Chargers Bolt Past Colts, Manning

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 22, 1998) -- Idealistically, it was the first installment of a quarterback docudrama that could unfold for the next decade.

Realistically, it was another indication that the Indianapolis Colts need more than a tweak here and a twist there before they're ready for the regular season.

On a Saturday night in the RCA Dome that saw San Diego's Ryan Leaf outduel Indianapolis' Peyton Manning, the Colts were left with much more to consider than how their rookie quarterback stacked up against the Chargers' first-year phenom.

"What happened tonight is a pretty good indication that we have an awful lot of work to do to be a good football team," coach Jim Mora said after watching his Colts get demolished 33-3. "We hung with them pretty good in the first half, but ... the second half really came down hard on us.

"We got clobbered in the second half."

Able to stagger into halftime with a 3-3 tie, the Colts were laid to waste during the final 30 minutes. San Diego, which actually trailed 3-0 late in the first quarter, did whatever it pleased in the second half. Six possessions netted 237 yards, 19 first downs and 30 points.

The Colts, meanwhile, barely showed a pulse after intermission with 36 total yards and three first downs.

"Offensively," Mora said, "we couldn't get anything going."

Manning could relate.

"I wish we could have been more consistent," he said. "I don't know if this was a step back, but ... it's obvious we have a lot of work to do."

The Colts' collective misery aside, Manning had to settle for second billing in his first individual meeting with Leaf.

Manning, the first overall pick in the draft, was frequently high and wide on his throws. He completed just 11 of 21 passes for 123 yards, and littered the RCA Dome with a pair of interceptions to San Diego safety Michael Dumas.

"I'll have to watch the film, but I probably rushed a few of my throws," Manning said. "When I rush things, I'm not as accurate as I need to be."

Leaf, the second overall pick, brought his bravado and big arm to the Dome. Despite being sacked three times, he hit 15-of-24 passes for 172 yards with one interception. Leaf made sure his final play of the night was a memorable one. He burrowed in for a 1-yard TD midway through the third quarter, pulled himself out of a pile of humanity, then spiked the football in the end zone.

After the game, Manning met Leaf on the field. They exchanged pleasantries, then Manning delivered a message the Colts hope holds meaning.

"I met him after the game and told him 'Good game,'" Manning said. "And I told him we'd see him in a few weeks."

On Oct. 4, Leaf and the Chargers return to the RCA Dome for a regular-season game. That game will carry meaning, as well as a chance for redemption.

"You don't like to lose in the fashion we did," said Manning, "but it's preseason and you learn from your mistakes.

"When you're sitting there, you don't like getting beat and it's kind of hard to remind yourself (it's preseason). But you kind of have to lean on the idea that at least it's preseason and you can erase the board after this."

What will be hard to erase, though, are the three interceptions -- including one by backup quarterback Kelly Holcomb -- that led to 14 San Diego points. Leaf's 1-yarder in the third quarter was set up when Manning and wide receiver Marvin Harrison got crossed up and Dumas made his second interception.

Also difficult to forget will be the inability of the Colts to run the football and sustain any drives. Last week at Cincinnati, they ran for 255 yards. Saturday night, they rushed 17 times for 48 yards.

"I think we took a step backward in the running game," said Mora.

Finally, it will be tough to shrug off the total domination San Diego enjoyed in the second half.