news

10 Colts thoughts on Anthony Richardson in the win over the Dolphins

Vaseline October 20, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS – Ten thoughts on the Colts’ 16-10 win over the Dolphins and the week leading up to Lucas Oil Stadium:

1. This was another rock battle between a pair of struggling teams, with the Colts enduring some issues without Jonathan Taylor and with a rusty Anthony Richardson on offense and the Dolphins trying to get through the run without Tua Tagovailoa to operate the passing plays that they like to play with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Some parts of it played out predictably along those lines. Others were shocking, such as Hill and Waddle who contributed a combined two catches for 19 yards and the Dolphins still managed to move the ball.

It gave us plenty to dissect in this one, from Richardson’s play to Joe Flacco’s spot here to a slightly improving pass rush to backroom shifts. And it’s a win that puts the Colts at 4-3 and makes them feel like they have a chance in the AFC.

2. Richardson was very sharp as a runner and very rough as a passer. I suppose this fits the profile of where he is currently as the youngest starting quarterback in the NFL and without the consistent reps to properly develop as a passer, but it was glaringly evident.

From not pulling the trigger fast enough to throwing off late on breakout routes to making decisions late to attempt explosive shots, he didn’t give himself a chance for too many completions. The good news is he didn’t compromise the ball and committed his only turnover on a bobbled snap on a zone-read play.

But he finished 10 of 24 for 129 yards, and it was about what that stat line suggests, although I don’t think this was a banner day for these stud receivers either.

Over .500: Colts do just enough to beat a bad Dolphins team

3. I liked that Richardson and Shane Steichen weren’t afraid to use his skills as a rusher, because that’s all he had to offer, and it’s also a part of his game that’s legitimately good.

He saved a pair of lethal passes on scrambles, gained tough yardage in the red zone on designed runs and finished with 14 carries for 56 yards, a crucial contribution because Taylor was unavailable.

4. My understanding with Richardson is that he could have played last week if it had been a playoff game. But because that wasn’t the case, and because his specific oblique injury limited his ability to run and throw deep, the Colts used Joe Flacco.

Of course, that’s different from suggesting that Flacco is the better option. Where Richardson sets himself apart from his 39-year-old backup is his explosive athleticism. So when those are compromised, Richardson’s shortcomings will be especially noticeable: the gaps in accuracy and the lack of experience and chemistry with these receivers.

5. Richardson’s injury risk remains high until he proves otherwise. That’s why Flacco is here. But once Richardson is healthy enough to perform the basic functions of his job, he will play. The Colts have built everything up this season, down to refusing to add veteran starters, giving Richardson the reps and accuracy development he didn’t see in 13 starts at Florida or in his four-start rookie season.

So we’ll be doing some rough drills like this as he works on seeing the play, reacting to blitzes, throwing before he wants to, and threading tight needles without introducing unnecessary risk. Quarterback development isn’t necessarily a banner product to watch. But the potential payout remains huge.

6. This all begs the question: How much is Flacco worth to the Colts as a backup?

Enough to, say, turn down a third-round draft pick if they could get one in a trade?

I’m not sure they can, considering he’s turning 40 and has an expiring contract, and we’re almost halfway through the season, and teams had a chance to sign him in the offseason and they didn’t. But that was before injuries occurred and those plans changed. For example, the Browns just lost Deshaun Watson to a season-ending Achilles injury, and we know where Flacco won Comeback Player of the Year last season.

Just some food for thought as the November 5 trade deadline approaches.

7. The Colts defense needs its pass rush to have a chance against most offenses, and to get that pass rush, it needs DeForest Buckner.

We always knew the All-Pro, who commands as many doubles teams as any inside player in the game, was super valuable, but it only becomes more apparent when he’s not there. It’s not just about losing the consistent sack production that has allowed him to have at least seven sacks in six straight seasons; Most important is the attention he diverts from defensive ends like Laiatu Latu, while also collapsing down the middle of the pocket to swallow scrambling lanes.

That pass rush disappears when he’s out and the Colts play two nose tackles in the middle, especially since they’re so hesitant to play inside Dayo Odeyingbo. That’s how this team can go nine straight quarters without a sack, a streak that ultimately ended when Latu beat Tyler Huntley in the first quarter.

8. Against the Dolphins, that pass rush continued to struggle, but there were some moments:

Latu chased down Tyler Huntley for a sack that showed he could win and close in tight spaces.

Jaylon Carlies chased Huntley during a long battle for a sack.

Gus Bradley also provided a blitz on third for Kenny Moore II, allowing Huntley to take away a scramble throw.

The Colts finished with two sacks and five quarterback hits. It came against a worn offensive line, but it’s progress.

9. The Colts made the switch between primary ball carriers with Taylor out, giving Tyler Goodson 14 carries to Trey Sermon’s 7. That brought some more explosion to the backfield and also seemed to keep Sermon focused on planting and hitting holes instead of using the Hop, he is caught from behind.

But the real consistency, volume and explosive potential in this backfield all lie in the body of No. 28. Regardless of who the quarterback is, the Colts offense is a completely different animal when it has Taylor’s pace, patience, yards after contact and explosiveness has. and the ability to kill teams that are in a two-level safety grenade or when they pull out to tackle Taylor.

10. We should see Buckner back on the practice field next week, based on Steichen’s comments on Friday. Taylor should also return to practice, if what he said is true.

It will be interesting to see how much ramp-up time they both need to play after more than three weeks of no football action. If they can provide even limited roles, it would be a big boost over the alternatives at both positions, although Buckner will need more reinforcement than Taylor after an even longer layoff.

It’s safe to say the Colts will need them to have a good chance on the road against the Texans. It’s the start of the toughest stretch of their season, with Houston, Minnesota, Buffalo, the Jets and Detroit with three on the road in the next five weeks. We’re about to get real answers soon about the state of this defense in particular.

See you next week from Houston.