Am I the only Colts fan who thinks Luck gets too much credit for the teams success?

[horseshoeblue22]

By no means am I saying he is a lousy quarterback, but I cringe every time I see a sports writer claim that the Colts are Andrew Luck and just a bunch of other guys. I wince every time I see a fan criticize Grigson and the coaching staff for "failing to put talent around Andrew."

Andrew has put up better statistics in his first three seasons than any other QB in history has in their first three years. He's an excellent quarterback, but why do people act like it is the team around Luck that is holding him back? Do people really expect him to be throwing 75 TDs a season at this point in his career?

The Colts have put great offensive talent around him since the day they drafted him. Reggie Wayne never got the credit he deserved because he caught passes from two outstanding QBs. TY Hilton is an afterthought in most peoples minds, a product of Superman Andrew Luck. Nobody mentions Coby Fleener when talking about excellent young TEs, just another guy who gets his stats from playing with 12. Dwayne Allen and Donte Moncrief are very talented as well, but nobody outside of Indy knows who these guys are.

"You can give Andrew Luck any receiver and youll have a productive one" ...except thats just true. Ask Darrius Heyward Bey. Ask Hakeem Nicks. These guys were reclamation projects, everyone thought that Luck would make them successful just by being Andrew Luck, but he couldn't. You can argue that these guys simply didnt get open...but the great quarterbacks are able to hit their receivers even when they are NOT open. Not saying Luck is inaccurate, but he could really stand to improve his ball placement and decision making at times. He is not on the same level as Drew Brees, Rodgers or Manning...not yet.

Luck gets the credit for comeback wins against the Chiefs and the Browns, but everyone forgets the poor throws that dug them into those holes. Look at all the blowout defeats we have suffered the last three years and youll see Andrew making poor throws and questionable decisions early and often. Colts fans complain about how we consistently come out slow early in games, but no one is willing to hang that on Luck. They want to blame the backs and the coaches and the playcalling and every one else. One of the reasons our run game struggles is because 12 hasnt yet shown the ability to consistently beat the blitz.

My favorite player on the Colts is TY Hilton. Often, people are surprised by this. "You have the best QB ever and hes not even your favorite player?" and I respond: "Because its TY out there each week, getting open and making Luck look good."

Again, I love having Andrew Luck. He deserves credit. But you cant give him the credit for the Colts turn around and then discredit the effort from the receivers, the linemen, the coaches, and the defense. Andrew doesnt do it ALL himself. I have watched every Colts game over the last two season on DirecTV Sunday Ticket. I have watched Luck torch defenses and I have seen Luck struggle. I went to the Browns game this year and sawhim make several baffling throws in person. Theres a reason his INT totals are so high, and its not his o-line.

It just seems like 12 gets all the credit for our wins, but fans are quick to excuse him for our bad games and blame it on the 52 guys around him. Hes going into his fourth year, still on his rookie contract. Can we please stop acting like hes a ten year vet who has it all figured out?

Sorry, rant over

[horseshoeblue22]

Whoops! Mods can you please move this to the Colts Football board, not the Draft/FA board?

Thanks a million.

[21isSuperman]

Here we go...

By no means am I saying he is a lousy quarterback, but I cringe every time I see a sports writer claim that the Colts are Andrew Luck and just a bunch of other guys. I wince every time I see a fan criticize Grigson and the coaching staff for "failing to put talent around Andrew."

We are very far from a complete team.  We've put weapons around Luck, but I think there are still a lot of holes to fill and we need to surround Luck with better talent.

Andrew has put up better statistics in his first three seasons than any other QB in history has in their first three years. He's an excellent quarterback, but why do people act like it is the team around Luck that is holding him back? Do people really expect him to be throwing 75 TDs a season at this point in his career?

A more consistent offensive line (and consequently, running game) would help.  Plus, a defense that doesn't get blown out randomly every few weeks would help.

The Colts have put great offensive talent around him since the day they drafted him. Reggie Wayne never got the credit he deserved because he caught passes from two outstanding QBs.

Wayne is actually known around the league as a future HoFer, so I'm not sure why you would think he doesn't get the credit he deserves.

 

TY Hilton is an afterthought in most peoples minds, a product of Superman Andrew Luck.

Many around the league also believe Hilton is developing into a WR1.

