Sheldon Thinks The Jets Could Be A Top Team This Season

[Elias]

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/04/sheldon_richardson_thinks_jets_can_be_the_top_team.htmlSome good quotes from the article:

To a man, the Jets seem excited about the wheeling and dealing that's been done to improve their roster this offseason.

But it's going to be tough to top the enthusiasm defensive end Sheldon Richardson showed on the first day of the team's voluntary offseason program.

"We strongly feel like we're going to be the top defense in the league—and top team in the league, not just defense," Richardson said in an interview that aired on the team website Monday afternoon.

It wasn't uncommon for there to be lots talk like this when during Rex Ryan's six seasons as the head coach in Florham Park. But Ryan's running the Bills now, and he's been replaced by Todd Bowles, who prefers a somewhat gentler approach to media relations.

Yes, the Jets went 4-12 last year, and their quarterback situation seems likely to play out under a familiar, perpetual raincloud, though it's also something they might address during the draft. But understand: Any player or coach who doesn't think he and his teammates are the best probably shouldn't be in the NFL. And Richardson, a wonderful talent now entering his third pro season, is the sort to wear his emotions on his sleeve and to speak his mind, which is always preferable to players who know their team-approved talking points by heart.

Richardson will probably catch hell from those who like to rap the Jets for annually leading the league in offseason confidence. But if he's talking this way, it's because he's genuinely stoked, and not afraid to come right out and say it.

The Jets upgraded their woebegone secondary by adding Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, their onetime mainstays at cornerback and two of the top options on the free-agent market. But they also invested in a slot corner in Buster Skrine, and they added safety Marcus Gilchrist, who can complement Calvin Pryor by playing free safety, which will will allow Pryor to stick to strong safety, his more natural position.

Richardson led the Jets with eight sacks last year, and their defensive ranked fourth in Football Outsiders' adjusted sack rate metric. But because the secondary was such a mess, the Jets were only 21st in DVOA.

Now?

"It'll be a lot more coverage sacks, I'll put it like that," Richardson said.

The Jets also locked down veteran inside linebacker David Harris before Harris could hit free agency. Richardson, who admitted he felt Harris might follow Ryan to the Bills if given the chance, is excited about that, too.

[David Harris] "Him coming back, not having to deal with a rookie or a new guy coming in, man, and not knowing where he's going to be on the field, with Dave, you always know he's going to be around the ball," Richardson said. "That's just something that I was elated about."

"Offensively and defensively, we made moves that I feel like that progressed this team forward, and I feel like Jet Nation feels the same way."

Richardson also made it clear he thinks Revis is the top corner in the league. And he explained why.

"My rookie year, his first [four or five] games, that was the film I was watching," Richardson said. "And I've never seen a man on one side of the field like that, no matter who they think they are."

Offensively, the Jets added guard James Carpenter, and they traded for wideout Brandon Marshall and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who will compete with Geno Smith for the starting job. The Jets haven't ruled out adding another quarterback, either.

Quarterback, of course, is still the same concern it's always seems to be for the Jets. But it's April, there's optimism, and Sheldon Richardson is giddy about the Jets' prospects nonetheless.

"Now we can actually go, as a group, [what we were] trying to do in previous years, we can do that now," Richardson said. "This is going to be a great season. I strongly feel like this is going to be a great season for us."

 

[Jet Fan RI]

That's what Sheldon says? So now, what does Leonard think?

 

[SackExchange]

The problem is, other teams are allowed to say this. But because of Rex's loud mouth, and the general "LOLJets" and #Jetshate out there, Jets players can't say about their team what players of other teams can.

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

That's what Sheldon says? So now, what does Leonard think?

Leonard thinks the Jets will finish in 2nd place in the division.

Howard is a Giants fan. And Rajesh thinks soccer is the real football.

 

[Jet Fan RI]

Leonard thinks the Jets will finish in 2nd place in the division.

Howard is a Giants fan. And Rajesh thinks soccer is the real football.

Thanks for the reply. When I saw the thread title, I just couldn't resist, what with my avatar being the actor who plays Leonard.

 

[flgreen]

Actually it's one of the few things I agree with Richardson on. The Jets right now are a QB away from being a contender.

"I couda been a contender" ---Terry Malloy

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

Thanks for the reply. When I saw the thread title, I just couldn't resist, what with my avatar being the actor who plays Leonard.

I can't believe I didn't see the reference sooner. The Big Bang Theory is a great show. It has been a great show since its inception.

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

Actually it's one of the few things I agree with Richardson on. The Jets right now are a QB away from being a contender.

"I couda been a contender" ---Terry Malloy

It's amazing to think, really. Coming off 4-12, the Jets looked like they were another 5 years away. But after this off season, the Jets have re-built the secondary, strengthened the WR unit, o-line, and d-line depth, and have competition at the QB position. I have no doubt this team will be 4-5 games better at least. But so much depends on Geno or Fitz having a good year. I'm sure one of the two will be serviceable enough.

