said something on the order of "Wow, Mariah Carey would be proud of how you sang her song". I thought WTF, asshole. That song was a great hit by Harry Nillson before Mariah Carey was ever freeking born.

    and badfinger also did a version.

    randy jackson is an ass. i like the way he calls everyone dude, even the women.

    the term dude was born in cali from the surf crowd. doubt randy jackson has ever surfed or even been in the water........just sayin.

  • ...Colt McCoy will be signing this song about Trent Mid September if we fail this draft...

    1)If we were picking 10th this year we'd ALL be bummed about not being able to draft Trent.

    2)Once in a Blue-Moon does a team wind up this lucky, to be in the position we're in to draft a special player like #3...

    3)K.I.S.S - Keep it simple stupid. Don't overthink this pick or outsmart yourselves, Trent SHOULD be our pick at 4.

    4)It's not often that 1 player can upgrade each and every position on your team... Trent does this. Makes the OL look better, makes Colts job easier/takes pressure off Colt to preform at his best, helps the WR get open through the play action pass, increases the quality of blocking on blitz pickups and improves the running game by 100%, helps keep the Defense fresh because we can grind on the clock.

    5)Every hater of the TRuth pick at 4 keep thinking that this draft will constitute an end product! We will continue to add pieces through FA(which is much easier to find a great WR if you're willing to spend the money, much harder to get a team to part with an AP runningback, true?). We also have more drafts to continue to add more pieces to next year and the year after that, ect. ect...

    6)Don't like Trent for the Browns? Boo-Hoo! Too bad- it's happening... Trent IS coming...

    @poeticg said:

    ...Colt McCoy will be signing this song about Trent Mid September if we fail this draft...

    1)If we were picking 10th this year we'd ALL be bummed about not being able to draft Trent.

    2)Once in a Blue-Moon does a team wind up this lucky, to be in the position we're in to draft a special player like #3...

    3)K.I.S.S - Keep it simple stupid. Don't overthink this pick or outsmart yourselves, Trent SHOULD be our pick at 4.

    4)It's not often that 1 player can upgrade each and every position on your team... Trent does this. Makes the OL look better, makes Colts job easier/takes pressure off Colt to preform at his best, helps the WR get open through the play action pass, increases the quality of blocking on blitz pickups and improves the running game by 100%, helps keep the Defense fresh because we can grind on the clock.

    5)Every hater of the TRuth pick at 4 keep thinking that this draft will constitute an end product! We will continue to add pieces through FA(which is much easier to find a great WR if you're willing to spend the money, much harder to get a team to part with an AP runningback, true?). We also have more drafts to continue to add more pieces to next year and the year after that, ect. ect...

    6)Don't like Trent for the Browns? Boo-Hoo! Too bad- it's happening... Trent IS coming...

    DUDE (heh). i don't hate trent richardson. i just like claiborn better at #4. which would leave maybe just 2 holes to fill on that side of the ball. then you're done worrying about that side of the ball. period.

    richardson is no doubt a great player BUT as many have stated in these nemerous posts of yours that you can find a RB in the later rounds that could be just as good, better or worse, who knows? no one can put a guarantee on anyone of these guys.

    if we pick richardson kudos to you. don't be surprised if we don't. i know i won't be. i also know i won't be surprised if they trade down.

    do we have to keep posting new threads about him until the day of the draft though?????? c'mon man.

  • ...Colt McCoy will be signing this song about Trent Mid September if we fail this draft...

    1)If we were picking 10th this year we'd ALL be bummed about not being able to draft Trent.

    2)Once in a Blue-Moon does a team wind up this lucky, to be in the position we're in to draft a special player like #3...

    3)K.I.S.S - Keep it simple stupid. Don't overthink this pick or outsmart yourselves, Trent SHOULD be our pick at 4.

    4)It's not often that 1 player can upgrade each and every position on your team... Trent does this. Makes the OL look better, makes Colts job easier/takes pressure off Colt to preform at his best, helps the WR get open through the play action pass, increases the quality of blocking on blitz pickups and improves the running game by 100%, helps keep the Defense fresh because we can grind on the clock.

