My thoughts on the Colts and the 2012 Draft

Andrew Luck (#12) celebrates a victory with his teammates

             
            There hasn’t been so much hype for a quarterback since Peyton Manning, which is ironic since the team that controls Luck’s future is the same team that drafted Manning. The Indianapolis Colts have the number one pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, and most are expecting them to select quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck has been outstanding at Stanford, and it’s his size, strength, and intelligence that has teams drooling over him. Luck is 6’ 4” and 235 lbs. (for comparison’s sake, Manning is 6’ 5” and 230 lbs.) and doesn’t have a cannon for an arm, but has the ability to make precise throws to anywhere on the field.  Luck is also a tremendously smart guy. He will graduate Stanford University with a degree in architecture, and that intelligence is apparent on the football field as he has only thrown 22 interceptions in three seasons.

            
            So now that you know all about Luck, I’ll let you know why I don’t believe the Colts should draft him. There are several teams that are in a way more desperate need for a quarterback than the Colts, and those teams (i.e. Dolphins, Redskins, Chiefs) are gonna be willing to pay a lot to get him.

            The Colts should trade the number one pick to one of these teams for some 2012 picks and maybe a couple of 2013 picks. Then draft a quarterback that doesn’t have the same expectations that Luck does. Pick a player such as Landry Jones, Case Keenum, Kellen Moore, or Austin Davis (QB from Southern Miss who really impressed me) that won’t want as much money or want to start on opening day. You can keep Manning and let him tutor the rookie for a year or two. Then let Manning go and start the young player.

            This is the same thing that happened in New England with Tom Brady (selected in the sixth round) and in Green Bay with Aaron Rogers (selected 24^th overall). And let’s be honest, which would you rather have? One Super Bowl win in 10 years like the Colts, or three Super Bowl wins in 10 years like the Patriots?

             

            We will most likely not know what the Colts will do until early March. On March 1^st, Manning will be evaluated by a doctor to see if he will be ready to play by the 2012 season. Then on March 8^th, the Colts either pay Manning $28 million dollars or he becomes an unrestricted free agent (meaning he can talk to and take offers from any team). If the Colts don’t pay Manning, then start saving your money for a #12 Luck jersey.