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Colts won't change how Luck plays, says QB coach

Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Indianapolis Colts fell far short of expectations in 2015, their lackluster campaign due mostly to the absence of superstar quarterback Andrew Luck for over half the season - the first time in his career he'd missed any time because of injury.

Luck suffered a shoulder injury early in the season, then had his year cut short by a lacerated kidney suffered during a scramble in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos.

With so much of their future success reliant on Luck being healthy, the Colts were expected to ask him to adjust his playing style to protect himself better. However, Brian Schottenheimer, the Colts' new quarterback coach and the man tasked with getting Luck back on track, believes the team shouldn't alter his game.

"We're not going to change the way Andrew plays,'' Schottenheimer said, according to ESPN's Mike Wells. "Andrew's going to play the game. You've got to let Andrew play.''

The Colts made a big push to address Luck's protection, which has been inconsistent at best during his four-year career, by adding four offensive linemen in the draft, including center Ryan Kelly in the first round.

Luck has been one of the most hit quarterbacks in the league since he was drafted in 2012, and though he does require improved protection, he's accountable for a fair share of that punishment. When Luck scrambles, he invites contact, which led to his season-ending kidney injury. He's also known to hold the ball for too long, looking for a shot downfield and taking unnecessary hits instead of getting rid of the ball when there's no one open.

Schottenheimer said that sitting on the sidelines will ultimately help Luck improve his game, and one area in particular that he's struggled with throughout his career: turnovers.

"Nobody wants to be sitting over there watching, especially when you're a great competitor," Schottenheimer said. "I think the turnovers will happen from time to time. There are a few decisions, of course, from last year he looks at and is like, 'Man, I shouldn't have done that,' but I think that's all a part of the process. I think he grew a lot last year just by actually being able to sit back and watch a little bit."

Luck threw 12 interceptions in seven games last season, a turnover rate which would've led the league if he'd played a full 16-game season.

"The ones who are great competitors have a harder time (conceding on a play), but again, I think Andrew learned a lot last year and sometimes when you lose something that is so precious to you, you sit back and you're like, 'Wow, in order for this not to happen again, maybe there are some things I need to adjust,'" Schottenheimer said. "He realizes that he wants to be on that field. We certainly need him on that field. You'll see that growth with him this year from a maturity standpoint."

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