    5)Every hater of the TRuth pick at 4 keep thinking that this draft will constitute an end product! We will continue to add pieces through FA(which is much easier to find a great WR if you're willing to spend the money, much harder to get a team to part with an AP runningback, true?). We also have more drafts to continue to add more pieces to next year and the year after that, ect. ect...

    6)Don't like Trent for the Browns? Boo-Hoo! Too bad- it's happening... Trent IS coming...

    @poeticg said:

    ...Colt McCoy will be signing this song about Trent Mid September if we fail this draft...

    1)If we were picking 10th this year we'd ALL be bummed about not being able to draft Trent.

    2)Once in a Blue-Moon does a team wind up this lucky, to be in the position we're in to draft a special player like #3...

    3)K.I.S.S - Keep it simple stupid. Don't overthink this pick or outsmart yourselves, Trent SHOULD be our pick at 4.

    4)It's not often that 1 player can upgrade each and every position on your team... Trent does this. Makes the OL look better, makes Colts job easier/takes pressure off Colt to preform at his best, helps the WR get open through the play action pass, increases the quality of blocking on blitz pickups and improves the running game by 100%, helps keep the Defense fresh because we can grind on the clock.

    5)Every hater of the TRuth pick at 4 keep thinking that this draft will constitute an end product! We will continue to add pieces through FA(which is much easier to find a great WR if you're willing to spend the money, much harder to get a team to part with an AP runningback, true?). We also have more drafts to continue to add more pieces to next year and the year after that, ect. ect...

    6)Don't like Trent for the Browns? Boo-Hoo! Too bad- it's happening... Trent IS coming...

    No need to oversell it.

    He's BPA in a position of extreme need.

    What's comical is the fact that people are downplaying the position. If you don't think that Richardson is an elite prospect that is one thing. I bet there are a few scouts out there that think he'll be decent and nothing special. BUT The guy will touch the ball 40% of the time on offense. Mark it down. If we run 70 plays expect 28 touches. I've seen enough to say that what we have now isn't close to what he brings to the table. That is also 28 times that Colt has to do little or nothing with the ball. I'm sold.

    And the you can find another player of his caliber in later rounds? You can't find a Corner or WR later? Well I'd like the Browns to take Vinny Curry in the 2nd round. I think getting to the QB is more important than getting another potential lockdown corner. I also see the one big issue down the road of paying both guys. Haden is 10+ mil. a year corner do you give his partner 10+ mil and put 20 mil. in one position- I guess you do if there is no salary cap.

  • @poeticg said:

    ...Colt McCoy will be signing this song about Trent Mid September if we fail this draft...

    1)If we were picking 10th this year we'd ALL be bummed about not being able to draft Trent.

    2)Once in a Blue-Moon does a team wind up this lucky, to be in the position we're in to draft a special player like #3...

    3)K.I.S.S - Keep it simple stupid. Don't overthink this pick or outsmart yourselves, Trent SHOULD be our pick at 4.

    4)It's not often that 1 player can upgrade each and every position on your team... Trent does this. Makes the OL look better, makes Colts job easier/takes pressure off Colt to preform at his best, helps the WR get open through the play action pass, increases the quality of blocking on blitz pickups and improves the running game by 100%, helps keep the Defense fresh because we can grind on the clock.

    5)Every hater of the TRuth pick at 4 keep thinking that this draft will constitute an end product! We will continue to add pieces through FA(which is much easier to find a great WR if you're willing to spend the money, much harder to get a team to part with an AP runningback, true?). We also have more drafts to continue to add more pieces to next year and the year after that, ect. ect...

    6)Don't like Trent for the Browns? Boo-Hoo! Too bad- it's happening... Trent IS coming...

    No need to oversell it.

    He's BPA in a position of extreme need.

    What's comical is the fact that people are downplaying the position. If you don't think that Richardson is an elite prospect that is one thing. I bet there are a few scouts out there that think he'll be decent and nothing special. BUT The guy will touch the ball 40% of the time on offense. Mark it down. If we run 70 plays expect 28 touches. I've seen enough to say that what we have now isn't close to what he brings to the table. That is also 28 times that Colt has to do little or nothing with the ball. I'm sold.

