Jay Richardson is a driven individual headed into the final year of his contract.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Jay Richardson set two goals for the 2010 season: win and prove he’s one of the elite defensive ends in the NFL.
Casual fans have probably already dismissed both with extreme prejudice.
Upon closer inspection, however, you’ll realize that both are difficult, but not nearly impossible.
Richardson, who started 22 games in his first two seasons with the Raiders, lost his starting job in 2009 when the team brought in Greg Ellis and Richard Seymour. Their acquisitions didn’t seem to bother Richardson though.
“There’s nothing wrong with playing behind Richard Seymour or Greg Ellis … We’re talking about Pro Bowl caliber players,” Richardson told me in a recent interview. “You’re just happy that you get a chance to learn from guys like that. I’m a humble guy. I don’t need to be a superstar. I don’t need to be the center of attention. I just want to win. That’s all I’ve ever cared about.”
And speaking of winning, the Ohio State product predicted a 10-plus win season for the Raiders in 2010.
While Seymour remains in Oakland, Ellis was released earlier this offseason leaving the left end spot up for grab — a spot Richardson will have to earn.
“What I love about our coaches is they’re going to put the best players out there,” the humble three-year veteran said. “The instances that I did play [in 2010] I thought I played pretty well. I think I’ve got as good of a chance as anybody to get that left end job coming into 2010.”
Entering the final season of his four-year rookie contract, Richardson has plenty of reasons to want that starting role. He’s humble, but not stupid. He wants to be one of the elite defensive ends in the NFL and has been working hard to make that a reality.
“That’s going to be a challenge, because there are so many good players,” Richardson said of his goal. “I’ve been working my butt off and I think I’m as prepared as ever going into the season to prove that. I’m going to have to (prove) that through the numbers I put up and through the film that you’re going to see.”
He certainly has the potential. Despite not starting a single game in 2009, Richardson recorded as many sacks as he did in 2008 when he started 11 games.
Learn more about the Jay Richardson Foundation (a very worthwhile cause) at jayrichardson98.com.
You can also hear Richardson’s thoughts on JaMarcus Russell in part one of our interview.
In part two of our interview Richardson gave his prediction on the 2010 season. He’s thinking big things for the Raiders.
Part 1: Richardson on the addition of Jason Campbell to the roster and moving back into the starting lineup.
Part 2: Talking JaMarcus Russell, predictions for the 2010 season and the Jay Richardson Foundation.