What the Colts are getting in QB Anthony Richardson
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The Indianapolis Colts have finally selected their new franchise quarterback!!! Anthony Richardson will be bringing his talents from Florida to the Circle City.
He will bring a different element to the offense with his mobility which can help open up rushing lanes for Jonathan Taylor. He’s arguably the most athletic quarterback prospect to enter the draft in NFL history.
At the NFL combine he set a modern combine record with his vertical jump (40.5″) and tied the record for the longest broad jump (10′ 9″) for quarterbacks. His 40-yard dash (4.43) was the fourth-best time since 2003. His RAS score was the best among all quarterback prospects since 1987.
From a quarterback aspect, Richardson is bringing great arm strength that he uses to his advantage to squeeze balls into tight windows and can take the top off the defense with explosive throws. It’s being more consistent with his throws that Shane Steichen will have to work with him on. He has his attempts when the ball can sail out of his hands and it doesn’t give his receivers a chance to catch it.
One part of his game that should help him when he does take the field is his pocket presence. He’s very solid at manipulating the pocket and avoiding rushers so he can climb up to deliver the throw or take off for yards. His mobility is what the Colts missed at the quarterback spot in 2022.
He can get outside the pocket to help give his receivers time to work themselves open and is always a threat to create an explosive run. Steichen will be able to take what worked with Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles rushing attack and apply it to the Indy offense with Richardson and Taylor.
Richardson has the speed to outrun defensive backs, can shake defenders out of their cleats, and has the strength to shed tackle attempts to pick up extra yards.
The question is when will Richardson see the field? He could use some time to sit back and learn how to be a pro while he works on his development as a quarterback. But, history does tell us that top 10 quarterbacks typically end up playing the majority of their rookie season. Chris Ballard is okay with him sitting behind Gardner Minshew but expects him to compete to play.
But if you look at this quote from Steichen. The new head coach sounds like he’d like to see Richardson play sooner than later.
Only time will tell when Richardson will be on the field in regular season action wearing blue and white but the new franchise quarterback is bringing arm talent, athleticism, and excitement to an organization that has been experiencing dread for the past year and a half.
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