Raiders cut Trent Richardson

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 31, 2015, 6:46 PM EDT
AP

One of the biggest draft busts in recent memory may have reached the end of the line.

Trent Richardson, the running back selected third overall in the 2012 draft, has been released by the Raiders, according to ESPN.

Richardson had a disappointing rookie season with the Browns after going third overall, and was then traded to the Colts for a first-round pick. A complete disaster in Indianapolis, Richardson was cut this offseason. The Raiders picked him up, but he did not impress in the preseason.

Realistically, it’s hard to see any other team giving Richardson a chance after he was such a dismal failure in all three of his stops. At age 25, this once-promising running back has probably played his last snap in the NFL.

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126 responses to “Raiders cut Trent Richardson”

  3. His downfall was quick and actually cost two teams a first round pick. Not easy for a guy that is done at 25.

  13. Sad… It really is… I for one thought he would be great. Hopefully he has a backup plan

  14. He’ll probably get one more chance, but he has to put in the work. You can’t show up to camp overweight and out of shape.

  15. The complete bust in this is the Colts who foolishly traded a first round pick for this no talent scrub. You’d have to be high to make that trade! Well the Colts are used to “busts” so I suppose one more won’t hurt. Especially when the league goes above and beyond the line of duty to cripple their biggest obstacle.

  18. He doesn’t read his blocks, you’re aren’t going to last long in the NFL without learning to read your blocks. Sad thing is he has all the physical tools to succeed.

  20. Drafting RBs in the First round doesn’t make sense..especially the 3 rd pick…wow! You can find stud RBs in later rounds like 6 th round pick Latavius Murray.

  22. Wonder what it would feel like to be a loser chargers, bills or panthers fan with no championships

  25. O.Co Colosseum is definitely the end of the line and the wrong side of the tracks. Maybe he can find a gig at one of the scrap metal yards there.

  26. I remember during some of the hype back when the browns drafted him, The great Jim brown said he was basically GARBAGE ( not using of course that exact word).
    And i remember that raise some eyebrows to the point some was even questioning if Jim Brown was nervous or jealous he might supplant him in Browns land .( which is nuts of course)

    I guess the legend knew what he was talking about.

  31. I’ll never forget watching him fumble in the Chiefs / Colts playoff game while trying to switch the ball from his outside to inside hand.

    The hand that was CLOSER to defenders.

    While not going forward.

    While cutting back INTO traffic.

    That’s a moment when you say, “This guy just might not be smart enough for pro football.”

  32. As a Raider fan I’m a little disappointed, but at the same time he is only 25 and I know he is young enough to get it back together and Sincerely hope he does.

  33. .
    Richardson is the product of the NFL’s greatest GM ever : Ryan ” get griggy with it” Grigson.
    .

  36. For the love of football, would you haters come up with something more original than “you know your bad when blah blah blah”. That was barely funny in the 8th grade.

    Anyways, back to football. I’m glad the Raiders kept the other three backs. Not great, but better than Darren “don’t touch be cause I always fall on first contact and get injured” McFadden.

  40. raidernation210 says:
    Aug 31, 2015 6:54 PM
    RaiderNation making all the right moves on their return to greatness
    _____________________________________

    This appeared to be sarcasm until I saw your screen name. You mean making all the right loves like guaranteeing him $600K and signing Crabtree? Great moves, Oakland (actual sarcasm).

  41. He is a bust but

    “Richardson had a disappointing rookie season with the Browns after going third overall,” is really not true….

    As a rookie he went for 950 yards and 11 TD’s while sharing time with Hardesty

    By Browns standards that is pretty healthy

    Year 2 is when he fell apart…

  42. Grigson didn’t miss on a draft choice; he missed on a known NFL player when he gave up a first rounder to get Richardson.

  43. This guy is a complete joke, he should be forced to return every cent he STOLE from these teams. No heart, no dedication, an absolute bust, one of the worst first round running backs in NFL history.

  44. Raiders are becoming a smarter team, in the past they would’ve kept him for a year or 2. I guess they were smarter than the Browns and colts because Richardson didn’t even last the whole preseason

  45. Raiders fans blame the Tuck Rule. They have blamed everything over the last 15 years on the Tuck Rule.

  53. When the Raiders cut you, you know it’s the end of the line. Frying chicken at Church’s is next. Oakland is where you go to kill your NFL career.

  54. A product of the offensive line at bama? And just being good in college but not pro material.
    —————

    Yeah, but Eddie Lacy had a stud O-line at Bama and he turned into a stud RB in the NFL. I think there’s more too it. Lazy after becoming a millionaire overnight, smokes too much weed. Who knows.

