Tony Richardson: Stay or Go?
by John B on Feb 20, 2010 4:14 PM EST
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PrintThe Jets' offensive line gets a lot of credit for its run blocking. The backs get credit for their production. The fullback helping with the dirty work gets forgotten. Tony Richardson is one of the most important players on the roster. You barely hear his name. He's not a pass catching threat like Richie Anderson and Jerald Sowell were. He doesn't get many carries. What he does is block, the traditional fullback role. He does it very well.
Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Adrian Peterson, and Thomas Jones. That's an impressive collection, right? Richarson was the lead blocker for the most productive years of each one's career. At 38 Richardson's athleticism defies his age. His intelligence does not. Tony consistently reads the defense, finds the guy he needs to hit to spring his back, meets him quickly, and seals him. Richardson is quietly one of if not the best lead blockers in the game.
I think the only question is whether Richardson wants to suit up for one more run at a ring. The Jets should welcome him back with open arms and with another one year contract if he does. Seldom appreciated, Tony is a major part of this team's success running the ball. He'll leave a huge hole if he retires.
I vote stay.
How do you vote?
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I have mix feelings
Maybe the roster spot can be used for another position. TR only needs to block for TJ. Our other two backs don’t need a fullback because how fast they hit the hole. Maybe the pass blocking is helpful, but i would like everyboy on offense to be considered a threat so there would be no one the defense can focus on. I like TR though!!
No. Another roster spot?
For who? Some 9th DB or a special teams guy? No. It doesn’t matter how fast you hit the hole, if there is a safety of a MLB waiting for you in it. Tony Richardson goes through the hole and fucken blows it up. He better be back. There is not a single reason why he shouldn’t be back. I can’t believe somebody voted no.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
Hey there--just popping in from Arrowhead Pride.
I’ve got to tell you guys, TRich is the best fullback in the NFL hands-down. We’ve missed him so badly in KC…His athletic ability is still above-average, his leadership is incredible, and his knowledge of the game is top-notch. Coming from a Chief fan (and an Iowa Hawkeye fan also), Greene could always use another 1-3 seasons of Tony’s guidance—to say nothing of his run-blocking skills.
"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"
-Marty Schottenheimer
Since 2001, the RB stats for the RB playing behind Tony Richardson
2001- Priest Holmes- 327 carries, 1555 yards, 8 TD’s, 4.8 YPC
2002- Priest Holmes- 313 carries, 1615 yards, 21 TD’s, 5.2 YPC (14 games)
2003- Priest Holmes- 320 carries, 1420 yards, 27 TD’s, 4.4 YPC
2004- Priest Holmes- 196 carries, 892 yards, 14 TD’s, 4.6 YPC (8 games), Larry Johnson, 120 carries, 581 yards, 9 TD’s, 4.8 YPC
2005- Larry Johnson- 336 carries, 1750 yards, 20 TD’s, 5.2 YPC
2006- Chester Taylor- 303 carries, 1216 yards, 6 TD’s, 4.0 YPC
2007- Adrian Peterson- 238 carries, 1341 yard, 12 TD’s, 5.6 YPC, Chester Taylor, 157 carries, 844 yards, 7 TD’s, 5.4 YPC
2008- Adrian Peterson- 363 carries, 1760 yards, 10 TD’s, 4.8 YPC.
2009- Thomas Jones- 331 carries, 1402 yards, 14 TD’s, 4.2 YPC.
Richardson stays. Since the new millennium, Richardson has had ever feature back run for 1000 yards behind him, outside Priest’s injury season in 2004(LJ and Priest had about 315 carries for 1500 that year). Outside of Thomas Jones this year (4.2) and Chester Taylor in 2006 (4.0), every back has rushed for at least 4.4 YPC behind him, and none less then 4 yards per carry…. ever. This is simply a no brainer. He is without a doubt the best FB in the NFL. Why is this even a question?
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
Chiefs fan here.
You should also see the stats of the Running Backs after T Rich leaves. LJ’s average went down. Adrian Peterson’s average went down. He was also one of the only mentors for LJ when he was with the Chiefs. Besides a great blocker, he would be a great mentor for Greene.
From the KC Star
Larry Johnson averaged 5.2 yards per carry running behind Richardson. The next season, with Richardson in Minnesota, Johnson’s average dropped to 4.3. Funny, the same thing happened to Adrian Peterson when Richardson left for New York. With Richardson paving the way, Peterson rumbled for 5.6 yards per carry as a rookie. He’s dipped to 4.8 and 4.6 yards since Richardson donned a Jets helmet.
Consistency is only a value if you are not a screw up.
Why is this a Question?
Its a question because us Chiefs fans have been waiting for the days that #49 returns to the Chiefs hes our give him back :) at least it looks like you Jets understand what you have in in him unlike the previous regime in KC
Tony Richardson is the best FB of this century.
My team should have never got rid of him. There should be no doubt in the Jets’ front office’s mind. Sign Richardson until he retires. Don’t make the same mistake the Chiefs and Vikings did.
