Richardson Continues to Climb Ladder
Posted 1 hour ago
Eric Allen
Sr. Reporter/Director, Internet Programming
Email @eallenjets On the Inside
Reigning Jets Team MVP Ranks No. 55 on NFL Network’s Top 100
The engaging Sheldon Richardson is brimming with confidence. While his peers may have voted him No. 55 on NFL Network’s Top 100 Players List, Richardson thinks nobody in the league had a better season than him last year.
The video begins with a question from a producer. Who does Richardson think was the best player in 2014? And the young defender says, “Sheldon Richardson.” When the producer asks why, Richardson simply states, “I’m him.”
Not one to give an inch on the field or off of it, the Jets DT is serious with a smile. Affectionately dubbed “baby boy Richardson” by fellow Top 100 member Brandon Marshall, Richardson broke out his sophomore campaign despite being asked to two-gap more than ever before.
Richardson, who was voted the Jets’ Curtis Martin Team MVP, led the club with 8 sacks last season as the Green & White finished T6 in that category with 45 sacks. He also placed fourth on the team with 84 tackles as the Jets finished sixth overall (327.2 ypg) and fifth in rush defense (93.1 ypg).
“The boy can go out there and play,” said Jaguars defensive tackle Ziggy Hood of Richardson. “His hand speed is up there in the top 10 defensive players right now. He can definitely get by you with little less effort than not.”
“Just wreaks havoc in the backfield,” adds Jets teammate DL Leger Douzable. “He’s a penetrating three-technique, his quickness is ridiculous.”
Richardson, a Missouri product who was selected No. 13 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after amassing 101 tackles and 3.5 sacks. The 6’3”, 294-pounder almost equaled that sack total last December against the Vikings, racking up three sacks of Teddy Bridgewater.
“(He) moves guards back consistently, pushes the pocket constantly and is really tough against the run as well,” said Bills C Eric Wood of Richardson.
An emerging star, Richardson used his recent Pro Bowl experience to consult with one of the NFL’s top pass rushers in DeMarcus Ware. Richardson said the Broncos veteran DE, who has 127 career sacks on his resume, gave him some tips on get offs, hand movement and pass rush moves regardless of down and distance.
“It’s showing in my development right now and I can’t wait to get the season started,” he told us this spring.
Richardson wants to be the best. If he does continue his improvement, he’ll close the gap on No. 1. But he made it clear this spring what is on his mind.
“You want to be a winner,” he said. “Guys do this sport to win a Super Bowl. If you’re not winning a Super Bowl – you’re last… I’m not stopping until I get that.”
