‘Clicking on all cylinders, athleticism stands out,’ Colts’ Anthony Richardson a challenge, X-factor for Texans’ defense

INDIANAPOLIS – One of the fastest and most imposing quarterbacks in recent NFL history, Anthony Richardson represents more than hope and relevance for an Indianapolis Colts franchise that has been on a quest for a true answer under center since the abrupt retirement of Andrew Luck.

After limping through a limited tenure with Philip Rivers, and forgettable performances from Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan, Richardson is a prototypical, modern quarterback with dual-threat skills.

Although Richardson was limited to just four starts as a rookie last season during an injury-abbreviated campaign due to a shoulder injury preceded by a concussion suffered after scoring his second touchdown run against the Texans, his talent is undeniable. He completed 59.5 percent of his throws for 477 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while rushing for 136 yards and four scores.

His scrambling style and tendency to use run-pass option plays are a contrast to Texans star quarterback C.J. Stroud, who’s elusive in his own right while operating as more of a classic pass-first type.

Now, Richardson and Stroud meet for the second time Sunday in a season-opener at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“I think of him as a as all around quarterback,” said Stroud, who was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last season and a Pro Bowl selection after leading the NFL in passing yards per contest and touchdown-to-interception ration. “Somebody who can make all the throws, can also run the ball dynamically and be effective in that area. Somebody who has bought into that offense, watching him in preseason he looked like he was clicking on all cylinders.

“Like he’s processing the game a lot better and just taking his read, taking what the defense is giving him and we have a relationship. He’s definitely a good friend of mine and somebody who I root on know when we’re not playing him but definitely somebody who I’ve gotten a lot to know over the years and definitely have a friendship with him that I think will last a long time.”

At 6-foot-4, 244 pounds with 4.44 speed in the 40-yard dash with a 40 1/2 inch vertical leap and a cannon for an arm, Richardson has elite mobility and power. He’s different than other quarterbacks. No one is as large and fast at the quarterback position as Richardson since former NFL MVP Cam Newton was in his prime.

“Obviously, there is a smaller sample size than last year, but you see enough,” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. “Obviously, the athleticism stands out, just from going back to last season playing him and what that looked like. I think that is always the biggest challenge when you have a dual-threat quarterback that can move around. Not just the design run game which is what he got us on last year in our game, obviously his pass game then getting out and how to rush him. Those sorts of things. I think that is one of our biggest challenges this week, for sure.”

A year ago, Stroud was drafted second overall by the Texans after being a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Two picks later, the Colts tabbed Richardson out of the University of Florida as their guy.

The two friends will be AFC South rivals for years to come. This is just the beginning of their quarterback duels.

“I’m excited,” said Richardson, who had shoulder surgery last October and has made a full recovery after having his AC joint repaired. “First official game back with my guys and my teammates. I want to win. So, whatever I’ve got to do to do that, I’m going to do it.”

The Colts haven’t won a home opener since Luck was playing for them. Ten consecutive home losses to start the season is the NFL’s longest active streak.

Richardson showed signs of rust during the preseason. He also had flashes of greatness balanced by a pick-six against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Stroud looks better than ever after passing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions last season.

“I want to just start fast,” Stroud said. “It doesn’t have to do with a certain game, just in general this season. Last year, we started off really slow and just kind of had to build our way back. It’s not an easy thing to do, so I would say this year we want to start fast.”

Richardson finished his abbreviated rookie season with a 2-2 record as a starter and completed 50 of 84 passes.

“Anthony Richardson, as he showed with the limited amount of snaps that he’s had, he’s shown that he could be a dynamic playmaker and running the ball, also throwing the football,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “So, he’s a playmaker. You have to account for him every single snap. It’s because of his dynamic ability to run the football. So, he poses a really good challenge for us, defensively. And we definitely have our hands full.”

Richardson had a touchdown pass in the Colts’ preseason finale against the Bengals, but also threw a pick-six. The Texans lost the first game against the Colts as Gardner Minshew, now the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback, replaced Richardson. The Texans won a key late-season game to clinch the AFC South division title at Lucas Oil Stadium as they defeated the Colts behind an ultra-sharp performance from Stroud.

“He’s going to make plays,” Texans safety Jimmie Ward said of Richardson. “Just because some of the stuff that he does you don’t really coach, it’s raw talent where a lot of the time he can use his feet. He’s a pretty big boy, too. I’m interested to see how he’s going to attack us. Is he going to slide or not going to slide? I guess I’ll see. I guess our whole defense will see. I’m looking forward to the challenge. I feel like he’s a really good player and he’s got a great team, too, behind him.”

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