Don’t Underestimate T-Rich
NFL.com makes note that while LaDainian Tomlinson got a lot more pub on Tuesday, the signing of Tony Richardson is also important.
Yes, Richardson is 38. Yes, he’ll enter his 16th NFL season. OK, he had 10 touches … all last season. But Richardson was one of the key cogs in the Jets’ league-leading rushing attack that averaged 172.2 yards per game last season and had three 300-yard games.
In fact, Richardson has led the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in each of the last five seasons and eight of the last nine. That list includes five 1,500-yard seasons – two by Priest Holmes (1,555 in 2001 and 1,615 in 2002), two by Larry Johnson (1,750 in 2005 and 1,789 in 2006) and one by Adrian Peterson (1,760 in 2008). That’s a fullback’s dream resume.
Although a recent arrival, Tony Richardson has become an important part of the running game when he’s on the field. He’s a solid lead blocker with great vision, and with the amount that the team uses him, he’s not getting ground into dust, as some of the lead blocking is taken up by pulling guards like Faneca or Moore, and the team’s TE packages (Hartsock, Turner, Hunter). I know that T-Rich is going to have to hang it up sooner or later and the team is going to have to address finding a longer term backfield blocker, but for now, good to know he’s in the fold.
33 Responses to Don’t Underestimate T-Rich
-
Lance Mehl says:
This is significant .. to have Richardson back is so key to this ground game .. welcomce back Tony !!!
-
charleyjet says:
It is true- TRich will be a much more important factor than Tomlinson. But he won’t sell as many jerseys. Isn’t that what whining Woody is all about?
-
CWPOST1993 says:
It’s imperative that the Jets address Our future “FB” this year so T Rich can groom him. Obviously with a later round draft pick. This is the year .. this draft is so deep in RB’s
-
Rich K says:
Let’s give Woody a break here. I’d rather have an owner who advocates for his team, then one who just accepts everything as gospel from the Commissioner’s office. As long as he doesn’t turn into Al Davis! ;) PS Draft a pass rusher!!!
-
Brendan says:
R in CT took the words right out of my mouth. I know we had a conversation about who would fill TJ’s leadership void, but I think T-Rich is already a big leader for the team. I mean, the guy has been performing at a high level for basically his entire career. He may not be the best FB in the league, but he’s still in the top tier, and he’s vital. Keeping the entire “blocking unit” -O-line, T-Rich and Hartsock- together is huge for continuing the momentum the running game had late last season
-
Dylan says:
Looks like the Jets will be playing on Thanksgiving. I think we are going to get a ton of games on national television. Should be a fun season.
-
WOJF says:
Logical move, glad he decided not to hang them up and the front office was wise enough to bring him back.
-
Jack says:
Yep, just what I have been saying. A blocking fullback is key to Schott’s offense (not coincidentally the offense Tomlinson shined in) and Richardson is one of the best in the league.
I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see Tomlinson rebound with a very nice year.
-
Let’s try to remember that Schotty did not run the offense while LDT was in San Diego. Schotty was the QB coach, not the offensive coordinator.
-
This is an important signing. Now they should draft a FB to take over for T-Rich when he finally retires. A FB/RB hybrid would be awesome, but as long as they get a FB to learn under T-Rich I’ll be happy.
-
Brendan-
You’re right. His father did. It is the same offense Schott always ran and Brian runs it too.
Go read LT’s reasons on why he came here. He flat out said one of the most important criteria was his familirity with the offense, the same one he put up his Hall of Fame numbers in.
-
The NYC Parking Expert,
I think the Jets really like Jason Davis. Supposedly that was one of the reasons they considered letting T-Rich go.
-
Jack,
The Chargers set scoring records when Cam Cameron was running the offense, not Marty. Marty ball is all about the run, Cam Cameron’s offense isn’t like that.
-
C Low says:
I love this team. Look at our starters.
-Solid O line returns
-Sanchez popped his playoff cherry and then some in his rookie year and showed us more than glimses of whats to come.
-Greene takes the baton from TJ, add LT and a hopefully healthy Leon
-WR core with a little help can be more than adequate….Shipley in the second round…pretty please-Need to patch up and back fill the D line a little but with Big Jenks returning it will bolster the line considerably.
-With a little help on the outside the LB core, especially up the middle is solid.
-Revis, Revis, Revis, now Cromartie against the opponents #2. Leonard, Pool, and co.Special Teams will take a hit losing Wright. Dude was in on almost every play. He had to make 50% of the tackles on kick-offs. He will be sorely missed
-
Nafstejyn says:
Agreed Dylan, the Star Ledger had something about that the other day. Maybe the use T-Rich to mentor Davis for a year and then hand it over to Davis.
-
Ok Brendan, you’re right and LT is wrong. He didn’t actually set numerous Chargers records running the ball in what has been known as “Marty Ball” for years.
Marty didn’t run this same offense which emphasizes run first and second and use the pass to set up the run when he ran the Browns, the Chiefs, the Skins and the Bolts.
That doesn’t look anything like the offensive philosophy of the Jets who led the league in rushing attempts and yards.
If you’re not willing to believe LT when he says that one of the main reasons he decided to come to NY was his familiarity with the offense nothing I say is going to convince you.
-
Settle down Jack. All I am saying is that Cam Cameron wasn’t a dummy in the booth upstairs. He’s a offensive genius who is capable of running an offense, which is what he did. Marty Ball is different than the balanced system Cameron runs, and Schotty runs a different style from Marty. It’s not like he took Daddy’s playbook and is using it.
-
Doug in Long Valley says:
If I were T-Rich I’d have two words for LT… “Follow Me”.
-
brian311 says:
T-Rich is a warrior. Glad to have him back.
-
adornoj1 aka JetFan in Miami says:
T-Rich to TJ: “Come with me if you want to live”
-
Woops LT* lol
-
um…TJ is no longe rwith us, adornoj1
-
Hah whoops, see you caught that yourself. Nevermind.
-
too many T’s in this franchise!!
-
Rex loves him some T Rich.
And the Home………….
-
Madden 2011:
LT and Leon in the backfield.
Select Offensive Play:
Double Flares -
ramble914 says:
Love having TR back! But only for this year.
I wonder if the Jets are going for broke this season, because in 2011 we have a few key, aging, veterans to replace:
Jenkins
Faneca
Woody
Richardson
Tomlinson -
jp losman says:
wow, with that resume, is richardson a future HOF?
-
faneca and LT are first ballott guys. some of the younger talent (2)could be well on their way.
this roster could potentially have the most HOF ever on a JETS squad in 1 season.
heck, i dont think we have ever had 5 all together –
art monk ????
nameth
maynard
curtis
favre
It also keeps the locker room together after the TJ departure.