Sheldon Richardson

Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson has missed some of the team’s spring workouts, and this led a few fans to criticize him on social media.

He fired back on Twitter.

“I have a life outside of football and I chose to enjoy my family a little longer,” tweeted Richardson. “So to you fans that know everything please worry about yourself.”

Here is the lede for the AP story on Richardson missing some spring practice- “Family comes first for Sheldon Richardson – especially over voluntary football practices.”

Here is the issue with that argument – do you think he’s the only one who would rather be with family than practicing and lifting weights?

So while I respect anybody that puts family first in life, it’s a little unfair in this context.

Do you think Jason Babin wants to be there? He married with two kids. I believe he lives in Tennessee or Jacksonville.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is married with three kids. I think he lives in Arizona.

So this “family comes first argument” is a little overblown.

Now, I hope that Sheldon doesn’t have any illnesses in his family. Based on his tweet, it doesn’t sound like it. I pray he doesn’t. I would never make light of that.

But let’s keep it real.

I know these workouts are voluntary, but there is a wink-wink here.

If you are a fringe player, and you chose to skip some of these workouts, you are going to hurt your chances of making the team.

Now a coach or executive isn’t going to say that, but let’s say Quincy Enunwa or Shaq Evans decided not to show up. They’d be toast.

Richardson is a tremendous player.

He knows, we all know, this isn’t going to hurt him one iota. He is so good, he is beyond reproach.

But while he’s a terrific player, he still has a lot of things to work on. First of all, he needs to learn the new system. Secondly, Todd Bowles feels he needs work on his technique.

Hey, it’s probably not going to make a big difference that he missed some workouts.

I’m just don’t think the family argument is fair.

Plenty of guys would like to skip workouts and stay with their families.

So that excuse doesn’t fly (except is if there is a serious illness in the family).

Reading the tea leaves, I think there is more at work here.

He can’t be thrilled with this contract.

In 2013, he signed a four-year deal for a little over $10 million. He was rookie of the year, and last year he made the Pro Bowl.

This season, he’s scheduled to make $1.3 million.

Do you think he’s happy with that?

He will be the lowest paid player as far as their front line defensive lineman – Damon Harrison is making $2.3 million this year, Mo Wilkerson, unless a long-term deal is signed, will make $6.696M, and Leonard Williams just signed a deal worth $18.6 million over four years, including an $11.8 million signing bonus.

You think Richardson, who is a very emotional guy, is happy about this landscape?

My guess is no.

Why would he skip off-season workouts, with a new GM, new coach, new staff, unless it were related to money.

Most guys would rather be with their families.

May 22, 2105

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