New Colts head trainer Shane Steichen made his first go back to Philadelphia Thursday night time, however all eyes have been on rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson as he and his squad navigated their ultimate tune-up ahead of the steady season. The personnel in Indianapolis realized lots in regards to the avid gamers on their roster, and lovers have been ready to get simply as many takeaways.
Anthony Richardson confirmed indicators of growth
The Colts quarterback had a less-than-perfect night time, however was once extra dynamic in each facet of his recreation, with spectacular throws and escapability. When Richardson was once drafted, he was once a consensus “challenge QB” in a scenario the place each rep counts. That philosophy has proved to be true all the way through this preseason, as he placed on a significantly better show in his 2d look.
Certain, he performed towards a backup Eagles protection, however development is development. He had his fair proportion of mishaps, together with an unprompted fumble past due in the second one quarter, nevertheless it’ll be attention-grabbing to peer if he can proceed to support all the way through the steady season.
The offensive line wishes severe lend a hand
The Colts beginning offensive line were given a glance that prolonged via all the first part, most commonly towards Philadelphia’s 2d staff, and critically underperformed. Richardson incessantly discovered himself with defenders in his face once he took the snap, and from time to time, the road looked as if it would simply be selecting up the place it left off all over a woeful finish to remaining season.
The offensive line is filled with query marks, each with starters and backups, which isn’t precisely a place a staff with a fourth total select at QB needs to be in. The roster would possibly require some severe adjustments.
That’s the place veteran guard Dalton Risner is available in. Lately a loose agent at 28 years previous, Risner was once a solid piece for 4 seasons with the Broncos. With the state of loose company on the finish of August, an offensive lineman of Risner’s high quality being to be had is a miracle that GM Chris Ballard can’t rationally move up. Couple that with the guard expressing his passion within the staff within the type of liking tweets of lovers pleading with the staff to signal him, and he represents the very best way to the Colts’ woes.
No. 5’s dual-threat skill is as marketed
Colts lovers haven’t observed a lot of the extremely touted speeding skill in their rookie QB, which is completely comprehensible. That isn’t the a part of his recreation that wishes growth, and the extra passes he makes an attempt in preseason, the simpler. In Richardson’s ultimate preseason look, alternatively, he was once given a couple of extra alternatives to exhibit the explanation he was once drafted: his athleticism.
When Richardson takes his first regular-season snaps on Sept. 10, he’ll most probably revert to being extra of a dual-threat quarterback, as he confirmed Thursday night time with 5 carries for 38 yards. The Colts obviously had a extra dynamic offense with such an assault, a development that are meant to proceed into the autumn.
