Reich: Colts in ‘good palms’ with Brissett as QB

INDIANAPOLIS — The post-Andrew Luck period received underway for the Indianapolis Colts on Monday with head coach Frank Reich saying the staff is in “good palms with Jacoby Brissett as our quarterback.”

The day started with a staff assembly the place Reich and common supervisor Chris Ballard spoke passionately about the place the franchise is headed after the stunning announcement Saturday that Luck, the No. 1 general choose in 2012, is retiring after seven years. Luck’s locker, which sat in the course of the locker room, was empty with all of his belongings gone, together with his nameplate.

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“On one hand, we will respect and honor the participant and the teammate (Luck) was,” Reich stated. “On the similar time, we will share an pleasure and an enthusiasm concerning the staff we now have going ahead and the journey forward of us. In the end, it is not how good anyone participant is, it is not. It is about how good we’re as a staff.”

The Colts are about to learn how good of an entire staff they’re with Brissett, who has taken practically all of the first-team snaps since final spring, as their new beginning quarterback. The staff was anticipated to take a step ahead from final season’s 10-6 file and AFC divisional spherical playoff look. Reich joked on Monday that they’re going to gladly return to taking up the underdog function once more now that Luck has retired.

“It has been a roller-coaster of feelings,” Brissett stated. “Primary factor just isn’t with the ability to see Andrew each day. Ups and downs, nevertheless it’s on the way in which up now… I used to be shocked (at Luck’s retirement). Then we had an extended dialog. It was feelings going backwards and forwards. You sit down with him and also you perceive his choice. He is considered one of my good associates. It is robust. He was like smiling on the finish. That is what helped me acquire readability and perceive the state of affairs. Seeing him smiling. I want him the most effective. We’ll speak lengthy after our soccer careers.”

Brissett, receiver T.Y. Hilton and offensive lineman Anthony Castonzo have been a number of the few gamers who knew earlier than others that Luck was retiring after struggling what the previous Stanford quarterback termed Saturday as a “cycle of damage, ache, rehab, damage, ache, rehab.” Luck endured shoulder issues, bruised ribs, a lacerated kidney, a calf pressure after which, most lately, ache in his ankle. He missed 26 video games because the 2015 season.

Lots of the Colts came upon about Luck’s plan to retire throughout or instantly after their preseason recreation in opposition to Chicago as soon as ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the information Saturday. Luck spoke to his now-former teammates and training workers within the locker room after the sport. Gamers stated there was full silence as Luck spoke.

“It was robust,” receiver Chester Rogers stated. “That was in all probability one of many hardest speeches I needed to endure in my profession. You hate to see somebody exit. It is unhappy, but in addition comfortable for him as a result of he is going out when he desires to.”

ESPN’s Invoice Barnwell welcomes ESPN NFL editor Chris Sprow to debate Andrew Luck’s retirement, together with what the Colts’ method for the long run could possibly be. Pay attention now!

Hilton, who was in the identical 2012 draft class as Luck and was the quarterback’s favourite goal all through their time collectively, posted a heartfelt message on Twitter about what Luck meant to him. “It has been very robust, that is my finest pal,” Hilton stated. “It harm me. Not going to lie. I used to be capable of have the heart-to-heart with him. I used to be cool with the choice. He’ll at all times be with me.”

Brissett stated it “sucked” that followers booed Luck as he walked off the sector on the conclusion of Saturday’s recreation.

“You do not wish to hear that, particularly for a man like that who has completed as a lot as he is completed, what he is been via,” Brissett stated.

The Colts will miss Luck, however the actuality is that they have to maneuver ahead with Brissett below middle. He began 15 video games through the 2017 season when Luck missed the whole yr due his proper shoulder damage. The Colts have been Four-11 with Brissett that season, however the roster and state of affairs are drastically completely different now. Brissett is in his second season in Reich’s offense, and the Colts return the identical beginning offensive line and key ability place gamers from an offense that completed seventh within the NFL final season.

Brissett, in response to Reich, has taken about 1,200 reps with the primary staff because the spring.

“You’ll be able to simply really feel his presence within the huddle and on the sector,” Reich stated. “The boldness that he is had, the chemistry along with his receivers. Everyone knows Andrew and T.Y. had a singular chemistry and connection. I can really feel that creating. That is been crucial that Jacoby has taken all these reps.”