Colts’ E.J. Speed reflects on ‘heavy rivalry,’ ‘deep respect’ for Texans, C.J. Stroud, talent of Anthony Richardson

ALIEF – C.J. Stroud and E.J. Speed have quickly become the primary and loudest voices in the increasingly competitive rivalry between the Texans and the Indianapolis Colts.

Their respective war of words during various offseason podcasts have definitely added some fun spice to the annual AFC South division series.

The Texans are the defending division champions, earning their title and playoff berth with a dramatic late-season win over the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium to split the season series.

Both teams are headlined by talented young quarterbacks with Stroud coming off a record-setting NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year debut and the Colts getting back starting quarterback Anthony Richardson from season-ending shoulder surgery.

Now, they’ll square off again Sept. 8 to open the regular season at Lucas Oil Stadium when the time for talk will be replaced by action on the field.

“It was everything, man,” Speed told KPRC 2 when asked about the rivalry with the Texans. “They made some moves in the offseason that I respect, but I mean, coming back last year, we had AR. First game came out and played well and won the game.

“They won the game when it matters. Week One should be good. It’s 1-1 with our quarterbacks. We both got quarterbacks in the same year, and it will be a good tiebreaker.”

Speed, who recorded a career-high 102 tackles last season with one sack and three forced fumbles, emphasized that, fun trash talking aside, he has a ton of respect for Stroud. Both have the same agent, too, Austin-based David Mulugheta.

“That’s my dog,” Speed said of Stroud. “We’ve been talking back and forth, just two guys excited to play. We’re in a position to actually pop our s--t and get into the midst of us going into a heavy rivalry game. I take it all as a blessing. It’s love.

“Definitely, a lot of deep respect. Him coming in, being a Black quarterback in the league is a blessing in itself. So, a lot of respect for him. It will be a good matchup come Week One.”

One of the biggest and most athletic quarterbacks in the league, Richardson was drafted fourth overall by the Colts out of the University of Florida two picks after the Texans drafted Stroud out of Ohio State. Richardson (6-foot-4, 244 pounds) aced the NFL scouting combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds with a 40 1/2 inch vertical leap and a 10-9 broad jump. Before he got shut down for the season, Richardson passed for 577 yards with three touchdowns and one interception and rushed for 136 yards and four touchdowns.

“That’s love, man,” Speed said. “Anthony, we’ve all seen how talented he is, but even more how smart he is and much he comes in the building to try to get better. He has everything in his hands right now.”

Speed, 29, is a former fifth-round draft pick from Tarleton State. The Fort Worth native converted from quarterback and wide receiver to playing defense, finishing his career with 231 tackles, 36 for losses, 11 1/2 sacks and eight forced fumbles. He started a career-high 11 games last season.

His time at Tarleton prepared him well for the NFL.

“Everything, man, Tarleton is very dear to my heart because of how genuine the people was at the university,” Speed said. “We was a smaller school. It’s a family at Tarleton. They treated me very well there, with respect. It’s a family-oriented atmosphere.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.