WESTFIELD, Ind. – Anthony Richardson felt right at home as training camp closed Thursday evening.
Rain swept through the Grand Park Sports Campus, essentially commencing at the start of the Indianapolis Colts’ second joint work with the Arizona Cardinals and persisting until the horn blared roughly 90 minutes later.
“I was out there saying, ‘It’s Florida weather, man. You never know when it’s gonna rain,'’’ said Richardson, a product of the University of Florida. We were in the elements today. You have to adjust, just play ball, get used to it, I guess.’’
Shane Steichen and Arizona coach Jonathan Gannon were determined to remain outdoors, even though the forecast projected rain. The only things that would have moved practice indoors were lightning and the field becoming unplayable.
“Shoot, elements, that’s part of the game,’’ Steichen said.
So, everyone adjusted. That included Richardson pulling a glove on his right hand after fumbling two snaps out of the shotgun in heavy rain in the opening 11-on-11 series. He also threw well behind Alec Pierce on a play.
“I didn’t even want to take it off, man,’’ he said. “I was out there dotting it up once I got this magical thing on my hand.’’
For the second straight day, the Richardson-led offense flashed an impressive closing kick.
Wednesday, it was a six-play, 75-yard drive punctuated with Richardson’s touchdown pass to Michael Pittman Jr. that covered roughly 40 yards.
Thursday, it was a five-play drive in a two-minute situation. The result: a Richardson scramble for a 7-yard TD. He started the possession with a short completion to Pittman and a 15-20-yarder to rookie AD Mitchell, then the Colts benefitted from a long defensive pass interference penalty.
“Really liked the way we finished practice in the two-minute period, both offensively and defensively,’’ Steichen said.
The defense kept the Cardinals out of the end zone twice.
What’s become evident during training camp has been Richardson’s ability to lift his level of play in up-tempo or full-speed situations. He’s been more decisive in every aspect, usually with favorable results.
Thursday, Richardson was just 2-for-5 in team drills and endured the error-filled opening series.
But then, the beat-the-clock touchdown.
“I think that’s one of his strengths, when we play fast,’’ Steichen said. “Running the two-minute or on-ball stuff, I mean he handles that really well. To hit that bender down the middle to AD right there in that two-minute drive was huge. That was a chunk play that we needed in that situation. Then he finished with the scramble for the touchdown.’’
Steichen has been impressed with Richardson’s field vision.
“The best players I’ve been around, they’ve got a natural feel. You know what I mean?’’ he said. “There’s guys that are sometimes straight robots and it’s like, ‘Well, coach, you told me to look (at a certain receiver).’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I told you to look there, but the guy’s open over there, too.’ And those guys that see that stuff, I think that’s what makes those guys special. He’s been doing a lot of those things in camp, so I’m excited for the season for him.’’
Richardson agreed he thrives in “true’’ football situations.
Day off for starters
As expected, Richardson and the rest of the starters will not play Saturday against the Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Backup quarterback Joe Flacco also will be held out.
“Twos and threes will go,’’ Steichen said.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.