Sean Richardson Green Bay Packers 2013 Evaluation and Report Card

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Sean Richardson
Sean Richardson

1) Introduction:  Green Bay Packers safety Sean Richardson made it off of the physically unable to perform list after having surgery for a herniated disc in early 2013.  He appeared in six games for the Packers in 2013, including the wild card playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers.  Richardson played well enough to split time with M.D. Jennings down the stretch and should be in the mix for a roster spot in 2014, even if the team drafts or acquires a safety.  My grades for Richardson will be slightly inflated, as he did not appear in as many games.

2) Profile:

Seandre Antonio Richardson

  • Age: 24
  • Born: 1/20/1990 in Fort Campbell, TN
  • Height: 6’02”
  • Weight: 216
  • College: Vanderbilt
  • Rookie Year: 2012
  • NFL Experience: 2 years

Career Stats and more

3) Expectations coming into the season:  With a neck injury, there is always an amount of uncertainty regarding a player’s ability to return and play.  With Green Bay’s ultra conservative medical staff, it’s even more uncertain.  Richardson was cleared to return to action during the back half of the season and was expected to provide depth at safety as well as on special teams.

4) Player’s highlights/low-lights: In Richardson’s case and given his neck injury, the highlight was simply being medically cleared to return to football and the Packers.  According to Pro Football Focus, Richardson graded out at a +.5 overall, which doesn’t tell us much about the impact that he had.  Statistically, his best game came against the Pittsburgh Steelers while his worst was just one week later in the regular season finale against the Chicago Bears.  Neither were memorable and in Richardson’s case, that is not the worst thing.

5) Player’s contribution to the overall team success:  After his return, Richardson appeared in 36% of the team’s defensive snaps.  He wasn’t on the field enough for us to make a major assessment of his future value to the team but his size is something the Packers like.  Because Richardson was active for less than half of this season, he was not a big contributor in his play, but he did get Jennings off the field a bit (bad humor, I know).

6) Player’s contributions in the playoffs:  Richardson was credited with a stop against the 49ers in limited action.  He was not much of a factor due to his lack of familiarity with the 49ers as well as his progression since his return from injury.

Season Report Card:

(C) Level of expectations met during the season

(C-) Contributions to team’s overall success.

(C) Contributions to team during the playoffs

Overall Grade:  C

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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com

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10 thoughts on “Sean Richardson Green Bay Packers 2013 Evaluation and Report Card

  1. The Packers certainly shouldn’t expect him to fill the void at S but he seems to be physically and mentally able to be a solid backup S. With a full offseason away from his injury and learning the D and ST’s I would hope he would become a solid contributor. GoPack!

  2. Richardson was taken by the Packers because he had ‘it’ athletically and in size. However, he was green as grass.

    If he fails to make good progress, it will be down to the mental side of the game, and if he makes it, it will be because he has succeeded in understanding the finer points of being a safety.

  3. Definitely someone to keep around as a backup and monitor his development. Definitely not someone to rely on to start next year. Must land a stud safety, somehow, to start immediately. I would like to see 2 reliable safeties added and have Burnett as the 3rd, but, I know that’s unrealistic with Burnett’s contract and with the salary cap in general.

    1. I think you’re right: Burnett is being paid and he’s going to play (unless they sell him to someone). I don’t think, at this stage, that Sean Richardson is going to be the quality safety next season that they need to play to bring the overall level of play on the defense up significantly.

      There are intriguing measureables though, and the fact that he was displacing Jennings with limited reps might be more a statement on Jennings failings than Richardson’s accomplishments. Still, you never know when a guy takes the bull by the horns and elevates his play, and a full offseason of activities and a full camp might make a big difference for him.

      I’d still rather see an established player in that spot, though.

  4. Sean Richardson was brought in because we know he has the size and speed and can hit, his biggest downside is his coverage skills. Richardson knows that and the Packers staff knows it, if he comes back next year it will be because he has made strides in bettering his coverage skills!

  5. According to the rating Richardson is our best saftey. Go figure.

    I would love to see him take advantage of this opening. He played safety all through college and now enters his 3rd season as a Packer in that position. If he hasn’t figured out how to play safety by now, I wouldn’t hold my breath. Still, he’s the best we have.

    1. Altho he played safety in college he was used more like a LB. He doesn’t have experience in coverage. He’ll be on the team no matter what he does at safety. Very least he’ll be a terrific ST player w development expected at safety. Too much upside to let go yet.

      Size/speed he’s a 1st rd pick. Just very inexperienced in coverage.

  6. it all depends on what his price is. I can’t see giving him a long term contract or big bucks. Any signing should be mostly related to pay for play.

  7. Richardson and Burnett will be back and then banjo will lose out to 2 DRAFTED safeties that will both be better than Burnett. Burnett will be gone after next season and safety becomes one of our best and deepest postions…….. TT please make this happen!

  8. I would argue he exceeded expectations since he was on the PUP most of the season with that neck injury. It’s amazing the Packers even let him come back!

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