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The three day Colts rookie minicamp came to a close today, and with it we are getting our first impressions of Andrew Luck as the franchise quarterback. So far, the reviews are very positive:
From Michael Marot, AP:
"He’s the same Andrew, as brilliant as ever," said tight end Coby Fleener, Indianapolis’ second-round pick and one of Luck’s college teammates. "He went out and was calling plays that were probably 30 words long off the top of his head. He’s amazing."
After the first practice on Friday, head coach Chuck Pagano was asked if he saw any nervousness from Luck:
Zero. He's unflappable. Mature beyond his years.
Pagano went on to rave that all the Colts rookies were off to a "great start," but also made a point to note that there were several "glitches." This was to be expected. These guys are, after all, rookies.
Pagano also stated that the coaches threw a dozen motions and shifts, and about a dozen more pass concepts, at Luck to see how he would handle things. At the end of each practice, Pagano's smile and glowing assessments of Luck were enough to tell everyone that the rookie was picking up the offense just fine.
At the Friday p.m. practice, Tom James of the Tribune Star tweeted that Luck was 13-of-16 with his passes with 7-8 in 7-on-7 drills.
The three day rookie minicamp ended Saturday with the Colts working on their redzone offense. the results left many in attendance impressed:
We really didn't see Andrew Luck zip a pass until Saturday afternoon's workout. But when he did, it got there in a hurry.
— Tom James (@TribStarTJames) May 6, 2012
Luck started to really fire in throws after an early on Saturday afternoon. His comfort level grew quickly and steadily after that.
— Tom James (@TribStarTJames) May 6, 2012
Colts rookie minicamp is a wrap. Appropriate finish: QB Andrew Luck red-zone TD pass to WR Jabin Sambrano in right corner.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) May 6, 2012
Hell, even Jim Irsay felt the need to get on twitter (shocking, I know) and hail the efforts of one Mr. Andrew Luck:
Special 2c 1st practice of Rookie Mini-Camp unfold,history watched quietly..the shadows of #19#7#4#18 loomed large as #12 showed his magic!
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) May 5, 2012
I think you can guess who the Shadows of #19 and #18 are. No. 7 is Bert Jones, former Baltimore Colts QB and one of the more underrated passers of his era. No. 4 is Jim Harbaugh, the man who would go on to recruit Andrew Luck at Stanford.