 

Nobody mentions Coby Fleener when talking about excellent young TEs, just another guy who gets his stats from playing with 12. Dwayne Allen and Donte Moncrief are very talented as well, but nobody outside of Indy knows who these guys are.

Fleener is far from excellent.  If he wants to be a complete tight end, his blocking needs to improve.  He's very good as a receiver, but he's still not excellent.  As for Allen and Moncrief, people know they are talented.  They are talked about outside of Indy.  After we drafted Dorsett, many were saying that one of the reasons why it was such a confusing pick was that Moncrief had a promising rookie season.

"You can give Andrew Luck any receiver and youll have a productive one" ...except thats just true. Ask Darrius Heyward Bey. Ask Hakeem Nicks. These guys were reclamation projects, everyone thought that Luck would make them successful just by being Andrew Luck, but he couldn't. You can argue that these guys simply didnt get open...but the great quarterbacks are able to hit their receivers even when they are NOT open. Not saying Luck is inaccurate, but he could really stand to improve his ball placement and decision making at times. He is not on the same level as Drew Brees, Rodgers or Manning...not yet.

Agreed.  Luck has random accuracy issues.  He'll thread the needle on a really difficult pass, then overthrow a RB running a flare out of the backfield.  I do think Luck has the talent to make average receivers good and good receivers into very good/great ones.  However, he's still young and just going into his 4th season.  This is when I'm going to start having really high expectations for him.  For what it's worth, DHB's problems weren't something Luck could control (ie. he has bad hands) and Nicks started coming on towards the end of last year.

Luck gets the credit for comeback wins against the Chiefs and the Browns, but everyone forgets the poor throws that dug them into those holes. Look at all the blowout defeats we have suffered the last three years and youll see Andrew making poor throws and questionable decisions early and often. Colts fans complain about how we consistently come out slow early in games, but no one is willing to hang that on Luck. They want to blame the backs and the coaches and the playcalling and every one else. One of the reasons our run game struggles is because 12 hasnt yet shown the ability to consistently beat the blitz.

No one is saying Luck is perfect.  He's made his fair share of mistakes and still has a lot of room to grow and improve.

My favorite player on the Colts is TY Hilton. Often, people are surprised by this. "You have the best QB ever and hes not even your favorite player?" and I respond: "Because its TY out there each week, getting open and making Luck look good."

That's just silly.  Luck makes Hilton look good and Hilton makes Luck look good.  They're both very talented and help each other perform as best as they can.  To say Hilton is carrying Luck is just foolish.

Again, I love having Andrew Luck. He deserves credit. But you cant give him the credit for the Colts turn around and then discredit the effort from the receivers, the linemen, the coaches, and the defense. Andrew doesnt do it ALL himself. I have watched every Colts game over the last two season on DirecTV Sunday Ticket. I have watched Luck torch defenses and I have seen Luck struggle. I went to the Browns game this year and sawhim make several baffling throws in person. Theres a reason his INT totals are so high, and its not his o-line.

It just seems like 12 gets all the credit for our wins, but fans are quick to excuse him for our bad games and blame it on the 52 guys around him. Hes going into his fourth year, still on his rookie contract. Can we please stop acting like hes a ten year vet who has it all figured out?

Sorry, rant over

In summary: we are not a complete team yet.  Luck is a very good QB, but he still has room to grow.  He gets his share of the blame, but he also deserves a lot of credit.  Keep in mind that what you're perceiving as him getting too much credit is also a byproduct of his position.  I think it's Archie Manning who said a QB gets too much credit for a win and too much criticism for a loss.  People want to talk about Luck and Luck's play; no analyst wants to talk about interior OL play.

[BOTT]

You are wrong. Your arguments are pretty much garbage and not really worth going thru point by awful point.

BUT, I noticed you are yet another that blames Luck for the Colts getting in a hole against the Chiefs when that clearly wasn't the case. Did people actually watch that game or do they just repeat cramp from forums?

[CR91]

would you be saying the same thing if geno smith or blaine gabbert was our QB

[Nobody]

The talent around him may get underrated (but they do not show up sometimes when they need to) but he is a franchise QB and deserves all the credit he gets.

[BOTT]

The talent around him may get underrated (but they do not show up sometimes when they need to) but he is a franchise QB and deserves all the credit he gets.