    And the you can find another player of his caliber in later rounds? You can't find a Corner or WR later? Well I'd like the Browns to take Vinny Curry in the 2nd round. I think getting to the QB is more important than getting another potential lockdown corner. I also see the one big issue down the road of paying both guys. Haden is 10+ mil. a year corner do you give his partner 10+ mil and put 20 mil. in one position- I guess you do if there is no salary cap.

    @sdbrownsfan said:

    No need to oversell it.

    He's BPA in a position of extreme need.

    What's comical is the fact that people are downplaying the position. If you don't think that Richardson is an elite prospect that is one thing. I bet there are a few scouts out there that think he'll be decent and nothing special. BUT The guy will touch the ball 40% of the time on offense. Mark it down. If we run 70 plays expect 28 touches. I've seen enough to say that what we have now isn't close to what he brings to the table. That is also 28 times that Colt has to do little or nothing with the ball. I'm sold.

    And the you can find another player of his caliber in later rounds? You can't find a Corner or WR later? Well I'd like the Browns to take Vinny Curry in the 2nd round. I think getting to the QB is more important than getting another potential lockdown corner. I also see the one big issue down the road of paying both guys. Haden is 10+ mil. a year corner do you give his partner 10+ mil and put 20 mil. in one position- I guess you do if there is no salary cap.

    'extreme need?' you could say that with about 7 positions on each side of the ball.

    i doubt if we draft another DE unless he's a monster, since we spent our who FA signing them. look for CB and LBs though and that's why i say claiborn, jauron will be pleading for heckert to pull the trigger on the guy.

  • @poeticg said:

    ...Colt McCoy will be signing this song about Trent Mid September if we fail this draft...

    1)If we were picking 10th this year we'd ALL be bummed about not being able to draft Trent.

    2)Once in a Blue-Moon does a team wind up this lucky, to be in the position we're in to draft a special player like #3...

    3)K.I.S.S - Keep it simple stupid. Don't overthink this pick or outsmart yourselves, Trent SHOULD be our pick at 4.

    4)It's not often that 1 player can upgrade each and every position on your team... Trent does this. Makes the OL look better, makes Colts job easier/takes pressure off Colt to preform at his best, helps the WR get open through the play action pass, increases the quality of blocking on blitz pickups and improves the running game by 100%, helps keep the Defense fresh because we can grind on the clock.

    5)Every hater of the TRuth pick at 4 keep thinking that this draft will constitute an end product! We will continue to add pieces through FA(which is much easier to find a great WR if you're willing to spend the money, much harder to get a team to part with an AP runningback, true?). We also have more drafts to continue to add more pieces to next year and the year after that, ect. ect...

    6)Don't like Trent for the Browns? Boo-Hoo! Too bad- it's happening... Trent IS coming...

    DUDE (heh). i don't hate trent richardson. i just like claiborn better at #4. which would leave maybe just 2 holes to fill on that side of the ball. then you're done worrying about that side of the ball. period.

    richardson is no doubt a great player BUT as many have stated in these nemerous posts of yours that you can find a RB in the later rounds that could be just as good, better or worse, who knows? no one can put a guarantee on anyone of these guys.

    if we pick richardson kudos to you. don't be surprised if we don't. i know i won't be. i also know i won't be surprised if they trade down.

    do we have to keep posting new threads about him until the day of the draft though?????? c'mon man.

    @miktoxic said:

    DUDE (heh). i don't hate trent richardson. i just like claiborn better at #4. which would leave maybe just 2 holes to fill on that side of the ball. then you're done worrying about that side of the ball. period.

    richardson is no doubt a great player BUT as many have stated in these nemerous posts of yours that you can find a RB in the later rounds that could be just as good, better or worse, who knows? no one can put a guarantee on anyone of these guys.

    if we pick richardson kudos to you. don't be surprised if we don't. i know i won't be. i also know i won't be surprised if they trade down.

    do we have to keep posting new threads about him until the day of the draft though?????? c'mon man.

