New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson sent fellow rookie Buffalo Bills quarterback E.J. Manuel a Facebook message earlier this week.
“I told him we’re after him,” Richardson told the Star-Ledger Monday. “. . . I told him, ‘Hey, make sure you’re in your playbook, man.’”
The pair of first-year, first-rounders met at the draft and were selected just three picks apart. If Richardson has it his way, the duo will meet again -- in Buffalo's offensive backfield.
“We’ve been dominant on the run, but we need to get to quarterbacks a lot more,” Richardson said. “Two or three times a game is not acceptable, at least in my eyes, speaking on myself.”
Both sides have quite the challenge ahead of them in what is poised to be an electric AFC East showdown.
Manuel has been impressive in his first two games, completing just over 68 percent of his passes with three touchdowns to just one interception. The Bills' best player in tailback C.J. Spiller is gaining some steam, as is their top wideout Stevie Johnson, and both have a track record of success against the Jets.
Meanwhile, the Jets' defense has been among the best in the NFL through the first two games.
Gang Green is surrendering the lowest percent of completions for opposing quarterbacks while giving up the fourth-fewest rushing yards. New England Patriots field general Tom Brady and Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Josh Freeman combined for a 48.6 completion rate against the Jets.
