Injuries are still a concern and roster may change before opener vs. Ravens.
Tony Dungy insisted his Indianapolis Colts are ready for the regular season, even if they continue to walk with a slight limp after reaching the NFL-mandated roster limit of 53 players over the weekend.
"When everybody gets healthy, I think we're going to like our roster," Dungy said Sunday. "We like the guys we have."
However, a few of those guys won't be ready for Sunday night's nationally televised regular-season opener at Baltimore.
Definitely ruled out are linebacker Gilbert Gardner (ankle) and rookie defensive linemen Vincent Burns (knee) and Jonathan Welsh (knee). Gardner injured his left ankle in the preseason finale at Cincinnati while Burns and Welsh suffered their injuries in Tokyo.
Dungy remains hopeful he'll have wide receiver Brandon Stokley (shoulder), running back Dominic Rhodes (turf toe), offensive tackle Ryan Diem (ankle), rookie cornerback Marlin Jackson (shoulder) and safety Bob Sanders (leg).
While the Colts reached the 53-player limit Saturday, they didn't necessarily settle on their opening-day roster. Dungy said the team placed waiver claims on several players, but hadn't been informed by the league early Sunday evening whether it was awarded anyone. If the Colts are awarded a player -- a linebacker or defensive lineman is a possibility -- they must release someone.
Even if no more moves are forthcoming, Dungy said enough have been made to upgrade the most pressing areas.
"We definitely think we've got some guys who can help our defense and special teams," he said, including defensive tackle Corey Simon and linebacker Rocky Calmus in the mix. "That's what we went into this year's draft and the whole offseason process hoping to do and we think we've been able to do it."
Here's a look at other aspects of the roster:
• Youthful influence: Don't be blinded by the brilliance and experience of Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Tarik Glenn, Montae Reagor and several other Colts. This remains a relatively young team.
Nearly one-quarter of the active roster (12 of 53 players, 22.6 percent) has never played a regular-season game. The group consists of nine rookies, including seven of this year's 10 draft picks, and three others whose experience is limited to the preseason or the practice squad. An eighth draft pick, linebacker Tyjuan Hagler, opens the season on the physically unable to perform list.
• For the ages: The Colts have only five players at least 30 years old -- place-kicker Mike Vanderjagt (35), Harrison (33), cornerback Nick Harper (31), linebacker Rob Morris (30) and center Jeff Saturday (30).
• One kicker, two kickers: Dave Rayner managed to do what David Kimball couldn't a year ago, which is be proficient enough with his preseason kickoffs to secure a roster spot.
After a slow start, Rayner, a sixth-round pick, warmed to the task. He took advantage of the thin air in Denver and drilled three touchbacks in four attempts, then delivered his only kickoff at Cincinnati to the Bengals' 5. The depth and hang time on Rayner's kickoffs are slightly better than those of Vanderjagt, but that was enough for the team to keep a second kicker.
• Out of nowhere: To this point, Darrell Reid is this year's Terrence Wilkins and Dominic Rhodes. The rookie defensive tackle was among the many players signed after the April draft, and he, like Wilkins and Rhodes in previous seasons, earned a roster spot with a solid preseason. Reid is quick and has a non-stop motor. He's also a former Gopher, which can't hurt when your head coach also is a University of Minnesota alum.
• The waiting game: Hagler, defensive tackle Josh Williams (sports hernia) and cornerback Von Hutchins must miss at least the first six weeks of the season. They are on the physically unable to perform list.
Call Star reporter Mike Chappell at (317) 444-6830.
Roster breakdown
Here's a look at the Colts' 53-player roster following this weekend's personnel moves:
• Quarterback (2): Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi.
• Running back (4): Edgerrin James, Dominic Rhodes, James Mungro, Ran Carthon.
• Wide receiver (5): Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stokley, Troy Walters, Aaron Moorehead.
• Tight end (4): Dallas Clark, Ben Hartsock, Ben Utecht, Bryan Fletcher.
• Offensive line (8): Tarik Glenn, Jeff Saturday, Ryan Diem, Jake Scott, Ryan Lilja, Dylan Gandy, Joaquin Gonzalez, Matt Ulrich.
• Defensive tackle (5): Corey Simon, Montae Reagor, Larry Tripplett, Vincent Burns, Darrell Reid.
• Defensive end (5): Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Raheem Brock, Josh Thomas, Jonathan Welsh.
• Linebacker (6): David Thornton, Cato June, Gary Brackett, Rob Morris, Gilbert Gardner, Rocky Calmus.
• Cornerback (5): Nick Harper, Donald Strickland, Jason David, Marlin Jackson, Kelvin Hayden.
