INDIANAPOLIS – What Scott Tolzien might lack in actual NFL-game experience (six games played in five seasons), he makes up for with the quarterbacks he's been around.
As a rookie in San Diego, Tolzien initially learned under five-time Pro Bowler Philip Rivers.
Tolzien spent 2011-12 in San Francisco. Former No. 1 pick Alex Smith and a Super-Bowl led season by Colin Kaepernick were the guys Tolzien shared a quarterback room with in the Bay Area.
Finally, for the last three years, Tolzien was a well-respected teammate for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Andrew Luck is next on the list for Tolzien.
"I've been lucky my whole career to be playing with some great quarterbacks and some great coaches," Tolzien said after signing with the Colts last Friday.
"I've learned so much from all those guys and all my coaches, too. It's crazy thinking I'm entering my sixth year. I'm looking forward to this start here because I feel like I can use my past to help myself and help the Colts."
The Colts' need to acquire a player such as Tolzien became a clear priority early last week.
With Matt Hasselbeck not in the team's plans and Josh Freeman released, the Colts were on the search for a backup.
Tolzien was about to hit the open market and had some homework to do on teams inquiring about the 28-year-old quarterback.
From head coach Chuck Pagano, to offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and new quarterbacks coach Brian Schottenheimer, Tolzien liked what he heard in Indy.
"Really enjoyed meeting those guys and believe in them. Did my homework on them and everyone speaks really highly of them," Tolzien said.
"I was telling everyone here it checks all the boxes as far as you want to go to a place where you feel like you can have success and with that it's good coaches, good players, good organization, winning organization and a good city fit, too."
It's been a while, but Tolzien does have some familiarity with the offense Chud will likely implement in Indianapolis.
Tolzien's brief 2011 stint in San Diego introduced him to the "digit" offense ran by Norv Turner, a mentor to Chud and his offensive influence.
A re-introduction to such a system for Tolzien will come starting with OTAs next month.
For now, Tolzien wanted to make sure the personal fit was here in Indianapolis before the real work begins.
"At first, you are just trying to get to know each other, talking about everything but football just to kind of get a feel for people as individuals," Tolzien said of his two days spent in Indianapolis last week.
"This is who you are going to be spending a majority of your time with. Really, this is your new family and I really feel that they are genuine people. Even everyone I've talked to and then meeting them today, they are very real, down to earth and make no mistake about it, good football coaches, too. I really believe that. I'm excited to work with them."
