More on Joe Hamilton

Well, Joe didn't win Arena League Rookie of the year - that went to Andre McPhearson. More on the QB situation at Indy:

Indianapolis: The recent signing of former Georgia Tech star and Tampa Bay backup means the Colts now have four quarterbacks behind Peyton Manning who have averaged 2.25 regular-season pass attempts each. As with Favre, the durable Manning is an iron man, and has never missed a start. But does anyone really believe that if Manning ever goes down, the Colts will be the same? Sorry, but current No. 2 Cory Sauter isn't the answer. Manning and Couch are good friends and, notably, they share an agent.

Lastly, look at Joe's bio from AFL - link here. Brought back some memories.

In college, Hamilton was one of the most decorated quarterbacks in NCAA history; finished second to Ron Dayne in the 1999 Heisman Trophy balloting; a four-year starter, Hamilton finished his career with 10,640 yards of total offense, 83 total touchdowns, 65 passing touchdowns and an impressive 148.2 passer efficiency rating, he was the first player in NCAA history to top 10,000 career all-purpose yards with at least 1,500 rushing yards; as a senior, was a near-consensus first team All-America selection, being named to the first unit of the Associated Press, Football Writers of America, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation and Football News All-America teams; received the Davey O'Brien award as the nation's top senior quarterback and was ACC Player of the Year; completed 66.6% of his passes, threw a school record 29 touchdown passes and recorded the sixth highest passer efficiency rating in NCAA history (175.0) in his final season with Tech; against top-ranked and eventual national champion Florida State, Hamilton almost pulled one of the biggest upsets ever by completing 22 of 25 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-35 loss to the Seminoles; in an epic 51-48 overtime upset of Georgia in the regular season finale, Hamilton hit on 22 of 32 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns; while rushing for 94 yards on 15 carries; was runner-up for ACC Rookie of the Year as a freshman and was first team All-ACC as a junior; led Georgia Tech to three consecutive bowl appearances; marking the first time a Yellow Jackets signal caller had accomplished that feat since the 1970-72 seasons.

When you read all that, you realize how easy it is to forget how good Joe was. And as high as our expectations are for Reggie Ball, no disrespect, but he has a long way to go to be in the same sentence. I like where Reggie is headed, but he has a lot to accomplish. To be fair, he has only played one year, and as a true freshman. Maybe Reggie will break all Joe's records.

One thing is for sure. Joe was a special player. We were blessed to have him.