Kansas City Chiefs' UDFA: 'These guys are the real deal - there's no fake advertising'

KC Chiefs rookie Rico Richardson comes from Jackson State and he's been impressed by what he's seen in Kansas City his brief NFL career.

By Joel Thorman@JoelThorman May 21, 2013, 6:52am CDT

The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot of players like Rico Richardson. Undrafted free agent who does not come from a BCS program. Long shot to make the roster ... but still a shot. There is a huge competition gap and Richardson has just a few weeks of practices with the Chiefs to get used to it.

I enjoy reading stories from the hometowns of the Chiefs undrafted free agents. Every one of them was a star in their respective area so it's neat to see how their community views them. For some reason those stories remind me of kids writing home during summer camp, telling their parents what's going on.

"These guys are the real deal - there's no fake advertising," Richardson said according to this Mississippi daily. "Dwayne Bowe is one of the best wide receivers I've seen. He's going to run crisp, right routes, and he's going to make defenders look bad. I'm just going to try and learn from him."

Many undrafted guys have probably never played with a corner as good as Brandon Flowers. Or a linebacker as big and athletic as DJ. Or a pass rusher as fierce as Justin Houston.

Richardson is hoping that the fact the Chiefs didn't draft any receivers means he can stick. Last season at Jackson State Richardson caught 50 passes for 922 yards and eight touchdowns. The year before he had 37 catches for 896 yards and 11 touchdowns. I've barely seen any of Richardson so I can't say much on his ability but those numbers do show a lot of production, which NFL teams like.

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker/defensive end Josh Martin (62) speaks to media after the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Chad Kilgore (47) speaks to media after the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker/defensive end Josh Martin (62) speaks to media after the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs safety Brad McDougald (48) speaks to media after the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs fullback Braden Wilson (40) speaks to media after the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Mike Catapano (53) speaks to media after the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Junior Himingway (88) speaks to media after the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid speaks to media after the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid speaks to media after the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid walks to address media after the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Dayne Crist (5) waits to speak to media after the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rico Richardson catches a pass during the rookie minicamp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rico Richardson catches a pass during the rookie minicamp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (35) runs drills during the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs running back Terry Grant (49) runs drills during the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Sanders Commings (34) catches a pass during the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (35) runs drills during the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Demetrius Harris (47) catches a pass during the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs lineman Eric Fisher (72) and Tommie Draheim work on drills during the rookie minicamp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Adrin Haughton (68), and offensive lineman Eric Fisher (72) work on drills during the rookie minicamp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Eric Fisher (72) takes a break during the rookie minicamp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Dayne Crist (5) throws a pass during the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tyler Bray (9) throws a pass during the rookie minicamp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches drills during the rookie minicamp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs Sanders Commings (34) Durrell Givens (40) run drills during the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs linebackers T.J. Fatinikun (69) and Tenarious Wright (72) run drills during the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs linebackers Mike Catapano (53) and J.C. Percy (50) run drills during the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports