Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck has been impressive running the no-huddle offense. (US Presswire) |
Indianapolis Colts interim coach and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said Monday that around 80 percent of the Colts' plays Sunday against the Packers were run out of a no-huddle offense. That number is pretty significant with rookie Andrew Luck at the helm, especially since Arians didn't throw the no-huddle offense at Peyton Manning until Manning's second year in the league.
"We didn’t attempt no-huddle the first year," Arians said, referring to Manning's first year. "We did a lot of check with mes, and gave him two or three options, but not at the line, rolling in a no-huddle situation until the second year. It’s something he’s been wanting to do. I felt the rest of the guys were more than capable now. We practiced it for four or five weeks. It was time to try it."
In general, Luck has been super-efficient, but especially at the end of the half when a hurry-up offense is typically employed. The Colts have had 13 drives that began in the final five minutes of either the second or fourth quarters, and Indianapolis has scored 37 points. In those drives Luck is 40 of 64 for 467 yards, three touchdowns and just one interception.
Luck's quick-thinking and decision-making have been praised for the last couple of years. Praising Luck's mental qualities fast became the canned response for coaches and teammates discussing the rookie during the preseason, but Luck's performance on the field has backed up the talk.
The best play Luck made Sunday, according to Arians, came when he fumbled after being hit on a blitz.
"The biggest play Andrew made in the game, he got hit, the ball came out, he went flying across the field, dove, and knocked it out of bounds or they would have had it right there on the 35 or 40," Arians said. "It shows his grit and his determination. He was not letting them get that ball. He got plastered. He should have been on the ground, but he knew it was out and he went and got it. I thought that was the best play, the turning point, because we wouldn’t have recovered from that.”
Favorable schedule: After beating Green Bay on Sunday, the Colts ran their record to 2-2 with a very favorable upcoming schedule. Indianapolis will be on the road three of the next five games, with those games coming against the Jets, Titans, and Jaguars, while the Browns and Dolphins will come to Lucas Oil Stadium. When asked Monday about the soft schedule forthcoming, Luck responded, “I couldn’t tell you honestly who we have after New York.”
Roster moves: The Colts again made some roster changes following Sunday's game. Tight end Dominique Jones was waived, and offensive guard Seth Olsen was placed on injured reserve. Additionally, wide receiver Kris Adams was moved from the active roster to the practice squad.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Colts blogger Evan Hilbert, follow @CBSColts.