  55. A product of the offensive line at bama? And just being good in college but not pro material
    —————

    Yeah, but Eddie Lacy had a stud O-line at Bama and he turned into a stud RB in the NFL. I think there’s more too it. Lazy after becoming a millionaire overnight, smokes too much weed. Who knows.

  56. I don’t know what happened to this guy after the first half of his rookie year. He’s never been the same since. He needs to probably need to ry to find a team with a power scheme and try to stick to a roster that way. The Colts were a really bad fit, and the Raiders have gone to some of the spread type stuff in their run game this year from what I’ve seen, not to mention that their offensive line is pretty bad anyway, especially on the right side of it.

  59. I still can’t believe the Colts traded for him. It was obvious to me he sucked as a rookie. I loved hearing all the ex-player analysts say what a great move it was for Indy and how you have to win with the runnin game.

  60. He went into an emotional funk after Cleveland traded him, with their RB struggles now, they should re-sign him and see if he’ll motivate. If anything work him into a serviceable fullback.

  61. I have no proof, but just you watch, he’s going to be busted for pot. Good talent in college but got lazy in the pros. Has stoner written all over him.

  63. Dude had 950 yards, and 12 TD’s as a rookie, on a Brown’s Team where he was the focal point for the opposing Defense every week….. no other threat on Cleveland’s Team…. He was a 2nd year RB, who SHOULD have had less pressure to perform when in INDY due to increased talent surrounding him…… Hard to say the trade didn’t seem fair at the time.

  67. longsufferingkcfan says:
    When you don’t even make it to final cuts for the worst franchise in the league, it’s time to hang up the cleats.
    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    C’mon now, they’re not even the worst franchise in the bay area. Raiders have made strides, they’re several notches up from the bottom of the league nowadays, and on the rise.

  68. I would LOVE to see the Cowboys pick him up. I don’t think the ‘Boys’ current stable is all that impressive and it’d be great to see someone with so much hype and such epic bustiness come back and do well. If it was the Offensive line that made Richardson then it’s no surprise he didn’t do well at any of his stops. He did okay with the Browns in the first year, and I’d say that that was the Browns last good year for offensive line play. Now the Cowboys are touted as have the best Oline for rushing, so let’s prove it. Give Richardson a “prove it” deal and hand him the rock. Sure, it’ll tick off Joseph Randle, but it’d be great to see Richardson come back from this epic bust hole he’s found himself in.

  70. “A product of the offensive line at bama? And just being good in college but not pro material.”

    Product of his line which I said and was frequently ripped for before the draft. The same line that propelled Ingram (who FINALLY had a respectable season last year)

    I believe in accountability and admitting when I’m wrong. With that, I’m also darn well gonna toot the horn when I’m right.

    Nice guy though. Maybe he should try up north, though his lack of passing game chops hurts his CFL chances.

  73. All this concern for his future, I wouldn’t worry about him. After all, he’s a college graduate and that virtually guarantees him a fine career in his field.

  74. Huh. First time in three years the phrase “made a cut” was paired with “Trent Richardson.”

  77. I need to rip myself. His second year he was my first round pick. Then he got traded to Indy during the season. Needless to say my team sucked that year

  79. If someone could just teach him to choose the open lane, as opposed to the “called play” that has a lot of congestion, you could really have something there. Its unbelievable how the local media never called him out on that.

  80. He was the #9 FF RB as a rookie. All – ALL – the pundits swore he was the second c0ming of Peterson when he entered the draft. Now they ALL use the same template to bash him. Anyway, #9 RB is not bad…heck, remember Lynch? The coaches put Fred Jackson ahead of him…for at least a year.

    Cut him…I’ll pick him up…

  81. He was ruined at Cleveland. That’s where players go to die. No chance for a career!

  82. carr>russell wilson
    russell wilson is gawd awful. hes the worst pocket passer in the league. what were the seahawks thinking signing him to that rediculous contract. snyder is already regreting that signing.

  83. Oh if you had heard Adam Schein – then co-hosting a radio show with Rich Gannon on the NFL Network on Sirius – just kill the Browns after they fleeced the Colts into giving them a 1st round pick for Richardson.

    Adam Schein said that by trading Richardson the Browns were throwing in the towel on the season, that the season ticket holders should revolt.

    Obtuse in the extreme.

  84. Russell Wilson, T.Y. Hilton in round 3
    L. David, M. Kendricks, B. Wager, J. Jenkins round 2
    H. Smith, C. Jones, F. Cox Round 1

    All steals from that draft.

