2012 NFL Draft: Colts Wavering Between Luck and RG3 Is a Publicity Stunt

All this time, it has seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Indianapolis Colts would select Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft.

Why, then, with the draft just a month away, is Jim Irsay trying to make it seem like the team is still waffling between Luck and Robert Griffin III?

During a break in the owners meetings in Palm Beach, Fla., on Monday, the Colts owner told ESPN.com's Dan Graziano that his team likes both quarterbacks:

"

I think they're both outstanding young men. I don't think it's either-or, where only one of them is going to succeed. I think they're both going to be great. ... We're still in the evaluation process right now.

"

You would think that, after months of knowing they'd have the No.1 pick in the draft, the evaluation process would be nearly over.

It's been a while since the Colts have had the No. 1 pick in the draft. Understandably, they're a bit excited. It's possible they want to milk that excitement. And this move seems like it came right out of the Jets' playbook.

Not only is this a tease for the Redskins, who have the No. 2 pick in the draft and who are, by all means, planning on having RGIII spearhead the franchise for many, many years. It's unfair to both Luck and Griffin—particularly Luck, who could benefit from getting contract negotiations out of the way early and starting the next chapter of his career. It could take some of the pressure off the two of them; it could make this about football instead of making it a Jerry Maguire-esque circus.

Not to mention the fact that this little stunt makes it seems as though Irsay wants Luck to think the team isn't completely sold on him, which could make imminent contract negotiations go a bit smoother (aka cheaper).

Even Bill Polian, who was the Colts' general manager until very recently, said Irsay is committed to Luck.

Maybe there really is a reason the Colts haven't yet agreed to a contract with Luck. Or maybe that reason is just that such a move would take away all of the suspense on April 26.

It's clear that Irsay doesn't want that to happen.