Around the NFL

Jim Irsay thanks Maurice Jones-Drew for Andrew Luck

Published: Jan 06, 2015 at 08:40 AM

During a state of the union address Tuesday, Colts owner Jim Irsay lamented the lack of Super Bowl titles won in the Peyton Manning era.

But he also thanked one person in particular who jumpstarted the age of Andrew Luck.

He thanks Maurice Jones-Drew, who helped beat Colts in final 2011 game, secured them #1 pick. "Changed our destiny," Irsay said. Indeed.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 6, 2015

On Jan. 1, 2012, Maurice Jones-Drew torched the Colts for 169 yards on 25 carries. Indianapolis lost the game and secured the top pick in the draft. Months later, that pick became Luck, and a year after that, Indianapolis was back in the playoffs.

If nothing else, the Colts have to consider themselves extremely fortunate. Irsay would have a lot more on his plate right now with a talented core and no quarterback. Other franchises, like the Jets, Bills, Rams and Titans would trade anything for that kind of prosperity.

Instead, Irsay gets to employ a second "once in a lifetime" quarterback in his.

The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps every Wild Card game and looks ahead to the Divisional Round. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.

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