The talent is highly overrated....on this forum anyway.

[horseshoeblue22]

would you be saying the same thing if geno smith or blaine gabbert was our QB

The thing with the Jets and Sanchez/Smith is they have had very little offensive star power since LT left town. I am not saying Hilton and our other offensive weapons carry Luck, I am saying that they definitely do their part. Same with the O Line, they are not as awful as everyone makes them out to be. Very few teams have the talent on their o line like Dallas does...its crazy to suggest the Colts line needs to play at that level.

Wayne is considered a potential HOFer but Marvin and several other all time greats dont make the cut because at the same time they are considered by products of a great quarterback.

I am just trying to dispel the notion that Andrew Luck is the greatest quarterback ever...hes still young and has a lot of room to improve. I understand he is everyones sweetheart around here, and any bad comment about him is treason in these parts...but come on.

Our team is not "complete" but there are 31 other teams that can say the same things. Luck is an excellent quarterback, but there is more than enough talent around him. Hes not out there doing it all on his own.

That was my point. My point wasnt to take away from Lucks accomplishments. It was to give credit where credit is due...our skill positions and o line are not "holding him back" by any means. Even if you put him on the Cowboys,Steelers orwhatever team you think has it all figured out offensively, his stats would look like they have with the Colts.

Do you really think Luck would put up equal or better numbers if he was drafted by the Jets, Jaguars or Rams? These teams are barren at offensive skill position players, the Colts are not. Do you think he would have amassed 33 regular season wins on any of those teams? I do not.

Andrew Luck deserves credit, but he gets ALL the credit. The fact that Hilton, Fleener, Allen, Davis and some of our other players are "starting to get recognition now" is a good thing...but to say the team lacks talent besides 12 is short sighted at best.

Andrew is the most valuable player on our team, I recognize that. But we didnt win 33 games in 3 years by "simply drafting Andrew Luck". The other players did their parts as well. Some people act like Luck should be throwing 80 TDs a year by year three and thats totally unrealistic. Some people act like hes head and shoulders above all other QBs, and its not true. In reality hes slightly ahead of guys like Matt Ryan and Cam Newton and behind Rodgers, Manning, and Brees. Not saying this is a bad thing...a guy in his third year playing like a ten year vet is an incredible thing...but lets not forget hes still a young player with flaws of his own.

[CR91]

smith had decker, harvin, and CJ last year. how much star power does someone need

[crazycolt1]

By no means am I saying he is a lousy quarterback, but I cringe every time I see a sports writer claim that the Colts are Andrew Luck and just a bunch of other guys. I wince every time I see a fan criticize Grigson and the coaching staff for "failing to put talent around Andrew."

Andrew has put up better statistics in his first three seasons than any other QB in history has in their first three years. He's an excellent quarterback, but why do people act like it is the team around Luck that is holding him back? Do people really expect him to be throwing 75 TDs a season at this point in his career?

The Colts have put great offensive talent around him since the day they drafted him. Reggie Wayne never got the credit he deserved because he caught passes from two outstanding QBs. TY Hilton is an afterthought in most peoples minds, a product of Superman Andrew Luck. Nobody mentions Coby Fleener when talking about excellent young TEs, just another guy who gets his stats from playing with 12. Dwayne Allen and Donte Moncrief are very talented as well, but nobody outside of Indy knows who these guys are.

"You can give Andrew Luck any receiver and youll have a productive one" ...except thats just true. Ask Darrius Heyward Bey. Ask Hakeem Nicks. These guys were reclamation projects, everyone thought that Luck would make them successful just by being Andrew Luck, but he couldn't. You can argue that these guys simply didnt get open...but the great quarterbacks are able to hit their receivers even when they are NOT open. Not saying Luck is inaccurate, but he could really stand to improve his ball placement and decision making at times. He is not on the same level as Drew Brees, Rodgers or Manning...not yet.

Luck gets the credit for comeback wins against the Chiefs and the Browns, but everyone forgets the poor throws that dug them into those holes. Look at all the blowout defeats we have suffered the last three years and youll see Andrew making poor throws and questionable decisions early and often. Colts fans complain about how we consistently come out slow early in games, but no one is willing to hang that on Luck. They want to blame the backs and the coaches and the playcalling and every one else. One of the reasons our run game struggles is because 12 hasnt yet shown the ability to consistently beat the blitz.

