INDIANAPOLIS –The rumblings that made Trent Richardson a Colt began early this week with discussions between Ryan Grigson and Joe Banner, two former Eagles.
The fruits of their labor were realized late Wednesday afternoon when the Colts shipped their first-round pick in 2014 to Cleveland for Richardson, a prized backfield component for an Indianapolis team thinking big.
Taken third overall in the 2012 draft and having set some franchise rookie rushing marks, the sudden shift to Indianapolis still surprised Richardson today.
"It's starting to wear off, but it's still a shock," said Richardson. "At the same time, I'm ready to open up this new chapter in life, especially here with the Colts. It's a great surrounding, great coaching staff and a great locker room."
Richardson fits the size and style treasured by the Colts in a power running attack. The loss of Vick Ballard last week changed organization dynamics, and Richardson is ready to take his place in a talented offense.
"(I'm) really excited," said the two-time national champion at Alabama. "You got somebody like Ahmad Bradshaw helping me with all the basics. You got Reggie Wayne on the one side, you got T. Y. Hilton, you got Andrew (Luck) and you got a good defense over there, just with the whole program.
"We just got to do whatever to maximize our strengths and get our different matchups and make sure we win every game."
Richardson (third) and Luck (first) were among the first talents drafted in 2012. Now, they share the same backfield and remind some Colts fans of the pairing of Peyton Manning and Edgerrin James in 1999.
"It's huge," said Chuck Pagano of pairing the two. "He's 22 years old. It's great. You got a great young quarterback and a great young runner. You add another piece to the puzzle.
"We're trying to build something special. We're trying to build a program for sustained success for the long haul. This gives you another opportunity to do that."
Richardson topped 2,000 rushing yards as a high school senior. He was a decorated performer for Nick Saban at Alabama, gaining 3,130 yards and owning a 5.8 rushing average. In a Pep Hamilton offense here that favors players that can do it all, he is an accomplished receiver.
"The playbook, the coordinator (Hamilton), he worked with Chud (Cleveland's Rob Chudzinski) back when he was in San Francisco, so it's just different terminology. Some of the same calls, but it's a lot of different terminology," said Richardson. "I'm a study freak. I'm always studying and trying to get to my best ability (level) to put the team in a better situation to win.
"I wish I would have got my playbook last night, but I'm not that far behind. I know it's a long way to go, but I'm going to work hard to make sure that I'm living up to the Colts' standards."
Richardson liked hearing Pagano wants him to be a "workhorse back." It is a role he has had in the past and one he performed in Cleveland in 2012 by totaling 950 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns despite playing with injuries.
"I'm going to play football like I've always been coached, the way I've always played. I'm going to be physical, fast, I'm going to be up-tempo," said Richardson. "I'm going to be the one who's trying to lead by example.
"That's a big reason why I fought through injury last year with broken ribs and two knee surgeries. I know what the expectations are. Me being the man that I am, the athlete I am, I'm not going to sit down unless my legs are broke."
Richardson played against the Colts once last year and during this past preseason. He played in 17 league games with a franchise trying to gain footing.
Richardson is with one now with the quarterback taken two slots ahead of him and with an offense that can make the type of tracks he made at Alabama and before.
"It's (joining Luck) a big value to me," said Richardson. "People can't just stack nine in the box. You think you're going to stack nine in the box, Andrew's got an arm for you and you got Reggie Wayne and T.Y. (Hilton) out there, and you got our tight ends that are going to work, too.
"It's a big situation when you got a quarterback that can move it around. (I'm) not saying nothing against the Browns organization, I think that organization was terrific and they're going to go in the right direction. I'm here now. I can't wait to get out there and just be vibing with my team."
ROSTER MOVES – The Colts elevated WR-Da'Rick Rogers from the practice squad to the active roster, signed WR-Danny Coale to the practice squad and placed Dwayne Allen on injured reserve. Rogers had 139 receptions for 2,100 yards and 21 touchdowns while playing at Tennessee (2010-11) and Tennessee Tech (2012).
PRACTICE REPORT – Did not participate: TE-Dwayne Allen (hip), LB-Pat Angerer (knee), S-Antoine Bethea (toe), S-LaRon Landry (ankle); Limited participation: WR-T.Y. Hilton (groin); Full participation: LB-Kavell Conner (ankle), WR-Darrius Heyward-Bey (ribs), WR-David Reed (quadriceps), C-Samson Satele (elbow), WR-Reggie Wayne (shoulder).
