<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1cizV6_0w6pJeDc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1cizV6_0w6pJeDc00" width="1920" height="1280" ><p>Following two-and-a-half weeks of being on the sidelines, Colts fans will have their young gunslinger, Anthony Richardson, back following head coach Shane Steichen’s Oct. 14 press conference. During that time, fans have been subjected to the effective, but immobile veteran play of backup quarterback Joe Flacco. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">#Colts coach Shane Steichen tells reporters that QB Anthony Richardson will play against the #Dolphins, assuming there are no setbacks.</p><p>“I think he’ll be ready to go.”</p><p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1845899083698864418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">October 14, 2024</a></p><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><p>During Richardson’s leave of absence, Flacco was able to maintain the lead and beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, falling to the 1-5 Jacksonville Jaguars 37-34 and narrowly getting by the 1-4 Tennessee Titans 20-17.</p><p>The Flacco stint was far from perfect, but the 39-year-old was able to throw for seven touchdowns to just one interception on an efficient 65.7% accuracy. Flacco was what he has always been, an efficient quarterback who will raise your floor, but lower your ceiling.</p><p>For the Colts, Richardson is the opposite. He may lower the floor due to his inaccuracy but raises the ceiling with his running ability and deep-ball precision.</p><h2>Fans react</h2><p>Throughout the fanbase, it is a mixed bag of Richardson believers and Flacco truthers.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Threw 3 would’ve been picks yesterday and missed a wide open game sealing touchdown and QUITE LITERALLY lost last week. But sure he’s “winning.” Unbelievable PR team for Flacco https://t.co/pDMlSmhJbo</p><p>— John (@colts_report) <a href="https://twitter.com/colts_report/status/1845871249857155178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">October 14, 2024</a></p><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><p>The hard sell that Flacco is the absolute better option at quarterback is a context-lacking view to have. Flacco is by far better in the intermediate and taking the checkdown, as well as getting the tight ends involved such as Mo Allie-Cox and Drew Ogletree.</p><p>While he has played a more efficient brand of football—Flacco’s inability to scramble and his documented downfield inaccuracies make for a different type of inefficient offense. Additionally, the Colts’ rushing attack becomes one-dimensional with backside defensive ends being able to crash on the ball carriers rather than being frozen by the threat of Richardson keeping the ball.</p><p>With just as misconstrued a thought process, it would be stubborn to ignore Richardson’s downfalls. In his eight starts games, Richardson has a 4-4 record and has shown to be an efficient rushing threat. However, his biggest downfall is not his inaccuracies or the interceptions — it is his health. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Anyone that pays attention can see that he’s injury prone, and can’t complete passes because that’s what he’s done his entire short-lived career. There’s been zero improvement of Anthony Richardson from year two of high school to year two of the NFL. The exact same player.</p><p>— Probable Spam (@TheeJoeGlass) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheeJoeGlass/status/1840818710673531145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">September 30, 2024</a></p><input type="image" src="empty.gif" style="opacity:0" onerror="s=document.createElement(&quot;script&quot;);s.src=&quot;https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js&quot;;document.body.appendChild(s);"></blockquote><h2>Just slide, man</h2><p>Of the four injuries Richardson has sustained in his first 23 career games, all four have come from him on the run.</p><p>While it is his best ability, the Florida product will need to start sliding and avoiding the big hits. They are unnecessary and do nothing but hurt his career, his physical well-being, and the overall team’s success.</p><p>These ill-avised quarterback runs are not just on Richardson, though. If the Colts are serious whatsoever about having Richardson on as their franchise guy, head coach, and offensive play caller Shane Steichen must help the second-year quarterback with better play calls.</p><p>The route concepts are good and the run designs are fine, but Steichen needs to give Richardson easier check-down options and fewer designed quarterback runs.</p><p>When Steichen gives Richardson designed runs, it is as if he is putting the electric athlete in a box. Rather than doing QB counters up the gut, give your 6’4″, 245-pound quarterback the option to scramble and work in space.</p><p>As Colts fans anticipate Richardson’s return against Miami, it opens up a great opportunity for Indianapolis to get back above .500 before they face the Houston Texans in a divisional rematch from week one.</p><h2>For More Great Gridion Heroics Content</h2><p><i>Follow me on X at</i> <i>davidrjacobs10</i> <i>and follow us</i> <i>@GridironHeroics</i> <i>for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in NFL and College Football,</i> <i>click here!</i></p><h2>Our Partners</h2><h2>Mayfield Sports Marketing</h2><p>Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate appearance or product promotion. Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired sports speaker. Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes to speak at events and trade shows. To learn more about Packers players or alumni appearance costs and booking fees, please call us today. www.MayfieldSports.com. </p></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson confident to return from injury vs 2-3 Dolphins

Following two-and-a-half weeks of being on the sidelines, Colts fans will have their young gunslinger, Anthony Richardson, back following head coach Shane Steichen’s Oct. 14 press conference. During that time, fans have been subjected to the effective, but immobile veteran play of backup quarterback Joe Flacco. During Richardson’s leave...

Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson confident to return from injury vs 2-3 Dolphins

Comments / 0