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AFC East Notes: Richardson, Jets, Dolphins

NFL News
November 30, 2015

Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson has been labeled a menace, but he doesn’t see himself as a villain, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News writes.

I want to set a good example,” Richardson said. “I made a few mistakes. I’m not a bad person. I just made two bad choices in my life.”

Richardson was clocked at 143 mph during a high-speed chase, with a legally registered handgun and a 12-year-old relative in the car. The star defensive lineman says that the incident does not define him as a person and he is working with the team psychologist to help him move beyond the arrest.

Here’s more out of the AFC East:

  • Richardson, 25 on Sunday, says he’s aware that both he and Muhammad Wilkerson are not going to get the paydays they seek from the Jets. “We both understand the situation,” Richardson said of the unlikelihood that he and Wilkerson will get big paydays from the Jets. “It’s his hometown. If he gets it and I don’t — I got one more year left. You never know what happens after that. I wouldn’t mind him staying in his own hometown. If I get the boot, then so (be it)… but you never know. Mo’s having a Pro Bowl season right now. His resume is going to be a little bit cleaner than mine.” Wilkerson fought for a long-term extension in the offseason but the two sides were unable to come to terms on a deal.
  • Dolphins wide receiver Rishard Matthews suffered multiple fractured ribs yesterday against the Jets, a source tells Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter). At this time, there’s no clear timetable for his return. Matthews, who is in a contract, has had a surprisingly strong season in Miami. The 26-year-old has hauled in 43 catches for 662 yards and 4 touchdowns across 11 games this year.
  • The Patriots worked out wide receiver/return specialist Damaris Johnson and running back Terrence Magee, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets.

Rams Owner Meets With Missouri Governor

NFL News
November 30, 2015

Governor Jay Nixon met with Rams owner Stan Kroenke on Monday at Rams Park, multiple sources tell Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Kroenke is set to attend a key NFL owners meeting in Dallas on Tuesday, so the timing of the meeting is very interesting and could be an indication that Kroenke is warming up to staying in St. Louis rather than relocating to Los Angeles.

To Thomas’ knowledge, today’s powwow may be the first time that Kroenke and Nixon have met face-to-face on anything related to relocation to Los Angeles or the St. Louis stadium project. One source said that Kroenke wanted to make sure he had a “complete understanding of things” before he met with his colleagues in Texas. Ostensibly, the Rams owner was looking for an update on the current status of the St. Louis stadium plan and the financing of the stadium.

For months now, it has seemed that Kroenke is intent on taking his team back to Los Angeles, regardless of what the city of St. Louis might be able to offer. Recently, we learned that Kroenke was willing to “help” the Raiders and the Chargers reach deals with their respective host cities in an effort to take them out of the running for relocation to L.A. Meanwhile, people within the NFL expect the relocation fee to be $500MM+ for any team going to Los Angeles.

Dave Peacock, co-chair of the St. Louis stadium task force, was also at Rams park, though it’s not believed that he took part in the meeting, Thomas writes.

Practice Squad Updates: 11/30/15

NFL News
November 30, 2015

Today’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:

Chicago Bears

  • Signed: C Cornelius Edison (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Signed: CB Asa Jackson (Twitter link via Coley Harvey of ESPN.com)
  • Cut: OG Dan France

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed: CB Mike Lee, LB Brandon Hepburn (Twitter link via team)

Tennessee Titans

  • Signed: WR Rico Richardson (Twitter link via Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com)

Washington

  • Signed: CB Jeremy Harris (via press release)

Chris Johnson Suffers Fractured Tibia

NFL News
November 30, 2015

The Cardinals have learned that star running back Chris Johnson suffered a fractured tibia on Sunday, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Johnson will be be out for an extended period of time, but it’s not immediately clear exactly how long he will be sidelined. As Arizona looks ahead to Week 13, one has to imagine that Johnson’s regular season could be over and that could spill over into postseason territory as well.

Early reports on Sunday indicated that suffered a left knee injury, but it turns out that his injury happened below the knee. So far in 2015, the 30-year-old has enjoyed a resurgence that few imagined could be possible over the offseason. In 11 games (9 starts) for the Cards, Johnson has rushed for 814 yards and three scores off of 196 carries.

Last season for the Jets, Johnson ran for just 663 yards, the first time in his career he recorded fewer than 1,000 yards in a season. However, he averaged a respectable 4.3 yards per carry for Gang Green in 2014. Meanwhile, the ground game was a weak spot in Arizona last season, as the team’s leading rusher, Andre Ellington, totaled just 660 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.

In October, the Cardinals went on record saying that they would look into an extension for CJ2K.

Report: Rishard Matthews out indefinitely

Fantasy Football, NFL News
November 30, 2015
InjurySuffered multiple fractured ribs in Week 12 loss to Jets

Dolphins WR Rishard Matthews suffered multiple fractured ribs yesterday against the Jets. No clear timetable for his return. (Rand Getlin on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Matthews has evolved into a solid No. 2 receiver in Miami behind Jarvis Landry, but the timing of this injury is bad for the free-agent-to-be. The Dolphins just fired OC Bill Lazor on Monday and have little left to play for this season, which should open the door for the team to see what it has in first-round pick DeVante Parker. As a result, the rookie is worth an add in all fantasy leagues this week.