[ESPN.com] The Minnesota Vikings, who essentially played with no fullback on the roster under Mike Tice, have added one of the NFL’s best players at the position for the West Coast-style attack that first-year head coach Brad Childress will install for this season.
Two-time Pro Bowl performer Tony Richardson, an 11-year veteran who had played his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs, on Tuesday reached agreement in principle on a two-year contract, ESPN.com has learned. The deal will pay Richardson about $2.5 million.
Richardson, 34, visited with Minnesota officials over the weekend, received a contract proposal on Monday and told the Vikings he needed a day to consider it. On Tuesday, he ended a long relationship with the Chiefs and with a city where he had become a fixture on and off the field, and accepted the deal, which includes a six-figure signing bonus.
Richardson has carried 395 times for 1,576 yards and 15 touchdowns and has 177 receptions for 1,298 yards and nine touchdowns in his career. His best season was in 2000, when he posted career bests for rushing attempts (147) and yards (697) and also added 58 receptions for 468 yards. The durable fullback has played in 163 games and started in 96 of them. Richardson was named to the Pro Bowl squad following the 2003-2004 seasons.
