Sheldon Richardson - Pro Football Rumors

Jets Notes: Marshall, Decker, QBs, Richardson

May 25th, 2016 at 4:30pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest on the Jets:

Wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker were both absent from OTAs today and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey told reporters (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post) that both players were also absent yesterday. There is speculation that the two are staying home to put pressure on the Jets to re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick. When asked if Decker and Marshall are making a stand, Gailey said that he doesn’t think that’s the case, “but you’ll have to ask them that question.” Center Nick Mangold has also been away, but his wife gave birth Tuesday, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link).
Gailey claims that the team will be comfortable with whoever wins the quarterback job (Twitter link via Costello). Currently, the Jets have Geno Smith, Bryce Petty, and second-round pick Christian Hackenberg in camp. Of course, the shadow of Fitzpatrick looms large and there is pressure on the team to get a deal done.
Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson says he has spoken to the NFL with regards to its investigation, Costello tweets. Richardson, who served a four-game suspension at the start of the 2015 season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, was his usual effective self upon returning, picking up five sacks and forcing a couple fumbles. Pro Football Focus, which classified him as an edge defender, ranked him 30th out of 110 qualified players in the group.

Jets Exercise 2017 Option On Sheldon Richardson

May 2nd, 2016 at 9:52am CST by Luke Adams

MAY 2: The Jets have officially exercised their 2017 option on Richardson, per Mehta (Twitter link). However, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets, the club won’t be picking up cornerback Dee Milliner‘s option, so he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency next year.

APRIL 18: The Jets will exercise their fifth-year option on defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson in advance of next month’s deadline, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. The decision comes as no surprise, since Richardson has been one of the Jets’ best defensive players since entering the NFL in 2013, and his option salary won’t be fully guaranteed right away.

As Joel Corry of CBSSports.com tweets, Richardson’s fifth-year option for 2017 will be worth $8.069MM. That figure is guaranteed for injury only until the first day of the 2017 league year next March, at which point it becomes fully guaranteed as long as Richardson remains under contract.

Richardson, who served a four-game suspension at the start of the 2015 season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, was his usual effective self upon returning, picking up five sacks and forcing a couple fumbles. Pro Football Focus, which classified him as an edge defender, ranked him 30th out of 110 qualified players in the group.

Despite the fact that the Jets used their franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson this offseason, the team is believed to prefer Richardson in the long term, as long as he can stay out of trouble off the field. The Wilkerson situation will be interesting to monitor — if he’s traded or even just doesn’t sign a multiyear deal with the Jets, it probably increases the chances of the club eventually working out a long-term deal with Richardson instead.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC Notes: Colts, Jets, Pats, Chiefs

February 27th, 2016 at 10:06am CST by Ben Levine

Last offseason was a busy one for the Colts, as the organization spent big money to secure veterans like Andre Johnson, Frank Gore, Trent Cole and Kendall Langford. As Stephen Holder of the Indy Star writes, we may be seeing a different strategy this time around.

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson told reporters that the team won’t be as aggressive on the free agent market this offseason.

“I would say this year is a little different than in years past just because of some of the financials we have on the horizon,” Grigson said. “Somewhat like 2012, where we tightened our belt.”

Holder attributes part of that strategy to Andrew Luck‘s inevitable contract extension, but he also notes that many of the team’s recent free agent acquisitions haven’t necessarily worked out.

Let’s check out some more notes from the AFC…

ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini would support a Sheldon Richardson trade if it meant the Jets could ink Muhammad Wilkerson to an extension. However, the writer notes that Richardson’s trade value currently isn’t at its highest, and the Jets are in no rush to trade the defensive tackle due to his affordable contract. Ultimately, Cimini believes the two will remain teammates for at least one more season.
The Patriots and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks are “still in the strategy phase” of the re-signing process, writes ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss. The writer believes it will be a few weeks until there’s clarity on the situation, although he did list Hicks as the Patriots free agent with the most value on the open market.
The Chiefs are interested in retaining defensive end Mike DeVito, tweets Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star. The 31-year-old appeared in 13 games (five starts) for the Chiefs last season, compiling 19 tackles and three sacks.

Jets DE Sheldon Richardson Avoids Jail Time

January 26th, 2016 at 4:47pm CST by Zachary Links

Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson – who was charged with resisting arrest, speeding, and running a red light – has agreed to a deal that allows him to avoid jail time, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. According to his lawyer, Richardson was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and fined $1,050, and received a two-year suspended sentence and bench probation. With the legal process now concluded, the NFL will complete its own investigation and could suspend the Jets defensive lineman at some point.

Richardson, 25, was clocked at 143 mph during a high-speed chase, with a legally registered handgun and a 12-year-old relative in the car. The star defensive lineman has asserted in the past that the incident does not define him as a person and has worked with the team psychologist to help him move beyond the arrest. Just two weeks prior to that incident, Richardson was slapped with a multi-game suspension stemming from marijuana use.

Richardson‘s contract is up after the 2016 campaign and his off-field issues will certainly come up when the two sides reach the bargaining table. Richardson has been mentioned in the past as a trade candidate, but he could be a tough sell given all that has gone on with him. Even though he won’t be facing jail time for his offseason mishap, he could start the 2016 season suspended for as many as six games.

