Thoughts on Curtis Painter

I know I'm going to be crucified for this, but here it goes . . . 

I don't think Painter is that bad. *GASP*

Now, before you all start laughing hysterically and completely dismiss me as a total Steve (*See Definition Below), let me lay a foundation for you.

First of all, I am NOT a Purdue football fan.  I never went to Purdue, and I really don't care about the Boilermakers, or Big Ten football for that matter.  I am also not a blind Colts homer either.  I am passionate about the Colts, but get pissed with bad play and bad decisions just like the next fan (i.e. I've started calling interceptions that were of no fault but the QBs a "Mike Pollak" because it was a bad pick).  I'm also a SMART football fan.  I am one of these guys who records preseason games just to see how Justin Snow's long snapping technique was that game (well, maybe not that far.)  I know the difference between a nickle defense and a dime defense, and I'm usually the guy focused on clock management during a game.  Needless to say (as John C. Riley says to Will Ferrell in Step Brothers) "I'm not just some guy."

I think Painter isn't that bad of a backup QB for Peyton.  Now, I'm not saying he's Dan Marino incarnate or anything like that.  I am well aware of how badly he has played.  But, I think people tend to dismiss when Painter plays well.  For example, this last preseason game against the Rams; the only thing you hear about is the awful overthrow of Collie for the INT (and I agree . . . it was HORRIBLE).  However, no one seems to remember his next drive where he meticulously drove the offense down the field and had an excellent long ball to Garcon.  EVERYONE remembers his awful outing against the Jets in the "undefeated game."  But, no one seems to remember that after his sack fumble in that game (awful again, I'll admit) he actually had a couple of good balls against one of the best defensive back fields in the league.  

Speaking of that game, does anyone remember that the Jets had to win that game to make the playoffs, and the Colts couldn't have cared less about the game???  AAAAAaaaand . . . it was Painter's rookie season with absolutely no playing time under his belt.  Painter is in his third season, and I agree, I wish he were better; but consider the following next time you want to use "Painter" as an **expletive:

1)  Painter, in his third season, has seen very little, significant playing time.  How is it that he only got a few series in this preseason game?  With the blessing of a durable, All-World QB and the stupidity of our coaching staff for not getting the guy more PT, you can hardly blame Painter for his slow development.

2)  Piggybacking off of that last point, I think it's important to realize that EVERY young QB needs PT to develop, and they have to go through their fair share of failure.  (Despite Manning's stellar rookie season, does anyone remember some of the HORRIBLE decisions he made that year?)

3)  His Palomino-like beautiful, golden fur***.

4)  He actually IS talented.  Jim Sorgi went through the same maturation process; the difference is:  Painter actually has an arm.  The guy is raw, but you can't argue his potential.

5)  Backups to Manning will always be compared to him.  That's just the way it goes.  Your 11th graders A+ art project looks pretty good on the fridge, but hanging next to the Mona Lisa at the Lovre . . . well . . . it's garbage.

6)  Finally, look at some of the starting QBs in this league.  Convince me Curtis Painter, with the same PT and same opportunity, WOULDN'T beat Alex Smith in a starting QB battle 8 time out of 10.  Please . . . try.

Listen, I think we should have a vet backup in case something happens to Manning.  I am just as scared as you are if Peyton goes down (but not to the point of forfeiting like one poster suggests).  However, Painter isn't all that bad, and keeping him on the team as a developmental project is alright with me.  I truly don't believe he deserves all of the criticism.  

* Steve:  A guy you would see on the street, who you absolutely don't know, who you completely write off as a douche, idiot, nerd, or otherwise based on his clothing, mode of transportation, gait, or interaction with other people.

** For a good use of a person's name as an expletive, try blurting out "William Shatner."  It's satisfying.

*** Fake $10 for anyone who can give me the obscure reference to this quote.