Raiders DE Richardson wants expanded role

The Oakland Raiders defensive end Jay Richardson wants to prove that he can actually do better than expected as long as he is given the chance. With two weeks left before the team’s training camp, he is now ready to face competition and impress coaching staff with improved skills.

"(Coaches) were like 'On running downs we want Jay out there because he can definitely do a good job stopping the run,'" Richardson said. "And that was cool. Don't get me wrong. But as you grow in this league, as you learn, as you progress and get better at what you do and really study the position and your craft, you want to be the total package. Every defensive end wants to be a complete defensive end."

Richardson was drafted by the Raiders in 2007 as a fifth-round pick and earned starting job in late 2007 season and remained the starter in 2008 season. However, his production decreased a lot in late 2008 season and lost the starting job to Richard Seymour and became a back up last season. Making only three sacks in the past two seasons, Richardson does not seem to have any advantage in the competition. But his chance came after another starter Greg Ellis was released in the offseason.

Now Richardson is facing competition from second-year veteran Matt Shaughnessy and rookie Lamarr Houston and seemed to get the advantage back. Receiving a Michael Irvin jersey in January on his 26th birthday, Richardson now is hoping that he would receive his favorite Brett Favre jersey next January to celebrate both birthday and post-season victories.

Cowboys’ rookie WR Bryant threw up again

While the Dallas Cowboys were having their organized team activities on Tuesday morning, rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant caused more worries on his health condition as he seemed to be sick and threw up again during workouts.

It’s still not sure whether Bryant threw up because of stomach virus or food poisoning, but it’s most likely to be stomach issues as the rookie already had a previous throw-up during the rookie minicamp. At that time, former wearer of number 88, Michael Irvin was present and witnessed his young successor ruin his first workout with disgusting stuff in his stomach. However, Irvin still encouraged the rookie and expressed his kind wish to Bryant. Irvin also told reporters that Bryant was great and the throw-up did not affect his potential to be a great receiver.

Now Bryant’s stomach seemed in worse condition than we previously thought. What would Irvin thought now? Will he still consider Bryant deserves the number formerly on Michael Irvin jersey? Well, Irvin has not been available to comment on the latest happening, but I guess he will soon make new comments. The number just linked him to the rookie and that link may last for the remaining career of Bryant.