MIAMI | Curtis Painter's stare grows more distant and his upper lip curls ever so slightly each time the subject is broached.
Does the rookie quarterback feel like he was given the keys to the perfect season and drove it off a cliff? How does it feel to watch replays of the fumble that led to a Jets touchdown and, ultimately, the end of the dream undefeated season? What was it like to walk off the field knowing you presided over the end of the perfect season?
The rookie quarterback doesn't crack though. He's defiant, spouting the same line that everyone on the team has been using ever since that Dec. 27 loss to the Jets.
"The goal from the beginning of the season was never a perfect season," Painter said. "Obviously you go in and you want to win each game, and, sure, if that happens, you have a perfect season. But our ultimate goal is to be here and put ourselves in the best situation possible.
"Provided we win this weekend, we'll look back and all the players will be on board saying it was a good opportunity for us."
Painter doesn't want any sympathy bestowed upon him, even though the game against the Jets was his first regular-season NFL action. The hungry green machine ran over the inexperienced Colts reserves, knocking Painter down and returning his fumble for a go-ahead touchdown and later intercepting him en route to ending Indianapolis' NFL-record 23-game regular-season winning streak.
"Tough situation or not, that's the role you play and that's the scenario," Painter said. "You go in there to play and to win games. You can't look at it as a tough scenario, that's what you've got to do."
Painter is playing a different role this week -- trying to mimic fellow Purdue grad Drew Brees for the Colts' scout team in preparation for Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday in Sun Life Stadium.
"It's hard to simulate a quarterback like him, but I certainly have tried and continued to give them a good look," Painter said.
Come Sunday, either Brees or Painter will be the third Purdue quarterback to win a Super Bowl, joining Len Dawson and Bob Griese.
Colts star Peyton Manning and Brees both mentored Painter during his career at Purdue. Painter, a graduate of Lincoln High School in Vincennes, met Manning at a passing camp during his prep career.
Brees said he's happy for Painter and followed his career closely. Kyle Orton was the quarterback between the Brees and Painter eras in West Lafayette.
Painter threw for 11,163 yards, 67 touchdowns and 46 interceptions at Purdue and, despite being benched a few times his senior year, was drafted in the sixth round of the NFL draft last April.
"I've always been impressed with him, just the way that he has handled everything, both the ups and downs," Brees said. "I think he has fought through his fair share of adversity. Then to get an opportunity to come and play at the next level and be a backup to one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and of all time, really, I feel like that's great for him.
"Obviously you're not getting a whole lot of reps sitting behind Peyton Manning, but I've been happy for him."
PRO FOOTBALL
Super Bowl XLIV
Colts vs. Saints
Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami.
When: 5:25 p.m. Sunday.
TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 2); WEFM-FM (95.9).
