What factors are the coaches looking for that will play key roles in determining the Colts’ quarterback competition?
When it comes to the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, we know that Shane Steichen is ultimately looking for consistency. Whoever is the most consistent during training camp will start come Week 1.
However, while finding consistency is the end goal, what goes into that? What needs to happen, beyond the obvious, which is completing passes?
Following Friday’s practice, Colts‘ passing game coordinator Alex Tanney detailed with Locked on Colts what that consistency component entails.
“It’s quite a few things,” Tanney said. “It’s command of the offense and the huddle. It’s command of the line of scrimmage–if you have multiple plays called, getting us in and out of the right play. Moving guys pre-snap, snapping things at the right time, and then making good decisions with the football, and being the leader of the offense. It’s all-encompassing. There’s a lot of things that go into it.”
Richardson is coming off his best practice on Friday. A focus for him during the offseason was on being more efficient on those short to intermediate routes.
To accomplish that, Richardson emphasized his footwork, which is often where proper mechanics and, therefore, accuracy begin.
Jones, meanwhile, has experience on his side with 69 career starts and has been a relatively efficient passer. But interceptions have been an issue in recent seasons, along with generating explosive plays.
As the newcomer to this Colts team, he is learning a new system and working on building chemistry with the pass catchers.
So far, both quarterbacks have had their ups and downs in practices. In Stephen Holder’s Friday training camp report, he would write that there “does not appear to be a clear leader so far” in the quarterback competition.