Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Where will Richardson be used? 'Everywhere'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Rookie Sheldon Richardson is readying himself for Rex Ryan's defensive line. That mean's he's preparing to post up anywhere, and...

“Everywhere,” Richardson told NewYorkJets.com's Eric Allen of his work in OTAs. “A little end, a little three tech(nique), a little nose, shade, all that… The only thing I haven’t done yet is play rush, so I pretty much have my hand in the dirt.”

Richardson was the third defensive lineman drafted by the Jets in the first round in as many years. He'll join Muhammad Wilkerson (2011) and Quinton Coples (2012) in a young and hungry group that will be moved around and interchanged depending on the situation.

But not only will Richardson need to learn every spot on the line, but he'll also have to get acclimated to playing in what is considered a 3-4-leaning scheme. He played in a 4-3 in college and was projected by many draft pundits to succeed in a four-man front.

“Adjusting from a 4-3 to a 3-4, playing nose and learning the terminology,” he said. “You get set in your ways in college and it’s like a second language for you. It’s like breathing almost and it’s kind of repetitive.

"You just have to get used to what the coaches are saying and understanding what they mean and pick it up fast because it’s the NFL. You don’t have time for mistakes, shorter reps.”

In two collegiate seasons, Richardson amassed 112 tackles, six sacks, four passes defensed, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

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