Colts OTA observations: Anthony Richardson has up-and-down day, Julian Blackmon thriv

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Colts OTA observations: Anthony Richardson has up-and-down day, Julian Blackmon thrives

https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...n/70265188007/

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts wrapped up another day of organized training activities practices that were open to the media.

Here's what caught my eye:

Anthony Richardson is easing in

Throughout OTAs, the Colts have been rotating first-team reps at quarterback between Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew. Coach Shane Steichen said that's been happening throughout the practices, most of which are not open to the media. But on Friday, it was Minshew primarily working with the first team and Richardson with the second.

It's not a big deal from a chemistry standpoint, as the Colts were without most of the pass catchers Richardson will play with once he becomes the full-time starter, such as Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Jelani Woods and Jonathan Taylor.


Instead, this setup allows Richardson to build a little something with players on the second unit, which will matter once the team becomes fully his, too.


The Indianapolis Colts are easing No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson into the offense by having him split first-team reps during organized training activities.
He had an up-and-down day in the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 formats, which the Colts designed more to work like a hurry-up setting. He had just two incompletions, but both came in the end zone, and he was held without a score. One of the misses was the equivalent of a throw-away, whereas the other showed good touch to the left corner as he left it high and out of danger, but he threw it just a tick late to allow three zone defenders to drop back and break it up.

His completions were mostly on short throws outside, with a focus on getting plays out of bounds to stop the imaginary clock. He did show off some arm on these throws, creating a quick exchange from Point A to Point B. Overall, it was a risk-free day that lacked upside, but that's all part of the basics he's trying to build right now.

One thing that stands out about Richardson is his energy. He claps his hands when he misses a throw, or even when it's just not placed perfectly. He's also constantly giving out two-handed high fives, sometimes while airborne above teammates on the receiving

The only offensive player who showed more outward energy was Minshew, who was often celebrating the steps Richardson was taking.

"I don't know what I expect out of a high first-round pick, but I guess you could think he might be a little cocky," Braden Smith said of Richardson. "This guy is the complete opposite of that. He's kind of a blue-collar guy. He keeps his head down and he works.”

More:Colts take flyer on a veteran pass rusher

Julian Blackmon has a new position

One of the most fascinating players to watch has been Julian Blackmon. He's entering a contract year. He's finally healthy, compared to last year at this time, when he was working back from an ACL tear. And his position has been up in the air since last year ended, to the point where defensive coordinator Gus Bradley wasn't sure about it when I asked a couple of weeks ago.

We might have our answer now.

After spending his first three seasons at free safety, Julian Blackmon is making the transition now to strong safety.
Blackmon lined up at strong safety for the entirety of the practice. He helped run the first team alongside Rodney Thomas II, whom he split snaps with at the free spot last season.

It's early, but Blackmon has an edge over second-year third-round pick Nick Cross at safety largely because of how vocal he is. That was a key piece that allowed McLeod to turn in a career year there last year, even though it was a new position to him then, too.

"It's more productive, honestly," Blackmon said. "... At free safety, it's more instinctual. At strong, you're much more vocal. I just have to pay attention to my keys and understand what I'm supposed to be looking at pre-snap. ... It's a chance for me to show what I really can do."

Blackmon is fired up about most things he does in life, and today was no exception. He was by far the loudest player on the field, talking trash to opposing receivers and celebrating with each defensive teammate who made a play. On one snap during 7-on-7, he broke up a pass on an out route to Vyncent Smith and ran around screaming, "F*** no!" over and over again.

"It's fun to trash talk," Blackmon said. "That's my main thing. It brings a little bit of energy and a little bit of juice. I also hope that the offense is like, 'OK, he's going to talk. I'm going to go bombs on this dude.' That's the goal. I'm trying to get them to also amp it up."

Ashton Dulin is impressing

The lone offensive highlight on a day dominated by the defense came when Minshew hit Ashton Dulin on a deep ball.

After signing back here on a two-year deal, Dulin is a lock for the roster because of his All-Pro abilities as a special teams gunner, but don't be surprised if he becomes a sneaky third outside receiver behind Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce.

Ashton Dulin returned to the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year deal this offseason.
The Colts want to use play-action and deep shots to maximize Richardson's dual-threat skill-set and to take advantage of how his scouting report can manipulate defensive personnel by pulling one into the box and moving the other to the middle of the field. Dulin's ability to shake press coverage and get vertical up the sideline will make him an option to look at in these scenarios.

Last week, the Colts ran a screen to him, which could be an option for when defenses flip that personnel and guard for the deep ball with two high safeties or off-man coverage.