Could be on the verge of a breakout year.I think I got hit with a case of blogging karma for not choosing Antoine Winfield as the Buckeye NFLer last week, because the performances in week six pale in comparison to his heroics last Monday night. Never again will I use the excuse of a real job getting in the way of staying up late and making the correct call.
We have always tried to give the award to a player from a winning team and I didn't think Minnesota was going to hold on for the win, couple that with this week's lack of standout performances and that piece of criteria has gone out the window.
Last week's winner Ted Ginn had 1 catch for -1 yard and has been replaced at punt returner by Davone Bess. Gonzo had a modest 4 for 33 yards and Michael Jenkins had 4 for 58, including a 26 yarder with 1 second left to set up the game winning field goal (Note: One piece of criteria that still stands, if you make a game winning play against my Bears, you are automatically disqualified).
This award could have gone to Na'il Diggs and his 9 tackles (8 solo) in Carolina's 27-3 loss to Tampa, but we decided to go with a first timer and Dublin native, Jay Richardson.
Unfortunately for Richardson he plays out in Oakland and that is why some of you may have thought he didn't play anymore. Thank the Football Gods Al Davis isn't a Buckeye, because that old man has lost his mind and the situation he has created was on full display yesterday.
Tom Crable was welcomed into the head coaching fraternity with a 34-3 pasting at the hands of New Orleans, but Richardson set a career high with 8 tackles, including 7 solos and helped hold the Saints to 3.7 yards per carry.
In his second year with Oakland, J-Rich has started 15 of his 21 career games and has now recorded 4+ tackles in four of his games this season, including three straight. So far this year he has 22 tackles and a sack, bringing his career totals to 55 total tackles (44 solo) and 2 sacks.
BTW, Richardson wasn't the only Dublin native with a decent game yesterday, as Chinedum Nduke had 6 tackles and returned a fumble 15 yards for six in the Bengals loss to the Jets.
