SAN DIEGO -- Philip Rivers calls Andrew Luck one of the best in the business -- high praise for the 34-year-old quarterback headed down a path that could lead to the Hall of Fame.
"He’s a heck of a player," Rivers said about Luck. "He’s a tough guy who’s great in the pocket, but he also can run, and is physical when he runs as well. I got to meet him one year at the Pro Bowl and got to visit with him, and I could tell early on he’s a guy who loves football, and likes to talk football and scheme.
"He’s an old-school, traditional passer. I remember when he came out in the draft -- he was just a complete quarterback."
Luck certainly has the resume to back up Rivers' claim. He went to the Pro Bowl his first three seasons in the league and reached 15,000 career passing yards in his 56th game, becoming the second fastest in NFL history.
The Stanford product is 35-22 as a starter, helping Indianapolis reach the postseason in his first three seasons in the NFL, including the AFC Championship game in the 2014 season.
However, last season Luck took a step back in his development because of injury, missing nine games while dealing with a lacerated kidney, rib, shoulder and abdomen injuries.
The Colts finished 8-8 in 2015, just missing the playoffs.
At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Luck is a physical specimen, blessed with a rocket arm and good speed. Luck’s 12 rushing touchdowns are fourth in team history.
But availability is important in the NFL, and Luck had to learn to get down and live for the next play.
"I’ve slid before," Luck said. "I wouldn’t say I go out there looking to run people over by any means. But you’ve got to take care of yourself, and I realize that. Sliding and situational awareness is part of the deal."
Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said his quarterback changing his approach after missing a bulk of last season because of injury was a necessary part of his evolution. Pagano also praised Luck’s work ethic and leadership ability.
"He’s taken a great approach to the offseason, training camp and the start of this season," Chuck Pagano said. "And it all comes down to making great decisions at that spot, and he’s doing a great job with that.
"He obviously was well-coached at Stanford. Jim Harbaugh and those guys did a great job. He’s a real bright guy. The skill set is there. The arm talent is there. I think it’s just a matter of being a great pro, year in and year out. He was a great pro Year 1, and it’s only gotten better.
"He understands how to take care of himself. He understands preparation. He understands the importance of practice, and the importance of film study, and you just see it get better each year."
Chuck Pagano's younger brother, San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano, will be tasked with slowing down Luck.
Pagano’s defense did a good job three years ago, holding Luck to just 202 yards, no touchdowns and an interception in San Diego’s 19-9 win against the Colts at Qualcomm Stadium in October of 2013.
But that was Luck’s second season. The Chargers are facing different personnel and a more mature Luck this season.
"He’s got unbelievable arm strength," John Pagano said. "He launches them. They’re deep, deep -- like back up -- deep balls. And he does a great job of connecting with them and throwing those balls.
"I think the biggest thing you see is how well he spread the ball around. Each guy is different in each role."
Chargers safety Dwight Lowery, who played with the Colts last season, says controlling Luck’s ability to scramble, keeping the play alive or making first downs, remains a focal point for San Diego’s defense.
"Luck can surprise you as far as he can get around you," Lowery said. "He’s quite elusive. I mean he’s not going to mix you or anything, but he understands your leverage, how to get away from it and still continue to progress up the field.
"He’s got very good ability -- very rare, Hall of Fame-caliber ability. So we just have to make sure we’re technical, and that our fundamentals are there. He’s going to make some plays, and we have to understand that’s going to happen. And we have to make sure that we don’t let that get out of control."