Colts players vote rookie Anthony Richardson as a team captain

[JAFF]

Colts players vote rookie Anthony Richardson as a team captain




INDIANAPOLIS — Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson has been named one of the seven Colts captains for the 2023 season.

The captains were selected by player vote, and the other six players are all established Indianapolis veterans: DeForest Buckner, Zaire Franklin, Ryan Kelly, Kenny Moore II, Quenton Nelson and Shaquille Leonard.

But the quarterback’s role carries an important leadership position, and the Colts teammates have responded to Richardson’s infectious joy.

‘He’s going to be really special':Colts name Anthony Richardson starting quarterback

[ChoppedWood]

Way to start on the right note. So far, kid seems to be the leader we have desperately needed.

[Brylok]

There's no true captain/leader on the team. It's been a problem for years. Maybe Buckner is a leader. Hopefully Richardson will become one. Leonard is a "me" guy and certainly isn't a leader. And how are Leonard and Franklin both supposed to share leadership when they're both linebackers? Too many chiefs and not enough (worthy and willing) indians. Oh well, it's a start anyway.

[Brylok]

Also, just because you've been on the team for years doesn't make you a leader. Kelly and Nelson are leaders? Ha! No, they've just been there for years. Kenny Moore is more of a survivor than a leader. He's playing with literally kids at this point, so I guess they probably see him as a leader because he's their elder. Elders aren't necessarily leaders. But enough of my pontificating for now. Good for them and good luck.

[ChaosTheory]

There's no true captain/leader on the team. It's been a problem for years. Maybe Buckner is a leader. Hopefully Richardson will become one. Leonard is a "me" guy and certainly isn't a leader. And how are Leonard and Franklin both supposed to share leadership when they're both linebackers? Too many chiefs and not enough (worthy and willing) indians. Oh well, it's a start anyway.

What makes you think Buckner is a leader?

[Brylok]

What makes you think Buckner is a leader?

I said maybe he's a leader. He's really good, consistent, and doesn't miss much playing time or cause any issues on/off the field. An overall standout leader has been missing for years. Cory Redding was probably the last leader we've had.

[Hoopsdoc]

Also, just because you've been on the team for years doesn't make you a leader. Kelly and Nelson are leaders? Ha! No, they've just been there for years. Kenny Moore is more of a survivor than a leader. He's playing with literally kids at this point, so I guess they probably see him as a leader because he's their elder. Elders aren't necessarily leaders. But enough of my pontificating for now. Good for them and good luck.

Omaha has been dogging Leonard for years for his lack of leadership.

[Hoopsdoc]

Colts players vote rookie Anthony Richardson as a team captain

Don’t know that I’ve been more excited about a single player since Lucks rookie year.

I really think this kid has what it takes to be great.

[ChaosTheory]

I said maybe he's a leader. He's really good, consistent, and doesn't miss much playing time or cause any issues on/off the field. An overall standout leader has been missing for years. Cory Redding was probably the last leader we've had.

Wasn't a dig on your opinion. I just never know what guys mean when this leadership stuff comes up.

All I know is that the players decide it based on stuff I can't see. Kelly has always been noted for his locker room presence. Nelson is probably more vocal than he is in public, but I would guess he's mostly lead-by-example guy.

Franklin is another guy who's always been touted, even when he was a ST guy. #1 thing people talk about with Leonard is his infection energy, which is both rah-rah and lead-by-example to me.

Moore is interesting. He obviously had his contract spat which pissed people off (me included), but he was also our Man of the Year nominee in '21 so guys must see something there. Plus, like you mentioned, he's a vet in a secondary full of youngbloods. Definitely a factor.

Richardson is a formality. QB's have to be captains or you're fucked. So in-line with the strategy of throwing him out there, make him captain and see if he earns it sooner rather than later. Looks to have the confidence of the team.

[Brylok]

Omaha has been dogging Leonard for years for his lack of leadership.

Yep, and he's right. Omaha is the one that really got me thinking about the void we have had. I think that was two(?) years ago.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Cory Redding was probably the last leader we've had.


That is almost 10 years ago!! I don't think it has been quite that long.

I think the last leader on defense that was like a coach on the field was probably Anthony Walker Jr.

When he moved on to Cleveland, on field communication got worse.

[Brylok]

Ha! You're right, time flies. He just popped into my head because his leadership was easy to see week in and week out, so I remember it. Philip Rivers was probably the last one we had, but he was old. Just my opinion though. I just don't remember seeing much of anything leadership wise for a long time. I hope AR can do it. Zaire Franklin might be one now. Josh Downs might have the mentality. JuJu Brents would be a great spot for a leader. I'm just a novice. Omaha got me thinking about it, so I'd listen to him if I were you.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

I said maybe he's a leader. He's really good, consistent, and doesn't miss much playing time or cause any issues on/off the field.


I will add that I do think Buckner is a leader. Just a different type of leader than Walker.

I could give several examples for Buckner - one example would be that he has previously invited some of the young defensive linemen to join him for his off season workouts....basically to show what he does in the off season to be prepared and ready for the next year.

Walker was more of a coach on the field. When the coaching staff was installing a new scheme, Walker would ask questions - not only for the LB position but for all position groups - he wanted to understand the scheme in its entirety. And those questions probably helped everyone in case a rookie DB or DL didn't understand something either and didn't want to ask the question themselves. On the field, the other players would sometimes go to Walker instead of the coaches if they had a question between plays or while in the huddle. He would also hold other players accountable and highlight and try to understand why there was a missed assignment during film review.

I think this type of leader on the defense has been missing since he departed to Cleveland.

[Chromeburn]

I will add that I do think Buckner is a leader. Just a different type of leader than Walker.

I could give several examples for Buckner - one example would be that he has previously invited some of the young defensive linemen to join him for his off season workouts....basically to show what he does in the off season to be prepared and ready for the next year.

Walker was more of a coach on the field. When the coaching staff was installing a new scheme, Walker would ask questions - not only for the LB position but for all position groups - he wanted to understand the scheme in its entirety. And those questions probably helped everyone in case a rookie DB or DL didn't understand something either and didn't want to ask the question themselves. On the field, the other players would sometimes go to Walker instead of the coaches if they had a question between plays or while in the huddle. He would also hold other players accountable and highlight and try to understand why there was a missed assignment during film review.

I think this type of leader on the defense has been missing since he departed to Cleveland.

Buckner is a leader, Zaire is a leader, Shaq, Kelly, Q, Grover. We’ve got leaders. Very overblown concern. Problem apparently was lack of accountability from the coaches and Reich. A bit too much of a players coach.

[Oldcolt]

The only 'leading' from the players that this team needs is leading by making plays on the damn field. Leadership of the entire team can only come from the coaching staff. Winning takes care of all this shit.

[IndyNorm]

Agree that Buckner and Franklin appear to be good leaders. Kelly and Q aren't, which was on full display when they did fuck all about that POS Thibodeaux.

[Mr. Session]

Josh Downs might have the mentality.

Downs strikes me as a pretty boy. IDK. I'd like to see him drop that gay turtle neck thing and worry about catching the football or actually being effective as a returner.

I guess we'll see. Zaire is clearly the vocal leader at this point. He stepped up last year and has taken ownership of his role.