Back from Stanford, Colts’ Luck smooth

Andrew Luck couldn’t wait to start his new job, and the Indianapolis Colts couldn’t wait to get him back on the field. On Tuesday, both sides finally got their wish.

After a 5½-week absence from the Colts’ offseason workouts, the No. 1 overall draft pick showed up in a red No. 12 jersey and started showing everyone what he’d learned while attending his final classes at Stanford.

“I’m just trying to soak everything in, and I’m starting to have a good understanding of what’s going on,” Luck said after Tuesday’s first workout.

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. His final architecture classes ended last week.

Team owner Jim Irsay and top executives working on Luck’s contract watched the day’s workouts —- and saw a nearly flawless performance.

Coach Chuck Pagano noted that Luck didn’t make a single mental mistake.

“He’s one of the greatest learners I’ve ever met and he’s already up to speed,” said tight end Coby Fleener, Luck’s Stanford teammate and Indy’s second pick. reason and it wasn’t they drafted him to come and sit on the bench. At some point he’s going to play.”

Then the 10-year vet added he doesn’t think there’s room on the roster for him, Weeden and last year’s starter, Colt McCoy.

McCoy, who started 13 games last season before missing the final three with a severe concussion, said, “When I come out to practice, in my mind I’m the starter.”

Tebow with second team: Jets coach Rex Ryan says backup quarterback Tim Tebow will take snaps only with the second-team offense during the team’s three-day minicamp. Mark Sanchez, whom the team has repeatedly insisted is the Jets’ undisputed starter, will run the first-team offense during all practices.

Welker happy for Pats’ tight end: Patriots’ receiver Wes Welker, who signed a $9.5 million franchise tender and has until July 16 to work out a longterm deal, said he was happy for tight end Rob Gronkowski, who got a six-year, $54 million extension.

“I’m not worried about that at all,” Welker said. “Right now I’m here, I’m happy.”

The Patriots also claimed tight end Jake Ballard after he was waived by the Giants when he flunked a physical. He tore a knee ligament in last February’s Super Bowl against the Pats.

Chiefs work Banks out: Linebacker Brian Banks is getting a tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Seattle Seahawks for their upcoming minicamp. Banks, 26, was a one-time high school star recently exonerated in a California rape case in which he was falsely accused. Banks served more than five years.

Jones-Drew, Forte, Reed noshows: Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones-Drew, the NFL’s leading rusher last year, Chicago running back Matt Forte and Ravens’ defensive back Ed Reed were no-shows at their teams’ minicamps.

Drew, set to earn $4.4 million this year, wants a renegotiated deal, which the Jaguars say they will not do.

Forte hasn’t signed his $7.74 million tender as the Bears’ designated franchise player, and he has a July 16 deadline to agree to a multiyear deal.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he hasn’t spoken with Reed, adding, “I’m not sure what the situation is.”