It is truly a sad day in both the New York Jet family and the ever growing rabid community of viewers that are tuned to the every move of HBO's Hard Knocks. According to league sources, the Jets have decided to part ways with fullback, Tony Richardson, the veteran four time pro bowler who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys prior to the 1994 season. Richardson was widely known as one of the team's emotional leaders and as a well respected stabilizing piece to a core group of youngsters on the squad, including second year Quarterback, Mark Sanchez.
The news comes, for certain, as a great shock to fans of the hit show who were given their daily dose of end of the week cuts in last weeks episode. All signs pointed to Richardson remaining with the team as the staff made the very difficult decision to cut former star wide receiver, Laveranues Coles. Coach Rex Ryan passionately lobbied for both warriors in meetings with general manager, Mike Tannenbaum and described them as key pieces to the successful mental makeup of a winning football team.
I guess this is exhibit A in the tutorial guide into the cold, hard world of professional athletics. No amount of service or excellece makes a player in the "league" exempt from the rigid examination of mandatory roster decisions. One must think that this is just one more move to clear space and money for holdout cornerback Darrelle Revis and his dollar seeking ego. Bringing us to the epic unending debate. Are the Jets willing to sell their very soul for the sake of one franchise player? Or is the dismissal of Richardson, perfect case in point, as to why Revis deserves to be paid top dollar before the decline of his premium market value?
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