My favorite player on the Colts is TY Hilton. Often, people are surprised by this. "You have the best QB ever and hes not even your favorite player?" and I respond: "Because its TY out there each week, getting open and making Luck look good."

Again, I love having Andrew Luck. He deserves credit. But you cant give him the credit for the Colts turn around and then discredit the effort from the receivers, the linemen, the coaches, and the defense. Andrew doesnt do it ALL himself. I have watched every Colts game over the last two season on DirecTV Sunday Ticket. I have watched Luck torch defenses and I have seen Luck struggle. I went to the Browns game this year and sawhim make several baffling throws in person. Theres a reason his INT totals are so high, and its not his o-line.

It just seems like 12 gets all the credit for our wins, but fans are quick to excuse him for our bad games and blame it on the 52 guys around him. Hes going into his fourth year, still on his rookie contract. Can we please stop acting like hes a ten year vet who has it all figured out?

Sorry, rant over

By no means you are saying it and then you say it.

[Colts_Fan12]

The talent is highly overrated....on this forum anyway.

you can say that again

[RockThatBlue]

The thing with the Jets and Sanchez/Smith is they have had very little offensive star power since LT left town. I am not saying Hilton and our other offensive weapons carry Luck, I am saying that they definitely do their part. Same with the O Line, they are not as awful as everyone makes them out to be. Very few teams have the talent on their o line like Dallas does...its crazy to suggest the Colts line needs to play at that level.

Wayne is considered a potential HOFer but Marvin and several other all time greats dont make the cut because at the same time they are considered by products of a great quarterback.

I am just trying to dispel the notion that Andrew Luck is the greatest quarterback ever...hes still young and has a lot of room to improve. I understand he is everyones sweetheart around here, and any bad comment about him is treason in these parts...but come on.

Our team is not "complete" but there are 31 other teams that can say the same things. Luck is an excellent quarterback, but there is more than enough talent around him. Hes not out there doing it all on his own.

That was my point. My point wasnt to take away from Lucks accomplishments. It was to give credit where credit is due...our skill positions and o line are not "holding him back" by any means. Even if you put him on the Cowboys,Steelers orwhatever team you think has it all figured out offensively, his stats would look like they have with the Colts.

Do you really think Luck would put up equal or better numbers if he was drafted by the Jets, Jaguars or Rams? These teams are barren at offensive skill position players, the Colts are not. Do you think he would have amassed 33 regular season wins on any of those teams? I do not.

Andrew Luck deserves credit, but he gets ALL the credit. The fact that Hilton, Fleener, Allen, Davis and some of our other players are "starting to get recognition now" is a good thing...but to say the team lacks talent besides 12 is short sighted at best.

Andrew is the most valuable player on our team, I recognize that. But we didnt win 33 games in 3 years by "simply drafting Andrew Luck". The other players did their parts as well. Some people act like Luck should be throwing 80 TDs a year by year three and thats totally unrealistic. Some people act like hes head and shoulders above all other QBs, and its not true. In reality hes slightly ahead of guys like Matt Ryan and Cam Newton and behind Rodgers, Manning, and Brees. Not saying this is a bad thing...a guy in his third year playing like a ten year vet is an incredible thing...but lets not forget hes still a young player with flaws of his own.

Marvin doesn't make the cut? Says who?

[BlueShoe]

We were just talking about players visiting the board. Welcome to the board T.Y. Hilton.

[BOTT]

The thing with the Jets and Sanchez/Smith is they have had very little offensive star power since LT left town. I am not saying Hilton and our other offensive weapons carry Luck, I am saying that they definitely do their part. Same with the O Line, they are not as awful as everyone makes them out to be. Very few teams have the talent on their o line like Dallas does...its crazy to suggest the Colts line needs to play at that level.

Wayne is considered a potential HOFer but Marvin and several other all time greats dont make the cut because at the same time they are considered by products of a great quarterback.

I am just trying to dispel the notion that Andrew Luck is the greatest quarterback ever...hes still young and has a lot of room to improve. I understand he is everyones sweetheart around here, and any bad comment about him is treason in these parts...but come on.

