 |
 |
 |
|
INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 29, 1998) -- At the risk of drawing conclusions from the preseason, this much seems clear: for the sake of the Indianapolis Colts' offense, Peyton Manning had better stay healthy. Not that Manning is a finished product, by any means, but the first-unit offense showed a disproportionate reliance on the rookie, and the backups generated precious little behind backup Kelly Holcomb. In the first halves of the four preseason games, when starters received the bulk of the playing time, Manning's passing (515 yards) accounted for 72 percent of the Colts' total offense (711 yards), and four of the team's five touchdowns. "I think I'm as ready as I can be," Manning said. "I've had four games and I can still learn a lot during the season. I feel that I got a lot out of the preseason games. "I know I'll have to learn on the job but, hopefully, I can minimize my mistakes." As with any young quarterback, consistency proved Manning's biggest problem. He struggled in the opener against Seattle, bounced back with a strong game against Cincinnati, was shaky against San Diego and finished with a solid effort in the 20-17 victory over Detroit in the RCA Dome on Thursday night. Manning's quarterback rating for the preseason was a respectable 78.9. He completed 50 percent of his 64 attempts for 520 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions and was sacked just twice. He showed excellent touch on the deep throws, with three completions of at least 40 yards -- all to Marvin Harrison -- but was erratic on the shorter patterns. Overall, head coach Jim Mora said Manning's development had come as far or farther than he expected. "He had a roller-coaster preseason, from the standpoint of good things and bad things. But every time he struggled a little bit, he has come back strong," Mora said. "He's learning every play. He's still making mistakes. It's going to be a learning process all through the season and on into the next few seasons and throughout his career." Holcomb -- the only quarterback on the roster to have started a regular-season game -- played well enough in the first two exhibitions to assume the backup role, leading the coaching staff to waive veteran Bill Musgrave. In the final two games, though, the backups produced just three points in nearly four full quarters. "I'm not real comfortable with the depth at quarterback," said Mora. "I haven't been real pleased with the way Kelly has played the last couple of weeks and we are -- not only at that position, but other positions -- trying to get better. We're looking to see what might be available to strengthen us there." Interceptions continue to be a problem for Holcomb. In just 73 attempts last season, he amassed nearly half the team's season total (eight of 17), and he's had three passes picked off in 34 preseason attempts, bringing his rating down to 53.3. The third quarterback on the roster, Jim Kubiak, was 0-for-4 in limited action. Team president Bill Polian doesn't rule out the possibility of bringing in another quarterback, although it might not necessarily be a veteran. "I think the quote 'veteran guy' is overrated," Polian said. "Just because a guy has failed with three other teams doesn't mean he's going to succeed here. I'm not trying to be a wise-guy, and I know I'm going to get a ton of Rick Mirer questions (the former No. 2 pick from Goshen, Ind., was released by Chicago). "The answer is: I don't think you can handle a reclamation project during the season. Just because a guy has been around a while doesn't mean he's the right guy. And Peyton certainly doesn't need a mentor. He lives with his mentor (father Archie)." Because they had the worst record in the league last season, the Colts get first choice at claiming other teams' waived players, except for vested veterans. Players with at least four years of experience become free agents upon their release.
|