MIAMI: The league’s finest young quarterback takes on one of the masters of the trade when rookie Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts face Tom Brady and the Patriots in New England on Sunday.

Luck came into the league this year as the number one draft pick and with a stellar reputation from his college career at Stanford.

His coming to a young Colts team going through a major rebuilding, with a new coaching staff and following the departure of his predecessor Peyton Manning, meant high hopes were tempered with calls for patience in his first season.

But the Colts head into Sunday’s game with the same 6-3 record as the Patriots and with their young quarterback having already thrown for 2,631 yards and 10 touchdowns as part of a totally reworked offense.

His success has not surprised many.

“I thought that he would come in and do well, it is the rest of the rookies on offense that have exceeded my expectations,” said Colts offensive coordinator and interim head coach Bruce Arians.

“When we played the Dolphins, on the game-winning drive, we have eight first-year players out there.” Brady didn’t start a game in his first year, back in 2000, and says he is full of admiration for rookies like Luck who are able to learn so quickly the demands of the pro game.

“It’s always challenging for those rookies. As a rookie I was like fourth-string and eating nachos before the game in the stands. There wasn’t much of me thinking of playing so I always admire those rookies who can do it,” he said.