That they did develop, and that by the postseason they were a critical part of a Super Bowl offense, was a credit to the two players, but also to Manning, who worked with the duo extensively in the offseason. Manning also guided the offense through the first part of the season, when the duo was learning the offense essentially on the job, and while that stage of the season was not without inefficiency, the Colts did not lose during that span.
Manning for the season completed 393 of 571 passes for 33 touchdowns and 4,500 yards with 16 interceptions, and in the postseason, he turned in three of the better playoff performances of his career, completing 30 of 44 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns with an interception in a 20-3 AFC Divisional Playoff victory over Baltimore and following by completing 26 of 39 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in a 31-17 AFC Championship Game victory over the New York Jets.
And while Manning has been criticized since the Super Bowl, he completed 31 of 45 passes for 33 yards and a touchdown in that game and had just one interception.
That one interception, of course, was returned 74 yards by Saints CB Tracy Porter, effectively ending the Colts' chances at a second Super Bowl title in four seasons and setting the tone for an offseason of stories questioning Manning's spot among the game's elite quarterbacks, past and present.
Righly or wrongly, those questions won't stop, but whatever the outside chatter, it means little when analyzing the Colts' quarterback situation because the reality is the Colts are as good at the position as any team in the NFL. And even with Manning turning 34 in March, that doesn't seem likely to change any time soon.
*The roster: Peyton Manning (13), Jim Sorgi (7), Curtis Painter (2), Drew Willy (1).
*The breakdown: Manning is obviously the starter, but what the 2009 season proved was Sorgi likely is just as definitely the backup. It became vogue last preseason to believe that Painter – a sixth-round selection in the 2009 NFL Draft – would take the backup job in 2010. That was premature, just as it's a bit reactionary to judge Painter based solely on his two late-season appearances – subpar performances against the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills. Painter was inserted into a difficult situation against the Jets: facing the NFL's No. 1 defense – the blitzing, attacking. Rex Ryan-coached Jets – Painter was sacked and fumbled in the third quarter, a play that was well-documented and led to the Colts' first loss of the season. He also struggled in a steady snow in the season finale against Buffalo. The Colts won't judge Painter solely on those two performances, but Sorgi – the team's backup for the past six seasons – has far more experience and better grasp of the offense, and that's crucial in the Colts' system. Sorgi is due a hefty roster bonus, but it's hard to see the Colts not paying it.
*What the offseason might bring: The major offseason story could involve Manning. Colts Owner and Chief Executive Officer Jim Irsay said at the Super Bowl he would like to get a long-term extension done with Manning in the offseason. “We know that Peyton's going to be the highest-paid player in the league," Irsay said at the time. "It'll get done. There's no question about that, and it's something we'll focus on in the offseason.” Manning's contract expires after the 2010 season, but there's almost no way Irsay will let the deal be an issue.
*Feeling the draft: The Colts don't appear to need to address this position in the draft. Manning will turn 34 in March, but it's not time to draft a replacement and that may not ever happen so long as he's active. It would surprise many if they entered training camp with any of the top three not on the roster, and there may not be much competition for the Nos. 2 and 3 jobs.
*Free agency status: All of the above players are under contract, and the Colts rarely dip into free agency. They almost certainly won't be doing so this season at the quarterback position.
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