FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -Tony Richardson knew the jokes were coming as soon as he got to the sideline.
The New York Jets fullback had just rumbled for 14 yards against Tennessee last Sunday for his longest run since 2002, back when some of the younger players knew of him only from video games.
“They said I looked like the old T-Rich from the Tecmo Bowl days,” Richardson said with a smile Friday. “That was pretty funny and they razzed me a little bit, but it’s all out of respect.”
Richardson, who turns 37 in a few weeks, has earned it by making a living of popping linebackers and creating holes for running backs to zip through during his 14 NFL seasons. The four-time Pro Bowl fullback has helped pave the way for four 1,000-yard rushers, with Thomas Jones just 50 yards away from joining Richardson’s exclusive club.
“Oh, man, he’s the best fullback in the league, hands down,” Jones said. “He comes off the ball, he hits guys, he can catch, he can run. He can do it all.”
the man in front of The Man in the backfield, and realizes it’s a job not suited for everyone.
“You’ve kind of got to be a different type of person to want to go in there and smash people,” he said. “I enjoy it and that’s why I still play this game.”
Richardson, whose career began on Dallas’ practice squad in 1994, helped Priest Holmes to three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Kansas City from 2001-03, and Larry Johnson in 2005. He did it again the following season in Minnesota with Chester Taylor, and was instrumental in Adrian Peterson becoming a star with 1,341 yards as a rookie last season.
“What I really liked about Tony prior to him getting here was his ability to always find his man,” Jets coach Eric Mangini said. “It may not have the same thump as it once did, but he’s very effective at finding the person he’s supposed to block, getting him taken care of and giving the back a chance.”
Richardson signed with New York in the offseason in a move largely overshadowed by the Jets’ other big acquisitions, such as Brett Favre, Kris Jenkins, Alan Faneca and Calvin Pace. But, the effect of Richardson’s presence has been clear. After struggling to be consistent last season, the Jets are ranked in the top 10 in rushing and are averaging 131.2 yards rushing per game – almost 25 yards more than last year.
nt of you,” Jones said.
Jones is on pace for a career high in yards rushing, while Leon Washington has established himself as one of the league’s best change-of-pace backs.
“If it’s T.J. or Leon and I feel a wind go by my legs,” Richardson said, “then that means I’ve been able to do my job successfully.”
There was a brief time in 2000 when Richardson was the Chiefs’ main ballcarrier, gaining a career-high 697 yards rushing and catching 58 passes for 468 yards.
“I used to get hit all the time then,” he said. “As a fullback, you get a chance to deliver the blows. I enjoy this.”
And, no, he shouldn’t expect his carries to increase after his longest run since going 14 yards for a touchdown in 2002.
“Fourteen yards a clip, that’s impressive,” Mangini said, smiling. “Six years between 14-yard runs, he has fresh legs.”
Added offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer: “The fact that he’s played that position, he understands what those guys are seeing back there. It gives him a different perspective.”
Richardson is also making a big impact off the field. He’s in his second two-year term as a member of the NFL Players Association’s executive committee, the group in charge of finding a replacement for the late Gene Upshaw as the union’s executive director.
aking him under his wing as a young player.
“I wanted to get more involved because I saw there was a lot of information out there that I had to learn, and in turn, I could take it back to the guys in the locker room,” he said. “For me, being in it for so many years now, if I can answer one guy’s questions in this locker room, then it’s well worth it for me.”
Richardson went back to finish his undergraduate studies at Auburn a few years ago and has since received his MBA in finance. He has taken executive business courses and done various internships, including one with Kansas City’s sales and marketing department during one offseason.
“Kansas City said whenever I retire, if I want to come back and work in the organization, that opportunity will be there,” Richardson said. “I’ve thought about maybe being fortunate enough to be a general manager in this league. After I play about two or three more years with the Jets, we’ll see what happens.”
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