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So, what does the Trent Richardson trade mean for the Colts?

If I had told you on draft night in April of 2012 that the Colts would have both Andrew Luck and Trent Richardson on their roster by Week 3 of the 2013 season, you'd have laughed so hard your colon would've shot out of your nose.

By Brad Wells

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Jamie Sabau

The Colts traded for Trent Richardson. This, you know.

The trade was, of course, amazing on many levels. Never has a player of Richardson's caliber been shipped just 18 games into his career.

If I had told you on draft night in April of 2012 that the Colts would have both Andrew Luck and Trent Richardson on their roster by Week 3 of the 2013 season, you'd have laughed so hard your colon would've shot out of nose.

Now, it's reality. Let that sink in.

So, what does it mean?

  • It means the "power running game" is here to stay. Ryan Grigson basically said as much to Bob Kravitz of the Indy Star. If any of you are expecting the Colts to open things up and play more three-wide, sorry. More fullback. More offset I formations. More slamming running backs at the opponent.
  • It means Ahmad Bradshaw is now the team's No. 2 back. Richardson isn't a guy who splits carries with anyone. He's a bell cow. Bradshaw is now Indy's third down back, which is good for his skill set.
  • It means Donald Brown is finished. He was a train wreck on passing downs against the Dolphins last Sunday. The coaching staff don't have faith in him, and they shouldn't. Richardson is a better pass blocker.
  • It means that the pressure is on head coach Chuck Pagano to win NOW! The expectation this season is Super Bowl. That's the message Jim Irsay just sent his coaches and his team with this move.
  • It means the front office has total faith and confidence in Pep Hamilton's offensive system. If Bruce Arians were still the coordinator in Indy, I don't think this trade is made. Richardson is ideal for Hamilton's system.
  • It means that the Colts get more toughness and versatility, especially after losing Dwayne Allen and Vick Ballard for the year with injuries. Richardson's addition offsets those two subtractions.
  • It means the Colts have another difference maker on offense, along with Andrew Luck, Reggie Wayne, and T.Y. Hilton. If Coby Fleener builds off last week's impressive performance, he can be in that category too.
  • It means the front office and the owner are committing it winning. Anything less is unacceptable.
  • It means Week 3 against the 49ers just got even more interesting.

In 1999, then-Colts president Bill Polian used the team's No. 4 overall pick to select U. of Miami running back Edgerrin James. The move was to pair James with then-young quarterback Peyton Manning. This year, Ryan Grigson gave Andrew Luck the closest thing this franchise has seen to James in a while: Trent Richardson.

The question now is, unlike Manning-James, can Luck-Richardson deliver a Super Bowl to Indianapolis? Clearly, the owner expects a "yes."

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