Renewed optimism reigns supreme across the cities in America that have an NFL franchise in their respective backyards, as it’s time for training camps to open, and with the regular season just a few meaningless preseason games away, millions and millions of professional football fans are prepared to get their fix. Everyone is currently undefeated and in contention for a Super Bowl crown. All you need is faith at this point and a great quarterback as well.
Your hometown Indianapolis Colts open up shop this week as well, and they have a stud at quarterback. Perhaps you heard of him. His name is Andrew Austen Luck, and he’s a super nice gentleman away from the field. Polite, articulate, and great with the fans are just a few ways to describe him. And while my interactions with him have been limited, he’s always conversed with a smile, whether it be in a controlled media session following a game, the pits of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, or a chance encounter as he’s cruising by on his bicycle in downtown Indianapolis. Again, just a great guy.
Those facts aside, we continue (At least I do) to wonder if he’ll ever throw a football with his normal impressive velocity again, despite his employer saying he’s ready to go without any restrictions. Seems as if we’ve heard this story before, and while we’d like to believe it’s true, there are those (Uh, me) who feel the continual updates and progress reports denoting his return are more about selling tickets than reality. If you think the Colts brass are being honest about the situation (I sure don’t) then you have nothing to worry about, and Luck will lead the Colts and your fantasy football team to the Promised Land. He’ll be the comeback story of the year as he leads the team to multiple wins and beyond. Playoffs? No problem. Get ready for it.
Yes, this is just training camp, but Luck can no longer be simply sitting on the sidelines just “resting” as many veterans do in both camp and the preseason. He needs to wing the ball and come out smoking, right? Well that’s the perfect scenario, but it’s no more than a pipe dream at this juncture. And while he’s been harder to locate than Jimmy Hoffa during his alleged private workouts this off season, it’s now show time ladies and gentleman, and the curtain has risen. These camp workouts that many football executives dismiss as simply thinning the herd, are crucial to number 12, and it will be obvious rather quickly if he can’t sling a 40-yard frozen rope right out of the gate. Kind of hard to fake a deep sideline route, and considering the dog and pony show that transpired at the recent organized team activities in which Luck was simply lobbing the ball, well there really isn’t much to talk about, now is there?
Well, yes there is. How about the team simply saying he’s still not ready and we are not sure when he will be. That’s more than enough for me, and should also suffice for all of you unlike myself, that pay your hard earned money to get in to Lucas Oil Stadium after dropping 30 bucks to park.
I know what you’re thinking, every thing will be okay once Colts owner Jim Irsay conducts his annual preseason chat with the media, and confirms Luck’s return. Just keep buying those $12 beers and trust us, that’s the message, right? Are you that foolish to accept that rubbish again?
It’s really pretty clear to me, and if an old scribe like me can figure it out, then so can a smart fan like yourself. Until Luck throws it continually, with mustard on it, day after day, then it’s just not happening and he can’t be proclaimed as healed and ready to go. Don’t fall for the rhetoric, just look for the facts.
There will be plenty of eyes on him, so if he ever zings it again repeatedly, it will be all over your television. Until then, don’t buy a ticket, a replica jersey, or even a cap from a franchise that won’t come clean with you. Tell them through your lack of patronage that you won’t be misled again about the matter and that you’ll watch the games from your living room. If l’m wrong, I will publicly apologize to Andrew Luck and the Colts.
The real question is, if I’m right, what will the Colts have to say about it?
Notes: The Colts will conduct their training camp in Westfield for the first time in franchise history. There will be ample opportunity for fans to watch workouts and get a close up look at players. Practice begins on July 25 at the Grand Park Sports Campus. There is no charge to attend, but the tickets must be acquired online. The team opens their preseason schedule at Seattle on Aug. 9. More information can be obtained at www.colts.com
Danny Bridges, who would love to be wrong about Andrew Luck, can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com
