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Indianapolis Colts Won’t Force Andrew Luck To Change Style

By Garrett Hagan

Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) runs out of the pocket in the first half against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) runs out of the pocket in the first half against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has been known to take many unnecessary hits throughout his young career. Quarterback coach Brian Schottenheimer won’t look to change Luck’s style of play, however.

The Indianapolis Colts head into the 2016 season with hopes that an improved offensive line and a fully healthy starting quarterback will result in better results this time around.

After missing over half of the season in 2015, the Colts’ franchise quarterback hopes the same. The team did have a very leaky offensive line last season that contributed to Luck taking numerous hits and contributed to the team going through three different starting quarterbacks in 2015. But, Luck’s aggressive style of play can also be attributed to him falling victim to injury.

CBS 4’s Mike Chappell first reported earlier today that new quarterback coach Brian Schottenheimer doesn’t plan on having Luck change his style of play for the upcoming season.

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“We’re not going to change the way Andrew Luck plays,” Schottenheimer said. “Andrew’s going to play the game.” “You’ve got to let Andrew play.”

Fair enough. Prior to his injury-riddled 2015 campaign, Luck’s aggressiveness and winning mentality helped lead the Colts to three-straight 11-win seasons, advancing further into the playoffs every year and one win shy of the Super Bowl in the 2014 season. It makes a bit of sense as to why Schottenheimer wouldn’t want to take a risk and have Luck adapt his style of play.

Observing the other side of the debate, while Luck doesn’t need to completely change how he plays on the field moving forward, he knows he must do a better job at protecting himself.

“You have to be on the field to help your team is a simple truth,” Luck said. “I know as a quarterback you can avoid hits and limit those. I’ve got to do a better job at that.”

It’s likely that Luck is referring to the Colts’ week-nine win over the Denver Broncos in which Luck tried extending a play with his feet early in the fourth quarter rather than slide. He was hit by Denver’s Danny Trevathan — lacerating his kidney and resulting in Luck missing the remainder of the season.

Considering that the play that injured Luck came on a second down, his attempt at fighting for extra yards may have been a bit unnecessary and certainly could have swung the team’s season in a different direction.

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With the Colts heading into the 2016 season with an improved offensive line and new personnel such as a quarterbacks coach, the team will look for Luck to bounce back with a successful season and perhaps a playoff appearance.

Look for Luck to continue to be the same competitor that he’s known for being, but expect the 26-year-old signal caller to avoid putting his health in further danger moving forward.

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