On the same day the Jets officially got RB LaDainian Tomlinson’s signature on a contract, another Tuesday transaction — FB Tony Richardson returning on a one-year deal – really shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Yes, Richardson is 38. Yes, he’ll enter his 16th NFL season. OK, he had 10 touches … all last season. But Richardson was one of the key cogs in the Jets’ league-leading rushing attack that averaged 172.2 yards per game last season and had three 300-yard games.

In fact, Richardson has led the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in each of the last five seasons and eight of the last nine. That list includes four 1,500-yard seasons — two by Priest Holmes (1,555 in 2001 and 1,615 in 2002) and two by Larry Johnson (1,750 in 2005 and 1,789 in 2006). That’s a fullback’s dream resume.

NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks offered his take on Richardson after news of the deal broke, noting that he’s a physical blocker at the point of attack and excels in creating seams for running backs.

Maybe Richardson goes largely unnoticed now, but he won’t come September.

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