is coming up from behind you and coming back from in front.All those lead-out guys come back and split the bunch up as well; it is a really hectic time.Im ki

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Sheldon Richardson is a different guy from the one the New York Jets had in camp last summer.Wiser. Smarter. Happier. More mature.The defensive lineman had a rough year off the field and he knew things needed to change. So, Richardson did just that and hes leaning more on defensive line coach Pepper Johnson than he had before.I got my head right, he declared after practice Monday.When asked to what he attributed that, Richardson offered a simple yet complicated response.Life, he said.He was then asked if he feels happier now.Yeah, Richardson said with a big grin. Except when Im talking to yall.Richardson will serve a one-game suspension this season, the result of an arrest after driving his car at high speeds in Missouri last summer. He was thankful it wasnt more because he has been there before.The 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year sat out the first four games last season because of marijuana usage, a violation of the NFLs substance abuse policy. While addressing that last July, Richardson pledged to not be a distraction to his team. A few hours later, the news of the Missouri incident broke.He was embarrassed, and so were the Jets.But Richardson sought help at the urging of the team, talking through his issues and surrounding himself with a support group. Despite his colorful personality, hes a mostly private person who doesnt trust easily. And, a year ago, he had to earn back the trust of his teammates and the organization.Richardson finished with five sacks and two forced fumbles last season in 11 games. He acknowledged, though, that he needed to adjust to Johnson after having so much success his first two years with Karl Dunbar as his position coach.Last year, I was a little more hardheaded, Richardson said. I felt my way worked. I felt like I knew the system. We were trying new stuff, so I just was being hardheaded. Thats all.He said he has been more compliant this offseason, getting to know how Johnson likes things -- and believing more in his system.What I appreciate from him is that hes getting more confidence in me, Johnson said. Hes asking me questions and hes kind of referring to me now more than what he did last year, (when he was) trying to get some things accomplished himself. I just try to relate to him that Im here to help.The two are clicking more when it comes to the technical aspects of playing the game: his technique on the line, setting the edge, being more productive.The Jets defensive line had already been regarded as one of the best in the league with Dunbar, who was part of the coaching staff under Rex Ryan, who was fired after the 2014 season. The big defensive lineman was already a rising star, so, he figured, why should he change things for someone he didnt really know?It was a little bit like that, Richardson said. I mean, what we did worked. Our record might not have been what we wanted it to be, but what we did in our defensive line room worked.Both Ryan and Todd Bowles run 3-4 base defenses, with personal tweaks to each system. Richardson said theres a little give-and-take to what the linemen do now from how they did things under their previous coaches.Johnson knows he has a talented group with Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams and Steve McLendon leading the way. He is also aware that the expectations are once again very high for the Jets defensive line, which is regarded as perhaps the teams strength.The big guys on the line also are among the teams biggest personalities.I have an awesome room, Johnson said. I really like it. I have a lot of guys that communicate well, get along with each other and it shows out there on the field. And hopefully you see it his year, see a lot of guys enthusiastic and happy for each other.Richardson is in a good place mentally right now, and he feels good again on the field. Hes also a bit lighter, having come into camp weighing what I need to weigh.Hes under contract through next season, and could be looking at a huge deal beyond that -- whether thats with the Jets or elsewhere. Richardson knows theres a lot on the line for him, but he insists theres just one thing that would make this season a success.If we win, he said. Period.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Sony Michel Womens Jersey . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Tom Brady Womens Jersey . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. http://www.shoptheofficialpatriots.com/Elite-Kevin-Faulk-Patriots-Jersey/ . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. John Hannah Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Steve Grogan Jersey .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Throughout the Tour de France, Australian professional cyclist Richie Porte will be checking in. Here is his latest entry, as told to ESPN contributor Rupert Guinness:Stage six: Arpajon-sur-Cère to Montauban, 190.5kmAs we head into the Pyrenees in the Tour de France on Friday, with my teammate Greg Van Avermaet in the yellow jersey, a lot of people will be wondering if he will keep it or not.Until we find out, what I can say is that Greg really enjoyed his day in yellow on Thursday during the 190.5km sixth stage to Montauban, where Mark Cavendish won for the third time in this Tour. Greg had a big smile all day. So he should. He deserved it.My feeling, though, is that Greg will get more time in yellow. The seventh stage from LIsle Jourdain to Lac de Payolle will not be easy by any chance -- especially with the first=category Col dAspin near the end -- but with a five-minute overall lead Greg should defend the jersey.It depends on how the stage pans out, of course, and how he feels; but if Greg can ride well up the mountain he will have the decent from the Aspins summit to make up any time.How the race among the overall contenders unfolds, I will find out as everyone else does.Will the GC [general classification] guys go for it?Someone is always going to make it hard on the Col dAspin. It is just where they do. Im not sure. Were not going to cruise up there. That is certain. But it is still a tricky one to make a call on really because there are really hard days coming up in the Pyrenees on Saturday and Sunday -- especially on Sunday to Andorra, one of the five keyy stages we denoted before the Tour that were likely to decide the race winner.ddddddddddddThe most important thing for Friday is to be attentive, alert and dont get caught out.Its been a long first six days: We have already raced 1238.5 kilometres in six stages. Then add the heat that has now struck us as the Tour has entered the south of France.The shift in weather can affect riders. And for that, it can give you a false idea of where a rider may be at; well, that is if you see them have a bad day because it may be temporary.What I do know is that I am feeling good, even though I have to admit that Thursdays sixth stage was a good one to get through with the nature of the sprint finish, or lead up to it.It was quite a nasty or dangerous finish. It was a messy sprint. I was kind up there at the start of it and then I was in the middle, but when you are a GC rider and drop back in a bunch sprint, you cant help but fear who is coming up from behind you and coming back from in front.All those lead-out guys come back and split the bunch up as well; it is a really hectic time.Im kind of happy that on Friday I will be back in my terrain in the Pyrenees on Friday.I think I can still make a good shake of this Tour. I am in good nick. It is just about keeping it together now. I cant undo whats happened with my early time loss, but I can still try to do a lot in the days to come. As much as we have raced so far, there is still a long way to go. ' ' '