Back to sacks
Richardson solid in return from ban
Sheldon Richardson beat his man, using that rare combination of power and strength of his, and took down Kirk Cousins. It was his first sack of the year, in his first game, after serving a fourgame suspension for marijuana use.
Before he got up to celebrate, however, he saw teammate Muhammad Wilkerson on the ground with him. Soon, the two were chestbumping on their way back to the huddle, enjoying the moment.
“Bittersweet,” Richardson said with a smile after the Jets’ 3420 victory over Redskins at MetLife Stadium Sunday afternoon. “But I’m glad he got it with me.”
Wilkerson may have to get used to it. The Jets’ defensive line, arguably the best in the NFL, has no shortage of talent. Adding Richardson, the 2013 NFL Defensive Rookie of the year, to the likes of Wilkerson, rookie Leonard Williams, Damon “Snacks” Harrison and Leger Douzable, is simply the rich getting richer.
“When you got the guys we got up front, give us oneonones and we’re all probably going to beat you,” Wilk erson said. “We got so many talented guys up front.
“It’s good to have him back. He’s only going to help us moving forward.”
Richardson got the start and appeared in 47 plays, only coming out when the Jets went to their 34 package. He had three tackles and split the sack with Wilkerson. The Jets’ defense was stellar against Washington, forcing two turnovers. The run defense held the Redskins to a paltry 34 yards.
“I did all right, not like I wanted to,” said Richardson, who reported he felt fine physically. “I got back there a couple of times. ”
Before the game started, Richardson received a few friendly taps on his helmet from the his defensive linemen, who all told him: “It’s time to eat.”
It wasn’t quite a steak dinner, his performance, but it was rewarding nevertheless after missing four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Richardson also was charged with resisting arrest and multiple traffic violations for allegedly driving 143 mph in July in Missouri, but the trial is ongoing, and he has yet to be further disciplined by the league.