Fansided

Sheldon Richardson suspended four games for marijuana use

By Matt Verderame

Dec 29, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) reacts during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) reacts during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson has been suspended four games by the National Football League for running afoul of its substance-abuse policy, according to Albert Breer of NFL Network. For the Jets, this is a tough blow but perhaps a softened one after drafting Leonard Williams with the sixth-overall pick on the NFL Draft in April.

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Richardson has acknowledged the error in judgment and apologized on Twitter, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.

"“I apologize for my mistake and for disappointing the people who mean everything to me,” Richardson wrote. “I vow to you, this will not happen again. My team will continue to push forward without me to start the season. I promise I will be there for them in every way that I can until I am able to return.”"

Richardson has been one of the best players at his position since being draft in the first round by the Jets in 2013 from the University of Missouri. After notching 78 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his rookie season, Richardson came back with eight sacks in 2014. Considering he plays as a 3-4 defensive end – a position that is more about eating up blockers than actually accumulating sacks – Richardson’s stats are even more impressive.

Last year, Pro Football Focus ranked Richardson as the second-best 3-4 end in the game, only behind the inhuman J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans. Richardson came in slightly ahead of teammate Muhammad Wilkerson, who is in the final year of his rookie deal.

With Richardson out, Wilkerson and Williams will have a chance to show what they can do as a tandem. Many were concerned that New York would be wasting Williams on the bench this year, and then allowing Wilkerson to walk after the season. If Williams shows he can’t make the grade yet, perhaps it helps Wilkerson stay around for a while. Conversely, if Williams dominates, the Jets have three really good defensive linemen for head coach Todd Bowles to utilize.

While Richardson is out, New York will play the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins.

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