So what if the unthinkable happened? What if #18 went down? The Colts are getting a glimpse of what that could look like. With Peyton Manning still recovering from neck surgery, backup quarterback Curtis Painter has been taking reps with the first team. Most fans won't even want to think about Manning getting hurt. It must be discussed though. Depth at the QB position is always important, as it becomes an issue for several teams during the course of a season.
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In college, Curtis Painter was good. Yes, that sentence is a journalism no-no but for Painter, it fits. He was never great and he never tanked. From 2005-2008, Painter was the Purdue QB. He was unable to excel to greatness and could not win a couple more games here or there. Of course, Purdue is just bad, no offense, but don't put it all on ol' Curt.
Two topics repeatedly come up when talking about the young quarterback. One is his inability to play well in big games. Against the contenders in the Big 10, Painter was outmatched and seemed like an inferior player. The other item is his growth or lack of it. He started four years and was even redshirted for the 2004 season. Yet, many scouts say he never progressed like the team probably hoped and was still a big working project entering the draft.
One can start reading down the list of the flaws Painter has and say 'Okay, that can be corrected at the next level. Yea, that can too. Sure, this is fixable.' Then you keep going and that is when the concern starts to creep in.
[caption id="attachment_251" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Painter is not a bad #2 option in Indy"]
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- Needs to progress through reads quicker.
- Forces ball into too tight of windows.
- Lacks touch on the ball to help out receiver.
- Pocket presence is shaky.
- Footwork is a bit sloppy.
Yet, what better teacher to have than Peyton Manning (pipe down all you Brady lovers). Forget the bad news people. Painter is learning from one of the best. He is in a great situation where he probably has at least three or four more years to improve on all this stuff, assuming he stays in Indy.
If Manning did go down, that means Manning steps off the playing field, not the sidelines. Peyton would still be there every step that Curtis has to take. It would be almost reasonable to give him the role of official interim offensive coordinator. I mean, what do you think he does on the field people? Shout out the name of his favorite colors or animals? No, Peyton is a technician that runs the offense all on his own and would be with Painter through the growing pains. I'm convinced if Matt Cassel can come in and replace Tom Brady to a pretty successful degree, then the same goes for Painter taking over for Manning.
In all truth, Painter does have many strengths and the make-up of an NFL quarterback. With some hard work, he could become next in line at Lucas Oil. Will I go on the record and say he will be? Not a chance but this is not a knock on Painter. It's just backup quarterbacks don't get offered long-term contracts and are not often retained by their teams. Plus, Manning may have somewhere around six years left in his tank. By then, Painter is almost too old to be considered as a successor. And to be fair, Painter is not locked in as the number two quarterback just yet.
[caption id="attachment_244" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="This man is part of NFL history...but not the good kind"]
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Keep an eye on Dan Orlovsky, who has some starting experience. Past history says the Colts go with Painter but Orlovsky is getting some good reps in at camp himself and will have a chance to compete for a roster spot. Don't ask me how Indy would do with him though. The numbers 0 and 16 flash through my head when I hear Orlovsky. He was indeed a part of that awful Lions season where they set an NFL record, that is currently and unfortunately unbeatable. Pray for Painter Colts fans but most importantly, pray Manning just continues to stay healthy because when all is said and done, no other player on that team gives you a better chance at winning than #18.
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