The Indianapolis Colts won their first game with Chuck Pagano back as coach since he started treatment for leukemia Sept. 26. The Colts defeated the Houston Texans, 28-16.

Coach Chuck Pagano

Andrew Luck threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns. Luck threw a one yard pass to Coby Fleener and a 70-yard pass to T.Y. Hilton. Deji Karim scored on a 101 yard kick off return. And, Vick Ballard scored a TD on a one yard run.

Still amazing. Luck, Fleener and Hilton are all rookies. This is Pagano’s first game back after getting treatment for cancer. It’s Pagano’s first year as coach by the way. It was Ryan Grigson’s first year as GM> And… they are going to the playoffs. Would you have even believed this after last season?

The Colts end the season with an 11-5 record. They are the fifth seed in the NFL Playoffs and take on the Ravens in Baltimore on Sunday’s Wild Card weekend action on CBS.

Andrew Luck led the Indianapolis Colts to a 35-33 victory over the Detroit Lions with some last minutes heroics.

Donnie Avery (11) ran in the game winning TD pass from Andrew Luck (12) as time expired. (Screen Cap)

Luck moved up in the middle and connected with a wide-open Donnie Avery on a 14-yard touchdown as time expired.

Despite three interceptions, Luck was stellar again as he was 24 of 54 passing for 391 yards and four touchdown passes. Avery had two TDs, including the game winner. Luck also connected with Coby Fleener and LaVon Brazill. Vick Ballard also ran in an 11-yard TD for the Colts.

The Colts, 8-4, are in AFC Wild Card contention with the victory. They look to continue their winning ways next Sunday as they take on the Tennessee Titans in Indy.

Washington Redskins Quarterback Robert Griffin III

Hello, and welcome to the first edition of the 2012 NFL Rookie of the Week!  Every week I will be analyzing the play of all of the rookies around the NFL and spotlight the top performer.

The first rookie to receive the honorary rookie of the week crown is (drumroll) Washington Redskins’ quarterback Robert Griffin III.

The Redskins entered Week 1 to face the New Orleans Saints.  The Saints have been dealing with their off the field issues during their offseason with bounty suspensions and not having their head coach Sean Peyton around.  However, no one expected them to let the Redskins put 40 points on the board and Washington defeated New Orleans 40-32.

A lot of the great play came from the rookie RG3.  He ended his day with 320 passing yards, 42 rushing yards, and two TD’s.  He took advantage of a Saints defense that was either very weak or just playing very poorly.

RG3 looked very poised and accurate in his game against the Saints.  He moved well in the pocket and didn’t hesitate to run the football when he saw an open area.  He was able to read the Saints’ defense with ease and directed his receivers on where their spots should be.

The Redskins’ defense also played superbly agianst Drew Brees’ offense, but anyone that can put 40 points on the board against New Orleans is impressive.

So congratulations to Robert Griffin III, our first Rookie of the Week this 2012 season.

Some rookie honorable mentions from Week 1:

Stephen Hill – New York Jets
The wide receiver made five catches for 89 yards and scored two touchdowns

Coby Fleener – Indianapolis Colts
The tight end caught six passes for 82 yards, but no touchdowns

Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts
The quarterback threw for 309 passing yards and had one touchdown, however he did throw three interceptions against the Chicago Bears

Andrew Luck had an interesting debut for the Indianapolis Colts.

While Luck threw for 309 yards of offense, including a TD pass to Donnie Avery, he also threw three interceptions. Obviously, first game jitters for the rookie. At least that’s what Colts owner Jim Irsay and Colts fans are hoping!

Donald Brown rushed for 48 yards on nine carries. He had one touchdown.

Reggie Wayne had nine receptions for 135 yards. And Coby Fleener, the Colts rookie Tight End out of Stanford, had six receptions for 82 yards

The Colts have their home opener next weekend and will take on the Minnesota Vikings.

For more on the Bears, check out Windy City Sweetness.

Happy Week 1!  The NFL is about to kickoff  tonight.  There are lots of things to look forward to every season, but one thing I like to pay attention to are the rookies.  Who will impress?  Who will falter?  Who will live up to expectations?  This particular 2012 season I believe will be a unique one when it comes to these rookies.  There has been a lot of hype and even more talent around the top two draft picks and a lot of the lower picks have been impressive this preseason.

Here is a look at some of the top rookies, in my opinion and no particular order, that I believe will make the biggest impressions this season.

Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck – QB – Indianapolis Colts

There is no surprise that Luck is and will continue to receive a lot of attention.  He was the number one draft pick this year and he is replacing former Colt great Peyton Manning, who the organization dumped after he missed the 2011 season with a neck injury.  The organization is in a rebuilding faze and there is going to be some struggles.   » Continue reading “2012 NFL Rookies: Who to Expect to Impress”

Coby Fleener was considered the top Tight End prospect going into the 2012 NFL Draft.  Fleener was drafted out of Stanford University only to join up with his fellow Stanford teammate, Andrew Luck, with the Indianapolis Colts. Fleener was the first TE taken in the 2012 Draft at the 34th overall pick.

Joining up with your teammate in the pros? Good deal!

So, without further delay … here’s what you are waiting for … the PICTURES!

Enjoy ladies and gents!

» Continue reading “Tight End Tuesday: Coby Fleener”