Ringing endorsements from you guys, cheers for stopping by. Definitely has been one of the best signings we have made over the last few years, I don’t think there will be any doubt whether we re-sign him or not. I think it just comes down to if he wants to play another year. He was the guy leading the chant after the Chargers game, definitely a leader, and having him around young Shonn. Really is the best thing for this team.
Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
In second thought
Don’t resign him. That way the Chiefs can bring him back to make up for their mistake, and the Jets could sign someone in free agency. It’s a win-win situation. Sounds like a good dead! Right? :)
by ChiefsFan90s on Feb 20, 2010 7:41 PM EST up reply actions
Sounds like a good dead!
I mean, “Sounds like a good deal!”
by ChiefsFan90s on Feb 20, 2010 7:42 PM EST up reply actions
As a Chiefs fan.
I gotta say that if they let T Rich go, you guys will regret it. If he wants to stay and play, it’s a no brainer.
by GonzosDirtyTrailer on Feb 20, 2010 7:27 PM EST reply actions
Ill admit to it you can take 1 no away from the poll for me I voted no hoping you guys screw up and we chiefs get a 2nd chance to make up for our colossal mistake :)
Haha, I thought a few Chiefs fans were the culprits in the No column
Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
by David_Wyatt on Feb 20, 2010 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
With a 91%
“yes” rating..I’d say definitely.
Not only that..I’m a Chiefs fan and had the opportunity to watch this guy work his tail off. T-Rich is one of the FEW players who will walk out of this league as one of the best of his job. Like the poster said..he doesnt run the ball, not really a pass catcher either. But hes as good of a blocker as anybody you can think of, AND if hes ASKED to run or catch..hes reliable. He might not be tremendous with the ball, but when asked..he has the determination to fight for a couple yards when needed.
Willie Roaf, Brian Waters, Casey Weigman, Will Shields, John Tait (OL), Tony Richardson, Jason Dunn (TE)..if thats not a dream team of blockers, IDK what is. I’m glad to have seen that first hand..but..it wasnt long before Tait departed, and a couple years after Roaf retired, then Shields retired, Weigman went to Denver..Richardson went to Minn then NYJ..Dunn..i dont even know what happened to him..
Man I miss those days..
What about the QB
Bringing back Richardson under “normal” circumstances would be the best thing for Green, but there’s another factor to seal the seal. Mark Sanchez is still learing how to read blitzes and having a smart and effective blocker like Richardson available would pay dividends for our QB’s “health insurance” policy.
Cmon back Tony. You’re a Rex type of guy!
36 people voted “no” ????
"Champions aren't made in the gym. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision."
- Muhammad Ali
"Words of wisdom is nothing but foolishness to the unwise"
Thinking a lot of them were not Jets fans, come Chiefs fans who want him back (You can’t have him ;-) ) and the other a mixture of Dolphins/Patriots……who just vote against anything that is good for the Jets. I guess the odd couple of Jets fans might have voted no.
Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
by David_Wyatt on Feb 21, 2010 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
Also just realized there’s also a couple of Giants fans who vote here regularly for some reason.
and the home of the... JETS!!!
www.ganggreennation.com
Was always at the meadowlands as a kid
and I have a deep affection for the Giants but they’ll never come close to the Jets, or TR, in my book.
I think that’s what it is though. When you’re a real big football fan and there’s a game RIGHT THERE in your stadium when you can’t watch your team you’ll follow a team you hate.
I think most of the no’s are people that are fans of other teams or just don’t follow football that closely.
And one of them was
Big Oh. I don’t know why, but that crazy mofo voted no to bringing back Tony. Sometimes I think people fancy themselves smarter then they are, want to think against the grain and try to rethink the wheel. I know I am capable of it sometimes, but this is too simple. There is literally not one reason, not even a really horrible reason not to bring back T Rich.
"Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring; besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. It's more democratic."
- CRASH DAVIS
No Brainer
he’s not expensive, we need a FB, he’s really good, and we have no backup option. there is no reason not to bring him back.
also, given that last year was his first time in the playoffs, i’m hoping that whet his appetite for another year. not to downplay the role, but people who don’t handle the ball seem to last longer in the league than those who do. i saw no signs of age from him last year.
hope he’s back!
From a Chiefs fan...
If there is a way to keep a guy like T-Rich on your team you do it. He’s still productive. He’s smart and a great locker room presence. I wish we still had him here.
Insert witty yet thought provoking phrase here.
Chiefs fans.
I think it’s awesome that you guys appreciate T-Rich so much.
and the home of the... JETS!!!
www.ganggreennation.com
It’s good for us that there management didn’t.
Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
I wonder what the team would be like now
if we had Glenn Dorsey instead of Vernon Gholston.
But it’s just the way things pan out.
I love all these facts about T-Rich.
Tony Richardson is definitely a driving force as a full back and the best in the league.
No Brainer.. Pay the man. Teams need to learn who to pay and just do it. (i.e. Josh Cribbs)
Jason Davis (43) is also learning the ropes and looks like a solid replacement for T-Rich within the next couple years. Hopefully he’s learning all he can from a future HOF.
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