<![CDATA[Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson]]>http://www.espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=1160

Chasing No. 32: Ever since the Browns traded three low-round draft picks to move up one spot to No. 3 in the first round and secure the selection of running back Trent Richardson, Jim Brown has been the Holy Grail of interview-seekers.

The day of the draft – long hours before Richardson was assured of going to the Browns – the greatest running back of all time delivered a stinging commentary on Richardson on the Scott Van Pelt Show on ESPN Radio.

“I think he’s ordinary,” Brown said on April 26.

Reached Wednesday night at his Hollywood Hills home, Brown expounded on his feelings.

“When you think of greatness and the great backs, they all had some individual traits that you can identify – quickness, balance, power, speed,” Brown said. “I think the kid is a good working back, and if you’ve got everything else around him he can play his role. But when it comes to outstanding, I don’t see anything outstanding about him. It’s not said in a cruel manner. He’s very efficient, and that’s what you want.”

I asked on what Brown is basing his observations.

“I’m basing them on highlights, and highlights show the best of you,” he said. “But here’s the deal, he can change everything that I’ve said.”

Keeping it real: Brown, 76, has been estranged from the franchise for which he starred from 1957 through 1965 on various occasions over the years, though he considers himself "a Cleveland Brown forever." The current frosty relationship stemmed from his dismissal as an “executive advisor” by Browns President Mike Holmgren two years ago.

The parting, which cost Brown about $500,000 in annual income according to sources, was a textbook PR disaster. Brown, the franchise’s greatest player, boycotted the team’s inaugural Ring of Honor ceremony in 2010 and compounded his conspicuous absence with a scathing letter to Holmgren, charging him with disrespect.

“Browns fans believe you’re a bitter man and that’s why you’re saying these things about Richardson,” I said to Brown.

“That’s so petty and so ridiculous,” Brown replied. “Anyone that thinks that I’m a guy that goes around bashing anybody … I (criticized) a lot of people in my career … I talked about Tiger Woods (before his scandal) and challenged him, and O.J. (Simpson), because of certain hypocrisy. But the Browns speak for themselves.

“What have I said about the Browns other than the fact that Richardson is an ordinary back? There’s so much I could say. So you tell all those people that want to look at me, look at what you’ve got. You’re sitting on a mess. You’ve got a guy that doesn’t give interviews except in other cities. I ask all the people in Cleveland, do you get the impression that Mr. Holmgren wants to be there? If you do, then tell me.”

Holmgren has said he is “all in” on his commitment to turning around the fortunes of the Browns. He made a thorough round of interviews to Cleveland media outlets shortly after the draft.

Back to Richardson: “Let me ask you a question,” Brown said to me. “I haven’t heard anyone say anything special about (Richardson). Have you?”

I said a lot of people considered Richardson the best offensive player in the draft other than the quarterbacks taken ahead of him, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III.

“Well, they see something I don’t see,” Brown responded.

I said Richardson has been compared favorably to his hometown hero, Emmitt Smith, who happens to be the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. I said that from my own observation, Richardson’s 5-9 ½, 228-pound physique and renowned weight-room strength would seem to make him a running back extremely difficult to tackle.

“If you look at Emmitt Smith and the kind of blocking he had, I don’t think he’d have close to the career he had (without it),” Brown said. “But if you take a Gale Sayers, Walter Payton, Eric Dickerson … Earl Campbell, there’s something special there.

“Emmitt was a warrior. But when it comes to the first level of backs, Emmitt would not be in my first level. So when I look at Richardson, I see adequate speed, adequate power, and a good attitude. But I don’t see anything special. And I don’t know if anyone can tell me there’s anything special.”

I said to Brown that Richardson looks freakishly strong.

“You’re not gonna come into pro football dealing with how strong you are,” Brown responded. “They’ve got enough people dealing with strength. Your quickness and your speed are the two assets that I would look at. Look at Earl Campbell. Earl was quick. You have to have a certain kind of quickness, certain kind of speed, and then your strength comes into it.

“But you’re not going to make it with strength and ordinary speed and quickness. I don’t think it’s even an issue. When you deal with Richardson, he comes out of that Alabama mold. He’ll work hard for you, and he’s kind of an all-around back. But if you look at Cleveland, I would have gotten me a couple of receivers.”

Richardson universally has been hailed as the best running back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson (in 2007). How does Brown feel about that?

