Ballard is confident in his approach with the young quarterback.
Patience is a virtue. Some are blessed with it while others are not. Chris Ballard appears to have plenty of patience when it comes to the development of Anthony Richardson and is encouraging fans to have some as well. Richardson’s struggles have been well documented as injuries have shaped much of his young career. Within those struggles, however, have been flashes; the flashes that led to him being the fourth overall pick for the Indianapolis Colts. Ballard is firm in his belief that the flashes will outshine the struggles as Richardson’s third year commences.
As training camp kicked off from Westfield’s Grand Park, Ballard was asked directly if year three was a make or break year for Richardson. Ballard immediately began shaking his head in disagreement. When asked why his timeline and perception seemed different from that of so many outside the organization looking in on the matter, he responded with a question of his own asking if people regret Baker Mayfield’s time. He then followed up by using Sam Darnold as another example. When pressed further by the fact that both of those men were traded to new teams, Ballard retorted, “Exactly”.
Ballard’s point here is that the Browns and Jets gave up on those two quarterback’s too early. Changing teams could have been the catalyst, but there is also a chance both players would have found their way with their original team had patience been practiced. Instead of panicking and shipping both of them out, the success they found with other teams could have been had with the team that drafted them. Ballard stated it isn’t time to “flush” Richardson just because fans and the media feel this is a make or break year. Richardson was always a player who was going to take more time to develop. Abandoning that plan too early could put the Colts in the exact same situation the Browns and Jets find themselves in currently.
There is a fine line between sunk cost and holding out for an opportunity. Wait too long and Chris Ballard appears stubborn and dull. Act too soon and it could be one of the franchise’s greatest regrets. Anthony Richardson needs to step up. That much is clear. Is it this year? Is it the following? The answer to that is extremely individualistic. For Ballard, this is not the moment or even the year to have that conversation. Yes, patience is a virtue, and it appears to be one Ballard is more than comfortable practicing.