From Peyton to Eli: Giants sign backup QB Sorgi

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -After six years backing up Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, Jim Sorgi will get a chance to do the same for Peyton's brother Eli.

The New York Giants announced Tuesday that they have signed Sorgi to a one-year deal. Terms were not disclosed.

Sorgi will compete with second-year man Rhett Bomar for the Giants' backup quarterback job.

The 6-foot-5, 196-pound quarterback was the Colts' sixth-round draft choice in 2004.

He has appeared in 16 NFL games, completing 99 of 156 pass attempts for 929 yards with six touchdowns and one interception. He played in only one game in 2009 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.

“Both are elite players,” Sorgi said of the Mannings. “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.”

The signing of Sorgi comes a day after it was reported that David Carr agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers. Carr had been Eli Manning's backup for the last two seasons.

“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,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “He is used to spending the amount of time that is necessary in preparation. 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 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, three touchdowns and 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.