The Browns and Colts finalized on Wednesday a trade that sent running back Trent Richardson to Indianapolis. And the Colts apparently were talking to at least one other team about filling the void at tailback.
Appearing on Thursday’s PFT Live, Browns CEO Joe Banner explained that the negotiations between the Browns and Colts launched on Tuesday, spurred by the season-ending injury to Indy running back Vick Ballard. Banner said that the Browns hadn’t put Richardson on the block and had no desire to trade him before the opportunity arose with the Colts.
Indeed, the Browns had said last week that the planned to give Richardson even more touches. (He went from 15 in Week One to 23 in Week Two.)
The trade talks, aided by the relationship Banner has with Colts G.M. Ryan Grigson (who worked with Banner in Philly), resulted in the usual back-and-forth offers and counteroffers until a deal was struck.
Though the Colts apparently were exploring other options, Banner said he never got the impression that the Colts were close to pulling the trigger with another team.
The full interview is being transcribed, and the segment will be pasted in the Rumor Mill when it’s ready. Until then, click the box on the right rail to see all of Thursday’s show, which also included Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com calling the move the most polarizing player transaction in Cleveland since former coach Bill Belichick cut quarterback Bernie Kosar.
