There are no pangs of jealousy in Jamel Richardson when it comes to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ success the past few seasons.
The Montreal Alouettes slotback left the Riders after a four-year run (2002-06) for a one-year stint with the Dallas Cowboys.
When he decided to return to the CFL, he could have gone back to Regina, but that didn’t seem to be a good place for him.
It turns out he missed a Grey Cup run in 2007, but that hardly bothers the 27-year-old product of Victor Valley College.
“I feel like I was there too long, period,” Richardson said Wednesday before the Als had a light workout at McMahon Stadium.
“It was four years and they weren’t using me right. That’s why I’m not there.
“I wanted to stay out East closer to my family. At that point, I was done with that organization because of issues we had there. There was no need for me to go back there.”
There certainly is a difference between Richardson in Saskatchewan and the Richardson who showed up in Montreal before last season. It’s not just that the Riders had spelled his named Jamal instead of Jamel.
In four years with the Riders, Richardson had 113 receptions for 1,471 yards and four touchdowns.
In two seasons with the Alouettes, he has 183 receptions and 2,342 yards and 25 TDs.
“I feel like I’m a more complete player and I understand the game a lot more,” Richardson said.
“I like this group I’m with. Anthony (Calvillo) likes to throw the ball. He drops back to pass and doesn’t look to run.”
Richardson was a star in his first Grey Cup, although the team didn’t come out with a victory.
The slotback broke free of coverage on the first drive against the Calgary Stampeders in 2008’s big game, going for a 55-yard gain.
But the Alouettes settled for a field goal, and the offence never did find the mojo to beat the Stamps, although Richardson finished with six receptions for 123 yards.
“We had six months to think about that game and now we have another shot at it,” Richardson said. “It was BS that we lost. We could have dominated that game and let it get away from us. This should be our two-peat.”
This season, Richardson started out slowly, but got better after getting just two touchdowns in the first seven games.
At one point, he was the hottest receiver in the CFL because of seven touchdowns in a four-game span in late September and early October.
He continued that in the playoffs with two receiving touchdowns and a fumble recovery major off a blocked punt in last week’s 56-18 whipping of the B.C. Lions in the East final.
Richardson promises to be an impact against the Riders in Sunday’s Grey Cup.
“I don’t know how the game will unfold, but I will make a difference, whether it’s the little things or the big things,” Richardson said. “I don’t know how to tell you how because they have a great defence.
“They are just another team to me right now standing in the way of a Grey Cup.”
