With The First Pick
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Colts must sit Andrew Luck to secure the future of the franchise

By Luke Drage

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 16: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the bench during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 16: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the bench during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 22: Jacoby Brissett
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 22: Jacoby Brissett /

The Jacoby Brissett factor

After a brief experiment with Scott Tolzien as the starter, Ballard traded for Brissett. He may have unearthed a serviceable franchise signal caller in the process. The former North Carolina standout has been steady whilst making some eye-catching plays with both his arm and legs.

Sure, they aren’t winning, but the roster is so bad that even Luck wouldn’t be lining up win after win with this team. Brissett doesn’t turn the ball over a lot and has a strong arm.

He is a true dual threat quarterback who is an excellent red zone threat.

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    • He is currently tied for first among quarterbacks for rushing touchdowns through seven games.

    Only six quarterbacks have made more throws of over 40 yards than the former Patriot and he also ranks inside the top 20 in the NFL in passing yards.

    Additionally, only five players with more than 100 attempts have thrown fewer picks than Brissett’s three. The second year pro’s value is only increasing as his competent play continues, especially behind the league’s worst O-Line.

    The Colts can deal with his relative success in one of two ways. Either they can view him as an elite backup that is essential to keep given Luck’s injury history.

    Or, they can use his strong play as leverage in the trade market. Chris Ballard could shrewdly take advantage of his rising stock, which will never be greater, and accumulate draft picks or players.

    His roster is among the weakest in the league and has over 25 new faces on it from last season. This number will only increase come 2018 and Ballard could use his young quarterback’s value to his advantage to make roster improvements at key positions.

    Having Luck sit the rest of the year gives Brissett more chance to improve and show teams what he can do. The more he plays the better it is for Indianapolis, even if they decide to keep him.

    In that case, they will have arguably the best backup in the league with a whole season of starting experience under his belt. This would be hugely beneficial down the road should Luck go down injured again.

    Most young quarterbacks are simply out of their depth when called upon due to a lack of previous game time.

    However, Brissett would come into any given game with NFL experience and an alternative set of plays that suit him. This will give the Colts a viable game plan to keep winning even in Luck’s absence.

    Both situations are greatly enhanced if Luck sits out the rest of 2017.

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