Colts Training Camp Journal, Day 8: Richardson Marches Downfield

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson took command of the offense on Sunday in a practice that worked on moving the ball quickly.

The Indianapolis Colts have got to love what they're seeing out of their rookie first-round pick, quarterback Anthony Richardson.

For the third time in the last week, Richardson took all of the first-team reps during 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s and has now put together consecutive strong practices.

It was also another physical, fully-padded practice where the intensity got cranked up.

Horseshoe Huddle's Jake Arthur, Zach Hicks, Andrew Moore, and Drake Wally were all in attendance and now provide their notes from the sidelines.

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TEAM

— The following players missed practice: defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (foot), cornerback Kenny Moore II (ankle), tight ends Jelani Woods (hamstring), Mo Alie-Cox (ankle), and Will Mallory (hamstring) running back Zack Moss (arm), strong safety Julian Blackmon (hamstring), defensive ends Samson Ebukam (hamstring) and Genard Avery (undisclosed), and linebacker Liam Anderson (arm). Running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis (knee) both remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

— Starting free safety Rodney Thomas II did not participate in team drills during the day due to an undisclosed injury.

— The 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills focused primarily on red zone, moving the ball backed up in the offense's own territory, and two-minute drill.

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OFFENSE

— Richardson received all of the first-team work again, and for the second day in a row had a great performance. He went 6-of-8 passing (75.0%) including 3 touchdowns (Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Kylen Granson) during 11s with completions to Pittman, Deon Jackson, Isaiah McKenzie, Pierce, Evan Hull, and Granson. His touchdown to Pierce was from about 35 yards out as Pierce put a double move on Darrell Baker Jr., completing the downfield post-corner route and running it in the rest of the way for the score. Richardson punctuated his day with the two-minute drill, which was simulated as the offense having 46 seconds remaining on the clock, one timeout, and down by eight points. It only took Richardson three plays to erase the deficit as he picked up a handful of yardage on a scramble, hit Granson on a touchdown from about 15 yards out, and then ran the ball in from a couple of yards out for the two-point conversion. Earlier in practice, Richardson had another likely would-be rushing touchdown from roughly 15 yards out. 

— Gardner Minshew went 13-of-17 passing (76.5%) including a touchdown (La'Michael Pettway) and an interception (E.J. Speed) with completions to Hull (5), Josh Downs (3), Amari Rodgers, Pettyway, Mike Strachan, Kenyan Drake, and Ashton Dulin. Overall, he looked a bit scattered, and his interception to Speed was a really rough play. 

— The primary theoretical first-unit offensive players were as follows: Anthony Richardson (QB), Deon Jackson (RB), Michael Pittman Jr. (WR), Alec Pierce (WR), Isaiah McKenzie (WR), Kylen Granson (TE), Drew Ogletree (TE), Bernhard Raimann (LT), Quenton Nelson (LG), Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (RG), and Braden Smith (RT). Evan Hull (RB), Josh Downs (WR), Ashton Dulin (WR), and Mike Strachan (WR) all got some reps as well.

— The second-unit line featured Arlington Hambright (LT), Wesley French (LG), Danny Pinter (C), Emil Ekiyor (RG), and Blake Freeland (RT). The third group was Matthew Vanderslice (LT), Carter O'Donnell (LG), Dakoda Shepley (C), Danny Pinter (RG), and Dan Skipper (RT).

— McKenzie took an end-around about 15 yards along the right side for a score during 11s. As for running backs, Jackson and Hull had a couple of big runs opened up from the offensive line, who got good push throughout the day. 

— Strachan had another nice moment as he brought in a downfield back-shoulder pass from Minshew from about 20 yards out with Darius Rush in tight coverage.

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DEFENSE

— The primary theoretical first-unit defensive players were as follows: Dayo Odeyingbo (DE), Taven Bryan (DT), Grover Stewart (DT), Kwity Paye (DE), Zaire Franklin (LB), Shaquille Leonard (LB), E.J. Speed (LB), Tony Brown (NCB), Dallis Flowers (CB), Darrell Baker Jr. (CB), Nick Cross (FS), and Trevor Denbow (SS).

— JuJu Brents made a nice play in only his second practice, positioning himself well against Dulin and forcing an overthrow. Brents even argued for an offensive pass interference call against Dulin.

— Fellow rookie cornerback Jaylon Jones had a good day against Strachan, breaking up a pair of closely-contested throws including one in the end zone.

— The day ended with Minshew quickly lofting a shallow pass into the end zone, which was picked off by Speed. 

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SPECIAL TEAMS

— During field goal work, only Lucas Havrisik kicked on Sunday. He went 4-of-5 (80.0%) with makes from 24, 33, 40, and 53 yards to go with a wide-right miss from 47 yards.

— During punt drills, McKenzie and Downs were the returners. McKenzie muffed one for the only red mark on the returners for the day. Granson, Trevor Denbow, and Hull were the personal protectors. The primary gunners were Tony Brown/Dulin, Darrell Baker Jr./Dallis Flowers, Kevin Toliver II/Brents, and Isaac Taylor-Stuart/Vyncint Smith.

— During punt drills, Malik Turner came around the edge to block a punt, much to the chagrin of special teams coordinator Brian Mason, who had some loud words to share with the blockers.

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