Colts’ Luck fights through rough stretch
In three plays, Andrew Luck showed Indianapolis Colts’ fans how tough life can be for a rookie quarterback.
He threw one interception, had another pass broken up and nearly picked off and then ran for a score on a quarterback draw. One defensive coach even urged Jerry Hughes to celebrate the interception.
Welcome to the NFL, kid.
Luck looked calm during most of the afternoon practice, completing 27 of 38 passes during team drills, throwing for three touchdowns and one interception in his first workout in full pads since being selected No. 1 overall in April’s draft. By most accounts, it was another good day for the two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up.
“He’s not a rookie quarterback, really,” safety Tom Zbikowski said. “He’s smart. He’s wise beyond his years.”
And he should feel comfortable in his new Colts gear.
Luck dressed in white pants, a white helmet and a red No. 12 jersey – the same colors he wore at Stanford the past three years.
Had it not been for the blue stripes on the helmets and pants, a bigger, faster defense and 2,000 people monitoring his every move, Luck might have felt as though he was still in college.
So far, things have gone as well as could be expected.
Coaches and teammates have praised his knowledge of the offense and his ability to take command in the huddle. Former Colts coach Tony Dungy was impressed with Luck’s decisiveness. Team owner Jim Irsay acknowledged that despite some anticipated rough patches this season, Luck will make the transition from college star to franchise quarterback as smoothly as any quarterback since Peyton Manning in 1998.
Thousands of fans have shown up each of the first three days the Colts have practiced at Anderson University, a Division III school about 30 miles northeast of the team complex on Indianapolis’ west side.
On the field, Luck has been a big hit.
He has looked relaxed, sharp and in complete control.
Around the league
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis agreed to a two-year contract extension through the 2014 season. Lewis already holds the club record for tenure as a head coach, entering his 10th season … The NFL suspended Green Bay Packers linebacker Erik Walden for the regular-season opener for violating the league’s personal conduct policy … The Tennessee Titans agreed to a four-year deal with first-round draft pick Kendall Wright, a wide receiver from Baylor.