It's likely more than just his measurables, at least as far as signing a FA. In the last 7 games of 2013, Richardson played 150 snaps on defense. Jennings started the games, but played just 165 snaps. The coaches should have a good feel for how Richardson performed in comparison to Jennings in the same games against the same players. They should have a feel for how much better Richardson might be than Jennings, and whether it was worth a substantial cap investment in another safety.
I do expect (and hope) they draft a safety relatively high.
then i look at this and ask the same question i have about sherrod. if the coaches liked what they saw from richarson, then why wasn't he starting, or getting more reps, not just splitting them 50/50
jennings had no future with the team at the end of last season, if coaches thought richardson was the future, then why wasn't he getting even more snaps?
jennings had set a pretty low bar to jump over
Asked and answered. MM absolutely hates (his history shows) taking a guy who has had little practice time and isn't an experienced veteran and inserting him midway through the season. He doesn't believe that such a player can be in position/know his role well enough. The only reason Richardson saw the field at all is due to Jennings et all doing their Richard Pryor on sunset avenue imitation every game.
I don't hold Grudges. It's counterproductive.
"There's a lot of interest in the draft. It's great. But quite frankly, most of the people that are commenting on it don't know anything about what they are talking about."--Ted Thompson
I don't think they'll trade up to take a safety in R1 unless it was for an absolute stud. I don't see that from HaHa or Prior. Then again, I'm no scout.
I look at it this way: if they traded up to 15 and HaHa, Prior and Ebron were there, I'd prefer they take Ebron. I do think they will draft a safety, maybe two, but I think it will be someone more like Jimmie Ward in R2 or Reynolds/Johnson/Boston in mid-late rounds. If your punter is awful, you don't take one in R1 because it's a pressing need...TT isn't gonna chase a safety unless it's a no-brainer.
If Richardson's measurables are comparable and they think he will get better they'll look at other spots instead in R1. No idea if Banjo will bring anything either. There's too much depth in this draft to give up picks, I don't think TT will give up swings at the plate if the pitches in the late rounds look good. 4 picks in the top 100 or whatever will get them somebody to push Hawk/Jones, the WRs, and Quarless, and sort out the S situation, while still giving TT a chance to shore up the depth on DL and OL. BPA all the way.