Flash7

But to what end? To get a better spot in the draft? Who have we drafted that's a difference maker? Jonathan Taylor? That's about it and it's not going well. Pittman is okay, not a star. Pierce? Anyone? Really though. Who's been a difference maker where we can find comfort in this strategy?

1. I agree that there were some times where Luck made bad plays and put the team in a bad situation. At the same time, I think: 2. It's MORE likely that the team underperformed and put Luck in a bad situation. When Luck was playing, the Colts did not have a good O-line. They had NO run game and an average to really bad defense. They also had several different offensive coordinators, so there was no continuity. The result of all of this was an overall bad team and that bad team would often find themselves behind in many games. To his detriment, Luck was a team player. He wanted to abide by the system and allow his coaches and teammates to shine in victory. They could not. So, often Luck would have to take it upon himself to fight for first downs, just to keep drives alive. (Broncos TD drive). This would entail Luck diving and reaching for first downs or TDs while getting hit, (Chiefs Playoff Win). This would include running through defenders to keep drives alive, otherwise they would lose. (Green Bay Miracle Game). He put his body on the line in order to win and did what was necessary when the system and the team failed him. That's what I saw as the main reason for the 4th quarter comebacks. You could easily see a parallel universe where Luck played for a team with a great O-line, a great run game, and a stout defense, and he doesn't have to perform those 4th quarter heroics. He would still make some bonehead plays from time-to-time, as all QBs do, but maybe the team could overcome them without Luck having to ball out.

How else is player development supposed to work? You draft a player that has the traits you covet, work with them to improve, and develop them over time. Some times it works out well, like with Raimann, and sometimes it doesn't. What's the expectation? We just draft All-Pros all the time, right out of the gate?

If you're referring to luck warming up during his final preseason game, then yes I agree. That was misleading. If you're referring to the interview you posted, then no. That was weeks prior to his retirement. He had not intended to retire at that time.

Here's the timeline from that article: " Luck told his family and close friends. Wilson advised him to sleep on it. When they spoke two days later, Luck was resolute. Ballard tried to appeal to Luck's competitive fire, but it was gone. Reich implored him to not rush a big decision, but Luck didn't think it had been rushed. When Wilson met with Ballard to finalize the paperwork, both men cried. Luck savored his final days in pro football." - ESPN Andrew Luck finally reveals why he walked away from the NFL The decision to retire was made within a few days of his actual retirement. He admitted to having thoughts about retiring, but kept working to come back until his body forced him to decide. The answers he provided in the interview were genuine, at the time. He did say he regretted the timing of his retirement, but that alludes more to how it affected the team in hindsight. He does not regret retiring, rather he wished the team could have done better without him.

But somehow this isn't evidence that he honestly believed he would play week 1? This isn't evidence that he was going through rehab to get ready to play with and for his teammates? When it was LATER revealed that his lower leg injury was not healing as fast and that he would miss part of the season and go through extensive rehab all over again, something he promised himself he would not do again, THEN he knew it was time to retire. He did not this during this interview.

Along with NCF, I'm one of the biggest A. Luck fans, but I don't think he belongs in the HOF. I also think he would feel unworthy. Barry Sanders played only 9 years in the NLF and made it into the HOF, as well as Calvin Johnson, who played for 9 years and made it into the HOF. Andrew Luck only played for 7 years. And I don't think he had the impact on his position the way Barry and Megatron have had on theirs.

Z. Franklin played well last year. There was obviously a drop off in the number of turnovers created, but he played well. I think we'll be fine here.

Coach Pagano had Andrew Luck. But in the time that Luck was injured and unable to play, Pagano had success with guys like Matt Hasslebeck, Clipboard Jesus, and Tolzien. Chuck Pagano's record with the Colts: 54-43. Frank Reich's record with the Colts: 41-40-1 Frank Reich only had Andrew Luck for 1 year. That year the Colts started out horribly (1-5) mainly due to Luck coming back from shoulder injury and he was not able to make all of the throws. (Brissett coming in for Luck to throw a hail Mary pass to end the game). The offense was severely limited the first 6 games. But, once Luck got better and more strength in his shoulder, the offense opened up and the Colts went 9-1 the rest of the season. I think that if Frank Reich and Andrew Luck continued to play together, this wouldn't even be a question. Frank's offense was perfectly suited for Andrew. It kept him safe with quick reads, quick passes, and from time-to-time, deep shots., backed up by a good run game. We really missed out on what could have been.

We had these players: 1. Peyton Manning 2. Marvin Harrison 3. Reggie Wayne 4. Edgerrin James 5. Brandon Stokely 6. Dallas Clark 7. Dwight Freeney 8 Robert Mathis 9. Bob Sanders These guys were elite football players and we won 1 Super Bowl. We have NOTHING in comparison to the type of talent we used to have. I can easily see why we are ranked so low when comparing our current talent to what Colts fans were used to at one time.

It’s the right call.

He chose to go with Matt Ryan. He chose to end his career before it ever got started. If he sticks with Matt Ryan, he deserves to go.

So now we know the secret. We need an 89 yard return for this offense to score. Let’s add that to the playbook.

Field goal, here we come!!!

Reich was right to go with Sam. Matt Ryan gives you nothing. Nothing!

Check down Charlie better hit the bench. Done with M. Ryan.

Matt Ryan just makes it too easy for opposing defenses. Maybe we bench him again for a few games to rest up his arm. That seems to be the only way to get a good game from him. He’s just meh right now.

The O-line is worse than last year. And last year's O-line was meh. The WRs are worse than last year. The defense entirely is worse.

This is really going to test Irsay's patience. Especially after last year. Will he stick with his GM and coach? Will he stick with the GM and fire the coach? It'll be interesting to see what's yet to come....

If we actually get a top-5 pick, it may no longer be Ballard's job to make that selection.

Yeah. Like most teams, they will look better during garbage time. It means very little, if anything at all.

Colts down 24-0 going into the 4th quarter. Garbage time stats coming...... which will mean nothing.

I'm really into working out and losing weight. I set my DVR to record the Biggest Loser and it started recording the Colts game! Hahaha.

83 yards passing with 1 INT in the first half. 4 rushing yards.

So it's fair to say that without Luck, Grigson too would have struggled, kind of like Ballard is now.