How did Anthony Richardson look? He looked like the present, and the future
After just 173 snaps last season, the Colts second-year quarterback picked up where he left off, looking to fulfill his ample promise.
WESTFIELD, Ind. – I got back from the Colts’ first practice of training camp Thursday, and a buddy asked me the question everybody in town is posing:
How did Anthony Richardson look?
I’ll be honest. He looked OK. Better than OK. After a slow start marked by some wayward passes, the Colts got down to the business of scoring in the red zone, at which point, Richardson threw for three consecutive touchdown passes. And the appetite was whetted once again.
Honestly, it’s hard to watch Richardson and not be excited about what he can bring, will bring, to the Colts’ offense. Combine Richardson with Jonathan Taylor in the most explosive backfield this side of Philly’s Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, and some fun stuff is going to happen. A year ago, the Colts had a productive and, at times, dynamic offense, sitting near the top of the league in splash plays of more than 25 yards, and remember this: Taylor didn’t play the entire season, Richardson played just 173 snaps all season and the receiving corps (outside of Michael Pittman, Jr.) was average at best.
I’m also realistic.
He’s basically a rookie. Played portions of four games last season. So the Colts don’t completely know what they have in Richardson, but damned if they aren’t excited to find out. My guess is he will have his scintillating moments, just as he did while taking those limited snaps last season, making plays we haven’t seen around here since Andrew Luck was behind center. And he’s going to have his confounding moments, when his historical lack of accuracy both as a collegian and a rookie will rear its ugly head.
For one day, though, it was enough to have him out there, slinging short passes in the red zone, healthy as anybody could hope after significant shoulder surgery.
“I think his decision making, quick processing, being in the system for two years now – he looks sharp,” Shane Steichen said after Thursday’s first practice. “We’ll go back and look at the tape, but he looked really good today.”
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Musings of an Old Sportswriter to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.