Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is barred by NFL rule from participating in organized team activities until Stanford’s graduation next month. But the coaching staff is still keeping close tabs on him.
Head coach Chuck Pagano said he’s been in “constant communication” with Luck since the Colts’ rookie minicamp. Luck is still throwing regularly working with former Stanford receiver Griff Whalen, who was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent. (Colts second-round tight end Coby Fleener has also worked with Luck at Stanford, although Fleener, a graduate student, is allowed to return to the Colts’ facilities before Stanford’s graduation.)
“We’re talking back and forth and he was able to take some stuff with him,” Pagano said, in comments distributed by the team. “Besides school, he’s spending time with Griff out there and a couple of his other teammates. He does football in the morning, goes out and throws, works out [and is] staying on top of everything. He’s on point. He does a couple of classes. I spoke to him as a matter of fact last night he called me, and it’s killing him not to be here. He’s just dying to get out here. He’s doing well.”
Pagano said he’d like to have Luck in Indianapolis, but considering the success that rookie quarterbacks Cam Newton and Andy Dalton had last year with no offseason work at all, Luck should be able to get ready even if he’s missing some offseason work.
“It’s like money you never get back. It’d be awesome to have him here, but we’re going to make due,” Pagano said. “Last year we had a lockout right? There were four, five, six rookie quarterbacks that came in and a couple of those guys had more success than others. So doing what he’s doing, spending time with the materials that we’ve given him, working out and throwing.”
And still getting some coaching from Pagano, even 2,000 miles away.