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ANDERSON, Ind. -- How bright he is. That's what everyone says. How eager to learn. How born into the game. The first pass Peyton Manning threw in the NFL went for 48 yards and a touchdown. It was last week. He picked up a blitz and threw to the vacant spot 10 yards down the middle. How smart he is. Manning has been in camp two weeks, and he knows the Indianapolis Colts playbook. "Inside and out, the whole thing," said Colts quarterbacks coach Bruce Arians. How many rookie QBs can say that? "None that I know of," Arians said. "It's unusual for a third-year veteran." Peyton Manning, son of Archie, 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, so diligent in his watching of game film his college teammates nicknamed him "Caveman" for the time he spent in dark rooms. . . . so respectful of his heritage he has listened to audiotapes of his father Archie's games at Ole Miss. . . . so worshipful of the game he prefers black high-top shoes, a la Johnny Unitas. . . . So seemingly ready to be the first rookie quarterback since Dan Marino in 1983 to take on the league and make a dent. . . . you wonder what might stop him. "Not an obvious rookie' The NFL is not kind to rookie QBs. Film study does not prepare them for the speed, the snap decisions, the disguised coverages, the outside linebackers coming off the corners. "So many different looks a team can give a rookie," said Carlton Gray, the Colts sixth-year defensive back from Forest Park High. "If they feel pressure, a lot of young guys get rid of the ball quick. Some guys hold onto it too long when a receiver's open. The normal rookie quarterback will probably lock onto their receivers." Gray said Manning is not normal: "He is not an obvious rookie." How smoothly he has handled the transition. How good he is with the fans, signing autograph after autograph, practice after practice. How agreeable he is with the media, 15 minutes Monday, Wednesday and Friday, ask him whatever you want. How polished he looks already. The Colts have helped ease the load. They've eliminated seven-step dropbacks from their passing game (too long for a lineman to hold a block). They have gone to three- and five-step drops, and timing patterns. Step-step-step throw. Rookie QBs who play usually get killed. Troy Aikman, David Klingler. Human bruises. The Colts start two second-year players at the tackles. They allowed 62 sacks last year. But . . . How willing Manning is to figure it all out. "He's so challenging to me," said Arians. "He asks great questions. He has great intensity in the classroom." Intensity in the classroom? "He's a great communicator. Some guys won't admit they made mistakes, so it's hard to coach them. He's wide open, always waiting for suggestions," said Arians. The Colts play the Bengals on Monday night. Manning knows about the Bengals. Of course. "Aggressive defense," he said. "Quick linebackers. They'll come after me." How earnest Manning seems. "My goal is to improve every day," he said. "How are you better today than yesterday?" I asked. "I got 60 plays better," he said. Sixty practice snaps. "Sometimes the best way to learn is to mess it up one time. You learn not to make that throw again." Manning, 22, is a big guy, but a young man. He barely shaves, spikes mostly protruding from his chin. He has a lopsided, kid grin. You ask him what curves the NFL has thrown him. "I expected the game to be fast (and) more complex," Manning said. "Everything has come true." He seems to have it all. "He has been groomed for this position," Gray said. But he isn't the first. Pedigreed players come and go in the NFL. Manning is the son, but not yet the moon and the stars. But it's all there for him, waiting. . . . Enquirer columnist Paul Daugherty welcomes your comments at 768-8454. |