In 2015, Richardson appeared in 11 games and made 10 starts for Gang Green. In that time, he tallied 35 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles. Recently, GM Mike Maccagnan stated that “it’s not impossible” for Gang Green to keep all of its top defensive linemen, including Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, Damon Harrison, and Leonard Williams. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

Luke Adams contributed to this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Front Office Notes: Jets, Giants, Titans, Lions

January 16th, 2016 at 12:29pm CST by Ben Levine

Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan filled his season-ending press conference with “generalities and overall nothingness,” writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Still, the executive did elaborate on several topics, including free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

“We’d like very much to get him back… We’ll see how this thing works out.”

“Bryce [Petty] has made a lot of progress. We’re kind of excited to have another offseason with him… With Geno [Smith], he’s under contract. We like the progress he’s made.”

Maccagnan also noted that “it’s not impossible” to keep all of their top defensive linemen, including Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Damon Harrison and Leonard Williams.

Let’s check out some more notes from the league’s front offices…

Giants general manager Jerry Reese understands that it’s his job to improve the roster, and he said he puts it on himself if the team doesn’t perform well. “At the end of the day, it’s my responsibility,” he said (via Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News). “If somebody doesn’t get it right, if somebody doesn’t pan out, it’s the GM’s responsibility.”
While candidates have been interviewing for the Titans head coach vacancy, ownership has made it clear that they have no desire to sell the team, tweets ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Lions have fired senior personnel executive Scott McEwen, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). The former Director of College Scouting was the longest tenured scout in the organization.
According to Schefter (on Twitter), the Lions have hired Kyle O’Brien as their Director of Player Personnel.

AFC Notes: Pagano, Manning, Jets

December 26th, 2015 at 5:47pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

A look around the AFC:

One of the reasons for the Colts’ offensive decline this season is head coach Chuck Pagano‘s mentality, a source told Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. Pagano prefers a run-first, ball-control attack rather than a high-flying approach – a 180 in attitude for a team that led the NFL in passing yards in 2014. With Indianapolis having been without quarterback Andrew Luck for a large chunk of the year, it’s hard to fault Pagano for shying away from the passing game. However, his ground-and-pound method hasn’t worked, as Indy is tied for 30th in both rushing yards (1,211) and per-carry average (3.6). The Colts have also been dismal through the air, coming in at 31st in yards per attempt (6.4) and 29th in rating (77.6).
Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak took in Peyton Manning‘s workout Saturday and subsequently offered some encouraging words on his injured quarterback. “It went really well,” Kubiak said, per Mike Klis of 9News. “He had a good week, worked really hard this morning. Well, he worked every morning, but worked out really hard this morning conditioning-wise and throwing-wise.” Manning, who hasn’t played since mid-November because of a partially torn plantar fascia in his left foot, will miss the Broncos’ key game Monday against Cincinnati. There’s a small chance he could be healthy enough to play in Denver’s regular-season finale on Jan. 3. Of course, even if the 39-year-old is ready to come back by then or during the playoffs, there’s no guarantee he’ll take the starting job back from Brock Osweiler.
The Jets will have important decisions to make over the next couple offseasons regarding three members of their dominant defensive line. Both Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison are free agents at the end of the season, and Sheldon Richardson‘s contract is up after the 2016 campaign. Don’t be surprised if all three are Jets for at least one more year, ESPN’s Rich Cimini writes. Cimini expects Wilkerson to get the franchise tag, while he believes the team could lock up Harrison to a long-term deal worth roughly $4.5MM per annum. If the Jets enable Harrison to hit the open market, he’s likely to head elsewhere. Richardson has been mentioned in the past as a trade candidate, but the Jets are unlikely to move him because of his off-field legal issues. He could start next season suspended for as many as six games, which would significantly damage his trade value and deter the Jets from dealing him.

AFC Notes: Richardson, Colts, Workouts

December 22nd, 2015 at 8:48am CST by Luke Adams

The court case for Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson, who is facing five misdemeanor charges, has been postponed for a third time, per Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. The hearing is now scheduled for January 25, well after the regular season comes to an end. From an on-field perspective, the latest delay shouldn’t affect Richardson and the Jets significantly, since any discipline from the NFL was always likely to be applied for the 2016 season, rather than this year.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

The Colts have arguably been the NFL’s biggest underachiever this season, leaving owner Jim Irsay no choice but to make changes in the offseason. While neither head coach Chuck Pagano nor general manager Ryan Grigson should feel safe heading into 2016, Mike Wells of ESPN.com takes a look at the problem areas for the two men to get an idea of whether they ought to be replaced.
Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams, and Patriots outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard were among the top free agent signings of the 2015 offseason, writes Mike Sando of ESPN.com in an Insider-only piece.
Before signing Chris Carter to their active roster and Nordly Capi to their practice squad, the Ravens also worked out veteran linebacker Ricky Sapp, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Wilson also has the details on the latest Jaguars tryouts, tweeting that fullback Ray Agnew, defensive lineman Shayon Green, tackle Sean Hickey, defensive back Josh Johnson and safety Earl Wolff auditioned for Jacksonville.
One more workout note from Wilson, who tweets that the Browns are taking a look at former Towson offensive tackle Randall Harris today.

