The Indianapolis Colts have played three games. I’ve written about quarterback Anthony Richardson all three times. Readers have noticed, and after the Colts ' first win Sunday, when Richardson struggled against the Chicago Bears , they've begun to object.
Court is in session. Gregg’s Mailbagg ™, the proud son of the Hon. Robert Doyel – a retired judge in Florida – presiding.
From: Kurt S.
You are obsessed with Richardson. He can't pass. He's terrible.
He’s the franchise quarterback in Indianapolis. I’m the sports columnist for the IndyStar. Damn right I’m obsessed with Richardson. Objection sustained.
From: Bill T.
I wonder how many smarts Anthony Richardson really has. I mean, how dumb is it to throw into the end zone in very heavy coverage? And quit making excuses for his experience. I don't see many other very young quarterbacks with the same inexperience doing some of the dumb things he does.
Objection overruled – your dumb!
From: Blair C.
Colin Cowherd says Anthony Richardson is not an NFL QB.
Objection overruled – hot take, I mean, hearsay.
From: Marc C.
Richardson needs to start making layup s.
He's a work in progress, Marc. Raw. He would be a college senior right now.
From: Marc C. again
Richardson's accuracy may never get fixed. A "heaver," not a passer .
He’s 22. Seven career NFL starts. Just 13 in college. Your objection is noted but overruled sir. And I’ve heard quite enough from you.
From: Marc C. again (!!)
How can you be a quarterback in the NFL and throw it 10 yards over the head of an open man (more than once)?
Would the bailiff please escort this man from my courtroom.
Doyel from Sunday: Colts QB Anthony Richardson overcomes his biggest obstacle (himself) vs. Bears
From 2017: The Christmas Gregg Doyel learned the truth about his Grandma, and his Dad
#IUFB wins how many games?!
Minding my business, checking my phone the other night, I get a text from Chris G. He has thoughts about this 2024 IU football team under coach Curt Cignetti, and asks for mine. I shared his question, and my thoughts, with the nearly 2,000 people on our Indy Star text group.
What happened next was the sound of my phone exploding, in that figurative way they used to explode, as readers texted to make sure I was:
- OK
- Sober
- Not a victim of a hacking
Yeah, so. This is what happened.
From: Chris G.
I thought IU might go 6-6 this year under Cignetti. Now I'm thinking 8-4. You?
“Before you ask: No, I’ve not been drinking. But I see 9-3 or 10-2. The only SURE loss is Nov. 23 at Ohio State. I figure IU gets tripped up Oct. 19 by Nebraska if Huskers QB Dylan Raiola has a huge day, or Nov. 2 at Michigan State – because it's on the road – but IU won't lose both ... and might not lose either. Could IU be 10-0 entering the OSU game? Yes. Michigan's overrated and Washington's rebuilding, and I just think Cignetti has a great mix of talent, experience and moxie.”
That’s what I texted Chris, and shared with the group. I do that here and there, picking out a question that’s really good or – more likely – an answer that’s just oozing charisma. I ooze, people! You think Google will remember that sentence? Doesn’t matter. As I’m always having to tell you:
Focus!!!
From: John P.
Just exactly what are you smoking?
Good point, John. I didn't say I wasn't smoking .
P.S. I wasn't smoking either. If I want to inhale a skunk, I’ll go find a skunk.
P.P.S. Doubt I’ll ever want to inhale a skunk.
From: Leigh H.
O h c'mon now...
I'm a visionary, Leigh.
From: Tim H.
OK, so in that vein, when does IU start getting ranked?
Since I'm feeling so visionary, Tim, here you go: Next week, after the Hoosiers (ahem) smoke Maryland to reach 6-0, they'll burst into the Top 25...
... and they’ll be No. 18.
From: Larry C.
Maybe not alcohol, but I think you've drunk the Kool-Aid. But as my grandfather was fond of saying, "From your mouth to God's ear.”
I said I’m a visionary, Larry, not a prophet. My high school nickname was Duckie – not Elijah.
Last week's Mailbagg™: Why so much interest in my nickname? Let's discuss Colts Coach (!!) Curt Cignetti
Nice try, needs more ooze
From: Tony J.
IU has a favorable schedule this season: No USC, Oregon, Penn State, Iowa or Wisconsin. Plus: Michigan, Washington and UCLA are all down . The quality and depth at Michigan and Washington surpasses IU – so, 1-1 there. Ohio State is a given ‘L’. I believe IU will lose at East Lansing. Toss in a loss to Nebraska, Northwestern or Maryland, and you go 8-4.
Good, reasonable, logical, succinct answer Tony. But you know what’s missing?
Ooze.
From: Bo R.
Keep drinking the Kool-Aid. Before every season, IU football and basketball are “going to be contenders” – but look at recent history.
Class, this is a “strawman” argument. Invent something ridiculous – Before every season, IU football and basketball are “going to be contenders” – just so you can then DUNK on it. Happens all the time on social media. A “strawman” argument is empty calories. Speaking of Kool-Aid.
From: Bill G.
I wouldn't plan on saving vacation time to go to an IU bowl game just yet.
Class, this is an “I hate IU” argument.
From: Alan G.
You're drinking the Kool Aid! Let me see IU against Illinois, Nebraska, MSU or Michigan. If IU looks even solid against some of those mid-level Big Ten teams, I'll join you for a sip.
