DB Kent Richardson

One of the bright spots for the Soul in 2011 was the play and development of rookie DB Kent Richardson. Richardson stepped into a starters role in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Sharks right after DB Tanner Varner suffered a season ending injury the week prior against his former team the Iowa Barnstormers.

Before his first start in his young AFL career, Richardson played in 5 of the Soul's first 7 games racking up 11.5 total tackles (10 unassisted and 3 assisted). Richardson was contributing 2.3 tackles per game coming of the bench in a reserve role.

Then Richardson's production increased rapidly while starting for the Soul in 9 of their last 11 games. During that span Richardson recorded 52.5 total tackles (47 unassisted and 11 assisted), forced 2 fumbles (against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Spokane Shock), recovered one fumble (returned it 36 yards against the Tulsa Talons), and picked off 1 pass (against the New Orleans VooDoo). Richardson registered 4.8 tackles per game during that span and his 2 FF, 1 FR and 1 INT all came in starts.

Richardson didn't start against the Arizona Rattlers (a 55-54 loss) and in the regular season finale against the Pittsburgh Power (a 61-48 loss). He only recorded 5 total tackles (4 unassisted and 2 assisted) in those 2 games.

So in the 9 games he started, Richardson registered 47.5 total tackles for a 5.3 per game average and 16.5 total tackles in the 7 games he didn't start in for a 2.4 per game average.

If we look at it from a games won perspective, the Soul went 4-5 in games that Richardson started and 2-7 in games he did not. That's a bit of an anomaly since the Soul are obviously a better team when Varner is on the roster, not too mention that QB Ryan Vena took over for failed big free agent signing QB Justin Allgood for good in Week 8 in the very same game that Varner got injured. Vena's play was a big reason why the Soul were able to muster a total of 6 wins in 2011, but Richardson's youth infusion into the DB position paid dividends for the Soul.

Richardson ended the season leading the Soul in total tackles (64.0) and pass break ups (11) and has found himself a permanent place on the Soul's roster because of it. A reliable backup at the very least, Richardson should further compliment his fellow veteran defensive backs for seasons to come.