Andrew Luck: Not Yet Perfect

Dec 1, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Tennessee 22-14. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Over the last few months, I’ve watched articles go up all over the media sphere about how Andrew Luck is the greatest quarterback to don the Colts’ horseshoe. I’ve seen bloggers fight tooth-and-nail that Luck will be the best quarterback in the NFL by the end of the 2014 season. I’ve witnessed people describe his throwing motion as innovative and his decision making as “on par with Tom Brady.”

Let’s hold our horseshoes Colts fans; Luck is close, but not there yet.

Andrew Luck has dazzled the NFL with his unique style of play. Luck’s ability to make plays with his feet is an incarnate skill of Aaron Rodgers, but Luck combines it with a deep ball as pretty as Brady’s. He finished at No. 12 in Pro Football Focus’ (subscription required) quarterback rankings, including a No. 3 ranking in running the ball (just under Cam Newton and Russell Wilson). He’s able to thread the needle on short throws and chuck it long-range with pinpoint accuracy. Luck has show ability to come back in games and excels at game-winning drives. Most importantly, he rarely makes the same mistake twice.

But Andrew Luck is not yet elite.

Luck’s biggest issue at quarterback is his decision making skill. While he did decrease his interception number from 18 to nine in his first two years, there’s still extremely questionable decision making in his throws. His 60 percent completion percentage from last season is not something to be content with. It has increased six percentage points in his first year, but continues to be an issue.

Most of all, Andrew Luck has concerning presence in important playoff games. In all three of his playoff games versus the Ravens, Chiefs and Patriots, Andrew Luck has a sub-par QBR of 70.0. If he wants to become elite, he must start consistently posting a QBR of 90+ in order to move up to the big leagues. In last year’s games against Kansas City and New England, Colts fans had a tough time keeping up with Andrew Luck’s multiple bad decisions.

The Colts have tried their best to help Luck, but it may come to no avail this season. Over the past two seasons, Andrew Luck may have taken the most hits of any quarterback in the NFL. If he can’t stay upright, he can’t be considered elite, no matter what the talent around him may show. Luck has a plethora of viable weapons on offense, but only if he can throw to them in a three-second window.

Andrew Luck is the best quarterback under the age of 25 right now and his future is remarkably bright.

But let’s temper expectations of his elite-ness.