Monday, Mar 02, 2009 10:32 AM

Jets keep veteran FB Richardson with one-year, $500K contract

NEW YORK -- The New York Jets and fullback Tony Richardson have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with $500,000 guaranteed.

![ ]()**Tony Richardson**, FB
New York Jets

Career Statistics
Seasons: 14

Carries: 417

Yards: 1,666

Total Touchdowns: 24

New head coach Rex Ryan said he wanted the Jets to have an all-weather offense, and bringing back Richardson, a bulldozing 14-year veteran, certainly will help. Richardson paved the way for Thomas Jones to lead the AFC in rushing last season.

Richardson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, helped Priest Holmes record three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Kansas City from 2001 to 2003 and Larry Johnson hit the mark in 2005. Richardson did it again the following season in Minnesota with Chester Taylor and was instrumental in Adrian Peterson becoming a star with 1,341 yards as a rookie in 2007.

Richardson also is in his second two-year term as a member of the NFL Players Association's executive committee, the group in charge of finding a replacement for the late Gene Upshaw as the union's executive director.

The Jets have been active since the NFL's free-agent signing period began at 12:01 a.m. Friday. They have signed former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Bart Scott, traded for Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard and re-signed Richardson and right guard Brandon Moore.