Jets' Richardson an unsung hero By Jane McManus The Journal News ? November 14, 2008 FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - After deciding to get his MBA while playing in Kansas City, Jets fullback Tony Richardson showed up for his first day of class in a suit. His professor asked each of the new students to stand up and introduce themselves. "I'm Antonio," said Richardson, using his full name when it came his turn. "And I'm a student now." It wasn't long before his professor figured out that the unassuming student was also known as T-Rich, a versatile running back for the Chiefs. But Richardson downplayed his day job because he didn't want it to define him. After 13 years in the league, Richardson has brought his blocking credentials - and his degree - to the Jets. Blocking for Thomas Jones, Richardson has been cited by coach Eric Mangini, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and Jones himself as one of the key components in the success of the running game. Richardson helped open more holes last night, as Jones rushed for 104 yards on 30 carries in the Jets' 34-31 overtime win over the Patriots. "This was a total team effort for 60 minutes of offense, defense and special teams," Richardson said. "Great win for the Jets and our fans." This came five days after Richardson, 36, had instrumental blocks on all three of the plays Jones ran in for touchdowns in a 47-3 win over St. Louis on Sunday. The Jets' 4.6-yards-per-carry average entering last night's game led the AFC and was tied for second in the NFL. "I look at myself as an extension of the offensive linemen because we meet together, we practice together all the time," Richardson said. "I'm no different, I'm 5 yards in the backfield. As a blocking unit, that includes the tight ends, the linemen, all of us. We take pride in that, that's what I live for." Last night, as rain fell at Gillette Stadium, the running game became critical. Jones now has 854 yards through the first nine games, and if he can get to 1,000 it will be the seventh 1,000-yard season for a running back Richardson has blocked for. Last year he was named to the Pro Bowl after Adrian Peterson rushed for 1,341 yards for Minnesota. Before that, Richardson had two Pro Bowl seasons blocking for Priest Holmes in Kansas City. "What Tony brings to this team, stats could never begin to explain," Schottenheimer said. "He's such a good player, such a good leader." In each incarnation of his career, Richardson has celebrated touchdowns by jumping in the end zone with the back he helped get through the defense, but that one display is the only thing he does to stand out. Richardson isn't usually one of the components mentioned when the list of Jets offseason acquisitions is made, in part because he will make less than $1 million this season while other free agents like Alan Faneca and Calvin Pace came with much heftier price tags. But Richardson has an important role in the offense. "Running backs, except for the quarterback we touch the ball more than anybody," Richardson said. "So as we go, so that's how we feel the team goes." __________________
Thought this deserved a bump. Not a great aticle, but I figured this could be used as a TRICH appreciation thread. He was great again last night, and certainly has filled a hole very well for us this year.
I didn't believe the Richardson hype when we signed him and he seemed too old, but "the eye in the sky don't lie". You watch the games and he's putting murderous blocks on people. I wish they would use him as a ball carrier more often. He's pushing people back, let him do it with the ball in his hands.
I never realized how much a great fullback improved the running game. Look at LT in San Diego, I think part of the reason he's struggling so much this year is because the chargers let go of Lorenzo Neal their probowl fullback. Adrian Peterson I guess is just too much of a beast to let anything affect him. But seriously Richardson is making some sick blocks, its just unbelievable. There was that one block last week against the Rams where he pushed back three defenders to get Thomas Jones the touchdown. I hope Richardson makes the probowl again this year, he really deserves it.
very very true article. you never hear anyone talking about this guy. i read an article last night about larry johnson on espn last night and richardson is the ONLY guy he ever trusted and got along with in KC, that tells me something. his statements in this article tell me something that he is a team player and just goes out and does his job. very very very well. i hope he can keep performing at a high level for a few more years, he will be very difficult to replace. there is just so much benefit to having a great blocking fb in the backfield rather than running out of a single back offense like we have had to do in the past few years. i would say he is one of the best the jets have ever had back there.
Larry Johnson might be a Jet soon if that's true. I don't see him playing in Kansas City for much longer.
If you play fullback you better be a team guy, there is no glory in that job. I have a friend who played FB in the league and he'll tell me it's not about scoring TD's ; it's abou making sure other people score TD's. I think in 7 years in the leauge my friend had 1 TD.
The coaching staff has to be given credit for making ALL the right moves to get our running game going in the right direction.
did anyone see the block t-rich put on bruschi on that one wildcat play. unreal, looked like he took bruschi's head off.
