Stampede Blue on Anthony Richardson
From the article
Everyone remembers the infamous snap Anthony Richardson took to kickoff the QB competition in Baltimore...Anthony Richardson took a lot of heat, literally and figuratively, for not seeing the free runner and taking a massive shot in an exhibition game. Most people blamed Richardson's lack of understanding of the protection, while others quietly wondered if this was a poor play design. Well, the Colts ran it again this year.. And this time it was an interception.
STACKED’s take
Richardson's protection reads on Choice + Snag Basic have caused two controversial preseason plays; Colts redesigned the
Richardson's decision-making and protection recognition on the Colts' Choice + Snag Basic concept—a base play run at least once per preseason game—has been scrutinized across two preseason reps (2024 Baltimore and 2026 New England). In Baltimore, Richardson failed to recognize a free rusher on a Whip Fire Zone pressure in 5-man protection, taking a massive shot; the Colts slid protection toward his first read (the choice route) rather than away from it, creating ambiguity about whether the issue was Richardson's lack of understanding or poor play design. In New England, the Colts redesigned the play to slide away from the choice, suggesting the staff felt the 2024 protection scheme was flawed; Richardson threw into quasi-double coverage on the choice route rather than progressing to the Snag side. The source notes that in year 3, Richardson may have more autonomy to dictate slides, and the Colts appear unlikely to rely on this concept if Richardson sees action in 2026, indicating the staff has lost confidence in his execution of this particular play call.
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