Thread: Q & A with Tony Richardson

[size=13pt]Pro Bowl Week[/size]

2/7/2008

By Mike Wobschall, vikings.com


A key element to the Vikings outstanding rushing attack in 2007 was the blocking of fullback Tony Richardson. Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, with the help of a powerful offensive line and expert blocking from Richardson, set a franchise record with 2,634 rushing yards....

vikings.com: Who did you bring with you to the Pro Bowl?


TR: I brought out my parents and family members, so they’re having a good time. Also, Adrian and I are brining out the other running backs on the team. So Mewelde (Moore) will be here and Chester and all the other guys, along with EB (running backs coach Eric Bieniemy). It will be good to have those guys out here, too.

I love it when a vet acts like a vet.

These are the benifits of having Vets on a team for a rook to learn by my friends.

Always remember and never forget, a player plays and a coach coaches.

T-Rich is a class act & solid FB for the Vikings. I hope to see him wearing purple again this year.

The Vikings need him & AD needs him.

"singersp" wrote:

T-Rich is a class act & solid FB for the Vikings. I hope to see him wearing purple again this year.

The Vikings need him & AD needs him.

Couldn't agree more. I really hope they figure out a way to keep him. If nopt I think we are in trouble somewhat since the FB has gone kind of the way of the dinosaur. I know TR is getting up there in age but is showing he can still play at a high level so hopefully there is a plan B just in case.

I'm not saying this to belittle Richardson, but if he's such a good blocker, why isn't he in more on passing downs to block for TJ?

"Garland" wrote:

"singersp" wrote:

T-Rich is a class act & solid FB for the Vikings. I hope to see him wearing purple again this year.

The Vikings need him & AD needs him.

Couldn't agree more. I really hope they figure out a way to keep him. If nopt I think we are in trouble somewhat since the FB has gone kind of the way of the dinosaur. I know TR is getting up there in age but is showing he can still play at a high level so hopefully there is a plan B just in case.

Is he a free agent? Hasn't he only been here for 2 years? I assume if he is not a free agent that they will keep him, I think he is a good veteran presence and a good influence for the younger players. I don't believe he has ever had trouble with the law, but I could be wrong.

"COJOMAY" wrote:

I'm not saying this to belittle Richardson, but if he's such a good blocker, why isn't he in more on passing downs to block for TJ?

It's better to have men at the line pass blocking isn't it? So we opt for an extra tight end.

He is a great run blocker though, and I'm sure he can pass block quite well from a FB or RB position.

"jmcdon00" wrote:

"Garland" wrote:

"singersp" wrote:

T-Rich is a class act & solid FB for the Vikings. I hope to see him wearing purple again this year.

The Vikings need him & AD needs him.

Couldn't agree more. I really hope they figure out a way to keep him. If nopt I think we are in trouble somewhat since the FB has gone kind of the way of the dinosaur. I know TR is getting up there in age but is showing he can still play at a high level so hopefully there is a plan B just in case.

Is he a free agent? Hasn't he only been here for 2 years? I assume if he is not a free agent that they will keep him, I think he is a good veteran presence and a good influence for the younger players. I don't believe he has ever had trouble with the law, but I could be wrong.

Yes he is a FA this year

"Garland" wrote:

"singersp" wrote:

T-Rich is a class act & solid FB for the Vikings. I hope to see him wearing purple again this year.

The Vikings need him & AD needs him.

Couldn't agree more. I really hope they figure out a way to keep him. If nopt I think we are in trouble somewhat since the FB has gone kind of the way of the dinosaur. I know TR is getting up there in age but is showing he can still play at a high level so hopefully there is a plan B just in case.

I'm for one (as much as I like him) don't think he will be back next year as he is not (in my mind) really what the Coaching staff (yes the Chiller) want when it comes to a FB in this scheme.


If you look real close they keep trying to fit a guy in at FB that used to be a TE.
Rationale is that he can block (TE's do that) and catch the ball (TE's do that as well) thereby effectively putting a double threat on the field.

Now if they could find a guy that could block, catch and run, then you would have a triple threat on the field.
Those types of FB's are hard to come by.

We seem to have at least one option of getting one of them in the draft this year, possibly 2 so were does the roster spot come from?


Additionally, you have to also take into account the fact that they went out and got Mills (smallish TE) last year for a reason and it wasn't to play right away.
I think he got to learn the scheme (i.e. versatile role of a TE/FB) and he will be tapped to come in at FB a bit next year.
T-richs roster spot is the only one that is open/will come open to allow for him to move onto the active roster.

The other option is Dugan but they liked him so much they signed him to a 5 year contract extension in 2006.

Long story short, there will be some changes (my guess) at the FB/TE/RB position this year and T-rich won't be part of it.

83 Jeff Dugan TE/FB (Depends on what page you look at) 26 6-4 258 4 Maryland
40 Jim Kleinsasser TE (Played some FB) 31 6-3 272 9 North Dakota
45 Garrett Mills TE (Kindof small for a TE) 24 6-1 235 2 Tulsa
81 Visanthe Shiancoe TE (Only pure pass catching TE that blocks) 27 6-4 250 5 Morgan State
30 Mewelde Moore RB (Poor blocker/small/FA) 25 5-11 209 4 Tulane
28 Adrian Peterson RB 22 6-1 217 R Oklahoma
49 Tony Richardson RB (Good blocker, limited catching ability) 36 6-1 238 13 Auburn
38 Naufahu Tahi RB (This guy is the wild card) 26 6-0 254 2 Brigham Young
29 Chester Taylor RB 28 5-11 213 6 Toledo

FB (Trich) and RB (Memo) roster openings could be addressed in the Draft as backups/potential replacements.

I can't wait to watch Richardson and Peterson rip up the Probowl