INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Colts quarterback Curtis Painter has spent the last three days trying to forget his NFL debut.
He lost a fumble that the Jets returned for a touchdown. He threw an interception. He struggled to get first downs. The Indiana native was greeted with boos, walked off the field to thousands of empty seats, and he’s heard the fans’ complaints about Indy’s decision to sit their starters ever since.
What a way to start a career.
Painter can’t wait to get his second chance this week at Buffalo.
“It was a great experience to get out there, but it didn’t go the way we wanted,” he said. “But I’m excited. Hopefully, I’ll get that opportunity (to play) again this week.”
Clearly, this wasn’t how the Colts (14-1) drew it up.
They took Painter in the sixth round of April’s draft with the intention of giving him a whole season to learn Indy’s offense, to study under three-time MVP Peyton Manning and get acclimated to the ways of the NFL.
anning, who has started 206 straight games, including the playoffs, the Colts figured they could always go to Jim Sorgi.
Those plans changed in November when Sorgi hurt his throwing shoulder at practice, forcing the longtime backup into duty as the emergency third quarterback behind Painter. Sorgi later landed on injured reserve, ending his season and putting Painter in the tricky predicament of trying to finish the Colts’ perfect season when they decided to rest the starters.
The official transition began with 5:36 left in the third quarter Sunday and the Colts holding a 15-10 lead.
Facing a less than ideal situation, first-and-10 from his own 10-yard line against the league’s No. 1 defense, the Colts decided to play it safe. Painter handed off to Donald Brown for no gain, then hooked up with Hank Baskett for 9 yards. On third down, Brown was stuffed for a 1-yard loss, and the Colts punted.
Co. back on the field.
Not a chance.
Monday night on his weekly radio show.
All Painter could do was try to survive.
“I wasn’t too worried about the boos because you’ve got a lot to focus on during the game,” he said. “That’s certainly one good defense.”
During the game and throughout this week, teammates have attempted to keep Painter’s confidence up.
Receiver Reggie Wayne and center Jeff Saturday, who were both named to their fourth Pro Bowl on Tuesday, publicly offered support for Painter following the loss.
On Wednesday, Manning went a step further by referencing the early struggles in his career.
“It was a tough first experience for him, and I definitely thought it was a tough situation to enter the game,” Manning said. “I think he’ll be better for it. You know you want your first experience to be a good one, and mine wasn’t either.”
But Manning’s debut came in the aftermath of a 3-13 season that gave Indy the No. 1 pick in the draft; Painter’s came with the NFL’s third team to go 14-0 and a little more than five quarters away from a perfect regular season.
“A lot of circumstances you can’t control,” he said. “You have to be able to take some tough times, adjust, learn from them and move on.”
Some wondered whether the circumstances might prompt Painter, who grew up in Vincennes, Ind., to be gun-shy this week.
Instead, he’s eager to produce some new memories.
s to lose because we hadn’t lost in a while, but I’ve gotten a lot of support from inside and outside this organization and that helps,” he said. “I don’t know how much I’ll play this week yet, but I’ve got to prepare like I will and I’ll be excited to get that opportunity.”
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