“Adrian Peterson, I loved him when I first saw him and I still do,” Brown said. “He gets hurt, but that’s a special talent. He’s got good size, great speed and great quickness. In pro football, you can be a workmanlike guy that fits in to a good team and you do things that they need you to do and you’re worth it. But if you’re talking about a top draft pick and someone who’s gonna have instant impact on your team, I don’t see the kid that way.”

Final points: I’ve enjoyed a dialogue with Jim Brown since I first covered the Browns in 1984. Before that, I came from the generation whose fathers adored him. I can still hear my father, glued to the black-and-white TV, exclaiming, “Look at him. He’s an animal, the way he runs.”

I do not believe Brown is saying these things about Richardson because of bitterness toward the present Browns’ management, although it’s obvious that bitterness exists. I am giving him the benefit of doubt as the everlasting conscience of the position of NFL running back. I simply disagree with him.

“Here’s my last thing to you,” Jim Brown said. “I think Richardson is a fine young man. I think he’s a good all-around football player. But from my standpoint, that’s ordinary. You talk about someone that’s going to move or light up the franchise or create a certain kind of thing, that’s what I’m talking about. I’m not trying to be mean. There are certain people you look at and there’s something special about them. I don’t see it.”

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/22992/jim-brown-speaks-out-on-holmgren-richardsonRSS for NodeThu, 01 Oct 2026 08:30:50 GMTThu, 24 May 2012 20:43:07 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Wed, 30 May 2012 04:26:33 GMT]]>yeah from 5 to 9. $3 cosmos and you get to ride the greased mechanical bull for free!!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290820https://brownsboard.com/post/290820Wed, 30 May 2012 04:26:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Wed, 30 May 2012 02:04:11 GMT]]>

@king-ghoolie-lives said:

Does anyone have happy hour down there?

I agree.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290816https://brownsboard.com/post/290816Wed, 30 May 2012 02:04:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Tue, 29 May 2012 22:55:19 GMT]]>Smaller guys who are quicker in shorts won't amount to his speed and momentum once they all put the helmet and pads on... and that's is where it counts anyways...

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290792https://brownsboard.com/post/290792Tue, 29 May 2012 22:55:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Tue, 29 May 2012 20:57:53 GMT]]>I'm going to type my responses in 45 pt font from now on.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290787https://brownsboard.com/post/290787Tue, 29 May 2012 20:57:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Tue, 29 May 2012 18:14:40 GMT]]>Jim who? 🤔

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290780https://brownsboard.com/post/290780Tue, 29 May 2012 18:14:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Tue, 29 May 2012 17:34:39 GMT]]>

@poeticg said:

...so, Richardson is .2-.3 seconds slower than the fastest runningback in the league? So what, if the defenders ever catch up to him they still have to TRY and tackle him... and that's where it gets interesting!!! 😉

🙂 Cornerbacks don't try to tackle guys like that anymore PG. They just throw their bodies at the runners legs, hope they get lucky and he trips.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290779https://brownsboard.com/post/290779Tue, 29 May 2012 17:34:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Tue, 29 May 2012 17:30:36 GMT]]>

@harry-buffalo said:

That 4.5 speed is during games with his pads on, he did clock a 4.45 at his pro day.

We'll just have to wait and see come September. 🙂

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290778https://brownsboard.com/post/290778Tue, 29 May 2012 17:30:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Tue, 29 May 2012 13:06:10 GMT]]>

@calfoxwc said:

OK, since you asked Cal- at least to me Richardson doesn't have the 5th gear of a Tomlinson or Richardson. That may be nit-picking. 4.5 speed isn't exceptional for a running back- there's more than a few LBs who can clock that speed. If you want exceptional, Bo Jackson ran a 4.2 the other two guys were in the low 4.4s, high 4.3s. That's the difference between being caught from behind- or not. 🙂 Of course I hope Trent's everything he's cracked up to be- and more. Mr. Hoorta

*************************************************

I understand that a bit - but the other two rb's you mentioned don't have his power. It's a trade off I will take any day. He's still very fast. The .2/.3 difference is

almost insignificant to me, when Richardson is a powerful runner, and not lacking serious agility and all.😉

That 4.5 speed is during games with his pads on, he did clock a 4.45 at his pro day.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290758https://brownsboard.com/post/290758Tue, 29 May 2012 13:06:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Tue, 29 May 2012 10:57:52 GMT]]>is it then a position thing, where 4.5 is acceptable for RB's but not WR's?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290751https://brownsboard.com/post/290751Tue, 29 May 2012 10:57:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Tue, 29 May 2012 17:32:17 GMT]]>OK, since you asked Cal- at least to me Richardson doesn't have the 5th gear of a Tomlinson or Peterson, LOL I fixed it Cal 🙂 . That may be nit-picking. 4.5 speed isn't exceptional for a running back- there's more than a few LBs who can clock that speed. If you want exceptional, Bo Jackson ran a 4.2 the other two guys were in the low 4.4s, high 4.3s. That's the difference between being caught from behind- or not. 🙂 Of course I hope Trent's everything he's cracked up to be- and more. Mr. Hoorta

