Some good moments for Richardson and some shaky ones, too; get used to the AR Experience

The Colts quarterback was brilliant on the game's first drive and shaky the next four possessions. But I'm still saying he ends up being a top-12 quarterback.

Like almost every other red-blooded American, I have a professional affinity for Kirk Herbstreit. While I don’t necessarily think he does his best work on the pro games, and part of that is the presence of an often-disinterested Al Michaels, he is the best of the best on college football, whether that’s GameDay or the in-game analysis. I always learn something about the game when I watch Herbie.

But he said something kind of foolish during Thursday night’s Colts’ 27-14 preseason victory over the Bengals in Cincinnati, suggesting strongly that if Anthony Richardson struggles this season – and he most certainly will, at times – the Colts may turn to backup Joe Flacco to bail the Colts out.

Well, Herbie…it won’t happen. I don’t care how bad it might get for Richardson, who played just 173 snaps last year before a shoulder injury ended his rookie season; he’s going to play – and he should play – every down so long as he’s healthy.

We all understand: Every game, every pass, every play is going to be a referendum on Richardson. Is he the Next Coming? Can he complete more than 60 percent of his passes? Can he run the football, something the Colts never did during the preseason (for good reason) and remain healthy? One game will be hopeful. Another game will be depressing. Shoot, it might be like Thursday night’s game, when Richardson was masterful while completing 7-of-8 passes on the Colts’ opening touchdown drive, then came back with a pick-six and a 1-of-6 passing performance (although there was a dropped pass by Michael Pittman Jr.) If you’re looking for consistency, you came to the wrong place.

He's going to be boom-or-bust, and I don’t mean that in the macro sense. What I mean is, he’s going to be great one drive and terrible the next. Yes, he was the fourth player picked in the draft, but he’s hugely inexperienced compared to other quarterbacks coming out of college. Remember, he played just 13 games his one season at the University of Florida and just four games last year with the Colts. Understand this, though: He’s not on a short leash. He’s not on a leash of any kind. If the Colts accomplish anything this season, they must get Richardson the experience he so desperately needs. And if that means keeping him out there when he’s struggling, so be it. Flacco is an accomplished backup, capable of winning a game or two in Richardson’s stead, but I’d be shocked beyond words if Shane Steichen somehow turned to Flacco over a healthy but struggling Richardson.

I’ll acknowledge it: I’m rooting for the young man.

He’s humble, a good-hearted soul who happens to have elite athletic skills.