Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck told NFL Network earlier this month that he's "100 percent more comfortable" this year than last. One teammate noted Wednesday that Luck has been so sharp that he has been giving defensive backs "the business" in offseason practices.
Count veteran backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck among those in awe of Luck's accelerated progress.
"I knew he was a great player," Hasselbeck said, via The Indianapolis Star. "But I really didn't know what kind of leader he was in the locker room. It just comes real natural to him. ... He's been off-the-charts impressive that way."
Luck already has a relationship with new Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, as the two worked together at Stanford. Luck has just 20 percent of Hamilton's offense left to learn, according to NFL.com's Jeff Darlington, allowing coaches to get more creative with the game plan this year.
"I think there's a comfort level with (Hamilton's offense)," Hasselbeck added. "Also, how he plays. He's earned the respect of this locker room and he's earned the respect of the people around the league he has to go up against."
It's amazing that Luck has received such little hype this offseason with so many analysts and writers extolling the virtues of run-option threats such as Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson and Robert Griffin III. Luck, arguably the most gifted of the bunch, is poised to reach "elite" status in 2013.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.