*************************************************

I understand that a bit - but the other two rb's you mentioned don't have his power. It's a trade off I will take any day. He's still very fast. The .2/.3 difference is

almost insignificant to me, when Richardson is a powerful runner, and not lacking serious agility and all.😉

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290745https://brownsboard.com/post/290745Tue, 29 May 2012 17:32:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Tue, 29 May 2012 00:16:42 GMT]]>

@usfbrown said:

Can we at least all agree that the offense will now be watchable. Evaluating talent isn't an exact science and no one knows who'll be the next great one. We can argue about the draft all we want but we really can judge it for another couple years.

All I know is that by all appearances our team has improved. Problem is other teams have too. We have a huge talent gap on this division. We're all passionate about this team and some of us are just bitter about the past decade of shit football.

This is a great board. No more needing to insult each other. Lets save it for the fans of other teams and the newbies.

Agree. It's now up to UnShurmer & his staff to get results.

I see the arguments here about who we could have or should have drafted. I wanted a LB at #22 or 37- didn't happen. I won't bitch about it until I see them take the field (I think we have the worst LBs in the league).

GO BROWNS

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290730https://brownsboard.com/post/290730Tue, 29 May 2012 00:16:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Mon, 28 May 2012 23:58:53 GMT]]>This is some fucked up shit to say but this guys mom, two aunts and dad all have / had cancer.

Talk about a red mother fuckin flag.

Let's all keep our fingers crossed.

It's not funny and I would not wish it on anyone ... just sayin...

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290728https://brownsboard.com/post/290728Mon, 28 May 2012 23:58:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Mon, 28 May 2012 23:50:27 GMT]]>

@hoorta said:

OK, since you asked Cal- at least to me Richardson doesn't have the 5th gear of a Tomlinson or Richardson. That may be nit-picking. 4.5 speed isn't exceptional for a running back- there's more than a few LBs who can clock that speed. If you want exceptional, Bo Jackson ran a 4.2 the other two guys were in the low 4.4s, high 4.3s. That's the difference between being caught from behind- or not. 🙂 Of course I hope Trent's everything he's cracked up to be- and more.

...so, Richardson is .2-.3 seconds slower than the fastest runningback in the league? So what, if the defenders ever catch up to him they still have to TRY and tackle him... and that's where it gets interesting!!! 😉

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290727https://brownsboard.com/post/290727Mon, 28 May 2012 23:50:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Mon, 28 May 2012 23:42:33 GMT]]>

@tim-couch-pulls-out said:

Or until he gets absolutely trucked by a LB and then starts a whole new line of bickering.

Yes or that!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290725https://brownsboard.com/post/290725Mon, 28 May 2012 23:42:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Mon, 28 May 2012 23:38:46 GMT]]>

@cambridgeho said:

I cant wait until he runs over someone for a td, and then we all will forget what position he was drafted.

Or until he gets absolutely trucked by a LB and then starts a whole new line of bickering.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290724https://brownsboard.com/post/290724Mon, 28 May 2012 23:38:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Mon, 28 May 2012 22:45:45 GMT]]>I cant wait until he runs over someone for a td, and then we all will forget what position he was drafted.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290718https://brownsboard.com/post/290718Mon, 28 May 2012 22:45:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Tue, 29 May 2012 17:31:29 GMT]]>

@calfoxwc said:

Let's look at it another way - about Richardson.

What does he LACK?

He HAS excellent field vision, speed, agility,love for the game, character, power, rarely EVER fumbles,

excellent coordination and balance and very, very quick feet..... he's frickin SMART, he's powerfully built, loves contact, catches out of the backfield excellently...

Let me repeat AGILITY. Watching him go through agility drills is like watching a blue chippie cb go through the drills.

so, what are we missing? What's he's missing?

If nothin, that makes him a hell of a lot more special than ordinary.

Even more so, than if the Browns hadn't drafted a RT.

Too much bickering about when he was drafted. In this draft this year - he was THE MAN to pick for the Browns.

