Stampede Blue
The Colts’ preseason opener was suppose to be a big game for Anthony Richardson, who is trying to prove to the team and fans that he deserves to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. After a decent first drive with a few nice throws, Richardson trotted out for his 2nd drive where disaster occurred.
David Ojabo came free on the edge as the right tackle picked up the blitzing linebacker. He clocked Richardson hard in the midsection and Richardson dislocated his pinky finger. How did the play come about? What led to the rusher getting free? There are a few possibilities, but all of them point to one man.
Geoff Schwartz believes that because it was an empty protection and it was 5v6, that Richardson needed to recognize the free blitzer and throw “hot” which means the ball needs to be out within 1.5 seconds. This is a fair analysis that demonstrates Richardson’s inability to see the blitz post snap and get rid of the ball quickly.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky also points to Richardson’s lack of awareness post snap as the big issue. He highlights two players who Richardson needed to watch as blitzers post snap: the play-side nickel and the WILL linebacker. He also talks about something I thought about and that was the more forward alignment of the WILL linebacker as a potential indicator of a blitz. At the very least, it was worthy of a call out for the offensive line to identify and potentially adjust to.
In my opinion, I believe both analysts are definitely right, but I also do believe a pre-snap adjustment could’ve realistically been made. With the WILL linebacker closer to the line, that made 3 weak-side players within 2-3 yards of the line of scrimmage. On the play-side there were only 2 defensive lineman and the MIKE linebacker 5 off in the middle. In my opinion, Richardson could’ve made a slide right protection call, which would tell the offensive line to block the gap to their right (and could keep the left side the same if needed). The slide protection call would’ve allowed the center to pick up the 3-tech, the right guard pick up the blitzer and keep the right tackle on the edge player. If the blitzer didn’t come, then the right guard would’ve helped take the weak-side 3 tech. It essentially moves the center over to help and that would’ve made it 3v3 and make all the difference. So while I do agree that Richardson 100% needs to see what’s happening post snap as one of the two guys he was responsible blitzed and he didn’t see it, I also believe a pre-snap slide right protection call could’ve saved him here.
In all 3 explanations, the onus is on Anthony Richardson. Those wanting to blame the right tackle are completely wrong as he had two rushers coming at him and he has to take the most dangerous guy which was the blitzing linebacker as he was closer...
