Sheldon Richardson: 'Practices were harder than NFL games last season'

New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson has revealed that he found practice more gruelling than games last season.

Richardson hasn't been short of words since making an outstanding debut in the league, having notched the title of Defensive Rookie of the Year playing in Gotham.

"When I see myself on film, I pat myself on the back," Richardson told the New York Daily News.

"It wasn't overwhelming The practices that we had were so intense last year. Practices were harder than the games for me throughout the year, believe it or not."

The new NFL season is due to get underway on Thursday night as Super Bowl champions the Seattle Seahawks take on the Green Bay Packers.