Indianapolis Colts: Jim Irsay's Announcement Means the End of Curtis Painter

Yesterday's news that the Colts may look at veteran quarterbacks to bring in due to Peyton Manning's situation means this is the end of Curtis Painter.

I think I can speak for most Colts fans when I say, it's about time.

Nothing against Painter, but he is the worst quarterback in the league. He's had four years to learn our system and hone his skills behind Manning, but he's not any better than he was when we drafted him.

Let's be honest though; we didn't bring him in to ever see the field on a regular season gameday unless it was in garbage time. He was a cheap backup that we'd never use. 

Now in an unforseen circumstance we may need a starting quarterback in Week 1 Who's not No. 18. Colts owner Jim Irsay tweeted yesterday that the team may look outside for a veteran to step in. Sorry Curtis that means they don't think you're getting the job done. Four-for-10 passing in a preseason game with the first unit is inexcusable.

I hope the Colts can get someone to bring in to manage this offense. Normally, I'd say we just need someone to get us by, but we don't have a running game to slow the game down. Teams are going to do what Washington did to us Friday night and blitz six or seven guys at a time and force whoever's behind center to get rid of the ball quickly. That will end all ways of running the ball as well.

This means we need a veteran that finds receivers quickly and is accurate. Painter is none of the above.

The defense also needs to step up. They can't afford to give up big gains and a lot of points. 

In order to win when your main player is gone, you need to manage the game by playing great defense and slowing the game down a lot without committing many turnovers.

The best quarterback that comes to mind for immediate help is Daunte Culpepper. The former 11th pick of the 1999 NFL Draft is big enough to take some hits and is accurate enough to help us immediately. He's not going to come in and be the old Daunte, but he's good enough to get us by until Manning can come back.

Another quarterback that may be a long shot would be Marc Bulger. He was part of a very high-speed, high-profile offense in St. Louis and is currently retired. Maybe the Colts can talk him into coming back for a few weeks and then going back to retirement once Manning returns.

The best option as of now to bring in is Kerry Collins. The former Tennessee Titans quarterback is familiar with the AFC South and is accurate enough to keep us going. 

Either way, no one is going to replace Manning and be anything close to what he is. We just need someone who can win us some games and make good decisions. I just applaud that the sight of Curtis Painter behind center will soon be gone. Maybe next time if he decides he wants to be serious about being a quarterback he'd start by finding a barber.