INDIANAPOLIS -- Andrew Luck couldnt wait to start his new job, and the Indianapolis Colts couldnt wait to get him back on the field. On Tuesday, both sides finally got their wish. After a 5 1/2-week absence from the Colts off-season workouts, the No. 1 overall draft pick showed up in a red No. 12 jersey and started showing everyone what hed learned while attending his final classes at Stanford. "Im just trying to soak everything in, and Im starting to have a good understanding of whats going on here," Luck said after Tuesday mornings light one-hour workout. Admittedly, hes still trying to master the playbook, get on the same page with his new teammates and figure out how to get around Indianapolis. But none of that mattered Tuesday as dozens of reporters, photographers and television cameras monitored each pass Luck threw. Vice president and general counsel Dan Emerson, who has been negotiating Lucks contract, watched the first half of a two-hour afternoon practice. Team owner Jim Irsay and two of his three daughters watched the second half of the afternoon session from a golf cart. What everyone saw was a nearly flawless performance. Luck connected on his first 12 throws in the morning team drill and only one of 16 passes hit the ground -- a ball that hit rookie tight end Dwayne Allen in the chest and ricocheted to the ground. Coach Chuck Pagano noted that Luck didnt make a single mental mistake. Griff Whalen and Coby Fleener, who worked out with fellow alumnus Luck at Stanford over the past month, said Luck seemed as calm and in control as he was in college. "Hes one of the greatest learners Ive ever met and hes already up to speed," said Fleener, Indys second-round draft pick in April. League rules prohibit rookies from attending team mini-camps until they finish classes with the exception of one three-day rookie camp, which ended May 6. Indy promised to do anything it could to help Luck -- video conferences, conference calls, even using Irsays private jet to ferry players around the country for individual workouts. The NFL nixed all of it until Luck finished his final two architectural design courses last Thursday. The resourceful Luck came up with a solution: Using his free time in the morning to hone his football skills, while blocking out the afternoons for classwork. It wasnt the way Luck wanted to start his pro career. "Id wake up and have a serious lack of motivation to go to class, so Id work out in the mornings, then eat lunch and go to class in the afternoon," Luck said. "I think I managed to learn the playbook a bit." What he needs now is repetition. In morning team drills, Luck hooked up repeatedly with veteran receiver Austin Collie and threw his final couple of passes to perennial Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne. The afternoon session focused primarily on individual work, and Luck overthrew both veterans three times, all on deep patterns. Indy is scheduled to hold another workout Wednesday afternoon in front of fans at Lucas Oil Stadium before wrapping up the mini-camp Thursday. Its already clear to Pagano and others around the team complex that Luck is everything they expected. "The guys off the charts for football IQ," Pagano said. "He came in over the weekend and we had a little session Monday with the rookies, which league rules allow, and he hasnt missed a beat." Luck was dubbed the most NFL-ready quarterback since Manning before the 2011 draft. But instead of taking the money and jumping to the NFL, Luck went back for one more season at Stanford and had the Cardinal in the BCS title hunt until a November loss to Oregon. A month later, he finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting for the second straight year. The Colts became the front-runner for Lucks services when Manning missed the entire season after having neck surgery, and the Colts wound up a league-worst 2-14. Irsay cut ties with Manning on March 7, releasing the four-time league MVP rather than pay him a $28 million bonus, clearing the way for Lucks ballyhooed arrival. "I think I have to earn the face of the franchise stuff," he said. "I have to learn as much as I can to help these guys win games and get back to the playoffs." Luck plans to make one more trip to the West Coast, for this weekends graduation ceremonies at Stanford. After that, hell focus solely on football. "I have no obligations after mini-camp outside of football," he said. "So Ill focus on football and well have to get some work in after the OTAs (off-season team activities) end." nfl jerseys china . -- The Oakland Raiders lost both of their starting running backs to injuries in the first half against the Washington Redskins. jerseys from china .com, talks between the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox in regards to manager John Farrell continued on Friday. http://www.cheap-nhljerseys.us.com/ . After splitting two games in Los Angeles, the teams will meet again in New Orleans for Game 4 on Sunday. The Hornets have now dropped two