NY Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson named Defensive Rookie of the Year

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Sheldon Richardson is the AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Richardson, the 13th overall pick, was a fantastic addition for the Jets and was part of the best position group on the team: the defensive line. He was named the winner Saturday evening.

Richardson was considered one of two likely candidates to win the award -- the other being Bills LB Kiko Alonso -- after each had very strong seasons. Richardson had 3.5 sacks, 42 tackles and one forced fumble this year as a key run-stopper in the Jets' defensive front. ProFootballFocus.com, which classified Richardson as a 3-4 DE, ranked him fifth among his position group across the league.

Richardson has said in the past that he believed he was the defensive rookie of the year, regardless of whether he actually won the award. He also said he thought he would go first in a hypothetical re-draft of the 2013 class.

Prior to finding out whether Sheldon Richardson won defensive rookie of the year, GM John Idzik said the team knows how good the defensive tackle was this season regardless of the result.

RELATED: SAPP STILL YAPPING, RIPPING RICHARDSON THIS TIME

'Well, the award, the recognition from outside is good,' Idzik said at the Jets House in Manhattan Saturday. 'We already recognize him from inside. How fine a season he had, especially for a rookie campaign. And what he meant to our defense and our team.'

'It's always nice to get recognition from the outside but we already know what kind of player Sheldon is,' Idzik added.

But not everyone is as enamored with Richardson as the Jets are. Warren Sapp told the News this week he isn't as impressed with young defensive lineman.

'As soon as that kid gets off the 'I think I was better and should have been drafted in a different position,' maybe he'll see his future,' Sapp said. 'Let's not anoint this kid the next best thing since sliced bread yet.'

@SethWalderNYDN

Lokasi:

Share :