INDIANAPOLIS – Colts cornerback Jerraud Powers held court with the media this week and joked that he was only getting some love because Andrew Luck wasn't around.
As if to prove the point, everyone started asking him about Andrew Luck.
Powers, as open and talkative as any of the returning Colts, relayed his first impressions and it turned out to be much like the impression Luck seems to impart on everyone he encounters. In other words, it's all good.
“He's one of those unique guys who is more than prepared,” Powers said. “I know he's in the playbook every day, working out, doing the things it takes to be a professional athlete and transition to the next level.”
Luck will not be back with the Colts until June 8 as he finishes his final classes at Stanford University. He's missing a chunk of organized team activities, and coach Chuck Pagano says those are “days lost.”
Luck plans to make up for some of that time by working out with Colts receivers on his own, although that apparently hasn't happened yet.
Powers said he ran into Luck after the rookie mini-camp when Powers stopped by to take care of some off-field matters at the Colts practice complex.
“I asked him, 'Did you throw any picks in rookie camp?' and he said he didn't think so,” Powers said. “I said, 'I'm Jerraud Powers, I'm pretty sure I'll be picking you off a lot (in practice).' He laughed and said, 'I don't think you will.'
“He has some personality, a little bit of that quarterback swagger and cockiness, in a good way,” Powers said. “I think he'll step in and be a hell of a quarterback.”
Powers goes a step further in saying that Luck will be good from Day One.
“He'll be a hell of a quarterback early,” Powers said. “Instead of a couple years, he'll be a hell of a quarterback this year.”
Powers said there are some disadvantages to Luck not being in Indianapolis for the next month, particularly when it comes to rapport with the receivers. Powers has a unique perspective as a defensive back, knowing how valuable it is for quarterbacks and receivers to be on the same page.
“He's missing some valuable time in finding out how (Austin) Collie wants the bail, how Reggie (Wayne) wants the ball,” Powers said. “That's the main part he's missing. With the playbook, I think he's on the same page now as the other guys or he might be a little bit ahead.”
Powers said he has had to do considerable learning on his own as the Colts are putting in a new defensive scheme and philosophy.
It's almost like a foreign language, Powers said.
“It's a fun, attacking defense and I love everything about it,” Powers said. “We'll have a lot of chances to make plays attacking rather than how we used to sit back and let Dwight (Freeney) and Rob (Mathis) cause havoc up there. Now we'll have a little bit of everybody causing havoc.”
Powers emphasized that he was not criticizing the Colts' past defensive philosophy, but rather embracing the new regime.
He also said he'd be more than happy to join Wayne and Collie in some offseason work with Luck.
“I know Reggie and a lot of receivers are going to link up with him this offseason,” Powers said. “I wouldn't mind a west coast vacation to pick Andrew off a few times.”
It sounds like some locker room camaraderie with the new-era Colts has already begun.
