INDIANAPOLIS – On a cut-down day of few surprises around the Indianapolis Colts, one piece of news should have come as little surprise at all.
That piece of news is at backup quarterback.
Curtis Painter, a second-year veteran from Purdue University, remained the backup behind four-time National Football League Most Valuable Player Peyton Manning, a situation solidified when Tom Brandstater was among 23 players released by the team to trim the roster to 53 players.
Painter struggled with three interceptions in the preseason opener, and Brandstater impressed statistically at times, particularly when he threw three touchdown passes in the second half of the preseason finale.
Painter also struggled statistically in two regular-season appearances last December and January, which prompted fans and media to wonder if there might be a change.
But the reality was the team never wavered in support of Painter.
"I haven't ever felt bad about Curtis Painter," Colts President Bill Polian said following the third preseason game. "I felt good about him last preseason, and yes, he's played well in the last two weeks, but we're not surprised."
Historically, the Colts' support of Painter follows precedent. Fans and media were skeptical of Jim Sorgi's ability as a backup for several years, yet from 2004-2009, Sorgi remained solidly entrenched as the backup. The Colts prefer to grow player from within, and that's as true of the backup quarterback as it is anywhere else on the roster.
Elsewhere in the Colts' roster moves this weekend there were few surprises. The team released cornerback Ray Fisher, a seventh-round selection in the NFL Draft from Indiana, but the Colts value rookie free agents as much as they do late-round draft choices, and former Purdue cornerback Brandon King impressed more in training camp and preseason.
The Colts also kept Indianapolis native Devin Moore -- a first-year running back -- as the punt and kick returner over free-agent rookie Brandon James and Fisher.
The team also continued to addressed its injury-depleted cornerback position, trading an undisclosed draft selection to Washington for Justin Tryon. Rookie Kevin Thomas is out for the season with a knee injury, and the Colts signed veteran DeShea Townsend early in training camp to provide depth behind a solid trio of Kelvin Hayden, Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey.
Colts Quarterback Curtis Painter Holds Onto Job as Next Jim Sorgi
Sep 6, 2010 – 10:20 AM
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