CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – For the first time since 2016, Sheldon Richardson was not forced to change addresses and teams in the offseason.
Richardson, who signed a three-year, $36 million deal with $21 million guaranteed as a free agent last offseason to come to Cleveland, returns for a second season albeit with another new head coach, defensive coordinator and staff.
“It has been awhile for me having my second year with the same team,” Richardson said Friday night following the team’s ‘dress rehearsal’ at FirstEnergy Stadium.
In fact the Browns return all four starters on their defensive line – Richardson, Larry Ogunjobi, Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon – which has No. 98 thinking big in 2020.
“Those guys are just ready to go eat,” Richardson said.
According to Richardson, Garrett has “something to prove” coming off a suspension that ended his 2019 season after he racked up 10 sacks in 10 games.
“I think the boy is more explosive and even a little bit stronger so that is even more dangerous coming off the edge,” Richardson said. “I can’t wait to see it on the field come Week 1.”
Richardson is particularly excited about defensive coordinator Joe Woods and the production he could potentially have working within Woods’ system this year.
“Definitely defensive line friendly, a defense you want to be in,” Richardson said. “Speaking from a defensive lineman, you have a lot of freedom to make plays. The main part, it is being in the right place at the right time, and you will get all the production you need.”
There hasn’t been much talking or predictions made leading up to the season coming from the Browns locker room. That is by design, but that doesn’t mean the bar isn’t set high, including for Richardson and the guys up front.
“Pure dominance. That is how we are looking at it,” Richardson said. “We are not woofing about it. It is straight work. At the end of the season, we look up and look at our work and then judge it off that.
Other than that, we are just keeping our eyes focused on Week 1.”
So, what’s different this year under Woods than last year under former defensive coordinator Steve Wilks?
“Just have to wait and see on that one,” Richardson said. “Any detail is too much detail. It is just D line friendly. Everybody has an opportunity on the D line to make plays without being wrong.”
Richardson got to know Kevin Stefanski in 2018 with Minnesota.
He is not surprised to see Stefanski in charge of his own team.
“I definitely saw a future of him being a head coach soon,” Richardson said. “I thought it would have been the next year, to be honest with you.”