With all the talk about how the trade of Trent Richardson affects the teams directly involved, other teams will be affected, too.
And some other teams like the move. Including the Bengals.
Coach Marvin Lewis exhibited restrained jubilation on Thursday when discussing the move with Ross Tucker and Derrick Brooks of SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“We go to Cleveland next week, Ross,” Lewis said. “I feel pretty good about that, a little better about that.”
While not directly chiding the Browns for dumping the third overall pick in the 2012 draft, Lewis heaped praise on the man he’ll now have to defend on December 8 instead of both September 29 and November 17.
“Any time a great young player like Trent Richardson leaves your division -- now, we still get to face him this year, but once instead of twice,” Lewis said. “He’s a fine player, and I think has a big career ahead of him.”
It actually hurts the Bengals because it strengthens a team with which Cincinnati could be jockeying for a wild-card spot, if Baltimore rises up and wins the AFC North.
The trade also could hurt the Bengals over the long haul if it allows the Browns, with two first-round picks in 2014, to secure a franchise quarterback that will transform Cleveland into a perennial contender.