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A pre-training camp, position-by-position look at the 2009 Indianapolis Colts: The Quarterbacks
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In the first of a position-by-position series, we'll examine the Indianapolis Colts' quarterback position entering 2009 training camp . . .
The quarterback position is an obvious position of strength on the Colts' roster, with 12-year veteran QB Peyton Manning widely considered one of the NFL's best players and one of the best players ever to play his position.
Manning last season won his third Associate Press Most Valuable Player Award in six seasons, recovering from preseason knee surgery to lead the Colts to victories in the last nine games. Although Manning's statistics weren't the best of his career, his performance over the last nine games was. He threw 17 touchdowns and three interceptions, leading the Colts to a seventh consecutive playoff appearance despite an injury-plagued offensive line and a struggling running game. He's still in his prime, his presence giving the Colts a legitimate chance at a division title and Super Bowl appearance entering any season.
Breaking down the Colts' quarterback position . . .
Peyton Manning, 12th season, Tennessee. Manning is the most-consistent, most-reliable franchise player in the NFL, having made the last eight Pro Bowls and having won three of the last six Associated Press Most Valuable Player awards and finishing second for the honor in 2005. In another of the years he didn't win the honor, he was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLI following the 2006 season. He also never has missed a start in 11 NFL seasons. The Colts have built the franchise around Manning, and have made seven consecutive playoff appearances as a result. Outlook: Hard to predict anything short of an eighth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance.
Jim Sorgi, sixth season, Wisconsin. Because of Manning's durability, Sorgi has gotten few opportunities in five NFL seasons. Often, his chances have been limited to late regular-season games in which the Colts have clinched their playoff positioning. Last year, Sorgi got such an opportunity in the regular-season finale and he led the Colts to a 23-0 victory over AFC South Champion Tennessee. The Colts' selection of Curtis Painter in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft prompted many to question Sorgi's status as the backup, but Colts President Bill Polian said after the draft Painter won't challenge Sorgi for the backup job this season. Outlook: Will enter season as backup for sixth consecutive season.
Curtis Painter, rookie, Purdue. Many observers questioned the Colts selecting him in the sixth round of the draft, but there's a logic behind the move. The Colts love Painter's ability and believed he was a rare combination: a quarterback capable of grasping the Colts' offense, capable of playing the position at a high level physically and available late in the draft. Outlook: While Painter likely won't ever start for the Colts, if he develops into a solid backup – or a potential starter who could bring trade value – this is a forward-thinking selection that could benefit the Colts in the future.
Chris Crane, rookie, Boston College. While a productive player in college, it's obviously not likely he'll play a regular season role. Outlook: Not likely to make the roster.
Synopsis
Manning is as good a starting QB as there is in the NFL, and Sorgi is a more capable backup than many believe. The belief here is if Sorgi had to guide the Colts for a two-or-three game stretch, he could squeeze a victory or two by working within the team's scheme – which is all you can expect of most backup quarterbacks. And don't forget: few knew who Matt Cassel was until New England QB Tom Brady's injury in the season-opener last season. Painter could push Sorgi in a year or two, and with three drafted quarterbacks on the roster, there's as much depth here in the long run as there has been in some time.
Starter: Manning.
On the roster:Sorgi.
On the practice squad: Painter.
OTHER EXAMINER COLTS TOPICS . . .
- The best of the Indianapolis Colts blogosphere . . .
- 2009 Colts training camp schedule
- SERIES: Top Five reasons to worry about Colts in 2009
- SERIES: Top Five reasons to feel good about the Colts in 2009
- Manning: Influence of Tony Dungy still felt around Colts
- A look back at 2009 Colts minicamp
- Mudd, Moore return inevitable, happy end to long story
- Colts to allow sponsors on practice uniforms
- QB Peyton Manning willing to be patient regarding assistants
- A look at the defense entering 2009 minicamp
- A look at the offense entering 2009 minicamp
- QB Peyton Manning among three Colts players ranked highly in Madden 2010
- Hints Emerging about potential Colts defensive changes
- QB Peyton Manning must let assistant coaching situation play out
- Top Five Real Issues Facing Colts Entering 2009
- Top Five Myths Surrounding the Colts Entering 2009
- Top Five Underrated Players on Colts Entering 2009
- Top Five Breakout Players for Colts Entering 2009
- Top Five Nonissues facing Colts Entering 2009
- Why Frank Winters and Ron Johnson fit the Colts' philosophical approach
- Why Colts QB Peyton Manning is primed for another big season
- Preseason dates and times
- Former Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy essays on Michael Vick
- On Loss of Dom Anile
- Re-signing DT Ed Johnson makes DT situation even better
- SERIES: Peyton Manning Top 10 underrated moments.
- Breaking Down the 2009 Colts Schedule
- Colts Rookie Minicamp
- Top 10 rookie free agents in the Polian era
- Too early to quit on Addai
- A recap of the Colts' 2009 NFL Draft
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