Anthony Richardson poses latest dual-threat challenge for struggling Jets defense
NY Post
Facing historically inaccurate quarterback Anthony Richardson might be just the medicine that a Jets defense with only two interceptions all season needs.
Then again, the bulldozing read-option runs that highlight Richardson’s strengths — and will be on display Sunday when the Colts visit MetLife Stadium — might be just the thing to break a Jets defense that must be growing weary of facing dual threats after allowing five rushing touchdowns to quarterbacks in the last five games, including two last week to Kyler Murray.
“You see him on film sometimes shrugging dudes off him,” 320-pound defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw said. “It’s like, ‘Damn.’ He doesn’t care [about contact]. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The 6-foot-4, 244-pound Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, is returning to the starting lineup after a two-game benching.
His 44.4 completion percentage through six starts is the NFL’s worst since draft bust Akili Smith’s 44.2 percent mark over 12 games in 2000, but Richardson is averaging 16.4 yards per completion.
“He can throw the ball really deep,” cornerback D.J. Reed said. “He throws it accurately deep, too. There is one in particular on film against the Texans that is as good a deep ball as it gets. We have to respect that, as well as his running ability.”
This was near the end of a magnificent American life, and he’d been battling lung and prostate cancer for some time, but Pee Wee Reese was absolutely going to get in the car and make the drive from Louisville to Kansas City. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum was honoring his dear friend Jackie Robinson, and Reese knew that meant seeing so many friends from the old days.
The pity is, at this point, the greatness we are watching in real time is threatened every week to be reduced to a footnote. We are witnesses to history, to the rarest form of extended success in a time of professional sport that’s supposed to be ruled by parity. But every year we have to deal with something else first.