Our team is not "complete" but there are 31 other teams that can say the same things. Luck is an excellent quarterback, but there is more than enough talent around him. Hes not out there doing it all on his own.

That was my point. My point wasnt to take away from Lucks accomplishments. It was to give credit where credit is due...our skill positions and o line are not "holding him back" by any means. Even if you put him on the Cowboys,Steelers orwhatever team you think has it all figured out offensively, his stats would look like they have with the Colts.

Do you really think Luck would put up equal or better numbers if he was drafted by the Jets, Jaguars or Rams? These teams are barren at offensive skill position players, the Colts are not. Do you think he would have amassed 33 regular season wins on any of those teams? I do not.

Andrew Luck deserves credit, but he gets ALL the credit. The fact that Hilton, Fleener, Allen, Davis and some of our other players are "starting to get recognition now" is a good thing...but to say the team lacks talent besides 12 is short sighted at best.

Andrew is the most valuable player on our team, I recognize that. But we didnt win 33 games in 3 years by "simply drafting Andrew Luck". The other players did their parts as well. Some people act like Luck should be throwing 80 TDs a year by year three and thats totally unrealistic. Some people act like hes head and shoulders above all other QBs, and its not true. In reality hes slightly ahead of guys like Matt Ryan and Cam Newton and behind Rodgers, Manning, and Brees. Not saying this is a bad thing...a guy in his third year playing like a ten year vet is an incredible thing...but lets not forget hes still a young player with flaws of his own.

So you are trying to dispel a notion that no one is claiming?

[Yoshinator]

horseshoeblue, you are digging yourself into a deeper and deeper hole, please stop.

[crazycolt1]

The talent is highly overrated....on this forum anyway.

Is that why they have done as good as they have? 49 news players out of 53 in three seasons. Oh and by the way two of those players are kickers. You can have your opinion but a team does not go three seasons in a row 11-5 with 3 playoffs and two division titles and not be very good. You are overlooking the facts. Your negativity is clouding reality.

[gregr507]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's just you

 

[rock8591]

/The OL is not Dallas or NE level, but is hardly bad compared to all 32 teams.

 

We are tied for 9/32 for sacks allowed for instance.

[horseshoeblue22]

Marvin doesn't make the cut? Says who?

Marvin didnt make the cut this year, if I recall correctly he wasnt even a finalist. Not saying he will never make it, but this year he didnt get enough votes. Hopefully he gets in next year, but if he doesnt it is because voters see him as a by product of his QB.

I am just calling it like I see it. Andrew deserves some, maybe most, of the credit but not ALL of it. I am not trying to dispel a notion that doesnt exist, it exists in this very thread. BOTT says our skill position players are overrated...

Are our skill guys really that weak compared to Nelson/Cobb and the guys in GB? What about Colston/Graham and the regulars for the Saints? I would not hesitate to put Wayne/TY/Fleener at or close to those groups of guys. Look on nfl.com, PFT or even certain topics on this page, you will see people saying "the Colts are just wasting Lucks career like they did Manning, they have no talent around him."

The talent is there. TY is no Calvin Johnson, but hes talented and still young. Fleener is no Gronk,but hes talented in his own right. Allen, Bradshaw and Moncrief are not elite talents either,but again...the talent is there.

Our defense gets even less credit then our skill guys do. We shut down Peyton is the playoffs, its because he was hurt. We shut out a very good Cinci offense in the reg season and its because they disnt have AJ available. We finished 11th in total defense, but no one gives the credit they are due. No one says hey, Indys D has some great players on it. Theres always an excuse to why the D plays well, and in turn always an excuse the few games where Luck plays poorly.

Luck is a great quarterback, but he is still young and he makes mistakes...too many sometimes. We won in Cleveland 25-24 after Luck gifted them two defensive return TDs. Luck gave them 14 points and our D gave them 10. But the narrative becomes Luck saves the day. Our defense gets no credit for playing tough and giving Luck the opportunity to pull off the comeback just because the Browns struggle on offense no one says hey the Colts D played really well with their backs against the wall.

Even in the 45-7 slubbing by NE in the championship game, the narrative becomes about the run d and how bad it is. No one takes off their blue and white glasses for a moment and wonders why the wonderboy couldnt put up more then 7 points.

