Nov
Richardson getting NFL interest
Courtesy Montreal Gazette:
The Alouettes have waited years for a receiver like Jamel Richardson. He’s big, dynamic and electrifying. He’s a potential threat on every play. And, it’s beginning to look like he’s too good for the Canadian Football League.
Unless something dramatic occurs, Richardson might only be a one-year wonder in Montreal. Heading into the option year of his contract in 2009, he’ll have a window of opportunity to work out, and sign, with a National Football League team. And it’ll be surprising if that doesn’t transpire.
Paul Sheehy, Richardson’s Colorado-based agent, revealed to The Gazette in an email yesterday that at least seven NFL teams have inquired about Richardson, including four in the last 10 days.
“Jamel’s performance this season hasn’t gone unnoticed by any means,” Sheehy said, before adding that Richardson’s contract is structured in such a way it will require a “very, very strong play by an NFL team for us to make the move.”
“We’re listening, but it’s not going to happen for an opportunity-only deal,” he added. “That much I’m sure of.”
The 6-foot-2, 224-pound Richardson tried out for the Dallas Cowboys last season and was released at training camp. He returned home to Syracuse, N.Y., and awaited his next opportunity – one that didn’t come until this year.
“I guess the potential of him going to the NFL is always there,” Als assistant general manager Marcel Desjardins said. “But you don’t know what each team’s looking for. A lot of times when a guy has had a chance, (as he did) in Dallas, obviously there’s a reason why he’s not there. But is the potential of him returning there? Absolutely. That said, there’s not a lot we can do.”
Except sit back and wait, cross his fingers, hope and then react.
Players can always be replaced, but the Als haven’t had a gem at receiver like Richardson since Jeremaine Copeland bolted to Calgary as a free agent in 2004 after four seasons with Montreal.
The Als produce 1,000-yard receivers on an annual basis; it’s not uncommon in the CFL, where offences are geared around passing. But Copeland was different, and he brought a swagger to the team. Just like Richardson is unique in his own way.
“He has brought an element we’ve missed for several years,” veteran slotback Ben Cahoon said of Richardson. “He’s that third receiver who requires a lot of attention or he burns you. And he brought a different element. Kerry Watkins is quick and runs phenomenal routes. But he runs around you. Jamel runs through you.
“He has surprised everyone, and I think he shocked upper management by how big he was.”
Richardson had his most productive CFL season, setting career highs across the board. He caught 98 passes for 1,287 yards, while scoring a league-leading 16 touchdowns, a team record. He made spectacular one-handed receptions and scored some long and electrifying touchdowns. Yesterday, he was one of five Montreal players named a CFL offensive all-star, the others being quarterback Anthony Calvillo, Cahoon, centre Bryan Chiu and guard Scott Flory.
