The New York Jets and New England Patriots rivalry has always been a fun one. A few years ago, cornerback Antonio Cromartie referred to quarterback Tom Brady as an "a-hole". Jets head coach Rex Ryan has admitted to being obsessed with beating the team. Now, rookie Sheldon Richardson is getting in on the trashing talking fun as the two teams face off on Sunday. The defensive end appears to not be too fond of the treatment the Patriots quarterback receives from the league.
Richardson believes the NFL "babies" the quarterback, creating special roles just for him.
"Why do we make rules after he gets hurt?" Richardson asked during an interview with the New York Post. "I don't know why a bunch of stuff. They made the tuck rule back when, [in] 2000? [And the] Tom Brady rule, right? Okay, a lot of great quarterbacks have hurt a knee before, but now we can't hit quarterbacks in the knees because Tom Brady [suffers a season-ending knee injury in the 2008 season opener}. Doesn't it seem that way? Right or wrong?"
Richardson understands that there are special rules in place to protect quarterbacks, but he thinks the NFL goes the extra mile for Brady over anyone else. The rookie recalls a moment where a ref told him he was getting too close to Brady after a play. Richardson made a slight shove on Brady during the next play and the ref threatened to throw the flag the next time. Richardson questioned the ref saying, "He didn't even fall." The ref responded saying that it does not matter.
Richardson is taking the approach that he does not care about the Brady rules anymore. He tells the paper he plans on making plays whenever he can and that includes getting sacks on Brady as much as possible. Richardson takes a moment to credit Brady for all of his accomplishments, but is hungry to make a play on him.
Richardson is not the only Jet expressing his hate for the Patriots. Guard Willie Colon is also going on the record about his displeasure for New England. Colon's hate spans more from the cheating allegations placed on the Patriots back in 2007. While he hates the team, he understands that he must play his best in order to get a win against one of the top teams in the NFL.
"I don't like them, but at the same time you got to respect what they've done as an organization," Colon said. "Winning Super Bowls. They've built a tradition there where they get it done. No matter what you feel about them personally, you got to respect that they win."