    IMHO, going D early would probably complete THAT side of the ball, but without SIGNIFICANT improvement to our offense, that D will be on the field far too long, fatigued & more prone to serious injury. Then you're playing subs (without much depth), causing performance of the D to suffer. I think it's a no brainer....We MUST go offense early & often in this draft to balance this Team & give us a significant foundation on which to build...on BOTH sides of the ball. Of course, I'm a huge Richardson backer & have been since last regular season, but we'll see what Heckert & co do at the draft. Whether or not it's Trich with #4, I'll be surprised if this draft (early) is not heavy on the offensive side of the ball.

    Mike

  • Extreme Need-

    RB (ogawhatever, hardestknee...ouch), WR (a #1 or #2 depending on how you feel about Little), RT (frightening honestly)

    Need

    QB (will see), OLB, S, CB, DE (always need rushers we have only one that can get to the QB)

    Depth

    OG, FB (although I would say this is a need), MLB (jackson backup), DT

    You always need plenty of DEs and DTs. If you get a RT and DE you can honestly say we are pretty set in the trenches.

  • it's all up in the air.

    we all have our favorites and not everyone will be happy. i know we need all those positions mentioned above to be addressed in this draft. who what and when becomes the FO's biggest decisions. a lot could be looming over their heads this year and to fuck the draft up could be their demise.

    i would say it would be pretty hard to screw this up with all the talent out there. but don't be surprised if we're not on the browns tavern live chat going: WTF???? WHO??? JESUS BLEEPING BLEEP TA DA BLEEP!!

  • it's all up in the air.

    we all have our favorites and not everyone will be happy. i know we need all those positions mentioned above to be addressed in this draft. who what and when becomes the FO's biggest decisions. a lot could be looming over their heads this year and to fuck the draft up could be their demise.

    i would say it would be pretty hard to screw this up with all the talent out there. but don't be surprised if we're not on the browns tavern live chat going: WTF???? WHO??? JESUS BLEEPING BLEEP TA DA BLEEP!!

    @miktoxic said:

    it's all up in the air.

    we all have our favorites and not everyone will be happy. i know we need all those positions mentioned above to be addressed in this draft. who what and when becomes the FO's biggest decisions. a lot could be looming over their heads this year and to fuck the draft up could be their demise.

    i would say it would be pretty hard to screw this up with all the talent out there. but don't be surprised if we're not on the browns tavern live chat going: WTF???? WHO??? JESUS BLEEPING BLEEP TA DA BLEEP!!

    😆 That's funny stuff Miktoxic! ...and Oh so true!

  • Trent's been saying some Cleveland-ish things on twitter lately. Is it OK to like him or will it make me a T-Rich fag who is hugging his nut?

    RT @TrentRich03: Love the brownie mascot. Bring back the elf

    Zombo

    --Seems like a religious young man as well, we could have a "Holy Roller" backfield with him and McCoy

  • Trent's been saying some Cleveland-ish things on twitter lately. Is it OK to like him or will it make me a T-Rich fag who is hugging his nut?

    RT @TrentRich03: Love the brownie mascot. Bring back the elf

    Zombo

    --Seems like a religious young man as well, we could have a "Holy Roller" backfield with him and McCoy

    Zombo said:

    Trent's been saying some Cleveland-ish things on twitter lately. Is it OK to like him or will make me a T-Rich fag who is hugging his nut?

    RT @TrentRich03: Love the brownie mascot. Bring back the elf

    Zombo

    --Seems like a religious young many as well, we could have a "Holy Roller" backfield with him and McCoy

    If he can bring Brownie back I'm all for taking him.

  • http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82814011/article/trent-richardson-ranks-as-no-3-prospect-in-2012-nfl-draft

    Gotta click the link to see the video... good stuff! Man, we have to fix our offense and it starts with drafting this kid. There is no excuse.

  • ...Colt McCoy will be signing this song about Trent Mid September if we fail this draft...

    1)If we were picking 10th this year we'd ALL be bummed about not being able to draft Trent.

    2)Once in a Blue-Moon does a team wind up this lucky, to be in the position we're in to draft a special player like #3...

