Jets DT Sheldon Richardson: I'm on same level as J.J. Watt

Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson says when it comes to elite defensive linemen he is on the same level as Texans All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt.

SI Wire | Dec 19, 2014

Jets DT Sheldon Richardson: I'm on same level as J.J. Watt /

New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson says when it comes to elite defensive linemen he is on the same level as Houston Texans All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt.

Richardson, the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013, said there are only a few differences between the two.

"J.J. Watt, he's got a few more sacks than me, but it's the same type of disruption," Richardson said to ESPN.com. "He's a little more active, I'll give you that, but we have the same type of determination, same heart, same skills. He scores touchdowns, I score touchdowns."

Unusual Touchdown Scorers

Marcus Mariota

Just one week after he had the third-longest touchdown run by a quarterback in NFL history, Tennessee rookie Marcus Mariota added a rare QB touchdown reception on Dec. 13 when he hauled in this 41-yard pass from running back Antonio Andrews against the New York Jets.

Will Hill

Will Hill of the Baltimore Ravens returns a blocked field goal attempt for a touchdown in front of Jim Dray (81), Cameron Erving (74) and Andy Lee (8) of the Cleveland Browns on the final play of their Monday night game in Week 12 of the 2015 NFL season.

Dontari Poe

Kansas City nose tackle Dontari Poe became the heaviest player to score an offensive touchdown when he plunged in from one-yard out during the Chiefs 33-3 victory over San Diego during Week 11 of the 2015 NFL season.

J.J. Watt

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has caught three touchdown passes in the 2014 season -- an amazing feat for a guy who makes his living on defense. Watt caught a 1-yard scoring pass on the opening drive against Oakland in Week 2 (left) and added an impressive over-the-shoulder grab against Cleveland in Week 11 (right). In Week 13, he caught a one-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick in Houston’s 45-21 victory over Tennessee. Watt played tight end in college.

Donald Penn

Offensive lineman Donald Penn scored on a three-yard reception from Derek Carr in Oakland's 24-13 upset of the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14 of the 2014 NFL season, raising his career total to three scores. His earlier TDs came when he was a lineman with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Anthony Castonzo

Offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo and the Indianapolis Colts didn't have much to celebrate while being blown out 42-20 by the New England Patriots in Week 11 of the 2014 season. Castonzo provided one brief moment when he caught his first career touchdown pass and danced his fanny off.

Andy Dalton

On the last play of the first quarter with the Bengals leading the Titans 3-0 in Sept. 2014, quarterback Andy Dalton caught a pass from wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, narrowly avoided a tackle or interception from cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson and sprinted into the endzone. He became the first quarterback in Bengals history to catch a touchdown pass.

Jay Feely

The kicker rushed for a five-yard touchdown on a fake field goal in a 2010 Cardinals victory over the Broncos. With the Cardinals up 6-3, Feely lined up for a 23-yard field-goal attempt to give Arizona a 9-3 lead. But the holder flipped the ball to Feely instead, who sprinted into the corner of the end zone for a score that helped the Cardinals win.

Jumbo Elliot

Down 30-7 entering the fourth quarter of a Monday night game in 2000, the Jets appeared destined for a loss against the Dolphins. But New York staged one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history, rallying and tying the score at 37 with a Vinny Testaverde three-yard touchdown pass to offensive tackle Jumbo Elliot with just over a minute remaining. The Jets won 40-37 in overtime.

Mike Vrabel

The Patriots linebacker was no stranger to the end zone during his tenure with New England. Vrabel caught 11 touchdowns during his career, nine while with the Patriots. He also caught a touchdown pass in New England's 2003 and 2004 Super Bowl victories.

Brad Johnson

In a 1997 game against Carolina, Brad Johnson attempted to throw the ball into the end zone only to have it batted down -- straight into his arms. He grabbed the ball and dashed into the end zone, impressively catching his own touchdown pass.

Chester Marcol

The Packers kicker lined up for a field goal to win a 1980 contest against the Bears in overtime. The kick was blocked, but the ball landed in Marcol's hands. He dashed for the corner of the end zone for the winning touchdown.

William Perry

"The Fridge" scored three touchdowns during the 1985 regular season, including two one-yard rushing touchdowns and one four-yard touchdown catch. But his most famous score came in Super Bowl XX, in which he plowed into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown in a 46-10 Chicago Bears blowout victory over the Patriots.

Sheldon Richardson

In his rookie season for the Jets in 2013, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson ran for two touchdowns. He pushed his way in for a one-yard score against Carolina and duplicated the feat two weeks later against Miami.

Phil Dawson

When the Browns were reincarnated as an NFL franchise in 1999, they didn't score a single rushing touchdown until the fifth week of the season. The first player to do so was Phil Dawson, a kicker. On a fake field goal, the holder flipped Dawson the ball and the kicker did the rest, plunging into the end zone for a four-yard touchdown.

Tim Seder

Kicker Tim Seder only played three years in the NFL, two of which came with Dallas. But in those two years as a Cowboy, he scored two rushing touchdowns, including an eight-yard scamper in a 2001 loss to the Raiders.

Warren Sapp

The Buccaneers defensive tackle caught two touchdowns during the 2003 regular season, including a six-yard reception against the Falcons and a one-yard grab against the Saints.

B.J. Raji

The Green Bay nose tackle might be most famous for his defensive touchdown in the 2010 NFC Championship game, a score that helped lock up a Super Bowl berth for the Packers. But he also rushed for a one-yard touchdown in a 2011 contest against the Buccaneers.

Jim Turner

In a 1977 matchup between the Raiders and the Broncos, Denver kicker Jim Turner gave his team a major spark with a second-quarter touchdown grab. After lining up for a field goal, holder Norris Weese caught the snap and rolled to the right. Unbeknownst to the defense was that Turner had wheeled to the left side of the field. Weese lofted the ball to Turner, who made a 25-yard grab and helped the Broncos win, 30-7.

This season, Watt has 64 total tackles, three forced fumbles, one interception and is second in the NFL with 16.5 sacks. He has also scored five touchdowns. Richardson has 60 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Richardson hasn’t had a chance to carry the ball this season after scoring two rushing touchdowns last season.

BURKE: 2015 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

"The same people you see mentioned every day, getting big contracts, I'm on the same level," Richardson said. "I don't put them over me, I don't put them under me. Most definitely, it's the same comparison, really.”

The Jets (3-11) have lost three of their last four games. They play AFC East Champion New England on Sunday.

- Scooby Axson

Published Dec 19, 2014

SI WIRE

Delivering breaking sports news in real time.