Colts Minicamp Journal: Defense Wins but Richardson Shows Promise
The Indianapolis Colts have wrapped their first mandatory minicamp under head coach Shane Steichen following two days of practice. Steichen canceled the third and final session on Friday after having linemen catch a couple of punts to end the practice.
Now, we won't see the Colts reconvene until training camp begins near the end of July.
I roamed the sidelines this week for minicamp and now give you the contents of my daily journal.
TEAM
— There were quite a few notable players who did not participate in practice due to various ailments. Running backs Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss, wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, tight end Jelani Woods, defensive end Tyquan Lewis, linebacker Shaquille Leonard, and rookie cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Darius Rush were among them.
— Right tackle Braden Smith returned to the field after missing some of OTAs with a knee issue. Wide receiver Alec Pierce was also back after missing some time with a foot injury.
— There were a couple of tryout players in attendance, both of whom were also there for rookie minicamp in safety Michael Tutsie (North Dakota State) and running back Toriano Clinton (UIndy).
OFFENSE
— The Colts split first-team reps at quarterback between Gardner Minshew and rookie Anthony Richardson again, with Minshew getting the first rounds of 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 sessions and Richardson getting the next rounds.
— Richardson was on full display but he and the group of quarterbacks had a rough go of it during team drills on both days. The defense set the tone as the offensive passing game floundered. Richardson was 5-of-13 passing (38.5%) during 11-on-11 drills through both days but there was plenty of context in those numbers. Richardson wasn't spotless by any means. Some of his throws were just simply off-target or late. However, there were a handful of drops from the pass-catchers as well. The ease at which the ball leaves Richardson's hand and the suddenness with which he cuts around traffic in the pocket is impossible not to notice. Some of the highlights of Richardson's first veteran minicamp was a 60-yard touchdown throw to Vyncint Smith during 7-on-7s on Tuesday that was all through the air. Richardson later had a beautiful throw as Mo Alie-Cox streaked across the middle of the field, but Alie-Cox couldn't hold onto it as it hit his fingertips. On Wednesday, Richardson uncorked another bomb downfield to Breshad Perriman, which was broken up by Nick Cross. On one of his better throws of Wednesday, Richardson rolled to his right and floated a ball perfectly to Smith over the defender, down the right sideline for about 15 yards.
— The Colts have sent Pierce out as a receiver while Richardson is at quarterback regardless if it's the first or second unit. With Pittman out, Pierce is essentially WR1, so this may be something the Colts are doing to help Richardson and Pierce grow together.
— This is probably insignificant toward the overall depth chart of the Colts but noteworthy nonetheless, but with the top two running backs in Taylor and Moss not practicing, Jake Funk was the first running back to see action in team drills on both days. Deon Jackson, who saw plenty of action last season, and even rookie Evan Hull were perhaps expected to be the next players up.
— Hull had a play that looked like a legitimate gash run while he was in the backfield in shotgun with Richardson. It was an option play where Richardson handed the ball off to Hull and he had a ton of green grass to run through. Hull has looked impressive all throughout the offseason program.
DEFENSE
— As per usual, the Colts' defense is a lively bunch and this week was no different. This group is now in Year 2 with coordinator Gus Bradley, and numerous players have mentioned their comfort level now at this time of the year versus last offseason.
— Young defensive backs continue to pick on third-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger. He threw an interception to rookie Darius Rush back in OTAs and this week got picked by another rookie in Jaylon Jones during 7-on-7s on Tuesday. Jones broke up another Ehlinger pass shortly after. On Wednesday, safety Trevor Denbow had the play of the day as he fell back and intercepted Ehlinger with just one hand, much to the delighted screams from the rest of the defense.
— Second-year corner Dallis Flowers had some nice moments this week. During the first team session on Tuesday, he broke up a deep downfield pass that Minshew threw to Ashton Dulin, causing the defense to get rowdy. He also broke up another Minshew pass on Wednesday.
— We saw this a bit last year also, but second-year linebacker JoJo Domann was spotted practicing long snapping during a short portion of practice. This could be something that comes into play if Colts long snapper Luke Rhodes ever has to miss time.
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