Manning Still Suffering Rookie Mistakes

All those explanations added up to a 29-6 defeat as Indianapolis went 0-2 for 1998 because its 22-year-old quarterback threw a stinker into the New England night.

In a game where their defense and running game were up to NFL standards, Peyton Manning wasn't.

It was a fact Manning couldn't or wouldn't deny after a three-interception, one-fumble performance that paved the way for a Patriots' rout.

"He made some bad decisions and threw the ball places and times he shouldn't have," said Colts coach Jim Mora. "But I think tonight will be a good learning experience for him.

"That doesn't mean he won't come back and make mistakes next week. I just think he'll get smarter."

That would be advisable if Indianapolis plans on winning a game this month.

A large part of Peyton's package is cerebral, but he had some untimely brain fades against the best team in the AFC East.

An underthrow to Marcus Pollard, an overthrow to Marvin Harrison, a throw you're never supposed to make, and coughing up the ball gave New England 20 points.

It also gave Manning six interceptions in two games as the NCAA's all-time leader in passes without picks (only 33 in 1,381 attempts at Tennessee) self-destructed in the Colts' lone national television appearance of this season.

"Two of those (interceptions) were bad decisions on my part; all of them really were," admitted Manning, who threw only four interceptions his entire sophomore season.

"Rule No. 1 is that you never throw the ball back against the grain like I did on that last one."

Of course, by the time Chris Canty snared that ill-advised heave late in the third quarter, this one was pretty much decided.

The Patriots led 10-0 despite not having a first down and only seven yards of total offense because Manning fumbled deep in his own territory after being blindsided by Willie McGinest.

Then, with Indy mounting a mini-drive, Manning fought the Law and the Law won.

New England cornerback Ty Law picked off Peyton's pass to Pollard and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown. Law came back in the second period to snare another interception in his own end zone to kill Indy's scoring drive.

"It was a timing throw, and he (Law) didn't bite after I pumped. I should have chucked that one into the stands," said Manning about the second interception.

"I feel I'm making some bad decisions and I'm making too many mistakes. It's no fun to lose, especially since our defense played well and we ran the ball well."

The learning curve in the NFL is a steep one, especially for quarterbacks, and his opening games haven't done much for Manning's confidence.

But Mora doesn't feel like watching from the bench would be any better for Indy's QB of the future.

"I don't have a blueprint; it's my first time, too," said Mora, referring to a rookie starter. "He had an excellent week of practice, but things happen in games that you don't see in practice.

"It's a difficult experience, but I think we'll keep him in there. He's got the maturity level to stay in there and fight it out. I'm not going to give up on him and I think he'll handle it."

Tony Mandarich agreed with Mora.

"He'll be just fine; tonight was growing pains," said the Colts' veteran offensive lineman. "I think Peyton is too tough to go into a shell, and we're not giving up on him by any means."

Patriot quarterback Drew Bledsoe is familiar with Manning's daunting task. Five years ago, he was in the crosshairs.

"It's hard even when you have some experience," said Bledsoe. "Defenses just continually get more and more complex every year. As a rookie, it's extremely difficult. Coaches know that and they try to make it even more difficult for rookies.

"You've got another organization doing everything it can to confuse you, hit you, knock you down and make you fail."

Two weeks into his professional career, Manning can relate.