'I Feel Bad for Other Teams': Richardson Making Strong Impression
For the first time since the Indianapolis Colts invested their future in Anthony Richardson with the fourth-overall pick in the draft, reporters got to see the 21-year-old quarterback in action on the practice field with his veteran teammates during OTAs on Thursday.
Back in May during rookie minicamp, Richardson was just getting his feet wet and was having a lot thrown at him after being made a top-five selection. After a few weeks of getting acclimated to his new home and surroundings, Richardson looked even more comfortable and in control this week in front of his peers.
Here's what I observed from the Colts' OTA practice this week.
TEAM
— There were several players sitting out or not in attendance for practice on Thursday for this voluntary portion of the schedule, notably including rookie wide receiver Josh Downs, linebacker Shaquille Leonard, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (participated in special teams drills), right tackle Braden Smith, running back Jonathan Taylor, and tight end Jelani Woods. Following practice, head coach Shane Steichen said Downs was out due to a knee, Pittman's wife was having their second child, Smith sat out with a leg ailment, and Woods with a hamstring. As previously known, Taylor and Leonard are recovering from procedures on their ankle and back, respectively.
OFFENSE
— Rolling with the theoretical first offense were as follows: (QB) Gardner Minshew, (RB) Zack Moss, (WR) Ashton Dulin, Mike Strachan, and Isaiah McKenzie, (TE) Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson, (LT) Bernhard Raimann, (LG) Quenton Nelson, (C) Ryan Kelly, (RG) Will Fries, and (RT) Blake Freeland. As for the rookie Freeland filling in for Smith, Steichen said, “Freeland is a big, powerful man. Just to get him in there – athletic, he can move. Pleased where he’s at. It’s still early, but he’s a smart player, understands the game, takes coaching well. But like where he is at.”
— All eyes were on Richardson, who played primarily with the second offense but did split some first-team reps with Minshew. The rookie had a solid day, completing most of his passes during team drills and improving on his performance from rookie camp. Richardson had some chunk completions to Dulin and Malik Turner, but his play of the day came on a downfield shot over the middle of the field as he found Granson over linebacker JoJo Domann, and Granson outraced Domann to the end zone for a score of roughly 60-65 yards. After the team period, veteran cornerback Tony Brown approached Richardson, repeatedly shouting, "I like that!" to his new quarterback.
— After practice, Steichen told reporters, "You know what, he’s (Richardson) done a really nice job. I’ve been really pleased with where he’s at mentally. He made some big plays today on the football field. He made some great throws, great decisions – some really next-level stuff that I’ve seen over the last couple days. I’m really pleased with where he’s at.” Defensive end Samson Ebukam added, "He's (Richardson) already fast, so once he gets running, he's gone. I've seen his arm too. He's got a big arm. So it's a lot to really prepare for. So I feel bad for the other teams."
— Minshew took the majority of the first-team reps and also had some impressive plays. Most notably, he found Dulin deep down the left side for a would-be touchdown after Dulin bought time with what appeared to be a double-move on the defensive back.
— Third-team quarterback Sam Ehlinger wanted in on the action making big throws to his former high school teammate, Granson, as he found him streaking across the field for a gain of about 25 yards along the left sideline.
— Second-year wide receiver Alec Pierce appears to have added some bulk to his frame. He's yet to speak to media recently to be asked but he is noticeably bigger than last year when he was quite narrow.
— Rookie undrafted free agent Zavier Scott is listed as a wide receiver but was working with the running backs on Thursday, perhaps due to a shortage of active players at the position. He was a Swiss Army Knife-type at Maine, however, so this is just a reflection of the versatility that landed him a spot with the Colts in the first place.
DEFENSE
— The theoretical first defense was made up of (DE) Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam, (DT) DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, (LB) Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed, (CB) Dallis Flowers, Tony Brown, and Kenny Moore II (NCB), and (S) Julian Blackmon and Rodney Thomas II.
— Rookie cornerback Darius Rush had arguably the biggest defensive play of the day, as he cut off a shallow outbound throw by Ehlinger toward the right side for a pick-six.
SPECIAL TEAMS
— The only participants among specialists on special teams were long snapper Luke Rhodes and kicker Lucas Havrisik, as new kicker Matt Gay and punter Rigoberto Sanchez sat out. Sanchez is making his return from an Achilles injury that he suffered last summer in training camp, which took away his season.
— Early in practice, McKenzie and Isaiah Rodgers Sr. were the punt returners, in that order.
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