The most emotion Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck shows during games is likely to come after touchdowns, or when he gets up and taps a defender on the helmet or rear end after a good, clean hit.
Luck's talents are well documented, and one doesn't typically have to wonder if the five-year veteran will be ready to compete every game. The same can't be said about some of Luck's teammates. That's why it might be time for Luck to do even more to get the best out of his fellow Colts going forward.
@MikeWellsNFL #coltsmail have you ever seen Luck lay into a teammate similar to Brady/Manning when supporting cast is playing poorly?
— Lon Swanson (@jakecam1010) January 13, 2017
Mike Wells: This has been a topic of discussion in the past because Luck, no matter how bad the situation is, always finds a way to praise his teammates.
Luck gets sacked eight times and hit an additional nine times in a game?
The quarterback will say his offensive linemen are fighting and doing the best they can.
A receiver drops what should have been an easy catch?
Luck is clapping and encouraging him as he makes his way back to the huddle. And to Luck’s credit, he has no problem going back to that same receiver on the very next play.
Luck’s tendency toward the positive was also clear when he found ways to talk about Trent Richardson fighting for yards when it was clear the former Colts running back looked lost out on the field.
That's just Andrew Luck.
Luck’s demeanor during the game and on the sideline is completely different from Tom Brady's and Peyton Manning's. Brady has no problem lighting into his teammates on the sideline when the Patriots aren’t playing well.
I’ve had players tell me Luck has a fiery side where he gets on his teammates at times. The public often doesn’t see it during games.
Do I think Luck should be harder on his teammates?
Absolutely. One hundred percent yes.
Frank Gore gives the simplest, but best, description of Luck. The running back calls his quarterback a “football player.” What Gore means by that is all Luck wants to do is win. He doesn’t care about the individual stuff on and off the field.
I think Luck needs to get on some of his teammates to take that same mindset, because the Colts don’t have a roster full of players who think the same way as Luck, Gore, safety Mike Adams or the now-retired Robert Mathis.
It worked for Manning and it's still working for Brady. It’ll work for Luck, too, if he’s willing to take the tough-love approach with his teammates.
