Andrew Luck operating Colts offense at unprecedented level
INDIANAPOLIS — Veteran backup Matt Hasselbeck invoked the iconic character from the X-men while referring to two of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck's signatures: a scruffy look and rugged, ferocious play.
"He just feeds into the Wolverine-look by coming in every morning with the best bed-head ever," Hasselbeck told Paste BN Sports Wednesday. "He came to camp in amazing shape. He was already an incredible athlete, fast, strong. But he's much stronger and more physical than last year. He's getting after it."
The third-year Colts quarterback out of Stanford has operated the team's offense at an unprecedented level the last two weeks for a franchise that has included Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas and future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning among its former quarterbacks.
Luck became the only player in league history to throw for at least 370 yards, complete at least 70% of his passes, throw four or more touchdowns and have one or no interceptions in consecutive games.
He is operating second-year offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton's multi-dimensional offense as if it were his own after back-to-back wins against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans. He enters this week leading the league with 13 touchdown passes and 1,305 passing yards through four games as the Colts (2-2) prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens (3-1) on Sunday.
"We have a bunch of really high-level playmakers at receiver, tight end, running back," Luck told Paste BN Sports. "It took us a couple of games to find that rhythm, find that identity. We're all realizing now at any point, any one person can make a huge play."
After injuries robbed Luck of two key playmakers much of last season in star receiver Reggie Wayne who suffered a season-ending knee injury and tight end Dwayne Allen (hip), Luck has been attacking at a prolific level.
Wayne, who turns 36 next month, leads the Colts with 23 receptions for 307 yards and is one of six players with at least one touchdown reception.
Running back Ahmad Bradshaw, fully recovered from spinal fusion surgery last October, leads the Colts with four receiving touchdowns and has combined with Trent Richardson to form an effective running tandem that opens up passing lanes.
"It's been great with Dwayne coming back taking a little pressure off Coby Fleener to be that guy and even with our three, tight-end package with Jack Doyle, it's provided us with favorable matchups whether we're pounding it or throwing it,'' Luck said.
Hamilton has armed Luck with more run-pass audibles in his second year. Luck declined to say how many audibles are at his disposal. But Hasselbeck said the key is the same code word can signal different ways to attack depending on a defense.
"It's really tough to defend us because we can do anything at any time with any personnel grouping,'' Hasselbeck said. "We have all these code words that are the same, run or pass.
"Andrew's the guy that makes it go. At any time, if the defense does A, Andrew can do B, very, very quickly."
Yet for as well as they've responded after starting 0-2 with losses to the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles, the Colts are gearing up for the Ravens, who will visit Lucas Oil Stadium.
"It's a fearsome defense," Luck said. "They're consistently a very good defense, consistently in the playoffs. If you want to be a team in the AFC, you're going to have to beat this Baltimore defense and team this year, hopefully, and in the future. They have a lot of game wreckers. But we've got some game wreckers of our own."
Luck has spread the ball to nine different playmakers as the Colts have gone over 1,027 yards total offense the last two weeks for the first time in franchise history.
A balanced attack leads the league in time of possession at 35 minutes, 49 seconds. Hamilton's scheme is custom fit to Luck's smarts, rope arm and ability to extend plays.
"Andrew will be the best quarterback in the league," Bradshaw told Paste BN Sports. "You can't ask for more than how he's played the last two weeks. He comes into the huddle and gives us something motivational – saying, 'We need this.' So we know we have to go on a long drive.
"With the guys around him and his will to win, the sky's the limit for Andrew."
The thing the Colts can't afford to do is get too caught up in dominant wins against two weaker opponents.
"This is a good test this week against one of the better teams we've played," Hasselbeck said. "We've got to bring it.
"The message through our success the last two weeks? Don't fall for the trap of feeling too good about ourselves."
Follow Jim Corbett on Twitter @ByJimCorbett.