    3)K.I.S.S - Keep it simple stupid. Don't overthink this pick or outsmart yourselves, Trent SHOULD be our pick at 4.

    4)It's not often that 1 player can upgrade each and every position on your team... Trent does this. Makes the OL look better, makes Colts job easier/takes pressure off Colt to preform at his best, helps the WR get open through the play action pass, increases the quality of blocking on blitz pickups and improves the running game by 100%, helps keep the Defense fresh because we can grind on the clock.

    5)Every hater of the TRuth pick at 4 keep thinking that this draft will constitute an end product! We will continue to add pieces through FA(which is much easier to find a great WR if you're willing to spend the money, much harder to get a team to part with an AP runningback, true?). We also have more drafts to continue to add more pieces to next year and the year after that, ect. ect...

    6)Don't like Trent for the Browns? Boo-Hoo! Too bad- it's happening... Trent IS coming...

    @poeticg said:

    ...Colt McCoy will be signing this song about Trent Mid September if we fail this draft...

    1)If we were picking 10th this year we'd ALL be bummed about not being able to draft Trent.

    2)Once in a Blue-Moon does a team wind up this lucky, to be in the position we're in to draft a special player like #3...

    3)K.I.S.S - Keep it simple stupid. Don't overthink this pick or outsmart yourselves, Trent SHOULD be our pick at 4.

    4)It's not often that 1 player can upgrade each and every position on your team... Trent does this. Makes the OL look better, makes Colts job easier/takes pressure off Colt to preform at his best, helps the WR get open through the play action pass, increases the quality of blocking on blitz pickups and improves the running game by 100%, helps keep the Defense fresh because we can grind on the clock.

    5)Every hater of the TRuth pick at 4 keep thinking that this draft will constitute an end product! We will continue to add pieces through FA(which is much easier to find a great WR if you're willing to spend the money, much harder to get a team to part with an AP runningback, true?). We also have more drafts to continue to add more pieces to next year and the year after that, ect. ect...

    6)Don't like Trent for the Browns? Boo-Hoo! Too bad- it's happening... Trent IS coming...

    Amen to that........Amen

  • Is Trent Richardson Trying To Tell Us Something?

    by Ryan Van Bibber • Apr 6, 2012 8:35 PM CDT

    Is Trent Richardson trying to tell us something? Or is the Alabama running back just throwing a little more fuel onto the pre-draft smoke screens?

    After tweeting his plea on Friday afternoon to bring back the Cleveland Browns' old logo, the Brownie. Later on Friday, he tweeted again, this time sending out a single photo to his multitudes of followers.

    That's one of the new, standard issue Nike "draft caps" that will be handed out to this year's draft class. Of course, this being Nike and the NFL, the merchandise is already for sale.

    Richardson would be a useful addition to the Browns offense with the fourth pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, especially if they opt to stick with Colt McCoy at quarterback and provide him some additional offensive skill players to work with this season.

    On the other hand, some might make the case for the Browns to go a different direction with the fourth pick. There are several very good running back prospects that Cleveland could nab with the 22nd pick or even their second-round pick.

    http://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/4/6/2931573/is-trent-richardson-trying-to-tell-us-something

    --------------------------------------------------------

    Well then... that pretty much sums it up for me... 😍

    😆

  • On nfl.com they post tweets from players and this morning I found one from Trent Richardson. Richardson tweeted, "Love the brownie mascot. Bring back the elf". This may be Richardson realizing he is going to be drafted by the Browns and wants to generate some positive PR for himself or maybe he is sincere.

  • who wouldn't want to move up higher in the draft with positive PR and a good nut washing? if 'tweeting' (faggish) is all it takes nowadays to get yourself ahead in this world then i'm way behind the times.

  • I'm just bringing them to you as I find them... http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2012/04/07/sports/nh5334081.txt?viewmode=fullstory

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    Sports

    .

    Jeff Schudel: Taking Trent Richardson makes sense for Browns

    Published: Saturday, April 07, 2012

    By By Jeff [email protected]@jsbrownsinsider

    If the Browns pass on Trent Richardson and take Justin Blackmon with the fourth pick on April 26, they should be able to get the second-ranked running back on their draft board when they pick 22nd.

