Colts: Promising start for Andrew Luck in first preseason game

Andrew Luck started his Colts career with a solid outing in a 38-3 victory over the St. Louis Rams.

By Evan Hilbert

Aug 12, 2012 at 4:27 pm ET • 2 min read

Well, the wait is finally over. Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck did not disappoint.

He had a lot to live up to: In Peyton Manning's first preseason game, he opened with a 48-yard TD pass to Marvin Harrison.

Luck, did him one better.

His first pass, which traveled maybe four yards in the air, went for a 63-yard score to running back Donald Brown. Luck played nearly the entire first half, throwing for 188 yards and two scores on 10-of-16 passing to lead Indianapolis to a 21-3 halftime lead over the Rams. His numbers would have been better if not for three drops. Overall, the Colts offense looked fairly sharp -- there were a few breakdowns in blocking assignments -- but certainly an improvement from a season ago.

Here are some additional notes from Indy's 38-3 win over the Rams:

Two linebackers left the game with injuries, though the severity of each won't be immediately known. Scott Lutrus left with a knee sprain and Pat Angerer had what was referred to as a "foot issue". Neither, at this time, seem particularly concerning.
Both Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis were solid in their debut playing at the outside linebacker spot. Generally, Freeney rushed off the edge with his hand on the ground -- a customary position for him. Both players saw very limited action, so it was difficult to glean anything significant.
There was one problem: drops. Tight end Coby Fleener and WRs LaVon Brazill and Austin Collie each dropped a pass from Luck. Not only did Luck's stats suffer, but they were all catchable balls. Not a major concern, unless the trend continues.
Tight end Dominique Jones may have found a new position at fullback. With Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener ahead of him on the depth chart, Jones was impressive in the backfield in short yardage situations.
Aside from the early score, Brown had a relatively pedestrian outing. Rookie Vick Ballard, however, looked solid running the ball. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has said he wants a team that can pound the ball on the ground. Ballard, it appears, may have a chance to crack the starting lineup. He's big and fast, he can catch the ball, and he always seems to fall forward.
The defense nearly pitched a shutout. Sure it was preseason. Still, what a major step from last season.
Though it will likely end up a moot point, but backup QBs were solid. Drew Stanton was 8-of-11 for 83 yards while rookie Chandler Harnish -- a local product -- was a perfect 3-of-3 for 52 yards and a score. Harnish, especially, had impressive arm strength.