Colts' Mini-Camp 2012: First Impressions of Andrew Luck
The Colts had their first mandatory mini-camp yesterday, with rave reviews coming for Andrew Luck, not only from the media, but from his teammates:
@BillNally Awesome. Hes a great player
— Austin Collie (@AKCollie_17) June 13, 2012
Great practice today...good seeing Luck out there competing
— Jerraud Powers (@JPowers25) June 12, 2012
Me @CRedd90and DFree gave the QB a hard time today(He's a #ROOK) but I see what the big fuss is all about now. Indy we have another one!!
— ROBERT MATHIS (@RobertMathis98) June 12, 2012
In my Spanish voice Doce numero de la suerte is gonna be a great player. But he's a rookie & I like giving them a hard time #Colts
— Cory Redding Sr. (@CRedd90) June 12, 2012
After todays practice, all I can say is Andrew Luck is impressive.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 12, 2012
The tweets from the players is incredible to me. It's not easily that veteran players give up their praise for a rookie, but the vets on this team are already giving glowing reviews on rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. It's impressive to see that. If Luck can win over his teammates on the first mini-camp, his leadership of the team looks to be in very good position.
Most impressive to me is Mathis' saying "Indy we have another one!" Andrew Luck may not be Peyton Manning, but he's already reminding people of him, making adjustments at the line in his first practice.
According to Phil Richards of the Indy Star, Luck didn't look like a rookie who'd missed OTAs, but like a player who'd been here all summer. Richards said Luck knew the "plays, the reads, the protections, the hot receivers." According to Albert Breer, Coby Fleener came back from OTAs with loads of information for Andrew Luck and Griff Whalen, with whom Luck spent about 90 minutes a day on the field with during the last few weeks.
However, that doesn't mean it will translate to instant success in 2012. Luck wasn't perfect in the more intense afternoon session:
Don't panic, but #Colts QB Andrew Luck had his share of bad throws at minicamp this afternoon. Was picked twice, could have been twice more.
— Phillip B Wilson (@pwilson24) June 12, 2012
Luck has lot to learn. Too much air on deep ball to Wayne, well-covered by 3 defenders, INC. #Colts QB overthrew Reg for TD on another.
— Phillip B Wilson (@pwilson24) June 12, 2012
*Note: Wilson was the only reporter on Twitter to note two actual picks for Luck. Everyone else reported just two dropped interceptions.
Obviously, this is nothing to worry about. It is, after all, mini-camp in June.
Still, fans must have patience in 2012. If Luck struggles at all, or turns the ball over a lot, it's nothing to worry about. Remember, Manning threw 28 picks his rookie year, and only completed 56% of his passes, leading to just three wins on the season.
The more important thing for Luck, and the Colts' future, is that he shows progression throughout the season, making the smart reads and adjustments. And in that regard, Luck looks to be off to a good start.
"The more important thing for Luck, and the Colts' future, is that he shows progression throughout the season, making the smart reads and adjustments."This is really the important part. Yeah, Peyton threw 26 TDs and 28 INTs his first year, but 3 and 11 respectively in his first four games. The last 12 he had 23:17. And his completion percentage went from mostly 40s and 50s to mostly high 50s and 60s.
So, progress. More important than overall stats for the year.
I'm pretty hype for the mini camp this afternoon. It'll be nice to see our guys in action. ... even if it is just walkthroughs and drills
Don't listen to Wilson, no other reporter had Luck with any actual picks ... Just two that were dropped. A shame to give life to that bizarre tweet. There were reports of several picks thrown by the other QBs ...
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Peyton was never the most innately talented QB in the league. He wasn't Superman. But he learned so fast, you could never beat him the same way twice. Peyton Manning was Doomsday. He KILLED Superman.
