Tag: Gardner Minshew

Fantasy football preview: Anthony Richardson vs. Gardner Minshew

A fantasy football breakdown of Colts QBs Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew.

The Indianapolis Colts are looking to usher in a new era under center after spending the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft on Anthony Richardson out of Florida.

While the future of the position currently belongs to Richardson, the organization hedged their bets by signing veteran Gardner Minshew in free agency as a bridge option in Shane Steichen’s scheme.

For fantasy football purposes, we’re here to examine the outlook of the new quarterback room in Indianapolis and which signal-caller managers should target in their upcoming drafts for the 2023 season.

How Anthony Richardson leans on veteran QBs for support

Anthony Richardson has a strong support system in the QB room.

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The Indianapolis Colts used the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft to select quarterback Anthony Richardson for what he could be in the future.

Knowing there will be a long road of development and growing pains for a 21-year-old with just 13 collegiate starts under his belt, it’s vital for Richardson to get help and advice from several avenues as he adjusts to life in the NFL.

While Richardson likely plays a game of 20 questions with head coach Shane Steichen on a daily basis, the rookie also has learned quickly to lean on the other quarterbacks in the room. This is especially true for Gardner Minshew, who enters his third season in Steichen’s offense.

“[Minshew’s] been through it, Sam has been through it. They just help me stay calm. As a rookie, especially a QB, it’s a lot. You would see it as too much and they just help me stay sane. It’s all part of the process, we’ve all been through it and we all want to know everything but we can’t,” Richardson tole the media at minicamp.

It has been clear that Richardson is chomping at the bit to learn everything he can about succeeding at the quarterback position. The rookie has constantly asked questions, and his eagerness to learn is one of his best qualities.

And with those growing pains, Richardson knows to lean on the support system he has with Minshew and Ehlinger.

“It’s just a matter of learning. Going through those practices where it does seem too fast for me and I do make mistakes here and there, it’s like okay I made this mistake because of that and I have to fix it for the future,” Richardson said.

It can be a type of sensory overload for rookie quarterbacks entering the league. It’s a completely different style of play, especially when it comes to adjusting to the difference in spacing and alignment compared to college.

Having a quarterback like Minshew in the room helps Richardson slow the process down without suffering from an overabundance of information. Keeping it simple is vital.

“I can talk to Gardner, I can talk to Sam because he’s run similar offenses as well. Just talking to them, they help simplify it for me,” said Richardson, “Coach is going to teach it the way he does and as a QB that has played in the offense – [Minshew] might see it a little different because he’s on the field. Just getting information from Gardner and Sam is definitely helpful. It keeps me sane.”

Richardson split first-team reps with Minshew during OTAs and minicamp, and it’s likely that will be the case when the team returns for the start of training camp at the end of July.

And while the duo will be pushing each other for the starting role, it’s encouraging that the rookie has a strong support system right there alongside him in the quarterback room.

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7 biggest takeaways from Colts’ minicamp

Here are the biggest takeaways from Colts’ minicamp.

The Indianapolis Colts spent two days wrapping up the offseason workout program last week with mandatory minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.

Minicamp is essentially an extension of the organized team activity (OTA) practices the Colts went through during the months of May and June with the slight difference in that the media is permitted to attend every practice.

Here are the seven biggest takeaways from Colts minicamp in 2023:

ESPN analyst: Colts among teams with worst offseason

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wasn’t too excited about the moves the Colts made this offseason.

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After a disappointing 4-12-1 season, the expectations were high for the Indianapolis Colts to nail their offseason moves, starting with the installation of a new coaching staff, building through the draft, and adding free agents.

While there are plenty of reasons for optimism about the direction of the team following the offseason, ESPN recently released a ranking of the teams with best and worst offseasons, and they were less than impressed with the Colts.

General manager Chris Ballard’s team landed at No. 24 on ESPN staff writer Bill Barnwell’s list. The list is based on what the team did during the offseason to increase its chances of winning a Super Bowl, in the short term and long term, given the roster and resources it had to work with.

Barnwell then breaks down the offseason into “what went right,” “what went wrong,” and “what is left to do.”

The team’s most significant move that went well was drafting quarterback Anthony Richardson and not having to move some serious capital to pull it off. Barnwell credits the team for investing in Richardson after a series of moves that didn’t pan out post-Andrew Luck’s departure. He also credited the team for signing Gardener Minshew as insurance if Richardson struggles.

