If there’s one thing I know about the NFL, it’s never to make sweeping conclusions about a team’s season (hey, Keenan Allen) based on August training camp practices and preseason exhibitions. Still, there’s nothing stopping professional athletes from trash-talking their opponents at every opportunity they get.
Even if it is just practice.
On Tuesday, the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts met up for a joint practice in the Queen City. While it means nothing for the Colts’ offense from a macro perspective, it was apparently a rough day for second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson against a smart and fast Bengals defense.
Rather than move on and accept their “win” graciously, some Bengals defenders decided to kick Richardson — who is working his way back from a shoulder injury that ended his rookie season in 2023 — while he was down.
Who are we kidding? Of course the Bengals — often known to puff their chests in public as much as possible — would talk like this over a practice:
Bengals defense is running their mouth after a dominant day vs #Colts starters:
Cam Taylor Britt after an Anthony Richardson scramble: “That’s all he do is run.”
BJ Hill: “Throw the damn ball.”
Geno Stone after a Richardson incompletion: “He only throws to spots. He doesn’t…
— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) August 20, 2024
Oh, man. That is brutal to read on its face.
The Bengals are basically rattling off lazy stereotypes and narratives for a talented quarterback still learning the nuances of the professional game. It’s like they’re just trying to plant seeds of doubt in Richardson’s head over thoughts that he probably tries to block out while ideally coming into his own.
I can’t say I blame them for trying.
Unfortunately for us, the only scheduled matchup between the Colts and Bengals this season is in their preseason finale this Thursday. Barring a playoff matchup in January, we won’t get to see Richardson exact any revenge or try to put the Bengals in their place any time soon.
Ugh, what a bummer.
At the very least, I now REALLY want to see Richardson against this Colts defense in the winter. Store this little August practice incident for later. It might come in really handy.