NFL Combine: Florida QB Anthony Richardson Q&A

One of the most polarizing players in the 2023 NFL Draft Class, Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson met with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine prior to blowing the roof off Lucas Oil Stadium!

Which quarterback would you say most resembles your style?

You know, growing up, it was always Cam Newton for me. So a lot of people say Cam and I believe it is Cam.

Who are some quarterbacks that you looked up to growing up?

Growing up it was always Cam Newton for me. But then when I got to high school, just seeing how dynamic Lamar [Jackson] was. I tried to implement both of those guys in my life. I started calling myself Cam Jackson in 11th grade, just trying to make big plays. Just Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson.

What are you trying to build upon when improving your mechanics?

Just being consistent with my accuracy, using my arms, using my hips, using my feet. Just tying it all together and just being consistent.

What do you think of being called a project quarterback and what do you bring to a team right now?

I don't even know what that means, 'project label.' But I am willing to bring anything and everything that they need from me. I'm going to work hard. I'm going to be dedicated to my craft and I'm just going to be a leader in that organization. So just grow and continue to grow.

What do you hope to show here?

Everything. Everything that I'm able to do on the field and everything I'm able to do off the field. You know, I live a good life. Coach [Billy] Napier always told me, 'You must be living right if everything on the field is going right for you, so keep living the good life.’ Just keep having fun with everything.

What can you do on the field?

I'm able to do everything on the field -- run over people, jump over people, run past people. Throw the ball pretty well. Just tying it all together, I feel like that just helps me become a better quarterback.

You had him only one year, but how beneficial was Brian Johnson to start your career in Florida?

That's my guy. I love Coach Johnson. But having him on the staff my first year, you know, it definitely taught me to know the ins and outs about offense and how certain things can work. Just talking to him and having him, I miss him and I was glad to have him.

Are you going to do everything here at the combine?

Yes. I train for everything so I'm trying to showcase what I'm able to do. I see myself, you know, I want to be a legend. I want to be like Patrick Mahomes. I want to be like Tom Brady. I want to be one of the greats. I will be one of the greats, because I'm willing to work that hard and get to that point. So, to answer that question, I feel like I'm going to be one of the greats in the next few years.

Can you talk about your support system?

Oh, that's definitely my family and my friends. You know, they've always been rooting for me, and I'm just thankful for them and especially my mom, my little brother. They're my rock. They're my backbone, so they're who I do it for and I'm glad I have a strong support system because not everybody has that.

What would it be like to play with Kyle Trask again and compete with him? What type of quarterback should the Bucs expect from him?

Kyle is a legend. He's a Florida legend. Just watching him and sitting behind him, he taught me how important it is to wait your turn and how important it is to grind. That guy, he knew everything in the offense -- the blocking schemes, the receiver routes, his checks, everything. At one point in time he was calling plays for himself. So the Bucs can definitely expect that from him again because he's got that great mentally and he has a beautiful arm. So, I try to implement that in myself. But he's a great guy and they're going to get that.

Did you meet with the Falcons, can you talk about Kyle Pitts?

That was actually a great interview. They asked me how fast I was going to run in the 40. They asked me if I was faster than Kyle. I've got to brag on myself a little bit. I definitely told them I am faster. If Kyle sees this, I'm sorry. I've just got to boast on myself. But that was another great interview.

Where can you improve?

I can definitely get better at delivering the ball and helping my guys out. But I can't also catch every pass. If I could, I would, definitely. But it's just helping guys out and helping guys help me. My completion percentage, some people say, is not great. I don't think it's great either but it's just growing as a quarterback. You know, not every year is going to be the best year. I definitely learned a lot from last season.

What goes into the decision of when to stay in pocket versus when to take off and run?

I think it's just instinct. Growing up, sometimes I was ready to get out of there too fast. I remember I was playing in the all-star game my 11th-grade year and the offensive line was actually blocking. I was ready to run and I'm like, 'Oh, they're blocking.' So I think it's just instinct and just knowing when to get out of the pocket and when to stay in there.

What have you been working on, on the whiteboard?

I've been working on coverage recognition, just recall stuff knowing where to go with the ball. That's not anything I've been specifically working on throughout my combine prep. That's just something I've been working on throughout college. Because if you know what the coverage is going to be before the ball even snapped, you're ahead of the game. You should be able to dominate and have an advantage.

Passing concept third-and-eight in the red zone against man coverage, what do you like to throw?

I will probably go max concept. You've got a lot of guys crossing, a lot of guys running, one-on-one back side. One on one with the running back. And everybody's covered, I'm open. I'm going to take it. I'm going to go with it.

What makes you the top quarterback in the draft?

Everything I'm able to do on the field. Everything I'm willing to do on the field. I'm willing to put my body on the line. I willing to grow in the meeting rooms, in the locker room, as a leader. I'm just willing to do everything in my power to be the best version of myself that I can be for the organization I go to.

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