Ryan Clark quotes Ricky Bobby to describe enigma of Colts’ Anthony Richardson

This week, Shane Steichen made one of the most abrupt 180-degree turns in recent memory. He benched veteran Joe Flacco and reinserted Anthony Richardson as the Colts’ starting quarterback.

Richardson and the Colts (4-6) get the struggling New York Jets (3-7) on Sunday at MetLife Stadium (1 p.m. ET, CBS). And beginning Sunday, most observers will wonder whether Richardson has overcome consistency and accuracy issues that plagued the second-year quarterback before Steichen benched him two weeks ago. This season among passers with 100 attempts, Richardson ranks first in the league in air yards per attempt (12.3) but last in completion percentage (44.4).

“Ricky Bobby once said, ‘If you’re not first, you’re last,’” said former defensive back Ryan Clark on Thursday’s edition of ESPN NFL Live. “Anthony Richardson seems to be both at one time. Early on, we heard Adam Schefter say he may have learned from Joe Flacco. No, he’s quarterback now because Joe Flacco ain’t playing well.”

Flacco had a hand in all four turnovers in last week’s 30-20 loss to Buffalo, and the Bills cashed in those takeaways for 17 points. Clark said the key to changing the Colts’ course with Richardson is simplifying the offense.

“So, now, Shane Steichen, what you need to do is schematically put him in places to get the ball out of his hands, with RPOs, options and boots outside of the line of scrimmage. That gives him a run-pass option to throw it quickly or use his legs. Take him out of situations where he has to push the football down the field, unless it’s something you want him to do by down and distance.”

The Colts may not be first in the AFC South but the race is far from over. They’re just two games behind division-leader Houston (6-4). However, Indianapolis has already dropped both meetings against the Texans, meaning the Colts enter the final eight weeks of the season needing to overtake Houston in the standings. Houston owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.

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