Before someone mentions this: I know that Lombardi could have, and probably should have, let Mikey go for free when he could have prior to '14-'15. But he is building a team culture based on trust and loyalty, the old-fashioned way, the right way, and the addict Richards fucked him huge.
(Rule of thumb, guys, learned by Lombardi the hard way: addict = liar)
Richards will probably fall flat. My questions is this. Is the league going to test him for substances? We all know he got popped for oxy, so he should be tested.
As far as the "building team culture", sure but even Lombardi knows you cant keep everybody and you need to make those decisions for the team, which he did letting Williams, Mitchell go ect....no matter what the reasoning it was a bad choice and even clear before Richards was busted.
I took a chance on the guy in the FHL last season after reading his updates, how he was committed to conditioning, etc. but deep down inside I knew it wasn't going to work out (thus why I dropped him pretty early, December 2014 I believe). The guy just looked done the last few years, specifically last season although the signs were there that he was in severe decline.
I personally hope he rebounds, he is a heck of a competitor and winner where ever he goes but as a while I hope the Craps eat shit and don't sniff a SCF. I can't stand that organization for a multitude of reasons so while I wish Williams and Richards much personal success this season I hope they don't do well come April.