Link: Cimini debunks Richardson myths

We're big fans of anything that tries to challenge the consensus here at JetsFix, so Rich Cimini's latest article for ESPN New York piqued our interest.

Cimini is skeptical about some of Sheldon Richardson's excuses for his downfall in production over the last couple of seasons and we generally find ourselves in agreement with his points. However, we'd like to focus on his last point.

One of the things Cimini points out is that Richardson didn't play at outside linebacker any more than he used to over the last few years, save for several games down the stretch in 2015. Since ESPN don't track player alignment, that's how he chooses to refute Richardson's claim that he didn't play his traditional (3-technique) role as much in 2015 and 2016.

However, it's probably better just to simplify the approach and differentiate between inside and outside. Since the rush linebacker position often sees that player with his hand in the dirt, those reps are lost when you total up "defensive line" reps.

Using Cimini's own data, Richardson was inside 54% of the time in 2014, but just 35% of the time in 2015 and 37% of the time in 2016. So there is an obvious trend there, one which most of us hope will be reversed this year.

This also makes sense based on the eye-test - there seemed to be too many plays where Richardson was literally on the outside looking in because he lined up on the periphery. It also passes the logic test - since Leonard Williams arrived, they've paired him with a nose tackle inside most of the time and played Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson outside to get everyone on the field.

There are some reasons for Richardson's disappointing production over the last couple of years and hopefully some of the changes made so far will address these. However, a reversal of fortune isn't going to happen without Richardson being motivated to perform.

He sounds like he has a chip on his shoulder, so hopefully we'll see that manifest itself in a desire to prove himself.