Andrew Luck, Phil Simms: Why Criticism of Simms' Comments Is Ludicrous

So Phil Simms isn’t going gag gag over Andrew Luck. Big deal.

The whole world has already decided to anoint Luck the greatest QB ever, so naturally the world is up-in-arms when somebody tosses just a little bit of criticism his way.

Simms is a highly creditable CBS broadcaster that calls the top game of the week along side Jim Nantz. He knows football.

So when he makes a comment on a player, he is not just rambling. These are educated opinions that have been developed through watching endless hours of film.

That’s why these comments made on Sirius satellite radio earlier this month are not outlandish:

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I mean, what's he going to do to match what they say he can do? I just don't see big time NFL throws. I don't care what anybody says. I've watched a lot of him. He never takes it and rips it in there. And you can say what you want but, man, you’ve got to be able to crease that ball every once in a while.

There's not a lot of rotation on the ball and there’s not a tremendous amount of power. Not that you need to have that power arm. I’m not saying you’ve got to have that exclusively but, man, it sure helps when you can do that because there’s four or five plays a game it is about arm strength.

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Barring some sort of miracle, Luck is going to be the first player selected in the 2012 NFL draft, but let’s not expect him to win the Super Bowl in his first year.

Besides, Simms is right about not throwing the ball down field. He rarely takes a shot down field and relies on a lot of yards after the catch.

He has great intangibles, is extremely smart and has a NFL body. Nobody is questioning that. Yet, you have to wonder about his accuracy and arm strength on a 15-yard comeback route on the opposite side of the field.

It’s a legit concern and one that Simms brought up.

So don’t call for his head just because you think Luck is untouchable. Even Tom Brady catches his fair share of criticism every once in awhile.

Let’s wait till Luck starts playing in the NFL before we start making outrageous comments about a bold statement.

Simms may be the one with the last laugh.