ST. LOUIS -- Daryl Richardson was surprised when he found out this off-season that longtime NFL running back Steven Jackson was no longer a St. Louis Ram. But Richardson also knew what Jacksons signing as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons meant for him. "It was shocking to hear it, but of course, it means a bigger role for me and an opportunity to step up and have a bigger part on the team," said Richardson, a second-year pro who is one of several backs trying to take Jacksons old spot. Richardson played a larger part on last years team than probably he or most anyone else anticipated. In addition to having Jackson entrenched as the starter, the Rams used a second-round pick in 2012 on Isaiah Pead from Cincinnati. St. Louis picked Richardson, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound running back out Abilene Christian, five rounds later. Pead was seen by many as Jacksons heir apparent. But Richardson outplayed Pead and his quickness proved to be a nice change of pace to Jacksons battering style. Richardson played in 16 games and rushed 98 times for 475 yards, an average 4.8 yards per carry. He also had 24 catches for 163 yards. With Jackson gone, the Rams are looking over all their options at running back. Pead is still in the mix, though he has suspended for the first game for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy. Also looking to enter the mix is Zac Stacy, a fifth-round selection this April from Vanderbilt. Rams coach Jeff Fisher has not officially named a starter, but he has nothing but good things to say about Richardson. "I think Daryl came back in great shape," Fisher said. "We got a pretty good idea of what Daryl can do. "Were going to continue to push him through the preseason and the preseason games, and we expect him to have a productive year for us." So does Richardson, who wants to prove that he is more than a change of pace player. "You have to believe you can be an every-down player," he said. "You have to have that mind frame and that mentality." In the Rams preseason opener Thursday, a 27-19 setback in Cleveland, Richardson did nothing to hurt himself. He had four carries for 24 yards and also caught two balls for 20 yards. Still, Richardson is taking nothing for granted. "Im just going to play out the competition," Richardson said. "Im excited about the season and Im just trying to get better every day." cheap nfl stitched jerseys . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. Cheap Detroit Lions Jerseys . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. https://www.cheapjerseys-wholesalechina.com/?tag=cheap-oakland-raiders-jerseys .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. Cheap Miami Dolphins Jerseys . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. cheap jerseys from china . Zvonareva, who won the tournament in 2009 and 10, couldnt handle her opponents big groundstrokes in only her third event back after 17 months out with a shoulder injury. Zvonareva made her comeback in January in Shenzhen and played in the Australian Open but lost her first matches at both tournaments. LONDON -- Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been banned for one game and fined 50,000 pounds ($61,000) on two misconduct charges.The punishments were announced Wednesday by the English Football Association.The FA says Mourinho will serve an immediate one-match touchline ban after he admitted using abusive or insulting words toward referee Mark Clattenburg. The incident occurred during halftime of Uniteds 0-0 draw with Burnley on Saturday.Mourinho will be banned from the touchline for Sundays game at Swansea.ddddddddddddSeparately, Mourinho was handed a 50,000-pound ($61,000) fine for comments he made about referee Anthony Taylor before Uniteds game at Liverpool on Oct. 17.The FA said Mourinhos comments constituted improper conduct and had brought the game into disrepute. ' ' '