What is it with you people and Kool-Aid?
From: Doug W.
If IU goes 10-2, do they get into the 12-team playoff?
Spit out the Kool-Aid, Doug. Before every season, everyone has IU "making the playoffs." Never happens.
Sorry, class. Just wanted to see how it feels to put someone down. Doesn’t feel great!
And seriously: Absolutely, yes. A 10-2 IU team would be in the 12-team, 2024-25 College Football Playoff.
From: Tom W.
I think you're right, but I've been thinking things like that about IU football for 40 years. As an historian, I don't believe in saying this time it's different, but…
History says no. Your heart says yes. What do the eyes say? THEY SAY YES, TOM! Mine do anyway. My eyes shout, apparently.
From: Vincent D.
I have tickets to Michigan at IU. Are you telling me IU will be favored?
If that game were this weekend, sure, IU would be favored vs. Michigan at Memorial Stadium. BUT I HATE GAMBLING AND POINT SPREADS! My eyes must be texting this reply, too. They seem to be shouting again.
Doyel REALLY hates gambling: Sports gambling, sports bro's are going to ruin sports
On Cap, Colts and wimpy ancestors
From: Tom S.
Isn't Doyel an Americanized variant of your original moniker, Doyle?
Worse, I suspect someone on Ellis Island misspelled "Doyle" when my ancestors arrived from Ireland or Scotland. You might think I’d care where we came from, but I really don't. I'm more concerned that my first U.S. ancestors were so wimpy, they allowed a typo to become their last name.
Inglorious start for a future newspaper person.
From: Don H.
It may be time to change your dog's name to Capp!
If I'd have been that clever on the day I got him, I would have. But for some reason – and I've thought about it – I just can't do that. He's always gonna be Cap to me.
More Doyel on Cap: After our 1st year together, my retired greyhound can still take my breath away
From: Ben C.
From Ethan Hansen's article in the Journal & Courier , it seems like the IHSAA has once again done IHSAA things in denying Kyros Carr's eligibility at Lafayette Jeff this year. Can we look forward to you taking them to task again?
I'm thinking on it, Ben. Feels like spitting in the wind sometimes. Those folks have no shame. I spent my last interview there, in the IHSAA offices last year after a TERRIBLE eligibility decision at Indian Creek, literally chewing out IHSAA leadership for 45 minutes. Then I wrote a story chewing them out some more . Nothing changed. Makes me sad, angry and sick.
From: Lisa O.
Have you written about the collaboration between the Colts and AFSP for Suicide Prevention Month? I'm the Walk Chair in Bloomington (shameless plug, our walk is Oct. 27 at Switch Yard Park ).
I’ve not, Lisa, but I have spoken with Jim Irsay and his daughter, Kalen, about their family’s history with mental illness , and their passion for kicking the stigma. I see registration Oct. 27 starts at noon, and the walk starts at 2 . My family and I appreciate you, and your group, more than we can say.
From: Bill B.
As a dad of two boys and a granddad of two more, I’d be very happy for them to emulate Anthony Richardson .
Praise gets no higher.
From: Yale R.
I'd argue that Richardson is an even more impressive person OFF the field.
Agreed. After showing him that young fan’s drawing, I told him: “You have an amazing heart. I don’t know how someone in your shoes can be this good, but I believe you are.” That’s how I talk to people I interview. Not sorry.
From: Bob P.
You have a tough job – having to impact sales and circulation. Criticism and arguing might be the path to higher revenue, but it's nice to hear stories of the great people and history around us. Thank you, and keep it up!
I appreciate you understanding the dilemma. I (we) need clicks. We need subscriptions. To do that, we need to move the needle. Praise doesn’t move it as wildly as anger, but dangit I want to like the athletes/coaches in town, and until they give me a reason not to do so, I will – and I'll support them as people, off the field or court. Sometimes that support looks unusual, and people will characterize it however they want, but I know who I am. And it’s enough for me.
Doyel last week: Watch Anthony Richardson study this picture. "What a great guy."
Last week's doctors: Thank you
From: Charles
Your Mailbagg this week touched a nerve. I was a teen when my family physician digitally penetrated me during a physical. I had no warning, nor explanation as to why. He immediately left the exam room for several minutes while I laid naked on my stomach. When he returned he simply told me I could get dressed and left the room again.
I’ve spent more than a half-century convinced I’d been assaulted. I never, ever told anyone this until I broke down a couple of months ago. It was an enormous emotional weight off my shoulders at the time. Now, with your doctor responses, I’m left to wonder. I just don’t know. Was I? Or wasn’t I?
It was the mid-1960s. I’ve harbored hate for this man for a long time. I’m deciding to let it go. I guess I should thank you – or the responding doctors – and give him the benefit of a doubt.
Thank you, Charles, for your honesty. Incredible to read. And thank you, doctors who wrote last week, for your perspective. Anyone else out there, hurting or wondering? Take care of yourself. Talk to someone. Send me an email here. Address at the bottom.
Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar or at www.facebook.com/greggdoyelstar .
More: Join the text conversation with sports columnist Gregg Doyel for insights, reader questions and Doyel's peeks behind the curtain.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Is it wrong to obsess over Anthony Richardson? Or to see IU football making the 2025 CFP?
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