WESTFIELD, Ind. – The Colts held their first fully padded practice of training camp on Monday, as Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones each had arguably their best performances since camp started last Wednesday.
Physicality and competition have quickly become the two most prevalent themes of the first five days of training camp, and when the pads come on, those factors are only heightened.
"You just can't play without the pads being on," cornerback Kenny Moore II said with a smile.
Moore and the rest of the defense continued to show off their aggressiveness on Monday, thanks to that ability to be a little bit more physical, consistently challenging the Colts offense. Everyone had to increase their level of play to compete, and even though Richardson and Jones wore their red jerseys and didn't take any hits, they still had to adjust to the pressure. Monday ended up being the best showing both quarterbacks have put on so far.
"They're not getting hit, but they gotta know," head coach Shane Steichen said. "Obviously, the rush is going to be a little tighter, but they just gotta be able to move in the pocket, create space, know when to step up, know when to escape. All those things come into play whether we're in pads or not pads, it's all part of it."
"Both of them were solid," he said. "They're throwing the ball with accuracy, with rhythm, timing. Had some big plays down the field, so very pleased with both those guys."
While much of the work during team periods was focused on the run game and short passing plays – as it has been for much of camp so far – both quarterbacks had impressive deep throws. Richardson found tight end Will Mallory along the sideline in a seven-on-seven period, and Jones connected with wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Ashton Dulin downfield in 11-on-11 drills.
Both quarterbacks were also able to consistently find receivers in heavy coverage on short and intermediate throws. Richardson showed his growth in being able to layer passes and find tight windows for his target.
"You got to throw these tight windows in this league, and that accuracy and how to layer the ball and how to know when to throw it and how to throw it is big," Steichen said. "Obviously, going into year three, the timing, knowing the offense better."
Steichen confirmed both quarterbacks will continue to evenly split snaps with the first-team offense, and there is still no set timeline for naming a starting quarterback as he wants to "let this thing play out."
News and Notes from Monday's practice:
- Wide receiver Alec Pierce had a blister on his foot, Steichen said, and did not participate in practice.
- Tight end Will Mallory caught a few passes from both Richardson and Jones in various team drills, including a deep contested catch on the sideline from Richardson in seven-on-seven.
- Running backs Jonathan Taylor and DJ Giddens showed off their speed and physicality as they burst through the defensive line multiple times in 11-on-11 drills.
- Cornerback Jaylon Jones had a strong showing in one-on-one drills, breaking up a pass from Jones intended for Pittman. Jones had four stops on four tries in the one-on-one period.
- Cornerback Kenny Moore II broke up two passes intended for wide receiver Josh Downs during one-on-one drills.
- Also in a one-on-one period, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell beat out cornerback Charvarius Ward for a deep downfield reception.
- Cornerback Justin Walley broke up a pass intended for tight end Tyler Warren in a seven-on-seven period.
- Richardson found Mitchell with a dart through heavy coverage in the flat during 11-on-11.
- Jones connected with Dulin on back-to-back plays in an 11-on-11 period.
