FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Unlike past years, the New York Jets -- under new coach Todd Bowles -- are staying quiet and businesslike as they prepare for Sunday's showdown against the New England Patriots.
Outspoken defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson appeared to step out of bounds by predicting a win in an interview with Metro New York, but he took to Twitter on Thursday night to say his comments were taken out of context.
"This is why I don't want to do interviews anymore roger hope y'all enjoy that BS," Richardson said, alluding to commissioner Roger Goodell.
In a story posted late Thursday afternoon, Richardson was quoted by Metro New York as saying, "This is going to be another win for us. We'll let you all write the columns about validating wins and stuff like that. This is going to be another win in the win column if we go out there and execute and do what we're supposed to do."
Richardson was responding to a question about whether a win over the defending Super Bowl champions would validate the Jets, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Essentially, he replied by saying no, it would be just like any other win, the person said.
Basically, he was echoing what Bowles has been saying throughout the week.
Richardson also was quoted as saying, "We're going to be up in the division. That's how we're going to look at it. We're going to be the front-runners. That's how we look at it." In this case, it appears he was speaking hypothetically about how a win would affect the standings.
Richardson is known for making brash statements, but it's not like him to back away. He usually owns his quotes. After last week's win over the Washington Redskins, he said the Jets were "licking our chops" at the prospect of facing the first-place Patriots.