NFL Notes: Andrew Luck, Colts, Giants, Patriots

Colts

Mike Wells writes that there’s hasn’t been any indication that Colts QB Andrew Luck (shoulder surgery) won’t be ready for the start of the regular season.

As of now, the Colts are holding Luck out of offseason workouts, which fits their plan all along, given that they want to be cautious with him and his rehab.

Colts HC Chuck Pagano mentioned last week that Luck is “doing great” and continuing his rehab.

“Doing great. I’ve got to give you the same thing,” Pagano said. “He’s doing well rehabbing every single day. He’s a coach out there on the field. He’s in the meetings. He’s doing everything but obviously taking snaps, but he’s taking everyonee of them from a mental standpoint. He’s doing a great job with Scott [Tolzien], Stephen [Morris] and our young rookie Phillip [Walker]. He’s doing a great job with the tight ends, wideouts and backs. Obviously he knows the offense inside and out, so it’s like having another coach on the field. Great sounding board for Scott, Stephen and Phil for when they come off the field: ‘What did you see? Why did you go there? What would you have done?’ Obviously a great sounding board, somebody that they’ll go to and they’ll get immediate feedback not only from Schotty [QBs coach Brian Schottenheimer] but from Andrew.”

Giants

Jordan Raanan mentions that backup QB Josh Johnson has been taking most of the second-team reps at OTAs with Geno Smith being handled cautiously coming off a torn ACL.

Raanan considers Johnson to be the favorite to win the backup quarterback job this summer over Smith, given that he’s earned the trust of the coaching staff last year and ultimately supplanted Ryan Nassib as Eli Manning’s backup.

As for Smith, he says he doesn’t feel like he has to prove anything to anyone other than himself.

“Honestly, I don’t feel like I have to prove anything to anyone other than myself,” Smith said. “I am just trying to be my best every single day, focusing on trying to be perfect. I know that is a far goal to try and reach, but just trying to be perfect every day and understanding what is required of me once I step onto the field and then trying to get it done.”

Patriots

• Ben Volin reports that the new three-year, $9 million extension signed by Patriots C David Andrews includes $700,000 in incentives in each of the three new years of the agreement.
• According to Volin, Andrew can make $250,000 for playing in 65 percent of snaps each season and another $450,000 for 85 percent of snaps.