If need be, Colts’ Brissett is up to the task

In the midst of Colts dinged up star quarterback Andrew Luck, there is a hole in the Colts offense that must be filled by the unproven, yet talented backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

There is a possibility that Brissett will be thrusted into a starting role at the beginning of the 2019 season, due to the lingering injury of Andrew Luck. If it turns out that Luck misses a few weeks to begin the season, Brissett will have a hefty load on his shoulders as the Colts have a rough schedule out of the gate.

Luck is the leader of this team, not because he has the most important position in all of sports, but because he has respect and trust from the locker room, organization as well as the fan base. Matt Slauson (former Colts O-lineman) was a strong leader as well as reason the Colts found so much success last year from their young inexperienced offensive line.

Slauson is respected around the league as a true pro as he had a long, impressive ten year career (which is a long time fighting in the trenches of the line). Slauson mentioned Luck’s leadership and importance to the team, in a recent interview that he had on “For the COLTure”.

In the interview Slauson was questioned on Luck’s ability of being a leader and if he was respected because of his seemingly quirky personality, to that Slauson responded “(Luck) is very passionate, very smart also genuine, with whatever he is doing he is always genuine about it.”

Later on Slauson mentions how he is both “trusted and respected” by the team. With Luck being a strong leader that is trusted by the locker room to perform and bring forth all that he has, and the fact that Luck is viewed as a, “Once in a lifetime talent” how can Brissett step into his shoes and perform for this Indianapolis Colts team with real Super Bowl aspirations?

More from Horseshoe Heroes

• When is the NFL Combine 2023? NFL Combine schedule, events, how to stream
• Latest NFL mock draft has Colts trading up to No. 1 for star QB
• Eagles offensive free agents that could follow Shane Steichen to Colts
• Here’s why Colts linebacker Shaq Leonard is going to love Shane Steichen
• What should be made of Jim Irsay and Colts talking about Bryce Young and the Bears?

Jacoby Brissett, despite being a backup quarterback is a very able quarterback. He has a career QBR (quarterback rating) of 81.6 in his young yet telling 3 year stint in the pros. Everywhere Brissett has gone he has been an important piece of the team’s success as well as insuring starting level quarterback play in a secondary role.

However, Brissett is not Andrew Luck and that is quite frankly his only downfall. Brissett has the talent, body composition, and ability to have a great career as a starting quarterback in the NFL. But there are a few things that will have to fall into place so he can keep the Colts from drowning in a treacherous schedule to begin the year.

Hypothetically if Brissett assumes the starting role to begin the year, there are three main components that will enable Brissett to have a real shot to pull off a couple wins. First, the Colts’ second year head coach Frank Reich who is an offensive minded head coach, will have to have a creative offensive scheme to enable a quarterback of Brissets abilities to move the ball down the field and find success.

The offensive line will need to be healthy come week one to protect the pocket for Brissett who may hold the ball a little bit longer than Luck due to lack of experience and less knowledge of defensive cues.

Lastly, the defense, which may very well be the most important of the three, must make stops/turnovers. They cannot let the game turn into a shootout as an offense powered by the likings of Brissett may not be able to keep up with that level of scoring. With all of these things you may think Brissett will have to rely on too many things to pull out wins, but there are things that should bring you confidence in Brissett’s ability to be successful.

This is Lucks’ team, but Brissett has a great connection with the locker room and has earned the respect of his teammates. He is a backup quarterback yes, but has the talent and skill set of a true starting quarterback and has had flashes of grace and being a pure passer in the past couple of years.

Brissett has also shown quality decision making and pinpoint accuracy in recent days as last preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, he recorded an impressive stat line of passing for 100 yards going 8/10 through the air and leading a clean touchdown drive that ended with a dart in the corner of the end-zone to Colts tight-end Eric Ebron.

With all of these signs, you should not worry as the Colts are in good hands if Luck starts opening week or if Brissett takes control of the ship. No Jacoby Brissett is not Andrew Luck, and yes that isn’t an ideal scenario. However Brissett is poised and ready to take the reins and lead the brigade, while Andrew Luck gets healthy.