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The preseason debut for the "new era" Indianapolis Colts could not have been better scripted, save for a few players who had to leave the game with injuries. Pat Angerer (foot), Delone Carter (ribs), Mike McGlynn (knee), and Scott Lutrus (knee) were the only negatives in a game that featured many, many positive moments.
The player who everyone will be talking about is Andrew Luck after he and his new team defeated the St. Louis Rams 38-3 in the first preseason game for both teams in 2012.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft made his NFL debut, and he did not disappoint. Luck went 10-16 for 188 yards and two touchdowns. If not for three drops in one drive during the second quarter, Luck would have ended the day with a perfect 158.3 QB rating. One pass play that was not a drop was Luck's first, which also happened to be a 63-yard touchdown. On Lucks first offensive play, he tossed a two-yard dink to Donald Brown who then accelerated for 60-plus yards, untouched, for a score.
It was that sort of day for the Colts.
It's important to note that, even though everyone is happy and festive and bubbly about winning a preseason game, the Rams are a rebuilding team just as the Colts are. They have a new front office, a new coaching staff (led by Jeff Fisher), and are working to rebuild their roster. This was an exhibition game where the Colts needed to show off a bit. Jim Irsay had not, exactly, warmed himself to Indianapolis fans this offseason. Despite that, the early reviews for Irsay's new quarterback are impressive.
Almost as impressive was the Colts new defense. They were able to generate consistent pressure all game, and they had success stuffing St. Louis' rushing attack.
Again, it's preseason. Let's not freak out. However, winning 38-3 always feels good on some level, and you have to be encouraged by how well this team played today.