Brady on Luck: “He's a Great Player”

The Patriots have won five straight after a 2-2 start.

It's hard not to appreciate just how good Andrew Luck has become in such a short time. He was the first-overall pick in 2011, and all he's done is stake a two-win team to back-to-back 11-5 records. Through nine games this season, the Colts are 6-3, and will face the Patriots this Sunday night.

Not surprisingly, Luck's success hasn't been lost on Tom Brady.

"He's a great player, in his third year, and he's had a lot of success," Brady said Wednesday, via ESPN.com. "Their offense is doing a great job this year; they score a lot of points [averaging a league-high 32.2 per game], especially at home. He's kind of the ringleader. He does a lot of things I wish I could do."

And while there has been a movement in recent years towards young quarterbacks who are fast, mobile, outside-the-pocket passers, Luck is an in-the-pocket throwback who is also extremely athletic, both behind the line of scrimmage when when he decides to run.

"He's big, fast, shrugs off blockers. He makes a lot of extended plays," Brady said. "He's a great passer. I think they've thrown for more yards [3,105] at this point in the year than any other team in history. It speaks to what they're doing offensively, and it's a great challenge for our defense. We're going to have to score a lot. When you play another great offense, you're going to have to put up a lot of points, similar to our last game [against Denver]. We realize we have a big job, too," he told ESPN.com

"My focus is on the other side of the ball, but you also know you're not going to be able to score 13 points and win the game."

The Patriots are coming off their bye, and sit atop the AFC East with a 7-2 record. After a 2-2 start, New England has reeled off five straights, including recent blowout wins over the Bears and Broncos.

Contact Us