Chuck Pagano didn’t pin all of the blame on Andrew Luck. But the head coach sure didn’t back his quarterback Monday night after the Indianapolis Colts’ 20-7 loss to the New York Jets.
The Colts are 0-2 despite entering the season with Super Bowl aspirations and Luck has been brutal through Indianapolis’ first two games. That’s not lost on Pagano, who pointed a finger in Luck’s direction after the Pro Bowl quarterback committed four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) against the Jets.
More Pagano on Luck: He's got to take care of the football. Make great decisions. It’s not that hard. It’s not trigonometry.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) September 22, 2015
Trigonometry, huh? Maybe that would be easier for Luck, who graduated from Stanford with a degree in architectural design.
Then again, he’s been good at this whole football thing until this season in spite of the Colts’ shaky offensive line, though one could argue, even in his finest moments, Luck commits far too many turnovers.
Pagano on Luck and #colts leaky O-line: 'Been the case for 3 years now, has it not? Should be more than comfortable dealing with (it).'
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) September 22, 2015
It’s obvious Pagano is frustrated with his team’s performance. And why shouldn’t he be? The Colts — whose offense was supposed to be among the NFL’s best — have scored three touchdowns and committed eight turnovers in their two defeats. It’s been a sloppy start, to say the least.
“Can’t turn the damn ball over,” Pagano said.
Perhaps Pagano’s comments after Monday’s loss were directed more toward Colts general manager Ryan Grigson than Luck. After all, there have been reports of a rift between the coach and GM, and Grigson has done nothing to address the Colts’ lackluster line play.
But when you’re 0-2 amid huge expectations, everyone deserves some blame. Even the quarterback, who, by all accounts, figures to be the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