AFC East Notes: Richardson, Jets, Dolphins

November 30th, 2015 at 9:21pm CST by Zachary Links

Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson has been labeled a menace, but he doesn’t see himself as a villain, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News writes.

“I want to set a good example,” Richardson said. “I made a few mistakes. I’m not a bad person. I just made two bad choices in my life.”

Richardson was clocked at 143 mph during a high-speed chase, with a legally registered handgun and a 12-year-old relative in the car. The star defensive lineman says that the incident does not define him as a person and he is working with the team psychologist to help him move beyond the arrest.

Here’s more out of the AFC East:

Richardson, 25 on Sunday, says he’s aware that both he and Muhammad Wilkerson are not going to get the paydays they seek from the Jets. “We both understand the situation,” Richardson said of the unlikelihood that he and Wilkerson will get big paydays from the Jets. “It’s his hometown. If he gets it and I don’t — I got one more year left. You never know what happens after that. I wouldn’t mind him staying in his own hometown. If I get the boot, then so (be it)… but you never know. Mo’s having a Pro Bowl season right now. His resume is going to be a little bit cleaner than mine.” Wilkerson fought for a long-term extension in the offseason but the two sides were unable to come to terms on a deal.
Dolphins wide receiver Rishard Matthews suffered multiple fractured ribs yesterday against the Jets, a source tells Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter). At this time, there’s no clear timetable for his return. Matthews, who is in a contract, has had a surprisingly strong season in Miami. The 26-year-old has hauled in 43 catches for 662 yards and 4 touchdowns across 11 games this year.
The Patriots worked out wide receiver/return specialist Damaris Johnson and running back Terrence Magee, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets.

Sheldon Richardson Talks Future With Jets

November 28th, 2015 at 3:39pm CST by Luke Adams

With Muhammad Wilkerson nearing free agency and Sheldon Richardson about to become extension-eligible, the widely-held belief around the NFL is that the Jets can’t – or won’t – lock up both players to big, long-term deals. That fact isn’t lost on Richardson himself, who acknowledged in a conversation with Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News that either he or Wilkerson could be heading out of New York within the next year or two.

“We both understand the situation,” Richardson said. “It’s his hometown. If he gets [an extension] and I don’t — I got one more year left. You never know what happens after that. I wouldn’t mind him staying in his own hometown. If I get the boot, then so [be it]… but you never know. Mo’s having a Pro Bowl season right now. His résumé is going to be a little bit cleaner than mine.”

Richardson’s reference to Wilkerson’s résumé as “cleaner” – rather than “stronger” – hints at the the off-field issues that have plagued the 2013 first-round pick, who received a four-game marijuana suspension earlier this year, and was arrested on alleged misdemeanor traffic violations. Richardson may face another suspension for that arrest, though he tells Mehta that he thinks he’ll “have a strong case” for avoiding another ban.

More importantly, Richardson is intent on making a greater effort going forward to stay out of trouble off the field. The defensive lineman, who turns 25 on Sunday, tells Mehta that he was affected by the reaction of friends and family after his arrest this year.

“I want to set a good example,” Richardson said. “I made a few mistakes. I’m not a bad person. I just made two bad choices in my life. … My little cousins, nieces and nephews are telling me, ‘Come on, Sheldon. You’re the one in the family. You’re letting us down.’ I don’t consider myself a hero, but some kids do look at me that way. It got to me a little bit.”

Even if the Jets ultimately have to decide between Wilkerson and Richardson, the team doesn’t necessarily have to make that call during the coming offseason. The franchise tag is available for Wilkerson, and if the club exercises its fifth-year option on Richardson, he’d be under contract through 2017.

NFL Mailbags: Jets, Cowboys, Eagles

November 21st, 2015 at 9:14am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s take a look at some of the notable answers, including a cameo by Dave Zangaro of CSNPhilly.com…

Rich Cimini believes the Jets should explore the trade market for Sheldon Richardson, if only to “gauge the market.” The defensive tackle is expected to be hit with a lengthy punishment for a personal-conduct violation, and he’s also set to become a free agent following the 2017 season (assuming the Jets pick up his fifth-year option).
Meanwhile, Cimini expects Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, and Leonard Williams to all be back with the Jets next season. However, he could envision the team parting ways with nose tackle Damon Harrison.
The Cowboys may want to start rethinking their strategy of signing veterans for their backup quarterback role, writes Todd Archer. Matt Cassell and Brandon Weeden have combined to go 0-7 this season, and the writer is confident a first-year player could still succeed (or at least gain some invaluable experience) by playing behind Dallas’ intimidating offensive line.
While the Cowboys coaches should be held accountable for the lost season, Archer believes a good portion of the staff will return, including Jason Garrett, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.
Zangaro anticipates the Eagles pursuing a young quarterback this offseason who better meshes with coach Chip Kelly‘s offensive system. Still, the writer believes it’s worth having at least one of Mark Sanchez or Sam Bradford on the roster, regardless of the changes.