Colts GM Slams On Anthony Richardson As A Passer

admin | June 18, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The statistics don’t actually back up Chris Ballard’s claim.

However, the Colts GM went away from Anthony Richardson’s 173 rookie snaps convinced that the most popular question, including one Ballard had, regarding the former Florida quarterback is now moving in a very favorable way.

“One of the things that really surprised me with Anthony, because I was concerned about it, but this guy is a passer,” Ballard shared at the end of the 2023 season. “Because here’s this big talented athlete, I mean, this guy is a legitimate passer, and I believe that.

“I think he’s going to continue to get better and improve the more he plays. But Anthony can play from the pocket and throw the ball accurately. Now, he just needs to play.”

The “he needs to play” remark is clearly the most disappointing aspect of Richardson’s rookie season, and it deserves some attention (see more below).

However, reading Richardson’s raw figures does not provide a clear picture of what Ballard saw in 2023.

With the obvious caveat that it was a short sample size, this is where Richardson’s stats would have placed in full-season quarterback rankings.

–Completion percentage: 59.5%, 31^st

–Yards per attempt: 6.9, 20^th

–Passer rating: 87.3, 21^st

-Quarterback rating: 45.0, 25^th

Again, none of that is eye-popping.

Clearly, Ballard and the Colts saw well beyond those figures to be so publicly optimistic about Richardson as a thrower moving ahead.

“Had a year with a lot of really exciting plays,” is how offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter beings his description of Richardson’s first season. “Was able to we think stress the defense in a lot of different areas – to the field, to the boundary, short, intermediate, deep.

“Probably, every throw wasn’t an A-plus. That’s not how it works in this league for a quarterback. You’re going to miss a few. You’re going to be just a tad off on a few. I know there were a lot of techniques and things like that we’re working to refine, he’s working to refine. Like anything else, a young quarterback, you learn so much that first year and I think AR did.”

Without a question, Richardson, unlike any other quarterback the Colts have had in a long time, should prioritize defense in game planning.

As Cooter pointed out, you saw it at times during AR’s brief run last year, and that was without fully utilizing the massive arm he provides to the quarterback position.

Going back to Ballard’s appraisal of Richardson, the fact that the rookie quarterback is actually playing in games cannot be disregarded.

Richardson’s durability throughout a 17-game schedule will be a doubt unless he demonstrates it without the red jersey this autumn.

That injury angle is different from any remaining shoulder worries.

Yes, the pain that sidelined Richardson at the end of the spring offseason program isn’t expected to cause too much concern. However, you must admit that Richardson’s spring workload is not comparable to what he will be asked to do during training camp and during the season. Resting this time of year is fine. The same cannot be said for camp/season.

Putting aside the availability argument, there are plenty of reasons to be intrigued by what a healthy Richardson could be.

And Ballard’s opinion of Richardson as a passer is consistent with how he feels about him off the field.

“He’s a good young man who has a lot to learn,” the Colts GM says of the former 4th overall pick. “But here’s what’s good about it him – very humble and he has empathy for other people. He cares deeply. He cares deeply about being the best player he can be and cares deeply about his teammates, and he will work. He’s very gifted.”