    If they pass on Blackmon to take Richardson, the next two wide receivers will also likely be picked before the Browns draft again, which means the best the Browns could hope for would be the fourth-best receiver, possibly Stephen Hill from Georgia Tech.

    That might seem like an argument for taking Blackmon, but it is just the opposite. Richardson not only would be the best player available after quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III plus tackle Matt Kalil are picked; Richardson would fill a priority need for the Browns.

    Some analysts believe Doug Martin from Boise State is the second best running back in the draft. Others say it is David Wilson from Virginia Tech, but most agree a Grand Canyon-sized talent gap exists between Richardson and the rest.

    Richardson is arguably the most NFL-ready player in the entire draft along with LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne.

    Yes, the West Coast offense the Browns tried to use last year is a pass-oriented offense, but is just offensive if there is no running threat as the Browns demonstrated when Peyton Hillis went off the reservation.

    When Browns president Mike Holmgren coached Seattle to the Super Bowl in 2005, Shaun Alexander carried the ball 370 times for 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns for the Seahawks.

    Coincidentally, Alexander, like Richardson, went to Alabama. Holmgren picked him 19th in the first round in 2000. Alexander was 5-foot-11, 225 pounds. Richardson is 5-foot-9¼, 228 pounds.

    The Browns did not put up much of a fight to keep Hillis before free agency hit — an indication they have other plans at running back that go beyond rotating Montario Hardesty, Brandon Jackson and Chris Ogbonnaya during the 2012 season.

    Holmgren and General Manager Tom Heckert have repeatedly said they have to get better support for Colt McCoy. That means improving running back, wide receiver and the offensive line. They haven't helped McCoy at all in free agency, which means the help has to come in the draft.

    "It's my job to get better players surrounding him," Heckert said last month in a conference call with season ticket holders. "After the season, we said we have to protect him better. We have to be able to run the football, which we did at times last year. If you look at the games when we ran well and protected well, Colt played very well."

    Heckert will not be influenced by draft analysts, but those analysts can't even agree on which wide receiver is the best in the draft. Most have Blackmon ranked No. 1, but Gil Brandt of NFL.com has Michael Floyd of Notre Dame ranked first among receivers.

    That debate doesn't exist at running back, and I disagree with those who say that because Adrian Peterson hasn't taken the Vikings to a Super Bowl the Browns would be wrong to take a running back fourth. The Vikings took Peterson seventh in 2007. The Falcons used the next pick on end Jamaal Anderson and the Dolphins used the next pick on wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. I'd say the Vikings got the right guy.

    "(Richardson) is probably the best running back in the draft this year and probably one of the best players in the draft," Alabama coach Nick Saban at Richardson's pro day workout last month. "That's based on his performance and his production and the consistency that he's played with and the personal characteristics that he has."

    Richardson did have arthroscopic knee surgery in January, but that doesn't seem to be a concern. The 2011 season was his first year as the Crimson Tide feature back. He set a school record with 1,679 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns, and that was when everybody in the SEC knew Richardson was going to get the ball. He caught 29 passes as a junior in 2011.

    "Extremely physical, fearless and determined with a wicked stiff-arm," says the scouting report in the Pro Football Weekly Draft preview. "Has power in his body and knows how to use it. ... Can barrel through the line and create his own hole. ... Plays big on big stages and keyed victories over Texas and LSU in national championship game. ... Very capable blocker capable of decelerating unsuspecting blitzers. ... Can pick and slide and piles up yardage after the catch."

    Yes, the Browns need wide receivers, but they can be found in later rounds. Heckert just has to know where to look. The Steelers found Mike Wallace in the third round in 2009 (the year the Browns drafted Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi in the second round) and they found Antonio Brown in the sixth round in 2010.

    The Browns have never used a top-five pick on a running back. Richardson could be the first. They did use the sixth pick on a running back once and that worked out pretty well. That was in 1957 when they drafted Jim Brown.

    [email protected]