What I’m seeing from the Colts: Indy's QB coach breaks down Anthony Richardson film and more

The Indianapolis Colts bounced back from an 0-2 start by notching consecutive victories over the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers to pull even on the year. Indianapolis is now preparing to play at Jacksonville in Week 5, and the Colts are all too aware of their failures in Duval County. Indianapolis has lost nine straight road games against the Jaguars (including one “road” game in London in 2016), and if there was ever a time to end the streak, it would be this upcoming Sunday. Just two years removed from winning the AFC South, the Jaguars are the only winless team left in the NFL.

As we await more info on the availability of Indianapolis QB Anthony Richardson (hip) and running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle), here’s what I’ve seen and heard around West 56th Street now that we’re a month into the season.

1-on-1 with Cam Turner

Last Friday, before Richardson injured his hip, I had the chance to sit down with Colts quarterbacks coach Cam Turner. He’s in his second season with the franchise, coming over with coach Shane Steichen in 2023.

Following arguably Richardson’s worst start of his career against the Bears, which featured several overthrows, I asked Turner to break down Richardson’s two interceptions. The first came in the second quarter when Richardson tried to loft a pass to wide receiver Ashton Dulin in the end zone.

Bears pick it off in the end zone!

📺: #CHIvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Ya6gUPOYnG

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

“He was just trying to make a play,” Turner said. “He thought he could get it to the back of the end zone, but it got tipped, which, with a right-handed quarterback going left, it’s tough (to make that throw),” Turner said. “But schematically, we took some blame for that one because (Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn, who tipped the pass) was unblocked coming across.”

It sometimes seems like Richardson struggles to accept that a play isn’t going to work. And because of his incredible physical gifts, he can extend plays and try throws that most others can’t. A prime example was when Richardson appeared to get strip-sacked against the Bears because he refused to simply go down. Fortunately for Richardson, the officials blew the play dead, and Richardson avoided a potential turnover.

Turner said there’s a delicate balance between Richardson’s resourcefulness and “knowing when the party is over.” He doesn’t want Richardson to play timid — all great QBs take risks, he said — but he also believes Richardson is still growing in terms of his awareness. On that particularly play, when Richardson had bodies all around him trying to bring him down, there was no need to force a pass — especially so early in a game when a field goal is a perfectly acceptable outcome. Turner said it would be smarter for Richardson to just tuck the ball and run or throw it away in those scenarios.

Richardson’s second interception came on the first play of the second half. The young QB sailed a pass intended for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr that instead landed in the arms of Bears star cornerback Jaylon Johnson. The replay clearly showed that while Pittman was open, Richardson rushed the throw, evidenced by the skip he did with both feet leaving the ground as he released the ball.

Anthony Richardson throws a pick to Jaylon Johnson.#NFLTwitter #NFL pic.twitter.com/E4clm11ZBu

— Pick 6 Pack (@Pick6PackFB) September 22, 2024

“He’s moving in the pocket. Obviously, his read is right. He sees it well. It’s, ‘Hey, when you can set your feet, let’s set ‘em,’” Turner said, repeating the advice he gave to Richardson during film study. “Now, it’s different from his point of view than me up in the (press box). Sometimes the angles when I think he can probably set his feet, he’s like, ‘No, that guy was right there! … But when I saw this play, I was like, ‘You got excited because you knew the guy was open and just missed.’”

Turner, like Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, said Richardson’s accuracy issues remain a work in progress. The second-year QB has completed 39-of-77 passes (50.6%) for 654 yards and three touchdowns against six interceptions so far this season. However, Turner commended Richardson for his ability to diagnose a defense and decipher where to go with the football. To Turner’s point, most of Richardson’s misses haven’t been the result of bad decisions. They just have to keep chipping away at Richardson’s consistency.

“There are guys out there who can make every single throw from whatever platform they’re on, but they can’t read (the defense),” Turner said. “There are guys who read it really well and anticipate early, but they just can’t make all of the throws. I think he can do both.”

Matt Gay’s struggles

Gay missed another field goal, this one a 54-yarder, wide left in the Colts’ win over the Steelers. He is now 3-of-5 on field goal attempts during the regular season and 4-of-9, including the preseason. All of his misses have been wide left, and his two misses during the regular season were on 50-plus-yard attempts.

“I think the theme there is just not trusting my line,” Gay said. “ … Pick your target, commit to it and go for it. It doesn’t seem to be an issue on some of the shorter ones. I have full confidence I’m going to get it right.”

Gay underwent hernia surgery and missed the season opener. He then had a quad injury in Week 2. The former Pro Bowler said he’s fully healthy now and emphasized that his issues at the moment are more mental than physical.

Steichen has previously stated that he has “faith” in Gay, but after his latest miss, Steichen simply said Gay is “our kicker.” Perhaps I’m reading too much into Steichen’s word choices, but it’s not a stretch to see the Colts are concerned, even if they won’t say it outright.

Gay joined the Colts last year on a four-year, $22.5 million deal, which at the time was the most lucrative contract ever for a free-agent kicker, but he hasn’t lived up to his salary. The 2021 Super Bowl champ made 74-of-80 field goal attempts (92.5%) across his previous three years with the Rams compared to making 36-of-46 attempts (78.3%) in two years with the Colts.

What’s up with AD Mitchell?

Mitchell gave one of the more memorable draft-night interviews I’ve ever heard. He was angry that he didn’t hear his name called in the first round, and when the Colts selected him in the second round, he was bullish — as most draft picks are — on his how his skill set would translate to the NFL.

“Just throw it in the area,” Mitchell said. “Ain’t nobody coming down with it but me.”

That hasn’t come to fruition just yet.

Mitchell has been targeted 13 times through the first four games as a pro, but he has only made two catches for 32 yards. Not all the failed connections have been his fault, but the rookie had an egregious third-down drop in Week 2 and what’s more concerning, frequently appears to be on a different page than his quarterback, whether it’s Richardson or more recently Joe Flacco.

“He’s definitely a threat that we have that we haven’t really been able to lock in yet,” Colts wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne said recently. “But AD, his time’s gonna come.”

Mitchell’s playing time as dwindled, from 29 and 33 snaps in Weeks 1 and 2 to seven and 13 snaps in Weeks 3 and 4, but the good news for the Colts is that Pittman, Alec Pierce and Josh Downs have all played well this year. Their production should give Mitchell more time to adjust to the NFL.

“A week or two back, I think I told you all sort of, ‘Trust me. AD is going to make some big plays,’” Cooter said Tuesday. “I still feel that way.”

Tyquan Lewis heads to IR

The Colts announced Tuesday that defensive end Tyquan Lewis has been placed in injured reserve and will miss at least the next four games. He suffered a right elbow injury in the fourth quarter of the Colts’ win over the Steelers. Lewis’ injury is not believed to be season-ending, a league source told The Athletic, though it’s unclear when he will return. The earliest Lewis could play again is Week 9 at Minnesota.

Lewis is the Colts’ third starting defensive lineman to be placed on IR this season, joining defensive end Samson Ebukam (Achilles) and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (right high ankle sprain).

“No matter where we put (Lewis), if it’s inside, if it’s outside, you know what you’re gonna get from him, and he’s gonna give you a full day’s work,” Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said Tuesday. “ … He’s a playmaker for us, so, yeah, that one’s gonna be hard on us, but we’ll have other guys who will step up.”