FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Let's not sugarcoat it: Rex Ryan was ticked off that defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson didn't make the Pro Bowl.
Without identifying the player, the New York Jets' coach said one of the six defensive tackles that made the roster "can't hold (Richardson's) jock." Just a guess here, but he might have been referring to St. Louis Rams rookie Aaron Donald.
"He causes a ton of production, no doubt about that," Ryan said Wednesday of Richardson, who was named a first alternate. "He does the dirty work and doesn't mind it. Never complains. If it kept him out of the Pro Bowl because some guy had X amount of sacks, and that guy can't hold his jock, to be honest with you, as a player, I think that's kind of strange to me.
"I guess you guys will figure out who I'm talking about. I see the tapes. This guy deserves to be in there, no doubt about it."
Aside from Donald, the other defensive tackles are Kyle Williams, Gerald McCoy, Ndamukong Suh, Marcell Dareus and Dontari Poe -- all of whom have made multiple Pro Bowls. Yep, Donald seemed to be the subject of Ryan's ire. In case you're wondering, Donald has eight sacks, Richardson seven.
Ryan believes the Jets' 3-12 record probably worked as a bias against Richardson. Nevetheless, Ryan said, "I'm just kind of shocked he didn't get in. I really thought he'd get in there. ... I think the people that never voted for him, they must not have seen him play. It's the only thing I can figure."
Richardson was visibly disappointed, admitting the snub caught him by surprise.
"I told you, I'm one of the best defensive linemen in the game. That's how I feel," said Richardson, who last week compared himself to Houston Texans star J.J. Watt.
Richardson believes he was "dominant in every game I played in." He finished fourth in the fan voting, which he apparently didn't get as much support from the players and coaches. He vowed to never miss another Pro Bowl.
"I'm only getting better, baby, I'm only getting better," he said.
It's possible that Richardson's brash personality turned off his peer. He acknowledged that may have factored into it, but he claimed it's just the way he is.
"I might have to break the (single-game sack) record to get some recognition," he said. "I might have to get eight and break Derrick Thomas' record."
