No. With all due respect to
Andrew Luck and his impressive talents, he is no longer the obvious choice as the franchise quarterback of the future. Luck has struggled with turnover woes since his arrival, and his lack of ball security is a major issue for a team hoping to build a consistent winner. Sure, Luck has been asked to carry an offense that's been pressed into a pass-happy approach by the dearth of a steady running game, but he hasn't been able to guide his team to a
Super Bowl. Fair or not, quarterbacks are judged on their ability to win rings, and Luck hasn't put his team in a position to claim one at this point.
If I had to pick out a quarterback to build around for the future, I would opt for
Cam Newton. The reigning MVP guided the
Carolina Panthers to
Super Bowl 50 without a star-studded cast on the perimeter. Although the
Panthers' defense certainly deserves credit for its role in the team's success, the offense was one of the more prolific units in football on the strength of Newton's unique talents as a dual-threat playmaker. Considering how Newton was able to win at a high level with little assistance, I would tab the MVP as the quarterback I would want to build around for the future.
It could be easy to question
Andrew Luck's status as the NFL's best young quarterback after the
Indianapolis Colts' disappointing 2015 season. It also would be a mistake.
As much as Luck struggled last year -- when injuries limited him to just seven games and he posted his worst completion percentage (55.3) since his rookie campaign (54.1) -- he still has the most promise of any signal caller of his generation. Remember, he's never had the running attacks or the dominant defenses that have helped make Seattle's
Russell Wilson and Carolina's
Cam Newton so successful. His shaky offensive line also was a big reason why he missed so much time last season. If anything, 2015 showed us how much help Luck really needs. The fact that he's made three playoff appearances with that supporting cast means his future is brighter than that of anyone else in his age range.
Andrew Luck is still the man, because his skill set hasn't changed. The down year he had in 2015 doesn't change much for me. That organization asks a lot of him simply because he's capable of doing a lot. The
Colts have their franchise player. They just need to build a talented group around him. Until they get an offensive line, Luck is going to continue to get beaten up, and he'll probably never reach his full potential. But if there is a player to build around, it's him.
Originally, I felt like a lone wolf in saying that maybe we had anointed
Andrew Luck the next elite quarterback prematurely. The pendulum obviously has swung so suddenly due to turnovers (69 in four seasons), injuries and the
Colts' unsuccessful 2015 season that now I feel the expectations for Luck are more reasonable. If he's not the best quarterback to build around for the next decade, then who is? Based on team success and numbers,
Russell Wilson makes the best argument, though
Derek Carr sure is making a case for himself.
Here's the deal with Luck, and ultimately why I don't want to rule him out as a leading franchise quarterback for a post-Brady, post-Brees, post-Rodgers future: His attitude is on point, his toughness can't be questioned, and we have already seen a catalogue of clutch performances so early in his run. But going into the 2016 season, I think you have to take Wilson, until we see that Luck can stay healthy and return to his previous form. That said, if he can, I still feel Luck is the better passer -- and as these two players get older, that would tip the scales in Luck's favor. Let's also be mindful that Wilson always has been flanked by the better supporting cast.
Andrew Luck is so talented, so I think I have to go with him. He's been productive without a run game or a good O-line, and I think he still has more upside. I think he can still win several
Super Bowls in his career if he is protected and has balance in the run game. After all, he made it to the AFC title game in Year 3.
It's still
Andrew Luck. Don't forget that he took the
Colts to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons, advancing further every time. If not for him, Indy might've been below .500 all three years. He was hurt last year, and he needs help on the offensive line and with the running game. I think he needs to learn to throw the ball away more (115 career sacks) and force his throws less (55 career interceptions).
Andrew Luck is still the most desirable. Sure, he had a bad year, but he's proven he can play at a high level in this league. In four years, he's seen everything a defense can throw at him as opponents attempt to frustrate him, and he can still produce. He still has all of the measurables -- arm talent, mental stability and physical stature -- he had when he came into the league.
Andrew Luck has a great chance of coming right back and being very successful in 2016. This year, Indianapolis made moves that will help him out a lot.
The Colts selected four offensive linemen in the 2016
NFL Draft.
First-round pick Ryan Kelly could be for Luck what Jeff Saturday was for Peyton Manning in Indianapolis. Kelly is a plug-and-play center who could have a long NFL career.
Third-round pick Le'Raven Clark has long arms (36 1/8 inches) and should be able to offer better pass protection at right tackle than the team's previous starters. In order for Luck to be what everybody expected, the
Colts had to improve the offensive line. By committing a ton of draft currency to the unit, the
Colts will be able to establish a run game -- and that will further help the passing game.
