Q)What are your plans for incorporating Sheldon Richardson into the lineup?
Bowles: Get him in shape first, get him in shape and let him run around, get his wind and his football legs under him. Game plan-wise, we’ll see where we can fit him in.
Q)Do you plan on playing Richardson as if he hadn’t missed any time?
Bowles: No, I don’t think you keep him in there like that. You get him some plays and get him in and out. You have to make sure you keep him fresh and try to protect him from himself. Even though he may not be tired, hopefully he’s playing well, you still have to give him breaks here and there or it will be unfair.
Q)What will Leonard Williams’ role be with Richardson back?
Bowles: Leonard’s going to play. We’ve got some good defensive linemen. They’re all going to play. I don’t envision a role for them, I can play all of them. I can play one, I can play two or three of them. We’ve got a lot of depth at the position.
Q)What does Richardson bring to the defense?
Bowles: He’s a good football player and any time you have a good football player you put them out on the field and let them play. You don’t have to do much for him. He makes his own plays. So, hopefully that will be the case when he gets in shape.
Q)Is there any doubt that Richardson will play?
Bowles: He’s going to play. He’s definitely going to play. Yes, he’s going to play.
Q)How did Richardson approach the four weeks he was suspended?
Bowles: He’s been quiet, he’s been humble. He works out and he goes to meetings. That’s about all he can do. I’m sure he was chomping at the bit to get back in and watching the other guys play. Hopefully, he’ll be hungry.
Q)Are you looking forward to seeing if Richardson has matured from the situation?
Bowles: I think he learned a lot. Something like that really humbles you I’m sure. He’s kept his head clean and been out of trouble, as far as I know. He’s been here all the time. So, you learn from that and you grow in your 20’s and you do something like that, he’ll look back in life and learn a lesson from it. So, hopefully we can all move on from it.
Q)Will you be able to tell if Richardson is in football shape before Sunday?
Bowles: No, you’re not going to be able to tell that. He’s going to be able to run around and play some, that’s why you don’t want to put him in there [too much] because you want to protect him and make sure he’s fresh and protect him from himself.
