2012 NFL Draft: 4 Reasons Andrew Luck Will Be a Bust

Andrew Luck is the best quarterback to come down the pike in years. 

He is the best since Peyton Manning or John Elway or both.

He's the most sure-fire, can't-miss prospect in any sport since LeBron James.

The NFL draft is just an official introduction to the Hall of Fame career that awaits him.

Or is it? 

Here are a few things that could cause some bumps in Luck's road. Read on.

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning is in Denver starting over with the Broncos.  All of his lofty accomplishments were left behind in Indianapolis.  Sitting out all of last season due to injury has done nothing to diminish his legacy. 

To say it's a tough act for Luck to follow is an understatement.

Jim Irsay should give Jeff George a call.  He's been know to have an occasional itch to come out of retirement.  This would allow Luck to hold the clipboard as a rookie and then take over for the 2013 season.

Remember, it's always better to follow the guy who followed "The Guy."

Portland Trail Blazers

The Colts hit a home run when they drafted Peyton Manning in 1998.

The Portland Trail Blazers have had a lot of opportunities with high draft picks as well.  Outside of Bill Walton—and that started off rocky—they haven't had much success.  They have struck out looking more times than they have gone yard—LaRue Martin, Sam Bowie, Greg Oden.  How can one single franchise have so much futility with high draft picks?

Eventually a little Portland Trail Blazer has to rub off on the Colts.

History Can't Repeat Itself

Had the Colts decided to strike out in the 1998 NFL draft, they would have taken a kid from the Pac-10 who seemingly had all the tools to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL.

That kid, as everybody knows, was Ryan Leaf.

The Andrew Luck-Robert Griffin III debate isn't as intense as the Peyton Manning-Ryan Leaf one was, but Luck is the talented kid from the Pac-12 who seemingly has all the tools. 

When it comes to making a bad decision on draft day, the Colts are due.

Famous Fathers

Oliver Luck was Archie Manning's backup as a member of the Houston Oilers.  He's since gone on to become a MLS president and GM and current West Virginia athletic director.

Given the family connections, and all of the success of Peyton and Eli, there has to be a misfire at some point.

So there you have it, Colts fans.  If it doesn't go well for Andrew Luck, these may be some of the reasons.