At his age, Andrew has done some incredible things. In fact, most of the players at his level have been playing for ten years or more. This is a testament to how great of a player he is. But the rest of the team should not get their accomplished trivialized simply because they are playing with the "greatest ever". Hes not the gteatest ever, not yet, and its not the offense around him holing him back from that status.

To the guy talking up the "talent" on the Jets, Decker has hurt throughout the season, Harvin joined the team midseason after being useless in Seattle for two years. Johnson was hot garbage, couldnt beat out Chris Ivory and now spends his time getting shot and begging the Cowboys to sign him off free agency. And before this group of guys they were working with Jeremy Kerley and Santonio Holmes...great talents, right?

[Valpo2004]

I think the offensive talent around him gets underrated quite a bit.  We have one of the deepest receiving corps in the league, especially if you count TE's as well as WR's. 

 

Things are still questionable at RB.  Gore is past the age when he should have started to slow down, so that could happen at any time.

 

Line is actually better then they get credit for.  It was pretty bad Luck's rookie year but it's quite a bit better now.  Maybe not as good as we would like it to be, but it's not at the bottom of the league.

 

Special Teams are some of the best in the league. 

 

Secondary is solid although we lack long term solutions. 

 

Team around Luck is under rated but it still centers strongly on Luck in the end. 

[bap1331]

Leadership is always behind any teams success. So NO, he deserves most of the credit around this team's success. YOU cant expect success from all around you if you don't have what it takes to lead them.

 

Though the coach should always be credited first. hes the bridge between the success and the players.

[azcolt]

Not surprised by the OP's views. There are probably still a few fans who think the Colts should've gambled on Peyton's recovery and traded the number one pick used on Luck. Amazing, but true.

[Timo1]

Put luck on any sub .500 team and they are a play off contender. Put any sub .500 qb on the Colts and the Colts are sub .500. Just look at 2012 if Manning had played that year the Colts would have been a play off team. The NFL is a qb league. If you don't have a Brady, Manning, Luck, Ryan, Brees, and so on you aren't going to compete year after. A team might pop up 1yr but they won't last.

NFL

[Synthetic]

Nope you're not the only one that is unappreciative of the success your team has with the best young quarterback in the league. Many on this board over analyze him the same way you did and nitpick him to death, however you may be the only one that writes a novel out of it. 

[horseshoeblue22]

Six or seven paragraphs, properly spaced out, qualifies as a "novel"? This forum is such a joke some times. If you can't handle reading more then a sentence or two, don't read it. You don't have to reply to each and every post made on here.

 

I appreciate what Luck brings to our team. But I also appreciate what the other 52 guys bring to the team. Our defense isn't nearly as bad as some make it out to be. Our offensive line isn't nearly as bad as some make it out to be. The Colts are putting the right team around him, and are trending in the wrong direction. To suggest that "we aren't building a team around Luck" is asinine. That's what I am saying...not taking shots at our franchise quarterback, and I didn't intend for it to make it sound like I was.

[NewEra]

Our offensive weapons have been very inconsistent for one. Lots and lots of dropped balls or not getting open. Run game has been below average and Luck is under some serious pressure every time he drops back. So I think Luck deserve the credit he's due.

[horseshoeblue22]

Not surprised by the OP's views. There are probably still a few fans who think the Colts should've gambled on Peyton's recovery and traded the number one pick used on Luck. Amazing, but true.

 

Nah, I am glad we drafted Luck and moved on from Manning. But this "QB does it all by himself" narrative has been around the Colts for over a decade. In 2006, when the Colts last won the Superbowl, it was "Peyton Manning and everyone else" back then too. You would have thought he was out there making every tackle, every catch, every kick all by himself. It doesn't matter how great your quarterback is, you aren't getting to the playoffs, let alone the AFC Championship without the other players pulling weight. Football is the ultimate team sport, and no team gets by simply by the effort of one player...no matter what the media wants you to believe.

[C0lts088]

Nah, I am glad we drafted Luck and moved on from Manning. But this "QB does it all by himself" narrative has been around the Colts for over a decade. In 2006, when the Colts last won the Superbowl, it was "Peyton Manning and everyone else" back then too. You would have thought he was out there making every tackle, every catch, every kick all by himself. It doesn't matter how great your quarterback is, you aren't getting to the playoffs, let alone the AFC Championship without the other players pulling weight. Football is the ultimate team sport, and no team gets by simply by the effort of one player...no matter what the media wants you to believe.

