It seems strange to say a fresh start is needed for someone who’s beginning his career, but that might be the case here. Guys get drafted all the time to places they just don’t want to be. I can’t speculate about what’s in any one person’s head, but when a player enters the league wearing headphones incessantly, shows up late for treatments, and makes little effort to engage with his teammates, he can quickly develop a reputation for being insular and high-maintenance. It can be perceived that he isn’t happy and that he’s not making an effort to buy in. I’ve seen this happen countless times, especially in today’s head down, keep-things-to-yourself culture. Generally, you hope the player grows out of that coming into his second season, especially when there’s been a complete regime change and everyone is expected to prove themselves all over again. Some players buy in, and some don’t. Buy-in, even if it’s just perceived, goes a long way. You have to be willing to show you want to be part of the team.

— Former Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, via FOX Sports, on former Browns running back Trent Richardson. Fujita spent last season with the Browns during Richardson’s rookie year. Fujita adds that while the trade may benefit the Browns on a going-forward basis, that a “message” was sent: No one is guaranteed a spot on this team. No one is bigger than the team. If you don’t buy in, you don’t belong on this team. He also added that fans should “wait ’til next year,” so there’s that.

[Related: Rooting interests versus tanking interests: Keepin’ it Real]