Sheldon Richardson looking forward to joining "crazy" Seahawks locker room

Sheldon Richardson 9-4

RENTON -- It didn't take long for new Seahawks defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson to get a taste of the environment he's now joining in Seattle.

"These guys are crazy, in a good way," Richardson said of Seattle's locker room. "Everybody is laid back. Everybody is family. They are real big on that. I'm used to a locker room like that, so just come on in and be a part of the family.

"Team meeting is nuts. Team meeting is a little different. They got me today, cracked a little joke on me in the team meeting - don't want to go into it - but it was fun. Fun environment."

Richardson, acquired from the New York Jets on Friday, is a monster addition along Seattle's defensive front. He immediately provides an element at the three-technique tackle spot that the Seahawks didn't have before. He can be an every down defender and is a good pass rusher as well.

"This will fit together really well," head coach Pete Carroll said. "We should be good up front against the running game, which is always crucial to us. We'll see how well we can build our pass rush. I like the mix that we have. This will make a really good matchup for Mike (Bennett) on the inside with Sheldon on one side and Mike on the other. The combination of guys with Cliff (Avril), Marcus (Smith) and Frank (Clark) outside, that's a good matchup for us. We like those guys, like the group. Hopefully they'll be very productive."

Richardson had been moved all across the Jets' defensive line. He'd played tackle, end and even some stand up linebacker as well. He feels now back in the spot best suited for his skills.

"I play football. I'll play anywhere on the field as long as I'm playing, but my home is three-technique. They know where I'm best suited at and I'll make the best of it," Richardson said.

Carroll said they'd been interested in Richardson for a while, particularly since the ATV accident that injured second-round pick Malik McDowell in July.

“When we realized we weren’t going to have Malik, it made us look to see if we could find some way to help that spot,’’ Carroll said. “So to come away with Sheldon is a fantastic accomplishment I think. (General manager) John (Schneider) did a great job of working this thing out. This is a kid who’s hungry to play, he’s healthy, he’s ready to go, and he can make an impact."

McDowell will be back with the team more regularly moving forward. He'd spent most of his time since the accident home in Michigan and recovering there. Now the Seahawks want to get him back into the team environment despite not knowing any more whether he'll be able to play any time this season.

"He'll be with us in and out more regularly now just to kind of start the process of having him re-enter," Carroll said.

"We are trying to work him back in with us and just reconnect and make sure that he has a sense of coming to work and all that kind of stuff and he feels comfortable about that with no demands on him at this time."

Richardson's addition helps Seattle cover the loss of McDowell and makes their defensive lines one of the most formidable in the league.

Practice squad announced:

The Seahawks 10-man practice squad has finally come together in time for the team's first practice of the regular season on Monday.

The group consists of quarterback Trevone Boykin, running back Mike Davis, wide receivers David Moore and Cyril Grayson Jr., tight end Tyrone Swoopes, center Joey Hunt, defensive tackle Garrison Smith and cornerback Mike Tyson.

All eight players were part of the team throughout training camp. Moore (seventh-round) and Tyson (sixth-round) were the only draft picks not to make the roster through final cuts. Sixth-round tackle Justin Senior is on injured reserve and second-round defensive tackle Malik McDowell is on the non-football injury list.

Additionally, the Seahawks signed tackle Jarron Jones and linebacker Austin Calitro to the squad.

Calitro had been with the San Francisco 49ers in training camp. Jones was with the New York Giants. Both players were waived on Saturday.

Jones was a defensive lineman at Notre Dame. The Giants had spent the offseason beginning to convert him to tackle. The Seahawks will continue that effort.

Player Notes:

-- Jeremy Lane (right cornerback), Terence Garvin (strong-side linebacker) and Mark Glowinski (right guard) will fill the final remaining starting roles that were still somewhat unspecified.

Lane will move inside in nickel situations with Shaquill Griffin replacing Lane on the perimeter. Garvin grabbed the starting strong-side linebacker job when Michael Wilhoite was unable to practice the last few weeks due to a calf injury. Glowinski held off a strong challenge from Oday Aboushi for the right guard job.

-- C.J. Prosise is ready to go this week while Thomas Rawls will still be day-to-day as practice begins in earnest on Wednesday. Prosise (groin) and Rawls (ankle) each missed the final three preseason games.

-- Tyler Lockett will be the team's kick returner as long as he's healthy enough to handle the job, Carroll said. 

Photo Credit: New Seahawks defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson speaks with reporters after his first practice with the team on Sept. 4, 2017. (photo by Curtis Crabtree / Sports Radio 950 KJR)


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content