Actually in 2006 a lot of the success especially during the playoff run was handed to the D, and bob sanders in particular

[oldunclemark]

By no means am I saying he is a lousy quarterback, but I cringe every time I see a sports writer claim that the Colts are Andrew Luck and just a bunch of other guys. I wince every time I see a fan criticize Grigson and the coaching staff for "failing to put talent around Andrew."

Andrew has put up better statistics in his first three seasons than any other QB in history has in their first three years. He's an excellent quarterback, but why do people act like it is the team around Luck that is holding him back? Do people really expect him to be throwing 75 TDs a season at this point in his career?

The Colts have put great offensive talent around him since the day they drafted him. Reggie Wayne never got the credit he deserved because he caught passes from two outstanding QBs. TY Hilton is an afterthought in most peoples minds, a product of Superman Andrew Luck. Nobody mentions Coby Fleener when talking about excellent young TEs, just another guy who gets his stats from playing with 12. Dwayne Allen and Donte Moncrief are very talented as well, but nobody outside of Indy knows who these guys are.

"You can give Andrew Luck any receiver and youll have a productive one" ...except thats just true. Ask Darrius Heyward Bey. Ask Hakeem Nicks. These guys were reclamation projects, everyone thought that Luck would make them successful just by being Andrew Luck, but he couldn't. You can argue that these guys simply didnt get open...but the great quarterbacks are able to hit their receivers even when they are NOT open. Not saying Luck is inaccurate, but he could really stand to improve his ball placement and decision making at times. He is not on the same level as Drew Brees, Rodgers or Manning...not yet.

Luck gets the credit for comeback wins against the Chiefs and the Browns, but everyone forgets the poor throws that dug them into those holes. Look at all the blowout defeats we have suffered the last three years and youll see Andrew making poor throws and questionable decisions early and often. Colts fans complain about how we consistently come out slow early in games, but no one is willing to hang that on Luck. They want to blame the backs and the coaches and the playcalling and every one else. One of the reasons our run game struggles is because 12 hasnt yet shown the ability to consistently beat the blitz.

My favorite player on the Colts is TY Hilton. Often, people are surprised by this. "You have the best QB ever and hes not even your favorite player?" and I respond: "Because its TY out there each week, getting open and making Luck look good."

Again, I love having Andrew Luck. He deserves credit. But you cant give him the credit for the Colts turn around and then discredit the effort from the receivers, the linemen, the coaches, and the defense. Andrew doesnt do it ALL himself. I have watched every Colts game over the last two season on DirecTV Sunday Ticket. I have watched Luck torch defenses and I have seen Luck struggle. I went to the Browns game this year and sawhim make several baffling throws in person. Theres a reason his INT totals are so high, and its not his o-line.

It just seems like 12 gets all the credit for our wins, but fans are quick to excuse him for our bad games and blame it on the 52 guys around him. Hes going into his fourth year, still on his rookie contract. Can we please stop acting like hes a ten year vet who has it all figured out?

Sorry, rant over

With respect, you are the only one.

Andrew Luck has led his side to 3 consecutive 11-win seasons despite a shuffling offensive line and the parade of running backs.

No QB now playing could take the hits he's taken and still perform

Don't fall into the trap of overrating interceptions and completing percentage.

NFL QB play comes down to passing talent, mobility and the physical ability to stay in the game plus faith your team has in you.

I sense that the Colts believe Andrew can lead them to victory anywhere anytime.

If Andrew was hurt and Matt Hasselbeck (top 25 all time in passing yardage and a proven playoff performer) had to play 16 games..we'd be 8-8 at best

[braveheartcolt]

Luck has the best stats in his first 3 years compared to any QB in history (your words).

Thread should have stopped right there.

[Andrew Luck fan club]

Luck has the best stats in his first 3 years compared to any QB in history (your words).

Thread should have stopped right there.

Yes . And the fact the Colts receivers led the league in drops.

[BPindy]

TY Hilton is recognized as a top 10 receiver by a lot of people around the league....and he is is amazing when he is on, but he's disappeared a number of times.

