Last Wednesday the Indianapolis’ appeared to find the running back of their dreams when they acquired Trent Richardson from the Cleveland Browns. Richardson attended Alabama in college and was the top running back taken in the 2012 draft at third overall. The Colts had looked to be depleted at running back with the loss of Vick Ballard, who will be out for the season with a torn ACL. Now the Colts’ skill positions seem to be set for the future. With this move, all of the offense will hopefully be able to get a solid running game going for the rest of the season and hopefully for years to come.

Richardson, who appeared in his game Sunday at San Francisco, showed much promise after having only two practices with the team. This all culminated with a rushing touchdown on his first attempt. Along with the touchdown, he had many other good runs in the game.

He was taken by the Cleveland Browns who have had little success over the past ten years. The Browns, who have just this year hired a new coach and general manager, are looking to go in a new direction with both of their first round picks from last year’s draft, Richardson and Brandon Weeden, not going to be on the field this week. Along with just those they have had a big turnover releasing or not resigning as many as ten other players.

The move to send the running back for a first round pick was a shocking one to the entire sporting world including Richardson. Once the move was completed, many people were shocked and almost in disbelief of the move Jim Irsay has pulled off again. The Browns’ have appeared to have taken more interest in getting the first overall pick in next year’s draft than wins at this point after trading away their top offensive threat. I think though that the Colts’ have got a great running back for a long time and gave up very little to acquire him.  A mid-to-late first round pick for a top level running back is a good risk for the Colts’. With the addition of Richardson they get a proven running back for a pick they might have used on a player that would have been a bust later down the road.

I know the Colts’ were desperate for a running back but also acquired a good back in Richardson. He was very productive in his rookie season by gaining almost 1000 yards last season. As a downhill style running back, he will gain yards when the Colts need those tough yards. Also, he is a good receiving running back that will add another dimension to the Colts’ offense. He averaged over three catches a game last year which will help Andrew Luck when he is forced to dump it short.

Now, the Colts’ have the running back they have wanted to get the tough yardage and for almost a bargain at the rookie wage scale contract price. The offense will be a more balanced offense with Richardson in the fold. Luck appears to have something that Peyton Manning never had consistently after the departure of Edgerrin James, a running game to take some of the pressure off the young but seasoned quarterback. Once Richardson gets a grasp of the playbook, the Colts’ offense will be a force to be reckoned with in the league.