INDIANAPOLIS -- Trent Richardson's numbers this season did not validate the Indianapolis Colts giving up a first-round pick to acquire the running back from the Cleveland Browns in September.
And even though Richardson failed to be productive, Colts general manager Ryan Grigson isn't second-guessing himself over the decision to trade for the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 draft.
"It was such a bold and aggressive move and so forth, but really from a football standpoint, we needed a starting running back," Grigson said Thursday. "Trent was made available. ... I'm glad we have him for the long haul. It was very economically wise as a franchise to make the move given where we're going with the run game."
The Colts pulled off the biggest trade of the season after running back Vick Ballard was lost for the year with a torn ACL. They envisioned Richardson teaming up with quarterback Andrew Luck, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft, to give them a power-running game to complement Luck's arm. That never came about.
Richardson lacked confidence when running the ball, often getting hit behind the line of scrimmage and having poor running vision.
"To be honest, it comes down to confidence," Grigson said. "Been over it a thousand times: This is a bottom-line business, a league where you're judged on your last carry."
Richardson ended up losing his starting job to Donald Brown on Dec. 1, showing that the trade favored the Browns.
Richardson rarely showed any flashes. His longest run was only 22 yards, as he finished the season with 458 yards (2.9-yard average) and just three touchdowns.
Grigson, like he said during the regular season, remains committed to Richardson going forward.
"He's not going anywhere," Grigson said. "We have him for the long haul. We don't win 12 games if Trent Richardson isn't here. That's just a fact."