 

[flgreen]

It's amazing to think, really. Coming off 4-12, the Jets looked like they were another 5 years away. But after this off season, the Jets have re-built the secondary, strengthened the WR unit, o-line, and d-line depth, and have competition at the QB position. I have no doubt this team will be 4-5 games better at least. But so much depends on Geno or Fitz having a good year. I'm sure one of the two will be serviceable enough.

D'Brick I'm always an optometrist in the off season. This year it is through the roof. I honestly believe this team, as it's structured now, in spite of it's prior season's record, is a very good team. That's before the draft.

Then I look at the QB's

I'm not a Geno Smith supporter by any streach of the imagination, but I sure hope the light goes on for this kid.


(sobbing)

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

D'Brick I'm always an optometrist in the off season. This year it is through the roof. I honestly believe this team, as it's structured now, in spite of it's prior season's record, is a very good team. That's before the draft.

Then I look at the QB's

I'm not a Geno Smith supporter by any streach of the imagination, but I sure hope the light goes on for this kid.


(sobbing)

Flgreen, did you mean optimist?

Or are you really an optometrist?

 

[flgreen]

Flgreen, did you mean optimist?

Or are you really an optometrist?

:emoticon-cartoon-02


I'd like to blame that on a spell check glich. But I strongly suspect it has a lot more to do with the Amber Bock hook up I have just installed on the mini Tiki Bar I have in my pool area.

Maybe I should sign off for the night

 

[Jet Fan RI]

I can't believe I didn't see the reference sooner. The Big Bang Theory is a great show. It has been a great show since its inception.

It is a great show. And it shows even a nerd, sometimes, gets the girl.

 

[sg3]

D'Brick I'm always an optometrist in the off season. This year it is through the roof. I honestly believe this team, as it's structured now, in spite of it's prior season's record, is a very good team. That's before the draft.

Then I look at the QB's

I'm not a Geno Smith supporter by any streach of the imagination, but I sure hope the light goes on for this kid.


(sobbing)

You check people's eyes in the offseason??

 

[cysporsche]

Thanks for the reply. When I saw the thread title, I just couldn't resist, what with my avatar being the actor who plays Leonard.

Did you know that Leonard (Johnny Galecki) played Rusty Griswold in the greatest movie of all time Christmas Vacation.

Go Jets...Cyborg

 

[Jet Fan RI]

Did you know that Leonard (Johnny Galecki) played Rusty Griswold in the greatest movie of all time Christmas Vacation.

Go Jets...Cyborg

I had no idea. Thanks for the heads up! But I use him as my avatar mostly because he plays a physicist who really isn't all that nerdy than I do because of his overall acting work. Still, I'll have to watch that flick again and see if I can tell he's the same guy we all know as Leonard.

 

[Jet Blast]

Did you know that Leonard (Johnny Galecki) played Rusty Griswold in the greatest movie of all time Christmas Vacation.

Go Jets...Cyborg

Johnny Galecki also played David Healy, who was Darlene Conner's boyfriend on Roseanne. Interestingly, Darlene Conner was played by Sara Gilbert, who has a recurring role in Big Bang Theory as Leslie Winkle, one of Leonard's coworkers and a love interest.

 

[atmorrisjr]

Guys.....we were 4-12 and yesterday was day 1 of the first voluntary OTA. Lets not start this BS already.

I think it is GREAT that Amaro, Pryor, and Richardson are already so stoked. Actually, I am too. I think Mac and Bowles made GREAT moves during the off season to right this ship, and have every confidence that they will continue that trend into the draft and beyond.........

...but we were 4-12 last year. We ain't a QB away from ANYTHING. opcorn:

 

[mykcuz]

Guys.....we were 4-12 and yesterday was day 1 of the first voluntary OTA. Lets not start this BS already.

I think it is GREAT that Amaro, Pryor, and Richardson are already so stoked. Actually, I am too. I think Mac and Bowles made GREAT moves during the off season to right this ship, and have every confidence that they will continue that trend into the draft and beyond.........

...but we were 4-12 last year. We ain't a QB away from ANYTHING. [emoji14]opcorn:

Imagine what we could do with favre back!

 

[Savage69]

Did you know that Leonard (Johnny Galecki) played Rusty Griswold in the greatest movie of all time Christmas Vacation.

Go Jets...Cyborg

One of the few movie sequels were the parents were the same but the kids kept changing..LOL

 

[skop]

Guys.....we were 4-12 and yesterday was day 1 of the first voluntary OTA. Lets not start this BS already.

I think it is GREAT that Amaro, Pryor, and Richardson are already so stoked. Actually, I am too. I think Mac and Bowles made GREAT moves during the off season to right this ship, and have every confidence that they will continue that trend into the draft and beyond.........



...but we were 4-12 last year. We ain't a QB away from ANYTHING. opcorn:

Be it OL, WR, TE, or RB, we have no holes
Be it DL, LB, or DB's, we have no holes

This team reminds me a ton of the team going into the 1998 season.

which brings us to the spot I intentionally left out. When Vinny got here, can anyone honestly say they saw him do what he did that year?

Fitz just seems like Vinny all over again...A gunslinger on a team w/o holes who can finally play with a lead
I may have a reservation at a funny farm, but QB & OC combo have me pumped.

QB isn't the missing piece, IMO, it's one of the things we're going to count on.