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Twenty questions . . . No. 1: Will Jim Sorgi be Indianapolis Colts backup QB in 2009?
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With Indianapolis Colts training camp fast approaching, we'll take a daily look at the biggest questions facing the team entering the 2009 season in this special Examiner series: Twenty Questions with the Colts . . .
QUESTION NO. 1: WILL JIM SORGI BE THE BACKUP QUARTERBACK IN 2009?
Jim Sorgi, the Indianapolis Colts' top backup quarterback since 2004, has had that status questioned in some circles, particularly since the team drafted Curtis Painter in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
For now, no questions are necessary.
Because for now, Sorgi is the Colts' backup.
Sorgi, a sixth-round selection from the University of Wisconsin in 2004, has played sparingly since his acquisition, but that's far from his fault. Starter Peyton Manning not only has been one of the NFL's best players for the last decade, he has been one of its most durable, never missing a start in 12 seasons. That means Sorgi's playing time largely has come in meaningless situations.
Still, when Sorgi has played, he has played well enough to earn confidence of coaches.
Said Head Coach Jim Caldwell:
He has certainly been in the system a long time. He has a very good grasp of the system. He has not had an opportunity to play a significant amount. This last preseason would have been an opportunity for him to play a lot more than normal, but then he was injured at the end, then he missed a couple of games. I think he has been able to demonstrate what he was capable of doing. . . .
Sorgi indeed was disappointed last preseason. With Manning out after offseason knee surgery, Sorgi had his first extensive chance to practice with the first team, and he played extensively in the first three preseason games. But he missed the last two games of the preseason with an injury, and that included the fourth preseason game against Buffalo, a game Sorgi would have played extensively with the starters.
Still, when Sorgi has gotten a chance to play, he often has been efficient. He has completed 99 of 156 career regular-season passes for 929 yards and six touchdowns with an interception, and this past season, he completed 22 of 30 passes for 178 yards in extensive playing time in a 23-0 victory over Tennessee in the regular-season finale.
Said Sorgi:
All in all, my playing time here, I think I've played pretty well. . . . For the most part, I feel like I'm getting better. . . I'm getting better at controlling everything and putting us in the right situation and the right play at the right time, and just taking more of a leadership role when I'm out there. Most people get the chance to get better playing – making mistakes on the field and playing. In this organization (as a backup), you have to get better through different aspects of the game. You have to get better through practice and you have to get better through watching film. When you get that chance to play, you might not get another one.
Sorgi has been criticized by fans, but the truth about Sorgi is there really has been no fair way to judge him in five seasons. He has had almost no time with the Colts' entire starting lineup, playing behind the backup line in most of his preseason appearances and typically playing with various reserve lineups in his regular-season appearances. Is he Manning? Of course not, but how would he fare if given the opportunity to play full games with the Colts' offensive starters? It's easy for observers to think they know the answer, but those observing the New England Patriots had little faith in Matt Cassel until Tom Brady missed last season with a knee injury.
The drafting of Painter made Sorgi's status a more high-profile, pressing issue in the weeks after the draft, but Colts President Bill Polian was clear upon drafting Painter there is no expectation that the former Purdue quarterback will move into the top backup role this season.
For now, the job is Sorgi's, and until he proves differently, there's little evidence he can't handle the role.
QUESTION NO. 1: WILL JIM SORGI BE THE BACKUP QUARTERBACK IN 2009?
ANSWER: Without question.
THE POSITION-BY-POSITION PRE-TRAINING CAMP SERIES:
- The QUARTERBACKS
- The RUNNING BACKS
- The TIGHT ENDS
- The WIDE RECEIVERS
- The OFFENSIVE TACKLES
- The OFFENSIVE GUARDS
- The CENTERS
- The DEFENSIVE ENDS
- The DEFENSIVE TACKLES
- The LINEBACKERS
- The CORNERBACKS
- The SAFETIES
OTHER EXAMINER COLTS TOPICS . . .
- Colts QB Peyton Manning on Steve McNair
- Steve McNair's career often intertwined with the Colts
- QB Peyton Manning nominated for ESPY
- QB Peyton Manning omitted from ESPN.com's All-Decade team
- 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
- 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 Colts QB Peyton Manning is primed for another big season
- Preseason dates and times
- Former Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy essays on Michael Vick
- 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
- Too early to quit on Addai
- A recap of the Colts' 2009 NFL Draft
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