After six years of backing up Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, Jim Sorgi will have a chance to do the same for younger brother Eli.
"Both are elite players," said Sorgi, who signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants on Tuesday. "I had a great time working with Peyton, and I learned a lot, obviously. The experience was invaluable as far as my development as a professional.
"I hate to see my time in Indianapolis come to an end, but I am as excited about working with Eli as I am sad about leaving Peyton, and I look forward to working with Eli and helping him any way I can. I have been fortunate to work with Peyton, who has one of the greatest minds in the game."
Sorgi will compete with second-year pro Rhett Bomar for the Giants' backup quarterback job behind Eli Manning.
Sorgi was the Colts' sixth-round draft pick in 2004. He has appeared in 16 NFL games, completing 99 of 156 passes for 929 yards and six touchdowns with one interception. He played in only one game last season and was placed on injured reserve in December with shoulder tendinitis.
Sorgi worked out for the Giants on Monday and said his shoulder felt fine.
"I just need to continue to work on maintenance with it, but I want to be a player the Giants can count on to get the job done if need be," he said. "I am excited to be here."
After Sorgi proved his throwing shoulder was fine, he impressed Giants coach Tom Coughlin during an interview.
"Jim demonstrated in the meeting room with our coaches that he is very sharp and a very good student of the game, which you would expect after spending six years backing up Peyton," Coughlin said. "He was involved in the study and preparation and everything that Peyton does, so he will be outstanding in the meeting room with Eli."
Sorgi's signing came one day after David Carragreed to a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Carr had been Eli Manning's backup for the last two seasons.
Sorgi appeared in a career-high five games as a reserve in 2005 and posted career-best totals with 42 completions on 61 attempts for 444 yards and three touchdowns with one interception for a 99.4 rating. Sorgi's career-long completion is a 71-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne as a rookie in 2004.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
