#Colts QB Philip Rivers doesn’t think he’s washed up: ‘Turn on the tape’

Philip Rivers may have ended his 16-year stint with the Chargers on a sour note, but he doesn’t think he’s washed up quite yet.

“At times, I think what may have aggravated me a little bit last year was [the notion] that I just couldn’t play anymore,” the 38-year-old Colts quarterback said on Wednesday, via ESPN. “When you heard that, it bothered me, because I wanted to go, ‘Shoot, let’s turn on the tape and watch all the good things.’”

Indianapolis head coach Frank Reich sifted through days of tape for “all the guys” available – including highly sought after free agent and six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady – before signing Rivers to a one-year, $25 million deal in March. Reich described Brady as “incredible,” but called the chance to reunite with Rivers as a “crazy, unique opportunity.”

Rivers overlapped with multiple members of the current Colts’ coaching staff as a member of the Chargers, including Reich, offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni and tight ends coach Jason Michaels.

“I do know the scheme, but there’s always tweaks when you haven’t been with guys,” Rivers said. “It’s been longer with Frank than Nick. Different terminology. I remember calling things this, now we’re calling that. I feel like that’s been good for me. As far as studying playbook stuff, I haven’t had to do that in a long, long time. That’s been fun to do. Kind of a challenge.”

Rivers was selected fourth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft from North Carolina State. Since entering the league, he has appeared in 228 regular season games and thrown for 59,271 yards, 397 touchdowns and 198 interceptions, completing 64.7 percent of his passes.

He has been named to eight Pro Bowls and has 11 playoff appearances, including the 2007 AFC Championship Game – during which he famously played with a torn ACL.

“I can just tell you this and I know we still have to play games and all that stuff, and that’s the exciting part, but the further we get into this process with Philip, the more I’m convinced that was the right move for us,” Reich said earlier this spring. “This guy is an elite quarterback and I think (he) went with this roster. We have to stay healthy and we have to get some breaks. We all know that. It’s hard.”

Rivers’ final season with the Chargers was marred by a 5-11 finish in which he threw 20 interceptions – third-most in the NFL.

“There were some bad plays. Certainly some throws I want back and certainly some very costly mistakes. I own up to all those,” Rivers said. “There was so much good and I had some throws last year that were probably as good as I’ve had my whole career. I knew. So I didn’t feel like I had to sell that to anyone. But at the same time, it did aggravate you little bit. I think it’s OK to be aware. I’m one of those guys that likes to be aware.”