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Quarterback Burning Questions Heading Into Training Camp

Intro: After back-to-back playoff appearances, the Colts have the foundation set for a deep playoff run. What’s in store at the quarterback position group heading into the 2014 training camp?

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INDIANAPOLIS –Just like in 2013, the Colts are expected to carry the same three quarterbacks into Anderson.

Andrew Luck battled through a second season that didn't see the same starting 11 around No. 12 in any of the 16 regular season games to record another Pro Bowl campaign.

Here's a look at the quarterback burning questions heading into training camp.

What Does Andrew Luck Need To Work On In 2014?With a player of Luck's status, you are nitpicking a bit when trying to critique his game.

Sure, there are some things that he can improve on, and the third-year quarterback has already addressed those.

Situational football, mainly third-down and red zone opportunities, is the primary focus in 2014 after Luck improved significantly on limiting turnovers and becoming more efficient last season.

The 2014 goals for Luck extends beyond just the quarterback but in his typical fashion, he takes the brunt of the responsibility for the Colts being in the middle of the pack in those categories last year.

Good news for Luck is that help is on the way to alleviate some of the stress created in those situations.

When Reggie Wayne went down in 2013, Luck's third-down security blanket was gone.

With Wayne back, Luck now has that insurance policy on the money down to go along with all the other weapons at the Colts skill positions.

The same can be said for the red zone where teams can't just gravitate towards Wayne or T.Y. Hilton and expect the Colts offense to stall.

Improving on a 56 percent output in the red zone would only enhance the Colts chances of becoming one of the top offenses in the NFL (Denver was 76.1 percent last year).

STAT TO NOTE: Luck's 8,196 passing yards are the most for a quarterback through his first two NFL seasons.

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Will Andrew Luck's numbers in 2014 be worthy enough for MVP consideration?**

The oddsmakers have weighed in on virtually everything about the 2014 NFL season and the MVP candidates made their debut this weekend.

Luck found his way onto the list as the fifth name behind the likes of Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.

So the question now becomes how realistic are Luck's chances to win an MVP at the age of 25 (Luck will turn 25 on September 12th)?

When it comes to how valuable one player is to his team, just look at last year to what Luck meant to the Colts.

With five starters gone to season ending injuries, Luck kept the offense more than afloat and steered the unit through some rocky waters to a playoff victory.

But it's pretty clear it takes eye-popping numbers to go along with that value in order to capture the MVP.

Last year, the Colts were rarely in comfortable control after halftime, where Luck's role would have been simply to manage the clock and preserve a winning margin.

If that changes, as expected, a few more times in 2014 than I just don't see Luck putting up those prolific MVP type numbers that the names above have done.

The Colts have the weapons at the running back position to become a balanced offensive attack and lessen some of the pressure on 12's shoulders.

There's no doubt Luck could handle a load that includes chucking the ball 30-40 times a day but that's not the goal.

STAT TO NOTE: Luck's 22 wins are the second most in NFL history for a quarterback following his first two seasons.Will Matt Hasselbeck play more or less than the 23 snaps he took in 2013?

Certainly Colts fans don't want to see this number much higher than the 23 that Hasselbeck took in 2013.

On one end, it could mean the Colts were in control of more games in the fourth quarter, therefore allowing Hasselbeck to get a little more run at quarterback.

Then of course you have the injury worry in which Hasselbeck would be thrust into a much larger role.

I do expect Hasselbeck to play more than the 3 games he made 2013 appearances in (both Jacksonville games and St. Louis).

That should bring his snap count total well above 23 and probably even increase the 12 pass attempts he tossed last year.

There's no denying though, if Hasselbeck is needed for an extended period of time, he possess the most extensive resume of any backup quarterback in the league.

STAT TO NOTE: Matt Hasselbeck's 197 career games played is the second most of all active quarterbacks (Peyton Manning has played in 240).

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