However, Barnwell did not hold back about what he felt were serious missteps or concerns. His biggest problems on the offensive side were whether Richardson had enough help to succeed and if stars like Michael Pittman, Jr. and Jonathan Taylor would return to form. Additionally, he was less than thrilled with the play of Bernhard Raimann and felt it was a misstep by the team not to add more depth to the offensive line.

I’m not sure Indy did enough to address the other premium positions on its roster. Does Richardson have enough help? Its offensive infrastructure looks more promising if you treat last season like a bad dream, but if you had to watch the tape, you remember what things looked like. Michael Pittman Jr. went from playing like a breakout star to averaging 9.3 yards per reception. A once-feared offensive line looked past its best and made too many mental mistakes. Jonathan Taylor, the reigning top running back in football, looked a step slower amid ankle injuries after a heavy workload in 2021.

The biggest issue is not addressing the offensive line, which comes back virtually untouched from a year ago. The Colts love 2022 third-rounder Bernhard Raimann’s potential as a tackle, but the converted tight end looked overmatched as a rookie and turns 26 in September. I’m not saying they should have given up on Raimann after one year, but the only competition they brought in for him is rookie fourth-rounder Blake Freeland.

On defense, Barnwell listed the lack of production outside of DeForest Bucker as alarming and noted that the team needs more out of players like Kwity Paye. Admittedly, he understood trading away cornerback Stephon Gilmore but felt it was a misstep to leave veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II with rookie Julius Brents and others to fill the void. He also is not confident in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s abilities to build defenses without superior secondary unit play.

Despite a grim outlook, there is hope the team will finish what’s left: extending running back Jonathan Taylor. Earlier this week, Taylor confirmed that he and the Colts have engaged in discussions, and he is hopeful for the future. Barnwell echoed this sentiment and noted that leaning on Taylor would be in the team’s best interest as Anthony Richardson grows.

It’s impossible today to know whether these offseason moves are enough to move the growth needle, but the team will continue to assess as the season progresses.

Ranking the QBs in the AFC South entering 2023

Taking a look at ranking the QBs in the AFC South entering 2023.

The quarterback position in the AFC South has been less than desirable since Andrew Luck’s retirement, Deshaun Watson’s fallout with the Houston Texans, and Trevor Lawrence’s disastrous rookie season under Urban Meyer.

For now, the future is bright for the division’s quarterbacks entering the 2023 season. Lawrence is coming off a strong Year 2 for the Jacksonville Jaguars while the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans are hoping they have found their long-term franchise quarterback coming out of this year’s NFL draft.

This will be the first season we could see all 32 teams carry three quarterbacks on their rosters due to the new third QB rule the league has implemented because of what happened to the San Francisco 49ers in last year’s playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Let’s take a look at how the AFC South quarterbacks rank heading into the upcoming season:

Gardner Minshew sees steady improvement from Anthony Richardson

Colts QB Gardner Minshew sees Anthony Richardson ‘improving steadily’ this offseason.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew met with the media on Wednesday for the final day of minicamp as the team wrapped up the offseason workout program.

When asked about what he’s seen in terms of development from rookie Anthony Richardson, Minshew had high praises for the No. 4 overall pick.

“It’s funny man, I remember coming off the first day, he was like, ‘Man, that’s fast,'” Minshew told reporters. “You’re like, ‘Yeah, it’s only going to get slower though.’ It’s been cool to see him – he studies hard, he picks it up, he wants to learn. So, he’s been doing a great job there. He has been improving steadily and I think he will continue to.”

Minshew and Richardson have been and will continue to be in competition for the starting quarterback position. Minshew saw the most first-team reps at OTAs when the media was present while they split the same amount of first-team reps during the two-day minicamp.

While Minshew and Richardson are competing for the starting spot, the former has taken on a mentor role for the 21-year-old rookie.

“Well, my performance doesn’t really have anything to do with him performance. I ca go out there and be great and it’s not going to affect him and he can go out there and be great, it’s not going to affect me. So I think our whole room is just pushing to be the best we can be and in that way serve the team the best way that we can,” Minshew said.

Minshew, who is in his third season working with first-year head coach Shane Steichen, is already seeing flashes of high-level play from Richardson, and he feels the chemistry being built in the quarterback room is undeniable.

“You see it on film, anytime someone has a big play, the other quarterbacks behind him are going crazy. I think it’s been a lot of good energy, a lot of camaraderie being built, a lot of high fives and smiles,” Minshew said. “I think those are all things that, when times get tough, you got to be able to rely on those strong relationships and it’s good to see those getting built.”

Minshew and Richardson will have the opportunity to continue to build their camaraderie as they will join other teammates to work together during summer break down in Florida.

