Indianapolis Colts Football

Drew Stanton

             by Kevin Bowen

It has been a whirlwind past 10 days for quarterback Drew Stanton.

After singing with the New York Jets on March 16 and believing his new home would be in the AFC East, Stanton has now found a new home in Indianapolis when the Colts traded for the former Michigan State quarterback on Friday.

Stanton spent his first five seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions but after an interesting past few weeks he is starting to settle into being in Indianapolis.

“The circumstances change every single day with the dynamics involved in this league,” Stanton said. “It was a domino effect or almost circular in the fact that everybody flipping places and moving over one.”

The dominos fell to Indianapolis for Stanton and he heads into a team with many new faces moving into the 2012 season.

“It’s a unique situation I think, especially with a new coach and (general manager),” Stanton said. “They thought enough (of me) to trade for me and I’m really excited about the opportunity that exists there.”

At 6-foot-3-inches and 230 pounds, Stanton has the physical tools that helped him become a second round draft pick by the Lions back in 2007.

He has started four games in his NFL career including winning his final two starts in 2010.

“Drew is a big, athletic and strong armed quarterback that has the intangible package we are looking for at the position,” said General Manager Ryan Grigson. “He is a young, but seasoned quarterback that has won games in this league and we look forward to seeing him contribute to this team and our collective vision for the future.”

One particular aspect of the Colts organization that Stanton is looking to forward to working with is his new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.

Since 2007, Arians has been the offensive coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers but now he has made the switch to the Colts and that is something that intrigues Stanton.

“I’m excited to see what (Arians) offense is all about,” Stanton said. “When you look at the numbers Ben’s (Roethlisberger) been able to put up and the success he’s had. And the receivers (Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown) last year.”

For right now Stanton joins Trevor Vittatoe as the only Colts quarterbacks on the roster and Stanton knows that no matter what happens between now and the start of the season he has to practice as the starter.

“I think that’s just the mentality you have to take in this league,” Stanton said. “We put so much time and effort into our profession behind the scenes. If you’re not preparing that way, then you’re doing yourself and your team an injustice.”