It is far too easy in life to tell someone what to do. We are all at some point or another guilty of it, as we conveniently hide behind the premise that we care about someone and only want what is best for them.
The high profile athletes that many in this country worship are certainly not exempt from similar scrutiny. More often than not, players are subject to the opinions and philosophies of those who hold season tickets purchased with their hard earned cash.
Fair enough I say, but in reality, the expectations placed upon the shoulders of our beloved heroes are unrealistic.
Many have already added Colts quarterback Andrew Luck’s name to the distinguished list of those who cannot fail, as he certainly is (in the opinion of most) a sure fire star in the making; one that comes complete with a guarantee to be successful, barring serious injury.
Forget the fact that he is a rookie, you say, as he is indeed the chosen one to replace that “One Guy” who was so prolific here for such a long time. The rub with these ridiculous expectations seems obvious to me, as no rookie quarterback in the history of the NFL has ever conquered the league from the onset, and most likely never will.
Luck has shown poise in the limited opportunities we have seen him, and many have marveled at his accurate arm. He also has demonstrated mobility, which will serve him well when his defensive line inevitably breaks down.
The pressure on Luck is something that I cannot even begin to understand, as it is double that of any other quarterback selected No. 1 in the draft by virtue of the ghost of Peyton Manning that will undoubtedly be swirling in the rafters of Lucas Oil Stadium.
However, this shouldn’t be about how well Luck performs right out of the box, or for that matter how his predecessor does in Denver. It clearly should be viewed as a situation in which there is plenty of time to develop and allow the maturation process to occur naturally.
Luck seems mature beyond his years, and that no doubt will come in handy as he takes his lumps on a roster that has more holes than a block of fine Swiss cheese. Regardless, lets welcome a young man with expectations that are grounded in reality, and not pin all of the problems of the Colts organization on him at the same time.
Again, I like what I have seen up close so far, so I am going to be ultra realistic with Andrew Luck, and not just for a few games. Feel free to join me Colts fans, as I say just being Andrew is all he owes us. Win or lose, I am confident that will certainly be more than enough.
Danny Bridges, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
