Sunday struggles thing of the past for Colts rookie
|
|
Win or lose, Andrew Luck is a firm believer in forgetting about the past.
Good thing, since the Indianapolis Colts are coming off their most forgettable performance of the season.
Outplayed in all phases during a 35-9 road loss against the New York Jets, the Colts’ are looking for fixes — not looking in the rearview mirror — as they prepare for Sunday’s home game against the Cleveland Browns.
“I think, like a win, you flush it. You watch the film, you learn from the mistakes, realize that it’s a loss, but it’s one loss,” said Luck, who, like most of his teammates, was largely ineffective against the Jets. “We have another game, and hopefully we can get a win, one win.
“Learn from the mistakes, get back after it.”
As ugly as the effort in New York was, it did not wreck the season.
Although the Colts (2-3) are in no position to take any opponent lightly, they have a sound chance to get back to .500. They are 2-0 in Lucas Oil Stadium this season and host a struggling team that lost its first five games.
Cleveland (1-5), however, is coming of its first win of the season, a 34-24 triumph against Cincinnati.
“We are in no position to look ahead by any means,” Luck said. “It’s going to be a tough test with the Browns, great defense, very sound, tough guys. I think they have like nine interceptions already on the year, so our work is cut out for us on the edges.
“We have played well at home, and hopefully we can keep that going.”
For his part, Luck is looking to correct the errors that contributed to the meltdown at New York.
Looking flustered and confused for the first time all season, the rookie quarterback overthrew open receivers, was intercepted twice, lost a fumble and threw no touchdowns. Consequently, the Colts’ offense never gained traction.
Kicker Adam Vinatieri accounted for all the Colts’ scoring with three field goals.
“I was angry at myself and disappointed in myself. I know a lot of guys in the locker room were disappointed with themselves,” Luck said. “You realize you wallow in misery for a couple of minutes and realize one game, put it behind us, can’t do anything about it now but learn from it and get back going.
“I think as athletes, as competitors, that’s what you have to do after every game.”
Interim coach Bruce Arians is confident that’s precisely what Luck — renowned as a quick study with keen self-awareness — will do.
“He’s his worst critic. He even knows coming off the field (what went wrong) before I say something to him,” Arians said. “That’s the beauty of it. He knows when he made mistakes.
“He knows why he made it, and he usually doesn’t make it twice.”
That’s the standard Luck, who completed 22 of 44 passes for 280 yards against the Jets, strives for.
“It’s a lot of little things, but I think it’s things that can be corrected,” Luck said. “I’ll work on it, and as a team we’ll work on it this week and hopefully get better.”
NEXT UP
Cleveland Browns (1-5) at Indianapolis Colts (2-3)
When: 1 p.m. Sunday
TV: WISH-Channel 8
Radio: WLHK-97.1 FM
Think your friends should see this? Share it with them!
comments powered by Disqus
