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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin went on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” to discuss his first impressions of rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson and new head coach Shane Steichen on Friday morning.
Coming off a career season in which he broke the single-season franchise record for tackles, Franklin has enjoyed the fresh start that comes with having an exciting rookie quarterback and new head coach.
“It’s been great. Obviously, you know, the (2022) season we had, a lot of uncertainty in the offseason, it feels good to kind of have a sense of direction,” Franklin told the GMFB crew. “Young AR in the building, I would just say he’s a great energy, great humble young kid. Thirsty to get better, thirsty to learn. You can just kind of see him getting in early, working on things, trying to do the best he can.”
Franklin noted that they haven’t gotten to go against each other yet, but those first opportunities will come when OTAs officially begin May 23. There won’t be any pads or live contact, but it’s the first time the team can hold 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills between the offense and defensive units.
We have @Colts LB @ZiggySmalls_ with us this morning!
He tells us his first impressions of Anthony Richardson and Shane Steichen pic.twitter.com/zBMDEx7k7D
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) May 19, 2023
As for the first-year head coach in Steichen, Franklin
“It’s been, like I said, a nice breath of fresh air. Coach Steichen, he just brings that energy, he brings that drive. You know he’s coming from that successful situation,” Franklin said. “He’s kind of hungry to prove himself, and obviously, I think he’s looking forward to the challenge of turning this thing around and getting it rolling this year. ”
Franklin touched on how much he’s enjoyed watching Steichen break down film from an offensive perspective while learning how they like to attack the defensive side of the ball.
“Even watching him break down film in the team room, just hearing from an offensive mind and his attacking personality and how he just likes to get after it and really pick apart defenses. We know just from competing against him last year when we played against the Eagles, just how talented of a play-caller he is and how talented of a game-planning coach he is.”
There’s plenty of excitement and optimism from the Colts’ building, and there certainly does feel like a breath of fresh air has been infused into the organization after a rough 2022 season.
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