NFL Combine 2012: Andrew Luck Smart to Refrain from Throwing in Indy

For the past several years the vast majority of top quarterback prospects have chosen not to throw at the NFL Scouting Combine. Stanford gunslinger Andrew Luck will follow suit. In doing so, he is making a very intelligent decision.

According to Sporting News, Luck has chosen to throw at his March 22 pro day in lieu of the combine, as has become customary for many signal-callers. Luck, who is the likely No. 1 overall pick of the Indianapolis Colts, has nothing to gain by emptying his chamber at the combine.

Last year's No. 1 pick Cam Newton decided to throw at the combine, but he still had something to prove. Teams were questioning his accuracy. And while he didn't throw the ball overly well, his willingness to give it a go likely scored him some points with the Carolina Panthers.

For the past two years Luck has proven to be the best pure passer in college with at least 3,300 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and a 70 percent completion percentage in each year. Everybody already knows about Luck's impressive skill-set, so there's no reason for him to put himself in an uncomfortable environment.

Even if Luck showed up and put on his worst possible passing performance, it likely wouldn't make the Colts shy away from drafting him. They already seem pretty committed to taking him and resigned to the fact that they're going to have to cut ties with Peyton Manning.

There simply isn't anything good that could come from Luck throwing on Sunday. In a worst-case scenario, although it's very unlikely, what if he were to get injured while throwing at the combine? While it probably wouldn't happen, there's no need for him to take an unnecessary risk with millions of dollars on the line.

Say what you will about having pride in your abilities, but sometimes logic has to prevail over pride. Luck and his representatives know full well that he's going No. 1 in April, so they're going to be as cautious as possible moving forward.

If Luck didn't have to throw another pass between now and the draft,he probably wouldn't. But he does have a bit of an obligation to throw at his pro day, even if it's only to help out teammates like tight end Coby Fleener.

There is far less risk for Luck at his pro day than at the combine because he'll be doing things at his own pace with familiar receivers in a familiar setting. Some quarterbacks have no choice but to throw at the combine, but Luck has earned the right to pick and choose, so it makes sense for him to exercise that right.