Browns trade star running back on eve of Vikings' game

The Vikings practices were wrapped up this afternoon, and reporters were leaving Winter Park, when the shocking word came in: The Cleveland Browns, who play the Vikings on Sunday, traded running back Trent Richardson to Indianapolis for a No. 1 pick in 2014.

Richardson was the third overall choice in 2012 -- remember, the Browns traded four picks to the Vikings to move up one spot to take him. And Richardson, just a couple of hours before the trade, spoke to Twin Cities media on a conference call and was very optimistic about the Browns' future.

And so it goes for the Browns' star-crossed franchise.

So, on to notes from earlier in the day ...

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier admitted he was pleased that the Cleveland Browns announced Wednesday morning that No. 3 quarterback Brian Hoyer -- and not backup Jason Campbell -- will start Sunday in place of injured starter Brandon Weeden.

"A lot better than finding out Sunday at noon," Frazier said. "Promise you that."

Frazier said his coaching staff spent the past two days studying tape of Campbell in anticipation that he would replace Weeden, who suffered a thumb injury on Sunday. Now, they'll have to switch gears and study tape of Hoyer, who has started one career game -- last season against San Francisco when he played for the Arizona Cardinals.

Frazier preached patience with Peterson

Adrian Peterson said he needed some "soul-searching" after rushing for 100 yards with no touchdowns and one fumble on Sunday. Peterson said he felt "hesitant" running the ball against the Bears.

Frazier said he doesn't think Peterson looked hesitant but that he looked for the big play too often.

"I don't know if hesitancy is the word [but] trying to make every run a 60-yard run, which is not always going to be the case," Frazier said. "Sometimes, you've just got to get what's there. And he's been good at that and he'll be better going forward."

Focus on your job only

"Just got to slow down a little bit and do the things he's always done," Frazier said. "He does not have to make anybody else's plays. Just do your job, calm down, relax and play the way he's always played. He's had a lot of success for us. He's played at a Pro Bowl level. Just don't feel like you have to do any more other than your job."

Frazier was asked if it's possible that Greenway is trying to provide help to new middle linebacker Erin Henderson and thus getting himself out of position.

"That's something we've got to guard against," he said. "You've just got to trust that he's going to do his job, you do your job and we'll be fine as a group. He shouldn't feel like he has to do any more than he has in the past."

Ponder not second-guessing play calls

The Vikings had a chance to put Sunday's game away when they had the ball first-and-goal from Chicago's 6 late in the fourth quarter. But they got stopped on three plays and kicked a field goal to take a six-point lead.

Ponder defended that play call.

"We have the best running back in the league," he said. "Again, we wanted points on the board. We didn't want anything crazy to happen. We wanted to keep the clock running or force them to take a timeout. So if we incomplete a ball, the clock stops and they don't need to take a timeout. You know, unfortunately, Monday morning quarterback, it's easy to look back and think that we could've done things differently. But I wouldn't expect that if it happens this week that we would change that. I mean, Adrian can make plays all the time, and he does a great job of it."