Browns dealing with shock of losing Richardson to Colts
The two wooden lockers Trent Richardson used daily were barren, nothing left behind from his short stay with the Browns.
Face of the franchise one day. Gone the next.
Still somewhat shaken by the new front office’s decision to trade Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round draft pick, the few Browns who ventured into the locker room Thursday expressed shock at the deal, it’s timing and they vowed to move forward in a season not yet three weeks old.
“It was a shock to everybody,” receiver Josh Gordon said. “Everyone was in disbelief.”
With an eye toward the future, the Browns shipped Richardson, the No. 3 overall pick in 2012 and one of their few players with star magnitude, to the Colts for a selection in next year’s draft. But the alarming move to trade the powerful running back raised a flag for Cleveland’s long-suffering fans, who view the hasty transaction as a sign that Browns’ management is throwing away this season to better align itself for 2014 and beyond.
“That’s not even realistic,” linebacker D’Qwell Jackson said. “In this business, there is too much pressure on everyone to win. I can’t even fathom that.”
To offset the loss of Richardson and add depth at running back, the Browns signed free agent Willis McGahee. He spent last season with Denver, leading the Broncos with 731 yards. The nine-year veteran passed his physical as the Browns were practicing, worked out for Cleveland’s coaches and signed his contract.
Like everyone, Jackson was caught off guard by Richardson’s trade. Jackson had left the team’s facility and was at home getting a massage Wednesday when he heard. Once the initial shock wore off, Jackson chalked it up to life with the Browns.
“I’ve been around here for a long time and I’ve seen a lot happen and that’s one of those deals where it’s out of your hands and out of your control,” he said. “I’m not saying that he’s not a good player. He’s just going to be a good player for another organization, and the powers that be felt like that was the best thing for the team and we’ve got to move forward.”
It’s not yet known if McGahee will play Sunday when the Browns visit Minnesota.
Bailey back to practice: Champ Bailey is practicing for the first time since injuring his left foot last month.
The Denver Broncos’ perennial Pro Bowl cornerback hadn’t practiced since getting hurt in an exhibition game at Seattle Aug. 19.
Barring a setback, he’ll play Monday night against Oakland after missing consecutive games for the just the fourth time in his 15-year NFL career.
Tannehill has sore shoulder: Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is still nursing a sore right shoulder that has limited his practice time, and cornerback Dimitri Patterson has had a setback in his recovery from a groin injury.
The Dolphins said Tannehill’s status was unchanged Thursday, an off day for the team. He was limited Wednesday after being sacked five times in last week’s victory at Indianapolis.