The Indianapolis Colts' decision to sign veteran quarterback Kerry Collins, instead of turning to backup Curtis Painter, has a Patriots tie of sorts.
Painter was a sixth-round pick in the 2009 draft, the 11th and final pure quarterback selected that year. The Patriots' Brian Hoyer, on the other hand, went undrafted that year.
Here is a look at the quarterbacks selected in '09:
1.Matthew Stafford
5. Mark Sanchez
17. Josh Freeman
44. Pat White (no longer with Dolphins)
101. Stephen McGee
151. Rhett Bomar (no longer with Giants)
171. Nate Davis (no longer with 49ers)
174. Tom Brandstater (no longer with Broncos)
178. Mike Teel (no longer with Seahawks)
196. Keith Null (no longer with Rams)
201. Curtis Painter
That was a tough pill to swallow for Hoyer, who had invited television cameras in his home on draft day. As he said on Sirius XM NFL Radio this week, "You have that little chip on your shoulder that everyone passes you up, and you want to prove them wrong."
Outside of Stafford, Sanchez and Freeman -- all first-rounders -- one could now make a case that Hoyer is the next in line when it comes to the quarterback class of 2009.
The Colts' decision-making process with Painter, and bringing Collins out of retirement to be the top replacement for Peyton Manning, highlights that point.