With Painter guiding the offense, Colts seek first win in Tampa Bay

When Peyton Manning ultimately decided for surgery in May, the team had no reason to think their franchise quarterback wouldn’t be ready in time for the regular season (if there was one, because the NFL lockout was still going on). Then came another surgery and the team wanted to turn to a more veteran quarterback.

Curtis Painter will direct the Colts offense from the outset Monday night in Tampa.

And now in week four, the Colts are going with a second quarterback after Manning started every game for the last 13 years. Curtis Painter will get his first career start tonight in front of a national audience on Monday Night football in Tampa Bay.

“Curtis is one of those guys that is unflappable,” head coach Jim Caldwell said earlier this week. “He’s been around the block a little bit.  I’ve talked to him on a number of occasions. One time, when things may not have been going so well, I visited with him, and he said, ‘I’ve been through this a couple times.’ I think that’s a good quality, but I think there’s another side to him that wants to go out and prove that he can play and play well. He’s shown spurts, and now he’s getting the opportunity for an extended period to go in and get it done against a good team.”

With the talent he is lacking, Painter makes up for it with his grasp of the dense playbook and timing with veteran players. That’s one thing Kerry Collins has lacked. He’s been with the team just over a month and it shows when he is missing throws, and communicating poorly with his receivers.

“I’m excited for it.  It will be fun,” said Painter. “It will be a great atmosphere.  We’ll go down there, give it all we’ve got and hopefully bring home a win.  I’m excited to be out there with the guys.  We had some success the last game, and, hopefully, we can carry that over with continued success.”

More bad news came from the team this week when they announced Melvin Bullitt and Gary Brackett were moved to IR and done for the season. Two big starters to the defense out way too early into the season. Led by Dwight Freeney, the defense did impress last week limiting the Pittsburgh Steelers. While Freeney’s sacks and forced fumbles stood out, it was Pat Angerer’s 20 tackles at the linebacker position that was most outstanding.

Raymond James stadium is sold-out for the first time this season after two blackouts. Apparently the Manning-less Colts and playing on national television encouraged fans to go.

Tony Dungy will drive over to the game from his Tampa home to watch two of his former teams. He will be the guest of Colts owner Jim Irsay and I’m sure he will visit with the team after the game. Maybe it’s enough good karma for the Colts to win their first game of the season.

There’s enough pressure on Curtis Painter because he’s in the place of future hall-of-famer Peyton Manning. Earning his first start and on such a grand stage, emotions will be great. Jim Caldwell believes that it will take a team effort to win and not just an out-of-character performance by Painter.

“Now, here’s the other thing you have to understand, he can’t do it alone. This is not a one-man game. This is a team game, and I think the guys will rally around him. Everybody’s got to do their job, and that’s extremely important. To think that he’s going to go in and play this game perfectly, that’s not going to happen.  But will he go in there and play well? I think so.”

Kick-off is set for 8:15 PM on ESPN with Mike Tirico, Coach Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski on the call. Because it’s a national television audience, wonder if Manning shares the details of his injury to any ESPN personality.

Are you ready for some football?

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