On this edition of the New York Jets Gang Green Report, we remind everybody that this Sheldon Richardson issue still must be dealt with.
Don’t be that guy or gal who gets caught up in fantasy land. We all understand Sheldon Richardson is one strange and disturbed individual at times.
But man, when this guy plays the right position, he’s one of the best interior defensive linemen in the National Football League.
In 2013, he took home Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. In 2014, he made the Pro Bowl.
The Leonard Williams was drafted, and appropriately so by Mike Maccagnan, graciously accepting the gift that was the USC stud in the No. 6 hole. But by not addressing the overload at the position on the roster, Maccagnan has done unrealized damage to his defense.
By employing all three interior studs — Richardson, Williams and Muhammad Wilkerson — Todd Bowles is forced to play one of them out of position, completely destroying the integrity of the defense.
Remember, in 2014, Richardson was a beast while playing along the interior at his usual 3-technique. A season ago against the Baltimore Ravens when Big Mo missed a game, Richardson was dominant again when he was afforded the opportunity to move inside. On that day, the Jets defense was superb and Sheldon racked up eight tackles, three for loss and a sack.
The recent talk about this sticky situation is that Richardson will play his natural position in 2017. But how? The only way is if Bowles rotates the three within the two starting spots.
The only other conceivable chance to get all three of them together in the base is if either Big Mo or Big Cat play out of the position and assume the nose tackle. Can it happen? Is either of them big enough to take it from Steve McLendon? There’s also a nice blossoming talent in Deon Simon who plays nose tackle.
It's about that time!!! Back to football!! #blessed #humblemindset #Jetup #wontbedenied 9️⃣3️⃣™ pic.twitter.com/6fRZhh8S5l
— D. Simon (@Mr_staynfocus) July 23, 2017
Honestly, we don’t know yet what’s going to happen. All we do know is that this situation has been a disaster for two years and remains today. Keep an eye out starting Friday at camp to see what the team’s plans are concerning the front seven.
Other Jets Stories, News:
- Rich Cimini of ESPN New York has the story of Josh McCown looking to turn back the clock and win the starting job.
- McCown respects Brandon Marshall‘s awful view of the Jets.
A pre-camp look at the CBs.
PHOTOS → https://t.co/nbe0H7XcgU pic.twitter.com/QWliKg0I3E
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 23, 2017
What kind of impact will new vet @MoClaiborne make in 2017?#JetsCamp preview: CBs → https://t.co/zbXcHmIQ4B pic.twitter.com/tPKF4rxQu8
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 22, 2017