Andrew Luck's No Win Scenario

Andrew Luck is in a precarious position. To whom much is given much is expected. Since he learned how to walk Andrew Luck has been groomed to be an NFL quarterback. Under the watchful eye of his father (Oliver Luck was an NFL quarterback) Andrew refined his skills and landed a scholarship at Stanford. He flourished under Jim Harbaugh's system and was considered the best quarterback prosect in college. Then things got weird.

In an interesting twist of fate Luck was asked to follow a living legend. The Indianapolis Colts parted ways with future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning to make room for the heir apparent. As if it wasn't enough pressure to be selected #1 overall in the 2012 NFL draft Luck has to deal with constant comparisons to one of the greatest quarterbacks that has ever lived. 4 NFL MVP's and a Super Bowl ring is a lot to live up to not to mention the respect and admiration Peyton Manning receives for his off the field demeanor. Like Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and Steve Young in San Francisco Andrew Luck is asked to do the impossible, duplicate the efforts of a football god.

To make matters even more complicated Robert Griffin III was selected #2 overall in the NFL draft. By all accounts RG3 is every bit Andrew Luck's equal and projected to have a long and productive NFL career. If Luck doesn't match or surpass the accomplishments of RG3 every season(or week for that matter) the media and fans will start to second guess and scrutinize his every move. Like Magic and Bird in basketball these two will forever be linked and their success will be measured in comparison to one another.

Most NFL rookie quarterbacks have enough pressure just trying to learn the plays and adjust to the speed of the pro game. Andrew Luck has the added pressure of being the son of an NFL quarterback, the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft, Peyton Manning's replacement, and RG3's biggest rival. That a lot to put on some one's plate. No matter what he accomplishes in his career chances are he will come up short of the unrealistic expectations placed upon him. Great simply will not be good enough. Immortal is what people expect. Sorry Andrew. You are at the wrong place at the wrong time.