Back in 1998, Peyton Manning took the field in a pre-season contest and threw a deep touchdown to Marvin Harrison on the first play from scrimmage. Even though his first season ended up being a complete disaster, Manning started off his NFL career with a touchdown. Over the weekend, Andrew Luck took the field against a lackluster Rams team and started his playing time in a very similar fashion. When he left the field at the half, he had thrown for 2 TDs and 188 yards while looking poised and polished in the pocket. Before we go ahead and crown him as the newest member of the pro football hall of fame, this exhibition at least didnt DAMAGE his collectability like it could have if he flopped.

As expected, collectors are using his performance as a reason to pay even more ridiculous prices for his cards:

2012 Topps Andrew Luck Rookie Auto /10

2012 Topps Andrew Luck / John Elway Dual Auto

2012 Topps Andrew Luck Retro Rookie Auto /100

2012 Elite Andrew Luck Acetate Inscriptions Auto

Griffin III led his team to a touchdown as well, and Tannehill looked similarly great in his reps, which means that there is a good possibility that this class could start the season with some real talent on the field. Luck, in my opinion is the guy everyone has eyes on, as it is very difficult to fill in shoes left behind by one of the greatest ever. All of the other QBs arent even coming close to this type of situation.

Coming in and performing from the start the way that Luck performed is nothing spectacular, but it does at least continue to hold the bar high for someone as highly rated as he is. From where he is sitting for the pre-season, there is no where to go but down, and that is a bad thing. However, he will have more opportunity to gain value once the real games start. Im not saying go and buy a bunch of his cards, but I dont think its the best idea to sell them if you pull them either.

Griffin and Luck are easily the two most hyped quarterbacks going back to back since Manning and Leaf, and I sincerely hope that neither end up being a bust. This hobby needs Luck and Griffin to perform like championship caliber players, regardless of how you feel about them. I have to say that based on what we have seen during their college careers, as well as during the run up to the draft, there is a big reason to believe they have these types of skills.