INDIANAPOLIS – Surprise has been replaced by disbelief.
Less than 24 hours after Anthony Richardson “tapped out’’ for one play in the Indianapolis Colts’ 23-20 loss at Houston Sunday, aftershocks reverberated. They might have been loudest on ESPN’s “Get Up.”
Those incredulous with Richardson’s decision – brief as it was – included long-time coach Rex Ryan, long-time offensive lineman Damien Woody and long-time backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky.
“I’ve been around this game all my whole life, right? Literally,’’ Ryan said Monday morning. “I’ve never seen a quarterback have to tap out of a frickin’ (game). Are you kidding me?
“This doesn’t happen. It’s not possible that this happened.’’
But it did.
With the Colts facing a third-and-goal at the 23 with 2:43 remaining in the second quarter, Richardson pulled himself from the game. The two previous plays required him to run around to elude the Texans’ pass rush, and after a long, winding second-down scramble that resulted in a sack, he got up and tapped his helmet.
That’s the universal signal a player needs a break.
“Tired. I ain’t going to lie,’’ Richardson said after the game. “There was a lot of running right there and I didn’t think I was going to be able to do that next play.’’
Backup Joe Flacco replaced Richardson and handed off to Jonathan Taylor for a 5-yard run. The next play, Matt Gay converted a 37-yard field goal.
Richardson returned for the Colts’ next possession and finished the game.
Woody, whose career included stints with the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets, couldn’t fathom a quarterback pulling himself from the game without it being injury-related.
“Bro, I’m an offensive lineman,’’ he said. “We don’t get breaks. We’re blocking for you every single play to protect you, OK? And you’re going to . . . tap your (helmet) and ask out of the game?
“You need to get your conditioning up. I can’t even wrap my mind around the fact that you’re asking out of a game. You must be grossly out of shape or something else must be going on.’’
Orlovsky’s seven-year career included spending the 2011 season with the Colts. He appeared in eight games, started the final five and was instrumental in the team avoiding an 0-16 season.
“When it comes to physical exertion, no one’s job is easier on game day than the quarterback’s,’’ Orlovsky said. “I can’t fathom Anthony saying this. I can’t fathom him saying it then getting into the huddle in the fourth quarter and looking guys like (Woody) in the eye and saying like, ‘I need a 10-play drive here. I need everything you’ve got. I know you’re dead. I need you to give me everything you have cause we can go win the game right now.’
“Those guys are going to be like, “You’re the same dude that tapped out?’’’
Ryan was animated throughout the exchange.
Richardson, he surmised, “thinks it’s acceptable. What makes you think this is acceptable, kid?’’
What would Woody’s reaction have been in that situation?
“I need to have a talk with you,’’ he said. “I’m sitting here busting my ass to protect you and you’re going to tap, you’re going to remove yourself from the game voluntarily? What are we doing?’’
Sunday wasn’t the first time a Colts quarterback pulled himself out of a game because of temporary fatigue.
Jim Harbaugh did that in the 1997 season opener at Miami. It was Aug. 31 and hot: 87 degrees with a humidity of around 60.
After being sacked three times on the next-to-the-last drive of the game, Harbaugh pulled himself out and was replaced by Paul Justin.
Harbaugh cited fatigue for the reason he took himself out.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.