Scott Fujita chimed in at Fox Sports and offered his take, here.
Wow, Scott Fujita with a very interesting take on Richardson. http://t.co/Gm4MUwCBrZ #Browns
— Will Burge (@WillBurge) September 20, 2013
Former Brown LB Scott Fujita says Trent Richardson never bought in, didn't interact with teammates and was constantly late to treatments
— Mike Loyko (@NEPD_Loyko) September 20, 2013
This story will continue to provide a backdrop and contrast to the comments made by Mike Holmgren yesterday. Holmgren alleges that the Browns have traded their best player (harumph, Joe Thomas) and says that if he were in Rob Chudzinski's place, he would quit. You know he means what he says, because he quit on the Browns more quickly and for far less reason than a trade of a talent like Richardson.
Scott Fujita indirectly alludes to many behind the scene details in his column. Alabama players come into the league with a different set of expectations and backgrounds than typical NCAA players, and it appears Trent did not wholly commit himself to becoming the quality NFL back he is capable of being.
Browns fans may want to add this information to the formula they will use to evaluate the trade and judge whether Banner/Lombardi received adequate value for Trent Richardson. Trent had not yet lived up to the team's expectations or his own, and has battled injury concerns from the moment he was drafted. If his heart was not in the right place either and his grasp of the play book was suffering, it swings the 1st round pick received from Indy far more to the Browns favor.