FLORHAM PARK -- This offseason, the Jets made their plan regarding Sheldon Richardson known. He was a defensive end, only a defensive end, and was going to play just defensive end this coming season.

They were still looking for the perfect way to get he, Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams all on the field together, but Richardson playing linebacker, as he did a season ago, wasn't an option.

That lasted, give or take, a little over a month. Because Richardson is back -- although not full time -- playing linebacker.

"I'm cool with it," Richardson said Thursday.

Beginning Week 4 against the Seahawks, and continuing against the Steelers last Sunday, Richardson has dropped his three-point stance in favor of rushing from a standing position.

It's not an every-down thing -- he has his hand in the dirt plenty on Sundays -- but he's in a two-point stance much more than the first two games he played this year.

"He took a few drops," head coach Todd Bowles said. "It's not necessarily that he's at outside linebacker. He likes to mix it up and we give him the flexibility on certain calls to mix it up, to not give it away.

"Every now and then, we move him around to just not get a bead on him, but for the most part, he plays down."

Whichever position Richardson plays, the Jets hope he, along with the rest of the defensive front, can start generating some pressure. After bringing down Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton seven times in the season opener -- a game Richardson missed due to suspension -- the Jets have just five total sacks Weeks 2 through 5.

Richardson, who has 14 tackles and half a sack this year, says there's a reason for that: Teams aren't giving the Jets enough time to get to the passer.

"The Bengals are a vertical team," Richardson said. "They hold the ball a lot longer, so you get a lot more opportunities. That's the reason why. Guys are getting the ball out quick now. They noticed [the Bengals game], so I'm pretty sure offensive coordinators aren't trying to give up seven sacks a game.

"They've been hitting us quick. They've been successful doing that. We need to start playing with more of a cushion, a lead, and force teams to try to force the ball down the field."

This weekend against the Cardinals, that may finally happen.

A season ago, Arizona lived on the deep ball. This year, it has been more of the same. To throw said deep ball, quarterback Carson Palmer has to wait for his receivers to get down the field. The longer he waits, the more time the defensive line has to get to him.

Well, defensive line and linebacker. Because Richardson believes he'll continue to play with his hand up. He sees no reason why he should stop.

Even if it means he has to drop into coverage occasionally.

"I didn't get beat," Richardson said with a smile. "I think I'll continue to do that."

Connor Hughes may be reached at chughes@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connor_J_Hughes. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.