If I were Jim Caldwell, the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, I would knock on the door of Colts owner, Jim Isray, and say to him, “Sir, we’re 0-10, I’ve got a new strategy for us to be successful in the future. I’m going to guide us to an 0-16 season, I’m going to draft Andrew Luck from Stanford with the first overall pick, and I’m going to have Peyton teach him, and he will be our future.” (Of course I would also offer to develop a defense that’s worth a damn). Although becoming the second team in the history of the NFL to go 0-16 may sound like the most embarrassing thing in the world, just think about the possibilities if Andrew Luck is the prodigy quarterback that many, including myself, think he is.

With Peyton Manning quickly aging, and many doubting where his career will go from here, it has to be obvious to not only the Colts’ front office, but also anyone who knows a thing or two about sports that the Colts have to start considering the future beyond just this season or next. So maybe an 0-16 season wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, would it?

Going 0-16 would guarantee the Colts the first overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. Barring any crazy injury or incarceration of Stanford red-shirt Junior Andrew Luck, (fingers crossed) he is projected to be the top prospect in the draft. The skill set and intangibles that Andrew Luck possesses are near ludicrous. Put plainly, Andrew Luck is the truth (there’s that college lingo, swag)—that is, Andrew Luck has the abilities to become the future of the NFL.

Growing up in Europe, Luck became a big fan of soccer, which he played for many years. Thanks to playing the game of soccer, Luck’s footwork and field vision are exceptional. Add to that his grace in mechanics and his stature of 6’4” and 235 lbs, which makes him a beast, and anyone can see he has the skills to stand strong in the pocket in the NFL. Finally, Luck consistently makes strong and accurate throws both in the pocket and on the run, often times delivering the ball in the precise location in which only his receiver can come down with the catch.

This season alone Andrew Luck has a 70.6% completion percentage, a very spectacular number. Luck not only has this ability but also the killer instinct to scramble and gain yards, and deliver a hit when he has to. The best example of this was in the 2010 edition of the Big Game: Stanford vs. Cal. Luck dropped back to pass, was flushed out of the pocket, and took off for a run with some open ground. Cal linebacker Sean Cattouse was about to put a big hit on Luck when Luck hit Cattouse with his forearm, and continued to run down the field after staring him down as he fell. Luck then continued to run for what would be a 58 yd gain.

As impressive as Luck’s physical abilities are, his football intelligence is something that makes the mind wonder. Andrew Luck possesses the ability to pick apart defensive schemes on par with some of the best quarterbacks to play the game. Luck is able to, pre snap, dissect the defense, and then once the ball is snapped, he uses his vision and physical attributes to make the best throw in a place where only his receiver can get to it.

When dropping back to pass, Luck consistently makes good decisions. Luck uses his vision to go through his progressions and make the best pass. If his primary receiver isn’t there, Luck will move to his check down, and if that isn’t there, Luck won’t try to force a pass that may be intercepted. Luck knows he can run if he has to, and does so with confidence. Simply put, Andrew Luck can and does make smart decisions, and he is rarely wrong.

Andrew Luck is such an outstanding talent that he is putting up impressive numbers in an offense that isn’t built around him, or even focuses on passing the ball. Andrew Luck is playing under the system that Jim Harbaugh established, a pro-style, power-running offense that emphasizes rushing, not passing. This season alone, Luck has passed for 2695 yds with 29 TDs and rushed for another 2 TDs. This goes to show how special Luck really is. Cam Newton put up video game caliber stats his lone season playing at Auburn, which was to be expected, as the offense completely revolved around and focused on him. Although Luck’s numbers this season aren’t as ridiculous, he is putting them up in a system in which he is not meant to be the focal point. The system in which he is playing is also a system he may very well play in once he is in the NFL. Saying that Andrew Luck is an NFL-ready prospect is therefore one of the biggest understatements.

So to all you Colts fans, (and I guess the other teams in the running for the 1st overall pick, but I like the Colts more so I’m on that bandwagon) don’t be too worried if the Colts go 0-16. In fact, rejoice if they do so because you are guaranteed Andrew Luck by doing so. You are guaranteed the future, the truth, and a shot at Super Bowls once he matures (of course only once the management gets you a defense that’s worth a damn, COUGH COUGH). Maybe I’m assuming way too much about Andrew Luck and his career in the NFL, but I like to see myself as a “glass half full” person.