Another perspective of rookie QB Andrew Luck's performance – NFL Feature
Only positive for the Indianapolis Colts from the 2-14 National Football League (NFL) 2011 season was that they had qualified for top-notch draft quarterback Andrew Luck in 2012 draft selection.
Since arrival of Luck in Indianapolis, the town is abuzz with praise for the first-year offence leader. He was their celebrated hero even before he hit the field, but when he did he proved to be worthy of all the hailing.
Yet some of even diehard fans of the team, particularly of Luck, do not know another perspective of his performance, and that is his mistakes and fouls. It is probably because the media has never thrown a light on that aspect of his game.
His overall performance makes him the best rookie offence leader in the league, and since it is his first pro year his achievements are even more remarkable for him and his team.
At the same time, his mistakes have hampered his progress and he is yet to be rated among the best quarterbacks in the American Football Conference (AFC).
However, a particular encouraging point about Luck is that he is not afraid of talking about the negative side of his performance.
Until the Texans game by mid of this month (Dec. 2012), the rookie had thrown for 18 interceptions. He lost nine fumbles and was sacked more times than any other rookie of his rank in the AFC.
He was then nearing completion of 4,000 passing yards with completion rate 54.6 percent, which was quite lower than average 60 percent, which is seen as a remarkable completion percentage for a rookie.
Still, all mistakes and fumbles on one side and his other qualities on the other, and the QB is more popular for the latter and not at all condemned for the former.
He is one amongst a few players who have earned great approval and likability of fans and game lovers in very first year of their careers. Luck’s profile sounds to be much better than some of his seniors, no matter how successful they are in their careers.
Also, the credit goes to the rookie offence leader that he made the Colts fans forget and get over with some of lasting memories from the era of his predecessor Peyton Manning. He all achieved through his performance.
Even his critics note that his leadership skills are of a grownup professional, not of a player who hits the professional league for the first time. It is probably his stature that has made analysts forget the negative perspective of his form.
Texans coach Gary Kubiak said of him before their game:
"It's got to be a big conscious effort for us to keep him contained, and then when we do have our opportunities you got to really work to bring him down. You can make just an incredible highlight reel of people just hanging on to him and him still making
plays."
His own coach Bruce Arians says:
"I've seen ladders, brooms, everything, and balls still get batted in games. They're so good at disengaging when they're not going to get to the quarterback and getting in that throwing lane that it's really hard to replicate."
It is just a beginning for Luck, and a long career is ahead of him. He is certainly going to make and break many records as he progresses into the future.
Disclaimer: The views do not represent editorial policy of bettor.com
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