The New York Jets drafted defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. When the Jets drafted Richardson, who plays primarily at defensive tackle, their were questions about whether he’d fit into the Jets’ 3-4 defensive scheme.
That subject is a touchy subject for head coach and defensive specialist Rex Ryan.
“This young man can almost do anything you can ask a D-lineman to do,” Ryan said, via ESPN New York. “When you look at him traditionally, as some people saw, he can be a three-technique, up-field type guy. Well, yes he can, but he can also do everything else. So I think he’s not just limited to one style of defense. And that’s why when we drafted him. I thought it was funny, ‘Oh, hey, he doesn’t fit the system.’ Well, what system is that? Our system is multiple. We take advantage of guys’ movement skills, we take advantage of the athleticism of our guys. So, to me, he certainly fits us.”
We’ll see if it works out for the Jets this year.