New York Jets defensive linemen Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson were benched for the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins. Based on some of the reports we have heard, their teammates likely were not surprised.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Media confirmed on Monday that both Wilkerson and Richardson have demonstrated a “pattern of showing up late” to team meetings and not at all in “at least one case.” In fact, Wilkerson allegedly skipped a walk-through the day before the Jets played the Ravens on Oct. 24. Wilkerson’s 27th birthday was on Oct. 22, and the team had planned a little celebration for him in the meeting room.
On Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Todd Bowles' waning patience … and cake pic.twitter.com/bZCfPjZLFD
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 7, 2016
“It was his birthday weekend and they had planned a birthday celebration in one of the defensive meetings rooms,” Garafolo said. “I’m told he didn’t even show up for that. They even had a cake ready to go for him.”
Garafolo adds that a lot of other players on the team were wondering when Wilkerson and Richardson would start losing playing time as a result of their actions. They got their answer on Sunday.
Wilkerson and Richardson are both former first-round picks. They have the talent to make up one of the best defensive lines in football, but they have underachieved this season. Richardson recently made a comment about Geno Smith that reminded us all he is not a great leader. The missed meetings and skipped birthday celebration paint an unflattering picture of both Wilkerson and Richardson.
