Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson has been named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month.
It's a richly deserved honor for the Boss Hogg, who is having a superb rookie year. Defensive tackle is not exactly a plug and play position in the NFL. It takes most players at least a year to adapt to the strength and athleticism of NFL linemen. That's why it has been three years since another guy at his position has won this honor. Richardson isn't just holding his own. He's playing very well. Just imagine his ceiling once he does get fully acclimated to the league.
Some notes provided by the NFL below:
· Richardson, a first-round selection (No. 13) out of Missouri, had 22 tackles, including four tackles for a loss and a half sack in three games in November.
· Richardson has 59 tackles, three sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, one pass defensed and a forced fumble this season. He is the only NFL rookie defensive lineman with at least 50 tackles and three sacks.
· He started all three games for the Jets in November and now has started 10 of 11 games games this season.
· In Week 11, Richardson tied the team-high with nine tackles. In Week 12, his nine tackles were a team-best.
· In November, Richardson played a pivotal role in a Jets run defense that held opponents to 176 yards on 82 carries (2.1 average).
· Through Week 12, the Jets have allowed the fewest rush yards per game (72.6).
· Richardson joins ERIK COLEMAN (September 2004), JONATHAN VILMA (November 2004), and DAVID HARRIS(November 2007) as the only Jets to be named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month.
· Richardson is the first defensive tackle to be named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month since Detroit’s NDAMUKONG SUH (October 2010).