Battle Red Blog
Chris Shepherd of Stampede Blue joins BRB for five questions
Life goes on in the NFL. Whether you are coming from the winner’s circle like the Indianapolis Colts or from soul crushing defeat like the Houston Texans, life has to move on. The Colts are arguably the Texans biggest rivals on a year to year basis in the AFC South and this year is no different. It doesn’t mean that those of us that cover the teams have to combative. Chris Shepherd is one of the more enjoyable people to do this feature with. He always asks thoughtful questions and always responds to my questions with thoughtful answers. We began our conversation as we usually do by talking about the quarterbacks.
Battle Red Blog: I hate to get stuff started with Colts fans, but from afar it looks like the team was performing better and moving the ball more under Joe Flacco than Anthony Richardson. Is that a fair characterization? Is there a quarterback controversy moving forward or are the Colts committed to growing with Richardson as long as he is healthy?
Chris Shephard: It’s a fair question and it’s one a lot of Colts fans are asking too. Ultimately Joe Flacco, a 17 year veteran, former Super Bowl winning MVP, is more of a pocket passer and a better passer than Anthony Richardson. That should surprise exactly no one. Richardson’s throwing struggles are expected.
There’s a narrative surrounding Richardson’s play now and no matter what he does the book is in on him and people are going to say the same thing: he’s inaccurate. But the thing is, last week, he wasn’t that inaccurate. He had one wild ball. His problem last week was that the balls were coming out late. He talked about how in the first games of the year he was going too fast. Those first few games he was working his reads quickly and his feet were a mess. Last week he worked slowly and his feet were much better in the pocket. The ball just came out late and it gave DB’s a chance to break on those balls.
Last week showed growth and watching growth can be painful. But in a player as inexperienced as Richardson, it’s necessary.
The Colts aren’t winning a Super Bowl this year with Anthony Richardson at quarterback. The Colts aren’t winning a Super Bowl this year with Joe Flacco at quarterback. What’s the point of starting a nearly 40 year old and going 8-9, when you could keep giving your young, talented and inexperienced quarterback the very thing he needs to potentially succeed in the future?
It’s a fair question but starting Flacco over a healthy Richardson makes very little sense.
BRB: The Colts have been 4-2 since the week one loss to the Texans. What have been the biggest reasons for their success?
CS: If I’m being completely honest, outside of the week four win against the Steelers the Colts owe their success to playing a rookie...