OK, since you asked Cal- at least to me Richardson doesn't have the 5th gear of a Tomlinson or Peterson. That may be nit-picking. 4.5 speed isn't exceptional for a running back- there's more than a few LBs who can clock that speed. If you want exceptional, Bo Jackson ran a 4.2 the other two guys were in the low 4.4s, high 4.3s. That's the difference between being caught from behind- or not. 🙂 Of course I hope Trent's everything he's cracked up to be- and more.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290713https://brownsboard.com/post/290713Tue, 29 May 2012 17:31:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Mon, 28 May 2012 19:00:35 GMT]]>I'm not fortunate enough to say I saw Jim Brown play (not even close) but the man was a dominant running back. However, it couldn't be more obvious that since the browns "slighted" him a few years ago he's nothing but a bitter old man. Granted, the browns should give him legend status but there's no excuse for this. You guys may think he's just giving his opinion, but I don't see it that way at all. It's clear he came out and said that because he wanted to knock the browns and the front office which is pathetic to me anyway. I agree with everyone else on here, at this point Jim should just shut his mouth and respect the team that allowed him to be successful. I respect him as a player but have 0 respect for the guy as a person.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290707https://brownsboard.com/post/290707Mon, 28 May 2012 19:00:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Mon, 28 May 2012 18:26:55 GMT]]>Let's look at it another way - about Richardson.

What does he LACK?

He HAS excellent field vision, speed, agility,love for the game, character, power, rarely EVER fumbles,

excellent coordination and balance and very, very quick feet..... he's frickin SMART, he's powerfully built, loves contact, catches out of the backfield excellently...

Let me repeat AGILITY. Watching him go through agility drills is like watching a blue chippie cb go through the drills.

so, what are we missing? What's he's missing?

If nothin, that makes him a hell of a lot more special than ordinary.

Even more so, than if the Browns hadn't drafted a RT.

Too much bickering about when he was drafted. In this draft this year - he was THE MAN to pick for the Browns.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290701https://brownsboard.com/post/290701Mon, 28 May 2012 18:26:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Mon, 28 May 2012 17:34:00 GMT]]>

@harry-buffalo said:

Unless it's Miktoxic then I agree 😆

oh no no no 🙁🙁

you know i love you harryape.

hell i even loved ghoulie before he now became the good ghoulie.

i don't care what anyone says or does just as long as the browns win. doesn't mean i have to agree with the way they go about it though.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290700https://brownsboard.com/post/290700Mon, 28 May 2012 17:34:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Mon, 28 May 2012 16:38:55 GMT]]>

@choco said:

I doubt he rides a harley

Nice reference, buttstain

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290698https://brownsboard.com/post/290698Mon, 28 May 2012 16:38:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Mon, 28 May 2012 13:55:07 GMT]]>

@hoorta said:

If, if, if, if. We'll just have to agree to disagree. You see something special in Richardson- I don't (other than his field vision and cutting ability).

Running backs get taken lower now for a reason- the position is devalued in the pass happy NFL. And you can play your "what if" game till the cows come home, and it doesn't matter. It would be just as easy for me to say with 20\20 hindsight Tom Brady should have been the first overall pick. 🙂

True but if people are saying Richardson should be as good if not better than Rice and they are saying he is the best since AP then I see why the FO took him in the top 5. I see it you don't but at least we can agree why he was taken that high.

@usfbrown said:

Can we at least all agree that the offense will now be watchable. Evaluating talent isn't an exact science and no one knows who'll be the next great one. We can argue about the draft all we want but we really can judge it for another couple years.

All I know is that by all appearances our team has improved. Problem is other teams have too. We have a huge talent gap on this division. We're all passionate about this team and some of us are just bitter about the past decade of shit football.

This is a great board. No more needing to insult each other. Lets save it for the fans of other teams and the newbies.

Unless it's Miktoxic then I agree 😆

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290693https://brownsboard.com/post/290693Mon, 28 May 2012 13:55:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Mon, 28 May 2012 02:23:38 GMT]]>

@the-cysko-kid said:

You guys are just a couple of typical steeler-lovin' Pennsylvania vagina stains. Browns rule 2012!

Ur a bungle fan lolz 😁😆

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290675https://brownsboard.com/post/290675Mon, 28 May 2012 02:23:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Jim Brown Speaks Out On Holmgren/richardson on Mon, 28 May 2012 02:21:00 GMT]]>You guys are just a couple of typical steeler-lovin' Pennsylvania vagina stains. Browns rule 2012!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/290673https://brownsboard.com/post/290673Mon, 28 May 2012 02:21:00 GMT