Colts Need to Simplify Playbook for Scott Tolzien

The Colts remain hopeful that Andrew Luck will be back for Week 1, but they’re forced to prepare for life without Luck.

Colts fans have been waiting on pins and needles all offseason as Luck’s injury status has become murkier and murkier each day.

After keeping quiet for most of the process, members of the Colts’ front office have finally begun to admit that it’s possible that the team will enter the 2017 season with Luck on the sideline.

The Colts currently have one of the worst backup quarterback situations in football, and owner Jim Irsay told the media it would be too expensive for the team to bring in a free agent.

If Luck is unable to go Week 1 against the Rams, Scott Tolzien will likely get the start under center.

Tolzien was forced into action last season, and it did not go well for the Colts.

They were pounded by the Steelers 28-7 and Tolzien went 22/36 for just 205 yards with 1 TD and 2 INT’s.

The Colts are trying to avoid another disastrous game if Tolzien is forced to start in Week 1, so offensive coordinator told the media that he is willing to alter the playbook for his backup QB.

"“We’ll make those adjustments if that’s the case down the road,” Chudzinski said. “Every week we tailor it some to the opponent, some to who may be playing, skill-wise, O-line-wise, quarterback-wise and all those type of things all go into it.”"

Tolzien obviously doesn’t have the same mobility or arm strength of Andrew Luck, who is one of the most talented QB’s in the league.

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These playbook adjustments would most likely take out some of the bootlegs and rollouts from their offense, and their passing game would feature more short and intermediate passes than usual.

The Colts will also lean more on their running game after they finished 17th in rush attempts per game last season.

This Indianapolis offense revolves around utilizing the immense talent of Andrew Luck, and they could be in big trouble if he’s forced to miss any regular season games.