From the moment the Browns traded up to select Trent Richardson with the third overall pick in the 2012 draft, Jim Brown has made it clear that he does not agree with the decision. Many view Richardson as an electric player who can become a game-changer for the Browns’ offense, but the best running back in Cleveland history doesn’t see it that way. Brown reiterated that during an interview with ESPN Cleveland on Wedensday.
When radio host Tony Grossi told Brown that many have compared Richardson to Emmitt Smith, Brown said Smith was a “warrior” but he wouldn’t put him in his top tier of running backs anyway.
“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.”
Every time Grossi countered Brown by talking about Richardson’s physical ability and explosiveness, Jim downplayed it and went back to the fact that he doesn’t see anything special from the Alabama Heisman Trophy finalist.
“I think Richardson is a fine young man,” he said. “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.”
Obviously, the Browns disagree. Whether or not Brown actually believes Richardson is nothing special or he just has his own agenda is something we will never know for sure. Like Joe Namath and the Jets, Brown and the Browns are not on the best of terms. It’s either something against Cleveland or something against Richardson. If I were Trent, I’d be using it as bulletin board motivation.
H/T Eye on Football
Photo credit: Jason Miller-US PRESSWIRE