[Chucklez]

"You can give Andrew Luck any receiver and youll have a productive one" ...except thats just true. Ask Darrius Heyward Bey. Ask Hakeem Nicks. These guys were reclamation projects, everyone thought that Luck would make them successful just by being Andrew Luck, but he couldn't. You can argue that these guys simply didnt get open...but the great quarterbacks are able to hit their receivers even when they are NOT open. Not saying Luck is inaccurate, but he could really stand to improve his ball placement and decision making at times. He is not on the same level as Drew Brees, Rodgers or Manning...not yet.

Go back and watch every throw Andrew made to DHB... Sure there are a few innacurate ones, but more often than not Luck hit him right where he needed to and DHB just dropped the ball..... literally...

[Chucklez]

The Colts had the most dropped passes by any team last year, in both terms of quantity & percentage of throws.... Andrew deserves all the credit he gets.

[horseshoeblue22]

Luck has the best stats in his first 3 years compared to any QB in history (your words).

And thats why I dont understand why I am getting attacked in this thread, I never meant to bash 12 by any means. When its all said and done I think he will universally be considered one of the all time greats. I am not trying to ridicule him for his mistakes.

Maybe I should have worded the topic thread "Do you feel like our other star players get enough credit compared to the credit Andrew gets?" Too often our other players get passed by. I love Andrew, wouldnt trade him for any other QB...but I am NOT okay with the notion that the Indy Colts are a one man show.

[Malakai432]

I am just trying to dispel the notion that Andrew Luck is the greatest quarterback ever...hes still young and has a lot of room to improve. I understand he is everyones sweetheart around here, and any bad comment about him is treason in these parts...but come on.

I don't hear anyone calling him the greatest, he's a very good young QB with much room for improvement. That being said the Colts would probably be a 3-5 win team with a low to mid tear QB IMO prior to this year in which they are ultra stacked with talent, at least on the offensive side of the ball. They all need eachother however I'd take Andrew Luck BY FAR over any other player at any position on the team and its not even close.

[oldunclemark]

And thats why I dont understand why I am getting attacked in this thread, I never meant to bash 12 by any means. When its all said and done I think he will universally be considered one of the all time greats. I am not trying to ridicule him for his mistakes.

Maybe I should have worded the topic thread "Do you feel like our other star players get enough credit compared to the credit Andrew gets?" Too often our other players get passed by. I love Andrew, wouldnt trade him for any other QB...but I am NOT okay with the notion that the Indy Colts are a one man show.

But nobody says the Colts are a one-man show....that is, as you say, a notion. Its not the NBA. Nobody is a one man show

My question to you would be: Do we have anyone else who is Top-5 in the NFL at his position.

Anyone. Any position. No? Is Luck Top-5 as a QB?

Then Andrew Luck doesnt get too much credit for 2 division titles, 3 consecutive 11 win seasons and a 3-3 playoff record in 3 years.

Sometimes the all-star QB carries the offense. Its okay for it to be that way.

[BPindy]

But nobody says the Colts are a one-man show....that is, as you say, a notion. Its not the NBA. Nobody is a one man show

My question to you would be: Do we have anyone else who is Top-5 in the NFL at his position.

Anyone. Any position. No? Is Luck Top-5 as a QB?

Then Andrew Luck doesnt get too much credit for 2 division titles, 3 consecutive 11 win seasons and a 3-3 playoff record in 3 years.

Sometimes the all-star QB carries the offense. Its okay for it to be that way.

Vontae Davis is a top 5 corner easily

[oldunclemark]

Vontae Davis is a top 5 corner easily

Top-5 in the entire NFL...That's highly debatable,.

Revis, Sherman, Haden, Peterson, Talib,

Vontae is Top-10 or Top-15 maybe

[loudnproudcolt]

Marvin doesn't make the cut? Says who?

Just wanted to add to Marvin was a product of Manning, which is simply untrue. Manning helped him no doubt, but he was a great receiver. The only reason he did not get into the HOF the first vote, or probably the 1-2 votes is there is such a backlog of great

Wide Receivers who have not been inducted. Marvin has to wait his turn. The fact Cris Carter waited as long as he did. Tim Brown, and Andre Rison I believe this was his last year for consideration if he was not voted in. It is the one position for the HOF which is loaded with players who were great, but only so many can go in each year.