Tag: Steichen

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) runs passing drills during Colts Camp practice at Grand Park, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Westfield.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson takes all first-team reps

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson took every snap with the Indianapolis starters for the second consecutive day.

Richardson, who missed Monday’s training camp session recovering from nasal surgery, was back with the first-team offense on Thursday to catch up on what he missed, head coach Anthony Steichen said.

“He missed one (practice), so we just got him back-to-back days,” Steichen said of Richardson taking the starter reps over Gardner Minshew again Thursday.

Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter wants to see as much of the 21-year-old Richardson as possible this time of year. As mistakes — like a Thursday morning interception in seven-on-seven drills — happen, what happens next has been the strongest positive effort in the assessment of coaches.

“We see him make a mistake on one day and then the next day, that same opportunity presents itself and he’s fixed it, he’s got it figured out,” Cooter said. “That’s the game that we play and that’s the game that quarterbacks play in this league quite a bit. How much can you learn? How much better can you get? The good thing about Anthony — he’s been really, really good about genuinely being open-minded about receiving coaching, receiving feedback and it’s been impressive to watch him turn that into improvement the next day or maybe the next week on the practice field.”

Steichen said commanding the huddle and being comfortable getting players lined up have been positives for Richardson, whom the Colts selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft.

“You are around your teammates more and more, they get to know you,” Steichen said. “I like his pocket presence right now. We’ve got to keep improving.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: QB Gardner Minshew agrees to one-year deal with Colts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Gardner Minshew agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal, according to multiple reports on Thursday.

The deal reportedly has incentives that could allow Minshew to make up to $5.5 million.

Minshew was a backup on the Philadelphia Eagles the past two seasons under offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, who is the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

The reported deal comes one day after the Colts released veteran quarterback Matt Ryan, who didn’t live up to his past level of performance in his one season with the Colts.

Indianapolis is expected to select a quarterback in the first round of the 2023 draft. The Colts have the No. 4 overall pick.

Minshew’s familiarity with Steichen’s offense gives him a shot to open the season as the starter should a rookie need more time to develop.

Minshew went 1-3 as a starter in Philadelphia over the past two seasons while passing for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions in nine appearances.

Overall, he has passed for 6,632 yards, 44 touchdowns and 15 interceptions over 32 appearances (24 starts) in four NFL seasons. He spent his first two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and went 7-13 as a starter.

–Field Level Media

Mar 1, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Colts GM downplays desire to deal for No. 1 pick

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Carousel is not a winning plan at quarterback, that much the Indianapolis Colts have proven since Andrew Luck retired before the 2019 season.

But general manager Chris Ballard denied the Colts’ need to move up from the No. 4 overall pick to find a long-term solution at the position, especially if it means a deal for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft.

“Everybody has already stamped that you have to move up to No. 1 to get the guy. I don’t know I believe that,” said Ballard, whose trades for Carson Wentz (2021) and Matt Ryan (2022) flopped, sparking a coaching change last season and mandate from owner Jim Irsay to get it right this time.

“There’s got to be a guy worthy of it.”

Since Ballard became general manager in 2017, single-season stopgaps at quarterback haven’t held up with the exception of Philip Rivers, who followed Jacoby Brissett (2019).

Ballard has used 53 total draft picks and selected just two quarterbacks — Texas’ Sam Ehlinger was the 218th pick in the 2021 draft and Jacob Eason was selected 122nd overall in the 2020 draft after spending time at Georgia and Washington — and has a tendency to seek value in free agency and stockpile extra selections in the draft.

At coach Shane Steichen’s introductory press conference, Irsay sounded more than enamored with Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. Young won the Heisman Trophy in 2021, but at 6-foot, 194 pounds, his height and weight are question marks.

“Do we stay put? Do we trade up? There’s really many things we can do,” Irsay said. “The Alabama guy doesn’t look bad, I’ll tell ya.”

Ballard said winning quarterbacks come in all shapes and sizes. The Bears draft first and appear intent on dealing the pick to a team desperate for a fix at quarterback. The Houston Texans have the second pick and head coach DeMeco Ryans said Thursday the franchise “must add” a quarterback. Arizona has Kyler Murray at quarterback and the Cardinals pick third overall, meaning only one of the teams in the current top three needs a passer.

In addition to Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson are viewed as likely first-round picks.

Ballard asked rhetorically, “Who’s to say that we won’t get a good quarterback at 4?”

He was then questioned about what it would take to entice him to make the offer to the Bears to make the jump to No. 1.

“That we were just convicted. That this is no freaking doubt the guy,” Ballard said.

Ballard hired Steichen, offensive coordinator of the Eagles, as head coach in February. Steichen helped mold Jalen Hurts from second-round pick to MVP candidate in Philadelphia. Ballard said their success is a study in finding the right fit.

