Sheldon Richardson: Jets can pressure Aaron Rodgers
Jets DT Sheldon Richardson, right, participates in the team's second day of Rookie Camp held at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. (May 11, 2013) Credit: James Escher
The Jets know they're not the Seahawks. But they still expect to get a win when they get their crack at Green Bay.
Armed with a vaunted defense and a strong running game, Seattle spanked the Packers, 36-16, a week ago in the league's regular-season opener. Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson expects to have similar success getting after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Sunday.
During an interview with Newsday, Richardson cut short a question about the Jets' front seven to pose one of his own.
"Is our front seven better than the Seattle Seahawks'? I think that. I think that,'' he said, flashing a wide smile.
Surrounded by a crowd of reporters a few minutes earlier, Richardson called Sunday's game in Green Bay "a big challenge'' and praised the "shifty'' Rodgers for his "pocket awareness.'' But nevertheless, Richardson said he's confident the Jets can exploit the Packers' "few weaknesses.''
Rodgers was sacked three times and threw an interception against the defending Super Bowl champions.
"No, we do not think we're the Seattle Seahawks,'' the 2013 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year said, laughing. "We've just got to get after it. He's a great quarterback -- but no one likes pressure.''
The teams haven't met since the Packers beat the Jets, 9-0, at MetLife Stadium in 2010. It was Rodgers' only start against the Jets, and he completed only 15 of 34 passes, his lowest completion percentage (44.1) in a game since becoming a starter in 2008, according to ESPN Stats and Information.
Although the Packers' personnel has changed considerably since then, Rex Ryan is studying tape of that game.
"He seems like the same guy because he's got a bazooka for an arm and he's accurate and he can move,'' Ryan said of Rodgers, who is 5-1 in home openers and has thrown for 300-plus yards in each of the Packers' past three home games.
"A Peyton Manning, a Tom Brady can just pick you apart with accuracy,'' Ryan said. "This kid combines accuracy with escapability, and I think that's really what separates him from most quarterbacks in the league.''
Notes & quotes: Josh Bush (quadriceps), Jeff Cumberland (personal) and A.J. Edds (hamstring) did not practice, while Dee Milliner (ankle), Willie Colon (calf) and IK Enemkpali (foot) were limited . . . Packers RB Eddie Lacy (concussion) did not practice.