    Busts #2 RG3, #3 Richardson, #5 Blackmon, #6 Claiborne to name the obvious ones.

  85. ryanbaker0303 says:
    Aug 31, 2015 6:56 PM
    Sub 4.5 forty, 25 reps @225 …….I just don’t get it
    ~~~~~~~
    No drive/heart, horrible work ethic/bad character/dumb as a brick

    He wanted the fame and the paychecks but he didn’t want to work for it. Money does not change poor character. I didn’t think he would be good when he was drafted but being this bad is a bit of a surprise.

  87. And Mike Holmgren ripped the Browns for trading this guy for a first round pick…. looks like the Browns actually knew what they were doing for once!

  88. Trent Richardson is the smart one.

    He made 17MM and hasn’t gotten hurt and gets to retire at age 25 without suffering any major football injury or concussions.

    I’d like a “do over” where I suck at football and retire after 3 years with > 10MM in my pocket.
    Just be smart with your money and you have a very comfortable life.

  89. I like how the media was gushing over him after the last preseason game… when he was running against Minnesota’ 3rd and 4th string defenders. He’s toast, folks.

  90. The guy played tough as a rookie. I’ll never forget his first game, home opener against the Eagles. T-Rich lowered his head and popped the poor guy’s helmet straight into Lake Erie . I half thought the guy’s skull was still in the helmet. Coincidentally, that hit prompted the “crowning” rule. Reports were that he was crushed by the trade, I wonder if he still would have been a bust if he didn’t get traded. Contrary to the article, he didn’t have a disappointing rookie season. Who else would have had 950 yards, 11 TDs with Brandon Weeden at QB. Speaking of Weeden, in the same game I just mentioned, for the national anthem the Browns brought out a football field sized American flag. Weeden was warming up, not paying attention and was engulfed by it. He had to crawl out from under it like a toddler escaping his collapsed blanket fort. He should have remained under that flag. O.I.C.

  91. longsufferingkcfan says:
    Aug 31, 2015 7:05 PM
    raidernation210 says:
    Aug 31, 2015 6:54 PM
    RaiderNation making all the right moves on their return to greatness
    _____________________________________

    This appeared to be sarcasm until I saw your screen name. You mean making all the right loves like guaranteeing him $600K and signing Crabtree? Great moves, Oakland (actual sarcasm).

    ______________________

    Yeah because $600k is such a huge loss in the NFL, seriously you’re just an idiot. Oh you mean Crabtree the one who was wide open in the end zone when Carr over threw him. You literally have no clue. Great moves like drafting Carr, Mack, Ellis, Moore and Cooper. Signing studs like Hudson, Lofton, Williams. But a moron like you has no clue about football

  95. I would guess most of us have seen the clips of Trent running into the line and ignoring a wide open hole this preseason. If we have seen it, other teams have seen it and know why he has not done well in the NFL. In college, his OL probably just overpowered and opened holes for him, without him having to read and find a hole.

  96. You would think that after his third team,an RB coach would get on him about not following his blocks and finding the holes. He runs straight into traffic almost every time. I hate to think he”s washed up at 25. He has the tools…

  98. Report comment
    longsufferingkcfan says:
    Aug 31, 2015 7:05 PM

    raidernation210 says:
    Aug 31, 2015 6:54 PM
    RaiderNation making all the right moves on their return to greatness
    _____________________________________

    This appeared to be sarcasm until I saw your screen name. You mean making all the right loves like guaranteeing him $600K and signing Crabtree? Great moves, Oakland (actual sarcasm).
    ——————
    Is this the decade the Chiefs finally win a playoff game?

  102. FJax. Do it now.
    Richardson needs to seek the Round Bacon Football League and rehab his sloth-y ways

  103. Could be worse, but he keeps all that money and didn’t take the horrible beating that most NFL runners take. He might even be able to walk and talk when he’s 50.

  106. longsufferingkcfan says

    You mean making all the right loves like guaranteeing him $600K
    – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – — – –

    as a chief fan you would know first hand, seeing how your chiefs have over 20 million in dead money on the cap this year.

  108. The crazy part is that his rookie year in Cleveland was actually respectable. 1,317 all-purpose yards (950 rushing) and 11 TDs.

    Even in deciding to trade Richardson, the Browns couldn’t have foreseen such a dramatic decline. This was one for the ages.

  110. @longsufferingkcfan

    Thats a perfect name. How long since 1970?
    Worry about your team and how it chokes like clockwork.

