Former Mizzou defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, infamously known for his bulletin board ‘old-man football’ comment in 2012 before the Tigers’ first SEC game against Georgia, is talking again.

The 2013 NFL rookie of the year with the New York Jets said Thursday he’s comparable to any of the league’s best defenders including Houston Texans sack artist J.J. Watt.

“He’s got a few more sacks than me, but it’s the same type of disruption,” Richardson told ESPN. “He’s a little more active, I’ll give you that, but we have the same type of determination, same heart, same skills. He scores touchdowns, I score touchdowns.”

Richardson leads the Jets with 6.5 sacks in his second season, 10 less than Watts.

“The same people you see mentioned every day, getting big contracts, I’m on the same level,” Richardson said. “I don’t put them over me, I don’t put them under me. Most definitely, it’s the same comparison, really. You name it, I’ll put myself up there. I’m not scared to say it. You don’t get to this point not being confident. If somebody calls me cocky, oh well, they’ll get over it.”

Prior to Mizzou’s SEC opener two years ago, Richardson watched Georgia’s win over Buffalo and immediately caused an uproar with his post-game assertion. Since his exit, the Tigers have won back-to-back SEC East division titles.

“I watched that game. I turned it off, too,” Richardson said in 2012. “It’s like watching Big Ten football. It’s old-man football.”