On the surface, some fans may scoff at this notion considering it a no brainer. Odds are that Anthony Richardson will be the day one starter, but those are just odds. Odds are not facts. Odds are not concrete statistics or even solid predictors. They are simply probabilities which can fluctuate based on a copious number of variables. Richardson may seem to many as the obvious choice, but he isn’t a slam dunk to start the season for the Indianapolis Colts.
Injuries
You may be saying, “Woah, woah. That isn’t fair. Nobody said anything about injuries.” I get that, but with Richardson, there is a decent chance something could crop up between now and the start of the season. We all know about his injury history, so it is impossible to disregard. Getting banged up in preseason games or even in practice means time away and an unclear timeline.
Better but not much
Richardson has started to put it together in practice over the last week or so. He has looked a lot more comfortable making reads and getting the ball out to receivers for big plays down the field. It is an encouraging sign from what was the start of camp. Both he and Daniel Jones struggled early but have come on as of late. Jones has made progress as well, and while the gap may be bigger than it was before, it’s not insurmountable. A late offseason push could be in the cards for Jones with preseason play ahead.
Youth vs Experience
This is year three for Richardson, but that doesn’t mean he is a veteran on the field. He has only played half the available games which decreases his experience immensely. Jones, on the other hand, has seasons under his belt and has seen how multiple NFL organizations operate. That is something only time can buy. Richardson’s inexperience could open him up to more errors and missteps, thus allowing Jones to rise in the ranks and take over the starting role to start the season.
Yes, odds are that Anthony Richardson will be the day one starter, but that doesn’t mean he is running at a 90% clip. There is still plenty of time for evaluation. The Colts would love nothing more than for Richardson to take the mantle and never give it back. Their support is a huge feather in his cap and provides an advantage. Anyone who bets on sports understands odds. They may be in your favor, but you can never count on them to work out the way they should.
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