Rex Ryan Loves the Effort of Sheldon Richardson

One bright spot in an otherwise dismal 2014 campaign for the New York Jets has definitely been the play of Sheldon Richardson. Despite the loss against the Vikings, Richardson posted three sacks and a safety on Sunday for the Jets. For the year, he has backed up his Defensive Rookie of the Year honors by posting 6.5 sacks, 57 tackles and a forced fumble so far in 2014. No matter what is said about anyone else, Sheldon Richardson is the real deal.

More from Jets News

• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

Richardson was the guy that was playing hard to the very end, desperately trying to catch Jarius Wright on the game’s last play on Sunday. That type of effort comes as no surprise to coach Rex Ryan:

It doesn’t surprise me. That’s how he plays. He plays that way. I know there’s a comment where he said it’s just about the money or something right now. That’s not this kid. This kid’s anything but that. I think he thinks it sounds good, but he’s much more than that. He gives it for himself, his teammates, this is the way he plays. At one point, I thought he was actually going to make that tackle on a receiver. I shouldn’t have. Maybe it’s just me hoping. He does, he gives that kind of effort all the time. Sometimes he’ll miss guys just because he over-pursues. He’s not the biggest guy, but at times he runs like a linebacker when he chases the ball.

He sees the possibility that Richardson could lose votes for the Pro Bowl based on the team record:

I definitely get that, because you, a lot of times, when you have a poor record, there are some guys that won’t even look at you. How big of an impact can this guy have when he’s on a team that’s 2-11? I hope that’s not the case. Last year, we thought Mo (Wilkerson) for sure would go. He gets voted All-Pro or something and doesn’t go to the Pro Bowl. I think he’s definitely a deserving guy and there are a few players that are playing really well and hopefully they don’t get (judged on the team’s record). It’s an individual award. Some of these guys, they’re still having an impact on this team, and when you play against us you certainly recognize the skill of some of these guys and the talent of some of our players and hopefully that’s not overlooked.

No matter who is running this team next year, Sheldon Richardson will be a star for years to come, and one guy who epitomizes how to “Play like a Jet”.