The Houston Texans are famous for their ability to annoy quarterbacks, getting hands on pass-throwers and into passing lanes. So, quarterback guru George Whitfield Jr. replicates that swarming style in practice with... a rake and a broom.
The strategy isn't new. Whitfield used the same strategy while working with Ben Roethlisberger in 2010, telling IndyStar.com that the broom is probably still "in Ben's garage somewhere."
Whitfield's lesson to the quarterbacks is to "keep your cool amid the chaos, because there will be chaos."
As Whitfield said, the training paid huge dividends in Sunday night's comeback win over Houston. With the Colts trailing 24-12, Luck completed a 58-yard touchdown pass to receiver T.Y. Hilton just a split-second before getting rocked by Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.
"I don't think there's anybody in the league that stands in there and dedicates himself to making one definitive throw better than Andrew.
"It’s 'I've got this opportunity and I'm going to take it in spite of being a stride away from being rocked. That's OK because me getting rocked doesn't hurt half as bad as this kid catching the ball 25 yards down the field. That'll rock their whole sideline.'"
Luck will get another opportunities to put those skills to good use on Sunday when Indianapolis takes on St. Louis and their fierce pass rush.
