Sheldon Richardson and the Jets are going to London. Tea time will never be the same again.
The NFL announced Thursday morning the Jets will take part in the International Series next season, which will see them play the Dolphins in England’s famed Wembley Stadium. The Week 4 game will take place on Oct. 4, 2015 and the NFL will announce time and ticket information at a later date. There were mixed emotions in the Jets locker room about the trip overseas. It is a great opportunity for the organization to spread the brand in London — and who wouldn’t want to see head coach coach Rex Ryan have an audience with the queen — but there are ramifications on the field. “It has its ups and downs. It’s the same way guys feel about Thursday night games and stuff like that,” defensive end Sheldon Richardson told Metro.“Some guys feel a certain way. Some guys are glad, some guys are mad about it. Me? I’m excited about it, but that’s down the road.The only negative I have about it is that I have the bye week early in the year. I like my bye week later in the year when you’re worn down, you’re tired and your batteries need charging. You need it more then.” As Richardson noted, the Jets will receive a bye week following the game. This season, the Jets have a bye following this Sunday’s game against the Steelers.
“I’m excited to go overseas across the ocean and experience the British,” Richardson said.
The game will be the first time the Jets have participated in the International Series. It will be a home game for the Dolphins, meaning the Jets will play eight home games at MetLife Stadium next year. Richardson is in only his second year in the league, but he already has a sense the league’s decision to play overseas is about more than just a fun experience for the players. The bottomline is in play here. “As much as they sit there and say they want to take care of players, it is about the almighty dollar,” Richardson said.“Don’t get it twisted; we have to bear with it. It is what it is.If you’re going to London, then you should get another bye week later. But they won’t do that.” Why not?
“Because they don’t care about what Sheldon Richardson says.”
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
Sheldon Richardson: Game in London ‘about the almighty dollar’
