Post by GrizzlyBear on Feb 23, 2018 8:14:02 GMT -6
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bearsbarroom.com/should-bears-target-sheldon-richardson/
The Case For & Against Sheldon Richardson
By Kevin Schroeder - 22 Feb, 2018
We continue our look on potential free agent targets for the Chicago Bears. Kevin Schroeder takes a deep dive at Sheldon Richardson
The Background on Sheldon Richardson
Sheldon Richardson was selected by the New York Jets with the 13th pick in the 2013 draft, out of Missouri. He turned in a solid rookie season, starting 15 of 16 games and registering 77 tackles with 3.5 sacks. This was good enough to earn him the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
The following season, he really took off. Richardson started all 16 games, registered 66 tackles, got to the QB 8 times, and was named to the Pro Bowl.
Then things started going downhill. In July of 2015, Richardson was suspended for the first four games of the season after testing positive for marijuana. Twelve days later, he got arrested for driving over 140 mph while street racing with a 12-year-old in the vehicle. In 11 games in the 2015 season, he still managed 35 tackles, 5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
His production dipped the following year, with just 1.5 sacks in 15 games and just before the start of the 2017 season, the Jets traded him to Seattle for Jermaine Kearse and a second-round draft pick.
The Case For Sheldon Richardson
Richardson has been difficult for teams to keep blocked.
While the sacks haven’t been there the last couple seasons, Richardson has still made his presence felt on the field. The game of football goes beyond the stat sheet, after all. Pro Football Focus has still graded him as a quality interior defender. They have him listed as the 2nd-highest graded free agent interior defender. Perhaps a change of scenery and moving back to 3-4 end could be just what Richardson needs to return to form.
Pro Football Focus✔@pff
Sheldon Richardson's year by year career grades!
8:47 PM - Feb 19, 2018
The Case Against Sheldon Richardson
Spotrac lists Richardson’s market value at just under $12 million per year. That’s what the Bears just paid Akiem Hicks. Richardson is not Akiem Hicks. Richardson has 2.5 sacks in the past two seasons combined. I mentioned PFF has Richardson as the 2nd-highest graded free agent interior defender; number 1 may surprise you.
Pro Football Focus✔@pff
The top graded upcoming free agent interior defenders from 2017!
1:16 AM - Feb 15, 2018
PFF was a bit more bullish on Unrein than I was. While Unrein did have a couple really impressive performances this past season, out of the 12 games he played, I thought five were effective negatives.* That said, they were also a little more bullish on Richardson than I was. I didn’t grade out every game of Richardson’s season, but after watching a few of his games, I get the feeling that if I had, he wouldn’t have fared spectacularly, either. Better than Unrein, but not 9 or 10 million dollars better. Coincidentally, Unrein had exactly 2.5 sacks this past season in 12 games (8 starts).
The Verdict on Sheldon Richardson
Pass. This may be a moot point, as John Clayton has said the Seahawks may use the franchise tag on him, but even if they don’t, pass. Richardson would be an improvement over Mitch Unrein, but not enough of one to justify what’s likely to be a hefty price tag. There are better options out there to improve the defensive interior. The Jets are going to cut Muhammad Wilkerson; the Bears should look to add him on a one-year “prove-it” deal. The team could also target Maurice Hurst in the draft. I’ve graded out most of Michigan’s games over the past three years – I love the guy. Draft Dr. Phil loves the guy. If the Bears draft him, you’ll love the guy, too.
*In my grading system, I consider +2 to +3 to be the baseline score for an interior defender.
Hit me up on Twitter @kschroeder_312
Bear Down!
********************The Case For & Against Sheldon Richardson
By Kevin Schroeder - 22 Feb, 2018
We continue our look on potential free agent targets for the Chicago Bears. Kevin Schroeder takes a deep dive at Sheldon Richardson
The Background on Sheldon Richardson
Sheldon Richardson was selected by the New York Jets with the 13th pick in the 2013 draft, out of Missouri. He turned in a solid rookie season, starting 15 of 16 games and registering 77 tackles with 3.5 sacks. This was good enough to earn him the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
The following season, he really took off. Richardson started all 16 games, registered 66 tackles, got to the QB 8 times, and was named to the Pro Bowl.
Then things started going downhill. In July of 2015, Richardson was suspended for the first four games of the season after testing positive for marijuana. Twelve days later, he got arrested for driving over 140 mph while street racing with a 12-year-old in the vehicle. In 11 games in the 2015 season, he still managed 35 tackles, 5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
His production dipped the following year, with just 1.5 sacks in 15 games and just before the start of the 2017 season, the Jets traded him to Seattle for Jermaine Kearse and a second-round draft pick.
The Case For Sheldon Richardson
Richardson has been difficult for teams to keep blocked.
While the sacks haven’t been there the last couple seasons, Richardson has still made his presence felt on the field. The game of football goes beyond the stat sheet, after all. Pro Football Focus has still graded him as a quality interior defender. They have him listed as the 2nd-highest graded free agent interior defender. Perhaps a change of scenery and moving back to 3-4 end could be just what Richardson needs to return to form.
Pro Football Focus✔@pff
Sheldon Richardson's year by year career grades!
8:47 PM - Feb 19, 2018
The Case Against Sheldon Richardson
Spotrac lists Richardson’s market value at just under $12 million per year. That’s what the Bears just paid Akiem Hicks. Richardson is not Akiem Hicks. Richardson has 2.5 sacks in the past two seasons combined. I mentioned PFF has Richardson as the 2nd-highest graded free agent interior defender; number 1 may surprise you.
Pro Football Focus✔@pff
The top graded upcoming free agent interior defenders from 2017!
1:16 AM - Feb 15, 2018
PFF was a bit more bullish on Unrein than I was. While Unrein did have a couple really impressive performances this past season, out of the 12 games he played, I thought five were effective negatives.* That said, they were also a little more bullish on Richardson than I was. I didn’t grade out every game of Richardson’s season, but after watching a few of his games, I get the feeling that if I had, he wouldn’t have fared spectacularly, either. Better than Unrein, but not 9 or 10 million dollars better. Coincidentally, Unrein had exactly 2.5 sacks this past season in 12 games (8 starts).
The Verdict on Sheldon Richardson
Pass. This may be a moot point, as John Clayton has said the Seahawks may use the franchise tag on him, but even if they don’t, pass. Richardson would be an improvement over Mitch Unrein, but not enough of one to justify what’s likely to be a hefty price tag. There are better options out there to improve the defensive interior. The Jets are going to cut Muhammad Wilkerson; the Bears should look to add him on a one-year “prove-it” deal. The team could also target Maurice Hurst in the draft. I’ve graded out most of Michigan’s games over the past three years – I love the guy. Draft Dr. Phil loves the guy. If the Bears draft him, you’ll love the guy, too.
*In my grading system, I consider +2 to +3 to be the baseline score for an interior defender.
Hit me up on Twitter @kschroeder_312
Bear Down!
