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INDIANAPOLIS (August 29, 1998) -- The last time your Indianapolis Colts turned the franchise over to a rookie quarterback was in 1990 and, as history shows, that was like giving the car keys to a 10-year-old. Jeff George wasn't prepared mentally or emotionally to steer an NFL team. And despite his considerable physical skills, this new direction went south and he was traded away after four forgettable seasons. It wasn't a good fit for several reasons, and now, some eight quarterbacks and almost a decade later, the Colts have come full circle. Again, the pro football destiny of Indianapolis is in the hands of a 22-year-old kid. Yet this time, it's got a much better ring to it ... a good gut feeling ... the square peg in the perfect hole. This isn't to say Peyton Manning is a can't-miss, slam-dunk gridiron god who will immediately march the Horseshoes to the NFL's Promised Land and have his number enshrined next to Johnny U. That's not the point, or even a realistic expectation for a few years. But, never in the 15-year history of this city's franchise has there been a better opportunity to come in and mold a program. Or a better candidate to shape the clay. In 1990, the Colts blew up their offense and traded away their best lineman (Chris Hinton), a future All-Pro receiver (Andre Rison) and two draft choices for George, who was handed the starting job over Jack Trudeau and Chris Chandler with no competition. President Bill Polian also shook up the mix last winter by cleaning out the lockers of Jim Harbaugh and Paul Justin. But, unlike in George's situation, Manning isn't leap-frogging experienced veterans and there is no arguing the pecking order. "Finally, we have the quarterback who can lead this franchise where it wants to go," said Polian. Sure, you heard that song and dance from previous Colts management about Mike Pagel, Gary Hogeboom, Trudeau, Chandler, George, Craig Erickson, etc. Why should Indianapolis fans feel any more special about Manning? "The great ones have spontaneity, intuitiveness, inventiveness and they're intelligent. They need to know everything. Peyton Manning could be that player. He's further along than any college quarterback I've seen in years. Maybe ever," former San Francisco coach Bill Walsh said about Manning in Sports Illustrated. From his aptitude to his attitude, everything about Manning seems right. He's good with his teammates, fans and the media. He's respectful, dedicated and poised. He looks at the big picture, not his reflection in the mirror. And his ego doesn't seem to be on the depth chart. All of these intangibles give Manning the chance to succeed -- for a long time. He is much more mature than George. Although that's not necessarily a ringing endorsement, it's a big positive for a club that's desperate for direction leaving the huddle. "He doesn't act like he knows everything but, when he gets out on the field, you can tell he's confident," said punter Chris Gardocki. Added coach Jim Mora: "Peyton is very critical of himself and he doesn't look for excuses on why something didn't work, he looks for reasons." Winning over the veterans is never an easy thing for high-priced rookies, and George's arrogance left him few allies. Safety Jason Belser said Manning was immediately accepted. "You get what you see with Peyton. He's just one of the guys and he's a good guy," said Belser. "You tell him to get up and sing his school song and he acts like every other rookie." Added Gardocki, "Peyton says all the right things, but the thing is, he means them. He's not trying to give you a different perception of who he is." Manning is the Siskel and Ebert of football. He can't watch enough video, and earned the nickname "Caveman" at Tennessee for the time he spent in the film room. "He knows what everybody is supposed to do and where everybody is supposed to be," said Mora. "He truly understands what we're trying to do." Bruce Arians, Indy's quarterback coach, likens Manning to a piranha. "He eats everything you give him and then he wants more." Manning can't zing a 30-yard out like George and some of his passes tend to flutter, but Joe Montana's velocity never impressed anybody either. Peyton's precocious package should be something to build on and get behind. "He's everything I thought he'd be," said Mora. "He's a great kid with tremendous work ethic who's team oriented and will be a good leader." Manning can't turn a 3-13 record around by himself. He'll have some good games and some stinkers ... just like all rookie quarterbacks. But, given the proper time and tools, it appears Peyton can help build a winner here and also accomplish something no other Indianapolis quarterback has. That is, grow up and grow old in a Colts uniform. |