“The accuracy is one of the biggest things,” Steichen said. “I think when it’s third-and-8 and you’ve got to have it, you’ve got to be able to stand in the pocket and deliver a strike with a guy barreling down your chest. That says a lot about a guy’s toughness. I look for that on tape. The vetting process of it, the physical process, guys come in different shapes and sizes. We’ve seen Hall of Famers that are 6-foot, we’ve seen Hall of Famers that are 6-5. Again, it’s that “it” factor.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 30, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay speaks at a Ring of Honor induction ceremony for Tarik Glenn on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, during a game against the Washington Commanders at Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Max Gersh/IndyStar-USA TODAY Sports

Colts owner Jim Irsay tips off team’s plans at QB

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts are apparently planning on drafting a quarterback.

So says Colts owner Jim Irsay, who during the course of introducing new head coach Shane Steichen on Tuesday, appeared to spill the beans that they’ll find their next QB in the draft.

Stand down Jimmy Garoppolo and Derek Carr et al.

Irsay was answering a question, in length, about how he knew Steichen was the right choice to lead the Colts.

“Offense, in my mind, is a little more complex and takes a little longer to develop, but knowing we’re going to have to find a young quarterback to develop, that’s a key factor,” Irsay said, in part.

The Colts pick fourth in the upcoming draft. The Chicago Bears, holding the No. 1 pick, are not likely to draft a QB. Neither are the Arizona Cardinals, who draft third and have a franchise QB in Kyler Murray.

The Houston Texans will certainly be drafting a QB at No. 2, and all signs point to Alabama QB Bryce Young.

“The Alabama guy doesn’t look bad,” Irsay would say a little later in the press conference.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard said last month he would “do whatever it takes” to trade up and get the QB they want. Ohio State’s CJ Stroud is the top QB on some big board rankings, with Kentucky signal caller Will Levis expected to be the third QB taken.

The Colts are still struggling to land on their heir apparent to Andrew Luck, who abruptly retired after the 2018 season. They have trotted out Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan, unsuccessfully, ever since.

–Field Level Media

May 6, 2022; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Deean (R) and defensive back Josh Jobe (L) talk with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon (M) during Rookie Minicamp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals, Colts move closer to hiring head coaches

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The Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts look poised to move toward filling their vacant head coaching jobs, post Super Bowl.

Multiple reports Sunday said the Cardinals are expected to interview Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, 40, as early as Monday. Gannon, whose Eagles are playing in Super Bowl LVII, is the architect of an impressive defense that in 2022 registered a league-high 70 sacks and held opponents to 20.2 points per game.

ESPN said the other candidates still vying for the job are New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

Gannon’s NFL coaching career began in 2007 with the Atlanta Falcons when he served as defensive quality control coach, and he’s also worked with the Minnesota Vikings and was the defensive backs coach of the Colts before being hired in Philadelphia in 2021.

As for the Colts, ESPN reported Sunday that the Eagles’ other coordinator — offensive guru Shane Steichen — is expected to be named as the replacement for Frank Reich and interim coach Jeff Saturday.

Per the report, the Colts notified the other candidates Sunday morning that they had chosen to go in another direction. The final candidates were Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Green Bay Packers special teams coach Rich Bisaccia and Saturday, NFL Network reported.

Saturday was 1-7 as the Colts’ interim coach.

The Eagles’ offense ranked first in the league in rushing touchdowns, and the team’s 477 points scored ranked second only to the Kansas City Chiefs — their Super Bowl opponent.

Steichen, 37, joined the Eagles in 2021. He previously held a variety of coaching roles with the Los Angeles Chargers and was offensive coordinator for one season (2020).

These two openings are the final head coach jobs to be filled this offseason. The Carolina Panthers hired Reich, the Denver Broncos tabbed Sean Payton and the Houston Texans landed DeMeco Ryans.

–Field Level Media

Aug 19, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen in a game against the New England Patriots at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Colts, Cardinals narrow coaching searches

Posted on | by Field Level Media

One month since the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts ended the season and began searching for a new head coach, each franchise has given signals the finish line is near.

Multiple reports Friday indicate the Colts informed three finalists they were out of the running — Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and Mike Kafka, the Giants’ offensive coordinator — with speculation mounting the pick will be Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen.

Kafka is a finalist in Arizona, but the Cardinals conducted a second interview with Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, NFL Network and The Athletic reported.

A third finalist for the vacancy with the Cardinals, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, was named defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings.

Arizona has a new general manager, Monti Ossenfort, leading their search for Kliff Kingsbury’s replacement. Ossenfort also interviewed Callahan and new Broncos head coach Sean Payton.

Jeff Saturday replaced Frank Reich nine games into the 2022 season, but the former was 1-7 as interim coach of the Colts. Saturday, 47, interviewed twice for the position and was one of seven known finalists.

Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris also had two interviews with the Colts.

Morris was head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-2011. He’s viewed as a finalist in Indy after details of his lengthy second interview were reported this week by ESPN.

–Field Level Media