Journeyman QB Scott Tolzien getting shot with Indianapolis Colts

INDIANAPOLIS -- Scott Tolzien knows what it's like playing behind a franchise quarterback.

Tolzien, who signed with Indianapolis during the offseason, was the primary backup behind Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers the past several seasons. Now he gets to sit behind Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. The former Wisconsin signal-caller thinks his time with the Packers will help him in his new home.

"Ultimately, my job is to be a good teammate and to help get Andrew ready. And the best way to do that is make sure I'm prepared so that we can collaborate and work together and help each other out and hopefully act as one another's coaches," Tolzien said.

"But in order to do that, you have to know the game plan and treat yourself like the starter. And in turn, you are helping the team."

The Colts were blessed to have another long-time NFL veteran, Matt Hasselbeck, as their primary backup quarterback for the previous three seasons. Now Tolzien moves into that ever-important role.

"You never know when your time is going to come and that's my job to be ready," he admitted. "Some would say it's the greatest job in the world and I wouldn't dispute that. I love my job. But you always have to be ready and you never know when that's going to be."

Indianapolis will be Tolzien's fourth NFL stop (after San Diego, San Francisco, and Green Bay).

"I think as you get older, you get better at adjusting to new environments, new guys. I think really I've learned that there are a lot of good locker rooms around the league and this has been no different. Guys have been very welcoming, coaches and players alike," he explained.

"At the same time, though, it's a fresh start so it kind of re-energizes you a little bit. I have a long way to go with the playbook. But that's exciting too. It's my job to know it, so I have to stay on it."

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano likes what he's seen so far from his new backup quarterback.

"We knew he was a good athlete. Great mobility, can execute and extend plays. Quick, strong. Great reflexes. Good arm, good release. He's looked good so far," Pagano says. "Pleased with his progress but there's still a lot of work to do."

Tolzien is one of four quarterbacks currently on the Indianapolis offseason roster, joining Luck, Stephen Morris and undrafted rookie Josh Woodrum. Woodrum was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants and was released after their rookie camp.

The Colts are expecting to only keep two quarterbacks on their regular-season roster, with Morris and Woodrum battling it out to determine who will end up on Indianapolis' practice squad.