straight since surprising the Lakers to take Game 1. Although this one was never out of reach until the fourth quarter, the Hornets never had a lead after Chris Pauls layup made it 6-4. cheap jerseys from china . -- Brad Peacock and Erik Bedard have made the Houston Astros rotation and will pitch the fourth and fifth games of the regular season. nhl jerseys china . The right-hander was traded from Milwaukee to New York for cash on Wednesday, two days after the Brewers designated him for assignment.Growing up in England, the concept of an All-Star match is not something I was accustomed to. I had watched NHL, NBA and MLB All-Star games from a distance and was intrigued by their status as a big event but wondered why teams would want this kind of distraction in the middle of the season. Now, after five years getting engrained into the North American culture, it is much easier to understand the importance of these showpiece games across the sports landscape. With Major League Soccers 2011 All-Star Game taking place in New York later this month (live on TSN), discussions are again taking place amongst supporters about the importance of the match and the potentially negative impact it could have on their clubs at a busy time of the year with the race for the playoffs in top gear and the CONCACAF Champions League about to begin. Even after Toronto hosted the MLS All-Star Game in 2008, I still wasnt sure if the mid-summer showpiece was a help or hindrance, but that changed with a visit to Houston last year. I was fortunate enough to be at Reliant Stadium to watch the MLS All-Stars take on Manchester United, and it was clear to me by attending that game and witnessing the impact that it had on the city, that the All-Star match has a very important role to play in the development of the league and soccer as a whole. There are problems to overcome, the biggest of which is scheduling at a time when MLS teams are also starting their Champions League campaign, but the way Houston became crazed by soccer for a few days was a great sight to see. All-Star festivities were evident throughout the city from the front page of the local newspaper, to cab drivers decked out in All-Star gear and fans wearing soccer jerseys in the street - it was a real celebration of the game. Of course, many in the crowd were there to see Manchester United and not the MLS All-Stars, but in my mind, that doesnt matter. What matters for MLS and soccer in North America is the fact that over 70,000 people were interested enough to head out to the stadium to be part of that event. This year, Manchester United will return as the opposition for the All-Star match and New Yorks Red Bull Arena is the venue. Once again, the leagues best will be given the opportunity to test themselves against one of the elite teams in the world.ddddddddddddLast years match was one-sided with the English giants running out 5-2 winners, but the MLS-All-Star First XI was announced Sunday afternoon and includes plenty of quality. World Cup and Champions League winner Thierry Henry, former Manchester United favourite David Beckham and Mexico star Rafa Marquez headline the list of players named to the First XI along with Landon Donovan and goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who both have experience playing in the English Premier League. The XI was voted for by fans and is therefore somewhat of a popularity contest, but many of the players have been recognized for the contribution they are making with seven of the eleven coming from the Western leading Los Angeles Galaxy and the Eastern leaders New York. The fans picks will be complimented by selections from Commissioner Don Garber and Coach Hans Backe, which will see other standout players given the recognition they deserve. Houstons Brad Davis has nine assists so far this year and surely deserves a call-up as does the hardworking ball-winning Seattle midfielder Osvaldo Alonso. With New York the venue for the match and Red Bulls coach Backe in charge of the lineup, it would also be a surprise if Luke Rodgers doesnt get into the squad. The English forward has made an immediate impact in his first season in the league, using his strength to cause problems for defences. His well-taken goal in the 5-0 thumping of Toronto FC last week was his sixth of the season. Whoever makes up the final squad for the match, the All-Star Game will once again provide an opportunity for soccer to steal the headlines. New York is sure to be a perfect host and with many events scheduled for downtown Manhattan plus the stunning Red Bull Arena as the venue for the match, Major League Soccer is well placed to deliver a positive message with the eyes of the world watching. The beautiful game still has a long way to go as it fights for relevance in North America, and the All-Star match can only benefit the cause. The 2011 MLS All-Star Game will be broadcast live on TSN on Wednesday, July 27 at 8:30pm et/5:30pm pt. cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys ' ' '