Andrew Luck evolving entering fourth year

Frank Gore has been around his new Indianapolis Colts teammates for less than two months, but he’s already been able to figure out one of the reasons Andrew Luck is the best young quarterback in the NFL.

 “I like how (Luck) takes leadership of the team,” Gore said, according to the team’s official website.

“It’s not just him listening to coaches. When he’s out there, he takes ownership of everything and I really like that.”

 Indianapolis offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, who also worked with Luck at Stanford, said three-time Pro Bowler has evolved into more than just a standout quarterback.

 “Andrew is at a point where as far as his understanding of an NFL defense, his perspective now is like a perspective of a coach,” Hamilton said.

“It’s well documented that he’s a smart guy, but now I think his overall football acumen, or should I say football aptitude is at a point where his feedback and/or his suggestions, I really take heed of the advice that he gives.”

As good as Luck has been in leading the Colts to the playoffs his first three season, he’s trying to get better.  Luck has worked with Hamilton, quarterbacks coach Clyde Christenson and backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to identify three areas he’d like to improve in 2015.

Namely, Luck and the Colts offense are focused on greater success in red-zone situations and on third downs, as well as improving in the final two minutes of halves.

 “I would say for our quarterback room, we want to be the best in the world at those three things (red zone, third down and two minute),” Hasselbeck said, according to Colts.com.

If they are, Luck and the Colts will go a long way towards validating their status as Super Bowl contenders.

(h/t Indianapolis Colts)

Photo credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports