Jim Brown on Trent Richardson: Clueless Hall of Famer Calls Prospect 'Ordinary'

I remember asking one of my former coaches who his top three running backs of all time were, and his answer was simple: "Jim Brown. Jim Brown. And Jim Brown."

He was right. Jim Brown is not only the best Cleveland Browns running back ever, but he could very well be the greatest running back ever in the NFL.

This morning, that very same legendary runner made some noise by calling the Browns' reported target at No. 4, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, "ordinary."

Via Pro Football Talk:

"

“I’m not overwhelmed with it,” Brown said of the idea that the Browns could take Richardson. “The problem is that he’s ordinary. I think he’s ordinary.”

Asked what about him is ordinary, Brown said, “the size, the speed, his moves.”

Asked if any running backs in this year’s draft impress him, Brown said, “Not really. It’s not a good year, obviously.”

"

It is not a great year for running backs, and Brown certainly knows a thing or two about size, speed and moves, but nearly everybody else in the business has clambered onto the Richardson bandwagon.

Some even consider him the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson entered the league in 2007.

Brown's answer as to why he finds Richardson "ordinary" was far from convincing.

The thing that separates Richardson from his peers is his combination of size, speed and moves. At roughly 5'9", 228 pounds, the playmaker can go over, under, through and around would-be tacklers and make moves with ease (just ask Senquez Golson).

He contributes in the passing game as both a receiver and a blocker, and he's one of the few guys who is capable of legitimately carrying the load like the running backs of old.

Jim Brown is entitled to his opinion, and in most cases I'd listen to him, especially when talking about running backs, but his answers lead me to wonder just which of Richardson's game film he was watching.

The Browns have a major need for a running back and offensive playmaker—Richardson is both of those things in one.

As long as the Minnesota Vikings don't trade out of No. 3 so another team can select the running back, expect the Browns to take Richardson at No. 4 overall.