NFL Rumors: Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck Having Inconsistent Training Camp

Andrew Luck has heard a lot of criticism surrounding him over the last year. After missing the majority of the 2015 NFL season due to injuries, Luck has high expectations set for 2016. Even when he was healthy last season, there were major concerns about the way he was playing.

If the Indianapolis Colts want to have any chance at competing in the AFC, they will need Luck to put up big numbers. Unfortunately, Luck has seemed a bit inconsistent so far at the start of training camp.

According to a report from Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star, the Colts’ star quarterback has been “uneven” to start training camp. It isn’t time for fans to freak out, but there is certainly reason for concern. Luck hasn’t shown much development as far as cutting down his turnovers are concerned, but he did lead the Colts to the AFC Championship Game just two short years ago.

Last season with the Colts in seven regular season games, Luck ended up completing just 55.3 percent of his pass attempts for 1,881 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Those numbers don’t look very good even with the injuries that kept Luck out for the rest of the season.

At 26 years old, there is no question that Luck is capable of bouncing back with a big season. He is heading into his fifth season in the NFL and still has a lot of potential left to unlock. Four years is about the limit that a quarterback should need to figure the game out, which makes this season the most telling year that Luck will have played.

Indianapolis appears to have the talent to be a contender in the AFC once again. They will have to beat out teams like the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos, but there is no question that they have the personnel together that can make that happen.

Frank Gore will help take pressure off of Luck’s shoulders, while T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, and Phillip Dorsett are going to be the main targets for the star quarterback. Dwayne Allen was kept at the tight end position over Coby Fleener, which could pan out well for the Colts if he stays healthy.

There are no more excuses for Luck if he is unable to perform at a high level this coming season.

Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports reported that Luck has been working on perfecting his slide. That is an area that needed work in a big way after Luck suffered a lacerated kidney last season from taking a big hit against the Broncos.

Looking ahead to the 2016 season, the Colts will need Luck to cut down his turnovers and put up big numbers. Chuck Pagano and Rob Chudzinski will create the offense around Luck. Indianapolis will likely put the football in Luck’s hands at least 35-40 times per game.

It will be interesting to see how Luck looks throughout the remainder of training camp and preseason action. He has plenty of time to lock in his game before the regular season gets underway.

Expect to see him figure things out in the next week or two. Getting back on the field against real competition will be a big step in the right direction. Once he gets his confidence back and feet under himself, the sky will be the limit for Luck and the Colts.

He may not end up being a viable MVP candidate, but there is a chance that he can work his name into the mixture.

Do you think Andrew Luck will be an MVP candidate this coming season? Will he lead the Indianapolis Colts back to the playoffs? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

[Photo by Darron Cummings/AP Images]