Trent Richardson was supposed to be answer for the Indianapolis Colts running game. After two sub-par seasons with the team, the Colts finally told Richardson to hit the road in a moved that was obviously planned for a while since the Colts “suspended” Richardson for his final two games to keep from having to pay the $3.1 million in guaranteed money they still owed him.
As for the $3.1 million goes, Richardson is planning to file a grievance to get that back and he’ll probably win it. The bigger question for Richardson is what his future in the NFL looks like after a four-year career where he’s averaged 3.3 yards-per-carry.
As a star running back and concensus first round pick coming out of the University of Alabama in 2012, Richardson has been a disappointment, but I think a lot of it has to do with the situations he’s been in. In Cleveland in 2012, he was one of the few weapons on a bad team. He also got the most carries in his career, 267, and had his best season as a runner, averaging 3.6 yards per carry with 950 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added 51 receptions, 367 yards and one touchdown in the passing game and that’s where I think Richardson’s value lies.
He needs to go to a team that wants to use him as a three-down back and capitalize on his abilities to catch the ball out of the backfield. The most natural fit probably would have been the Philadelphia Eagles, but now they’re loaded in the backfield. So who could use Richardson? More importantly, who really needs to add him?
The obvious spot for him to land, as far as I can see, is the San Diego Chargers. To run their offense, they need a dual-purpose back and Richardson should sign for a song, a one-year deal for next to nothing so if for some reason he can’t turn into the running back he should, they won’t be wasting any real money or cap space on him. The Dallas Cowboys could be a good fit. So would the Minnesota Vikings or the San Francisco 49ers.
Percy Harvin, Dwayne Bowe and Stevie Johnson all hit the market at the same time
The free agent market for wide receivers was deep heading into the new league year, but it wasn’t exactly a sexy group. The belles of the ball that were actually set free looked to be Michael Crabtree from San Francisco, Torrey Smith from Baltimore and Kenny Britt from St. Louis, but the addition of Harvin, Johnson and Bowe to the mix changes the entire group’s complexion.
Bowe enters free agency as the second-best receiver in Kansas City Chiefs history. If he was guilty of anything in his time with the Chiefs it was of signing a bigger contract than he was actually worth. As a No. 1, Bowe is decent. As a team’s No. 2, he could flourish. At 6-foot-2, 221 pounds Bowe has the size and ability to get open in tight spaces and out-leap shorter defensive backs. He put up three 1,000-yard seasons and 15 touchdowns.
Teams like the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots should take a good long look at Bowe and what he can add to them as a No.2 or No. 3 wideout and the value they could get by signing him to a one or two-year deal. Teams with young quarterbacks like the Jets and Bills should be on the phone with Bowe’s agent today. If I ran the Carolina Panthers I would have already signed him.
Percy Harvin is a different story. He’s made his money, but he brings an attitude issue with him wherever he goes. He won’t even sniff a contract like they one he got from Seattle a few years ago, but he’s way too talented, and too young, not to find his way onto a team and soon.
Harvin needs to go to a place with an established coach and team leadership that can’t be questioned. Seattle should have had that for him, but Russell Wilson was too young for Harvin to truly respect. As a free agent, of course, Harvin gets to pick his job, but the best places for him would be the New York Giants, the Packers, the Patriots, the Ravens or the Cardinals. If Harvin signs with a team like the Buffalo Bills, which he’s already visited, or the Panthers or the Tennessee Titans, there’s a good chance he’ll be the same problem child.
Stevie Johnson was too expensive for the 49ers to keep because they don’t have a quarterback that can consistently throw him the ball. Johnson is a speed outside receiver and has not averaged less than 11.5 yards per catch over the last five seasons. Even last year playing Colin Kaepernick, he still averaged 12.4 yards per catch and scored three touchdowns.
Johnson had three 1,000-yard plus seasons with the Bills from 2010-12, but he excels when he has a decent quarterback. He hasn’t had one since 2012. If I’m the Ravens, I’m already envisioning the seven-year veteran as my Torrey Smith replacement. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see join the Chip Kelly circus in Philadelphia.
Other notable cuts
Buffalo Bills cut TE Chris Chandler
Pittsburgh Steelers cut DE Brett Keisel
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut OT Anthony Collins and DE Michael Johnson
Miami Dolphins cut DT Randy Starks
St. Louis Rams cut C Scott Wells and OT Jake Long
San Diego Chargers cut G Chad Rinehart
Jacksonville Jaguars cut DE Red Bryant
Arizona Cardinals cut C Lyle Sendlein
