Rookie CB looking good, so far

[BadMoFo]

Cornerback Mike Richardson, a sixth-round draft choice out of Notre Dame, had a tough task in 11 on 11 drills, often lining up across from receiver Randy Moss. He held his own. Since it’s only June and players aren’t wearing pads, it is difficult to make any definitive statements about any young players, but Richardson –- at the very least –- did not look out of place.

This could be a pleasant surprise, and a much needed one at that.

 

[pats1]

I've been noticing the same thing. Looks like he's propelled himself above the Spann/Williams/Anam group.

 

[BadMoFo]

I've been noticing the same thing. Looks like he's propelled himself above the Spann/Williams/Anam group.

This would be the best thing that could happen to us. If he can just stay healthy, play a good nickel or dime cornerback role for us that would be huge. I noticed that he had decent size and speed when we drafted him, just never heard of the guy.

 

[marty]

Anyone have bio of him for those of us that are clueless on our lower rd rookies?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I've been noticing the same thing. Looks like he's propelled himself above the Spann/Williams/Anam group.

Let's not write-off anyone yet young man. It's nice to have the rook looking good to Reiss though.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Anyone have bio of him for those of us that are clueless on our lower rd rookies?

Five years at Notre Dame, started the last couple at CB as I recall. I thought he was the best of a bum lot in the secondary there, he had the best 3-cone speed of anybody in this draft class from what I could see. RB in high school, set records, the usual. I don't know if any of the draft sites had much on him due to his ranking coming into this draft.

 

[Krazy Koz]

a friend of mine is a huge ND fan and he's been telling me to be cautious about this guy. says that he wasn't a very good player in a weak secondary. I'm happy to hear the praise and I'll take a wait and see approach.

 

[JoeSixPat]

6th round draft choices around here seem to be like the 5/12 game in the NCAA tournament... there's so many upsets it shouldn't even be a surprise anymore.

 

[OhExaulted1]

Anyone have bio of him for those of us that are clueless on our lower rd rookies?

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/richardson_mike


http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/richardson_mike00.html

 

[Krazy Koz]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/richardson_mike


http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/richardson_mike00.html

so much for size 5'11" 188 lbs.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/richardson_mike


http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/richardson_mike00.html

So much for my memory of him as a RB!:bricks:

 

[patsgo]

This could be a pleasant surprise, and a much needed one at that.

its been a while for a draft steal lets hope for the best

 

[pats1]

Let's not write-off anyone yet young man. It's nice to have the rook looking good to Reiss though.

Not just Reiss though! I've read from a few spots (Breer, too, I believe) that he has been getting a lot of reps as a #4/5 CB. Presumably, that would mean he's somewhere between the Hobbs'/Scotts' and the Williams', Anams', now wouldn't it?

 

[zippo59]

One thing it seems like the Patriots can always do is find good CBs in the later rounds.

Obviously that is yet to be determined with Richardson. I think as long as they have good safeties they don't put a lot of stock into cornerbacks. It seems as long as a cornerback is decent, he can be successful here. That is part of why I don't think they will give into Samuel.

 

[OhExaulted1]

so much for size 5'11" 188 lbs.

Same size as Samuel. There's a reason you don't see 6-6 CB's. If you get burned 50 yards downfeild, 6-6 doesn't mean sh*t.

I'd rather have a 5-11 guy who can keep pace with his guy and use his head on the field. You don't have to be Yao Ming to break up a pass or pick the ball off. Is there really that much of a difference between 6-2 and 5-11?

Besides, can you imagine Yao's gangly ***** trying to tackle you? My wheelchair-bound 86 year old grandmother could shake him.

 

[BB_dynasty]

BB probably got some inside information on the CB from Charlie Weiss. Weiss leaving wasn't a good thing, but I think if him and BB are still pretty good with each other, we might be able to get a little more info on players from notre dame.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Not just Reiss though! I've read from a few spots (Breer, too, I believe) that he has been getting a lot of reps as a #4/5 CB. Presumably, that would mean he's somewhere between the Hobbs'/Scotts' and the Williams', Anams', now wouldn't it?

I recall only Reiss talking about him, other than mentions of the int he got off Cassel day one. If what Reiss wrote on day one held true all camp, then he has been taking reps ahead of Williams and Anam, Spann is rehabbing so we don't have a measure there. I'm hoping Dan Pires will stop by Planet and give us some tidbits about the kids, but from what Reiss blogged today, most have been working after class on another field to get their reps in away from the media, still early days grasshopper.

 

[pats1]

I recall only Reiss talking about him, other than mentions of the int he got off Cassel day one. If what Reiss wrote on day one held true all camp, then he has been taking reps ahead of Williams and Anam, Spann is rehabbing so we don't have a measure there. I'm hoping Dan Pires will stop by Planet and give us some tidbits about the kids, but from what Reiss blogged today, most have been working after class on another field to get their reps in away from the media, still early days grasshopper.

You really like Spann, don't you?

(Maybe if Charter....)

 

[Frezo]

This could be a pleasant surprise, and a much needed one at that.

http://www.blueandgold.com/content/?aid=3725

Even though it sounds like a lot of hype, it's at least encouraging.

(partial quote)

Just days after suffering a disheartening loss to LSU at the Sugar Bowl in his final game, Richardson quietly packed his things and went to a strange, new place to prepare himself for the next level. Richardson left the relative tranquility of South Bend and his central Georgia home of Warner Robins to the maddening frenzy of New York and northern New Jersey. For a five-week stretch in the dead of winter, Richardson spent hours upon hours in converted-warehouse gym to become one of the fastest men ever to come out of Notre Dame.

“I’ve never been to New York or New Jersey before,” Richardson said. “It definitely was a bit of a change. Usually after the season, you get to go home for a bit and relax with your family. For me, I decided to head over to New Jersey and start training right away.”

Richardson had been through some tough training periods before, but few were probably as grueling or as focused as DeFranco’s Training Systems.

In a cavernous building with a Spartan ambiance and enough iron to build more than a few tanks, owner Joe DeFranco builds tanks of flesh and bone. For 10 years, college and pro athletes from baseball, football and hockey have sought him out to better themselves. DeFranco can’t quite remember seeing someone with the same combination of explosiveness, intelligence and desire like Richardson.

“He’s got that explosive burst in him that you just can’t teach,” DeFranco said. “I’ve worked with [Seattle Seahawks wide receiver] Deion Branch when I was at another facility, and even though Deion is a wide receiver, both he and Mike show similar kinds of speed bursts and the ability to come out of a cut. He’s just got some God-given skills that neither I nor anyone else can take credit for.

“And it didn’t take him long to pick up anything, either. Mike has a sponge-like ability just to take in what he’s taught. He’s a quiet kid, but he basically absorbed everything I said in a short amount of time. I don’t know if that’s a Notre Dame thing or what.”

 

[Water Boy]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/richardson_mike


http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/richardson_mike00.html

I thought the NFL draft.com scouting report was pretty positive. He's got the all-important looseness in the hips. Sounds like he needs some refinements in his footwoork and back pedal, but sounds like he may be a player.