Jeudy's not a traitor. Teddy Bridgewater is an example of a traitor. Committed to us, then left, then talked garbage and disrespected us on our own field.
Jeudy has been respectful with his college decision, was down to us and the current college football dynasty. Chose the later. It is what it is. Nevertheless, still respect the kid's talent.
Keep in mind he will be behind Ridley for 1 yr before he is featured as the #1 receiver. Here, he would be behind Richards for 2 yrs. Have to believe this was also part of his decision making. Pope, on the other hand, will have a 1 yr buffer here and not at Bama.
I really don't think that had anything to do it with.
1 - Bama has other guys like Trevon Diggs and Cam Sims. They bring in top players every year.
2 - It seemed like he wanted to play with Ridley more than replace him....play with his boy and learn what he can in the next year.
3 - Having a stud on the opposite side actually makes it easier as a WR because they can't always double. Look at what Stewart did this year with Ridley constantly getting doubled. There's enough balls to go around in today's fast paced passing game for 2 bigtime WRs in offenses not run-oriented.
Thing is, and I try my best not to be a homer on these things, I think Richards is better than Ridley
right now. I think Jeudy would have had a field day with Richards pulling a Safety over to the other side of the field. As a defensive coordinator, I rather face Ridley/Jeudy split opposite of each other than Richards/Jeudy. Richards is simply a special talent.
See i don't, not yet anyways. I think Richards has the potential to be better because of his size/physicality, but Ridley is much more polished as a route runner and is more sudden/explosive. The things that guy can do to defenders in space is fun to watch. Plus, he's the age of a senior already....which is why he's way ahead of the curve and was able to have 89 catches in his freshman campaign.
The way Richards is progressing though, he could make that leap in year 2. He shows flashes of being the next great Cane WR.
To your point though, i could definitely see Jeudy benefit more from Richards because he's the big deep threat WR that requires a safety, while Ridley does a lot of his damage underneath and on quick screens. He can go deep but Bama does use him in that way.
Understood. And, you know I highly value your opinion. I think Ridley's a solid and steady 22 year old player. I don't see the pop you see. I imagine him as a bigger Peter Warrick. I see good skills, but also a career 11.6 yards/catch average. Now, some will say that's a result of the offense, but Amari Cooper averaged a decent amount more and on even more volume under Kiffin.
On Richards, I see almost no wasted movement. Guy reminds me of James Lofton - just gliding and eating up space with length. He has incredible feel and makes plays on his own quite a bit. I wouldn't take Ridley as a top 15 pick, but I see Richards trending in that direction.
By the time Jeudy (who was the basis of this convo) would get to play with either, so this Spring, I take Richards over Ridley.