The Cleveland Browns clearly are not soliciting player analysis opinions from Jim Brown, because they traded up to select Trent Richardson No. 3 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Brown, the best running back in Cleveland’s franchise history (and perhaps all time), expressed doubt about Richardson’s ability.
Asked about the Browns potentially drafting Richardson — which they did — Brown was unenthusiastic.
“I’m not overwhelmed with it. The problem is that he’s ordinary,” Brown told The Scott Van Pelt Show on ESPN Radio. “I think he’s ordinary.”
Asked what about him is ordinary, Brown said, “the size, the speed, his moves.”
Brown was not impressed by any of the running backs in the draft, saying “It’s not a good year.”
Brown believes the importance of running backs has become marginalized because the NFL is a passing league, and thinks a team should only draft one early if he’s great.
I agree with Brown’s analysis all the way around. The problem is Cleveland needs a quarterback and Washington beat them out by acquiring the No. 2 overall pick from the Rams. Instead, they moved up to take Richardson and settled on Brandon Weeden at No. 22. I still think their offense has a long way to go.
Helmet knock to Pro Football Talk