For now, Minshew is focused on competing with the rookie while embracing the veteran role.

“First time kind of being the older guy, it’s a little bit different – it’s cool being able to help wherever I can and see the things that he’s picking up.”

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Anthony Richardson, Gardner Minshew planning summer workouts

Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew plan to get with Colts pass-catchers during summer break.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew are planning to get together with their pass-catchers at some point during summer break leading into training camp.

A common event that unfolds for the majority of teams during summer break, it will mean a lot for Richardson to continue getting work in with his new teammates. Building chemistry is vital and sometimes getting the work in away from an official team setting helps a bit more.

“I’ll be getting with the receivers, getting with Gardner (Minshew II) trying to get in the building here so I can constantly learn information and build chemistry because the season is right around the corner, it’s coming up fast. Trying to get better, master my craft. Getting in the playbook a lot more and getting chemistry with the receivers a lot more as well,” Richardson told the media Tuesday.

Minshew echoed those thoughts but mentioned the workouts likely would take place in Florida where both of the quarterbacks reside during the offseason.

“I think we’re going to have a decent amount of guys down there. So, it might be a good central location around everybody else. We’ve been talking a little about that – probably get with Anthony (Richardson) and figure out a good way to do that,” Minshew said Tuesday.

Both Minshew and Richardson split reps with the first-team offense during the first minicamp practice Tuesday while the latter got some extra reps with the second unit as well.

Getting together this summer with their teammates will be vital entering training camp, especially as both sides try to learn Shane Steichen’s playbook as much as possible.

It’s likely we’ll see a post on social media about it, but we should expect a strong group of Colts getting together during the offseason.

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6 things to watch as Colts begin minicamp

Here are six things to watch as the Colts begin mandatory minicamp.

The Indianapolis Colts are set to begin mandatory minicamp Tuesday, which marks the final three days they will be together as a team before breaking for summer.

Though it’s often said jobs aren’t won in the spring, practices at minicamp can help set the foundation for positional battles and depth chart climbers when training camp and the preseason arrive in August.

Here are six things to watch for as the Colts begin minicamp Tuesday:

What we learned from Week 3 of Colts OTAs

Here’s what we learned from Week 3 of Colts OTAs.

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up organized team activities (OTAs) Thursday with their 10th and final practice session, which means only minicamp stands between the team and summer break.

It can be difficult to gauge the vital takeaways from OTAs considering the fact that the media is only permitted to attend one practice session per week. What happened on the three media days may not be the same for the seven other practices so everything should be taken with a grain of salt.

Regardless, here’s what we learned about the Colts from Week 3 of OTAs:

Gardner Minshew taking Anthony Richardson under his wing

Gardner Minshew is already providing the type of healthy competition and mentorship for Anthony Richardson.

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The one move that made the most sense this offseason after the Indianapolis Colts hired Shane Steichen as the new head coach was to sign quarterback Gardner Minshew in free agency.

Regardless of whichever rookie quarterback was going to be joining the team, adding Minshew to the roster was an easy fit. He’s a strong bridge option who has experience in Steichen’s offense and can keep the offense moving without any major hiccups.

On top of that, he’s a great teammate, evidenced by the fact that he’s already taken rookie Anthony Richardson under his wing.

“It’s been great. Gardner(Minshew II) has done a hell of a job taking him under his wing in that quarterback room,” Steichen said during the first week of OTAs. “Obviously, he’s got experience. He’s played a ton of games in this league. But he’s done a really nice job, I’m really pleased with where he’s at, with everything we’re doing on offense and the same thing, helping Anthony (Richardson) at the same time.”

Minshew himself didn’t just sign with the Colts to be the backup quarterback. He’s competing to push Richardson for the starting role even if the latter is undoubtedly the future of the organization.

Through the first two weeks of OTAs, Minshew has taken the majority of reps with the first-team offense. At least, that has been the case for the two practices the media has watched. The duo split reps during the first week while Minshew took all of the first-team reps during the second week.

Steichen also felt the addition of Minshew would be beneficial for a young quarterback like Richardson.

“There’s no question about that, but I also think that Gardner (Minshew II) has done a lot. Obviously being around him and what I know what he’s capable of, his brain and how it functions – he loves football, and that’s a big part of it,” Steichen said. “It’s a big plus for me to be around a guy that I know personally at that position that knows the system, that I know how he operates, he knows how I operate. It definitely helps.”

The future may be Richardson’s to take, but Minshew is already providing him the type of healthy competition and mentorship needed for the rookie to progress in his development plan.

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