Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky
In his first practice working at the Colts No. 1 quarterback, Jim Sorgi looked pretty efficient and smooth at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
He didn't miss on eight throws in the seven-on-seven period late in an unpadded practice, usually a good time to gauge a quarterback's comfort level and crispness. Tony Dungy smiled and nodded when he talked about Sorgi's precision.
In the quarterback's first period with the full offense, running back Joseph Addai booted Sorgi's first pass.
"It wasn't his fault," Addai said sheepishly. "He knows it wasn't his fault. It was me."
Quinn Gray worked as the No. 2 quarterback with Jared Lorenzen third, though Lorenzen said he expects they'll be flipped tomorrow and continue to alternate.
Both spoke enthusiastically about their chances to stick as the team's third quarterback, though the Colts have not carried three since Cory Sauter was with the team in 2003.
They haven't needed one because Peyton Manning has missed just one play due to injury in his entire career. He's taken 9,778 of a possible 10,098 snaps during. But now he's recovering from the removal of an infected bursa sac from his left knee. While he's expected to return in plenty of time to be ready for the season opener Sept. 7 against Chicago at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis could be in position to keep an extra signal-caller around for a while just in case.
It's also not impossible to envision Gray or Lorenzen winning the No. 2 spot if they play especially well and Sorgi doesn't.
"You sort of create your own opportunity in this league," Gray said. "...They say it's kind of slowed down right now because Peyton ain't here. So I can imagine what it's like when he is here, because it's still face-paced without him."
Said Lorenzen after his first practice: "I'm worn out. They really get to work out here."
(Before you ask and start the jokes, the 6-foot-4 Lorenzen said he weighs 285. While he's a large man, he doesn't look like he's carrying a lot of extra pounds.)
Whoever's throwing to the top receivers is going to have Marvin Harrison back in the mix. He practiced and looked good as he returns from knee issues.
Kuharsky joined ESPN.com in 2008 after 12 years covering the Oilers/Titans and the NFL for The (Nashville) Tennessean. The New Jersey native and Columbia graduate lives in Nashville with his wife.