  112. raidernation210 says:
    Aug 31, 2015 8:39 PM
    longsufferingkcfan says:
    Aug 31, 2015 7:05 PM
    raidernation210 says:
    Aug 31, 2015 6:54 PM
    RaiderNation making all the right moves on their return to greatness
    _____________________________________

    This appeared to be sarcasm until I saw your screen name. You mean making all the right loves like guaranteeing him $600K and signing Crabtree? Great moves, Oakland (actual sarcasm).

    ______________________

    Yeah because $600k is such a huge loss in the NFL, seriously you’re just an idiot. Oh you mean Crabtree the one who was wide open in the end zone when Carr over threw him. You literally have no clue. Great moves like drafting Carr, Mack, Ellis, Moore and Cooper. Signing studs like Hudson, Lofton, Williams. But a moron like you has no clue about football

    —————————

    Geez, I guess I really got under your skin there, with all the name calling.cevery single off season the Raider fans say that all the moves were great and this is the year that they finally break through. How’s that been working out for you the last 12 years and why should we expect anything different this year?

  113. Where are all those Raider fans who were claiming the Colts just didn’t know how to use him?

    He’s horrible, anyone who watched him in Indy can tell you that. Good luck to him but he is not an NFL caliber back.

  114. As horrible as the Browns front office has been, they ALMOST look good now! Sure they drafted him #3 overall in 2012 but were smart enough to see he couldn’t cut it and “snookered” the Colts out of a 1st round pick for him. Of course they blew that pick (#26 overall and a 3rd) to move up from #26 to #22 to take Johnny Foosball but still……
    🙂

  116. longsufferingkcfan says:
    Aug 31, 2015 7:05 PM

    raidernation210 says:
    Aug 31, 2015 6:54 PM
    RaiderNation making all the right moves on their return to greatness
    _____________________________________

    This appeared to be sarcasm until I saw your screen name. You mean making all the right loves like guaranteeing him $600K and signing Crabtree? Great moves, Oakland (actual sarcasm).
    ——————
    Is this the decade the Chiefs finally win a playoff game?

    ———————————————————-

    Is this the decade the Raiders make the playoffs?

  117. cooperspur says:
    Aug 31, 2015 6:53 PM
    Wow. You know you have hit rock bottom when the Raiders cut you.

    128 141

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Why all the thumbs down? Over the past 11 NFL seasons, the Raiders have lost the most games in the league.

    This is professional football and they play to win and over the past decade plus, they are the worst at winning in the NFL.

    So, when the WORST team over the last decade plus cuts someone, it IS rock bottom.

  119. It’s too bad but he’s never had an explosive first step going back to his BAMA.

    He could however forge a career as a blocking back if he could commit to that role. For him being committed is key because he was never a good blocker but then again, he wasn’t asked to block.

  120. It would be funny if all he needed was a pair of Eric Dickerson goggles, maybe he has really bad eyes.

  122. From gaggingbaby to dumbolt, sufferingchef, and billsaregoingtomove, why do these fans of LOSER teams who have NEVER won anything come here to bash the THREE Time Superbowl Winning Raiders?

  123. shafty131313,

    But that’s it. He wa in a power scheme his rookie year and hasn’t been in one like that since. It’s all well and good to knock RBs because they can’t fit any scheme, but it would be smarter imo to get your player in the scheme that fits. He needs to get in a downhill running game where a team is trying to play defense, make smart throws, and play defense. The Raiders should be that in theory, but if you’ve watched them this preseason, they’re going to a lot of the spread stuff. The way the 49ers played under Harbaugh would have been a good bet, but I don’t know anybody else who has that good of a line now and plays that way. Maybe Buffalo, but the fans will revolt if you bring him in and just cut Jackson.

  125. He may have been right afterall, when he stated “The next team I play for will be my last.” after being cut by Indy.

  126. longsufferingkcfan says:
    Aug 31, 2015 11:15 PM

    longsufferingkcfan says:
    Aug 31, 2015 7:05 PM

    raidernation210 says:
    Aug 31, 2015 6:54 PM
    RaiderNation making all the right moves on their return to greatness
    _____________________________________

    This appeared to be sarcasm until I saw your screen name. You mean making all the right loves like guaranteeing him $600K and signing Crabtree? Great moves, Oakland (actual sarcasm).
    ——————
    Is this the decade the Chiefs finally win a playoff game?

    ———————————————————-

    Is this the decade the Raiders make the playoffs?
    ————————
    Depends on how Carr shakes out. So far, I’m not convinced. But teams with losing records can make the playoffs, so that in itself is not a large accomplishment.

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