Despite the low numbers, Trent Richardson was always considered a threat to opposing defenses. Not afraid to take a hit, the running back was a tough matchup for some, including the Cincinnati Bengals. One person celebrating the recent trade of Richardson is Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis.
The Cleveland Browns announced they were sending the former top-5 draft pick of a year ago to the Indianapolis Colts in favor of a first-round draft pick and veteran free agent Willis McGahee. This puts Richardson out of the AFC North and out of the concern of Lewis.
"We go to Cleveland next week (Week 4)," Lewis said, via SiriusXM NFL Radio."I'm feeling pretty good about that, a little better about that. Anytime a great young player like Trent Richardson leaves your division - now we still get to face him this year, but once instead of twice. He's a fine player and, I think, has a big career ahead of him, so not bad that he drives two hours west of us instead of four hours north."
Lewis is feeling pretty good about his team's chances against the Browns as the Bengals are always looking for a big defensive performance. The Browns have announced that Brian Hoyer would be starting in place of Brandon Weeden. Without their normal starting quarterback and Trent Richardson, Lewis is thinking the Bengals can really run the table in their division.
However, Lewis should be thinking about the overall big picture the trade could have on Cincinnati. The team is in the same division as the Baltimore Ravens. If the Ravens were to run the table in the AFC North, the Bengals could be battling with the Indianapolis Colts for a wild card spot. At this point, Indianapolis is looking pretty good with Andrew Luck and Richardson now sharing the same backfield.
The trade also impacts the future for the Browns. Cleveland is now putting themselves in a position to get a top-5 draft pick again in 2014. Fans should not naïve to the fact that the Browns are racing the Jacksonville Jaguars for the worst record in the NFL. That could mean they are able to draft either Johnny Manziel or Teddy Bridgewater. Either quarterback is capable of running a franchise and set the Browns up for years of success.
That is far from Lewis' mind. The Bengals head coach is simply glad when the Browns and Cincinnati face off on Sept. 29 and Nov. 17, Richardson will not be there.