• Safety (5): Bob Sanders, Joseph Jefferson, Gerome Sapp, Matt Giordano, Dexter Reid.
• Kicker (2): Mike Vanderjagt, Dave Rayner.
• Punter (1): Hunter Smith.
• Long-snapper (1): Justin Snow.
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Tony Dungy insisted his Indianapolis Colts are ready for the regular season, even if they continue to walk with a slight limp after reaching the NFL-mandated roster limit of 53 players over the weekend.
"When everybody gets healthy, I think we're going to like our roster," Dungy said Sunday. "We like the guys we have."
However, a few of those guys won't be ready for Sunday night's nationally televised regular-season opener at Baltimore.
Definitely ruled out are linebacker Gilbert Gardner (ankle) and rookie defensive linemen Vincent Burns (knee) and Jonathan Welsh (knee). Gardner injured his left ankle in the preseason finale at Cincinnati while Burns and Welsh suffered their injuries in Tokyo.
Dungy remains hopeful he'll have wide receiver Brandon Stokley (shoulder), running back Dominic Rhodes (turf toe), offensive tackle Ryan Diem (ankle), rookie cornerback Marlin Jackson (shoulder) and safety Bob Sanders (leg).
While the Colts reached the 53-player limit Saturday, they didn't necessarily settle on their opening-day roster. Dungy said the team placed waiver claims on several players, but hadn't been informed by the league early Sunday evening whether it was awarded anyone. If the Colts are awarded a player -- a linebacker or defensive lineman is a possibility -- they must release someone.
Even if no more moves are forthcoming, Dungy said enough have been made to upgrade the most pressing areas.
"We definitely think we've got some guys who can help our defense and special teams," he said, including defensive tackle Corey Simon and linebacker Rocky Calmus in the mix. "That's what we went into this year's draft and the whole offseason process hoping to do and we think we've been able to do it."
Here's a look at other aspects of the roster:
• Youthful influence: Don't be blinded by the brilliance and experience of Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Tarik Glenn, Montae Reagor and several other Colts. This remains a relatively young team.
Nearly one-quarter of the active roster (12 of 53 players, 22.6 percent) has never played a regular-season game. The group consists of nine rookies, including seven of this year's 10 draft picks, and three others whose experience is limited to the preseason or the practice squad. An eighth draft pick, linebacker Tyjuan Hagler, opens the season on the physically unable to perform list.
• For the ages: The Colts have only five players at least 30 years old -- place-kicker Mike Vanderjagt (35), Harrison (33), cornerback Nick Harper (31), linebacker Rob Morris (30) and center Jeff Saturday (30).
• One kicker, two kickers: Dave Rayner managed to do what David Kimball couldn't a year ago, which is be proficient enough with his preseason kickoffs to secure a roster spot.
After a slow start, Rayner, a sixth-round pick, warmed to the task. He took advantage of the thin air in Denver and drilled three touchbacks in four attempts, then delivered his only kickoff at Cincinnati to the Bengals' 5. The depth and hang time on Rayner's kickoffs are slightly better than those of Vanderjagt, but that was enough for the team to keep a second kicker.
• Out of nowhere: To this point, Darrell Reid is this year's Terrence Wilkins and Dominic Rhodes. The rookie defensive tackle was among the many players signed after the April draft, and he, like Wilkins and Rhodes in previous seasons, earned a roster spot with a solid preseason. Reid is quick and has a non-stop motor. He's also a former Gopher, which can't hurt when your head coach also is a University of Minnesota alum.
• The waiting game: Hagler, defensive tackle Josh Williams (sports hernia) and cornerback Von Hutchins must miss at least the first six weeks of the season. They are on the physically unable to perform list.
Call Star reporter Mike Chappell at (317) 444-6830.
Roster breakdown
Here's a look at the Colts' 53-player roster following this weekend's personnel moves:
• Quarterback (2): Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi.
• Running back (4): Edgerrin James, Dominic Rhodes, James Mungro, Ran Carthon.
• Wide receiver (5): Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stokley, Troy Walters, Aaron Moorehead.
• Tight end (4): Dallas Clark, Ben Hartsock, Ben Utecht, Bryan Fletcher.
• Offensive line (8): Tarik Glenn, Jeff Saturday, Ryan Diem, Jake Scott, Ryan Lilja, Dylan Gandy, Joaquin Gonzalez, Matt Ulrich.
• Defensive tackle (5): Corey Simon, Montae Reagor, Larry Tripplett, Vincent Burns, Darrell Reid.
• Defensive end (5): Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Raheem Brock, Josh Thomas, Jonathan Welsh.
• Linebacker (6): David Thornton, Cato June, Gary Brackett, Rob Morris, Gilbert Gardner, Rocky Calmus.
• Cornerback (5): Nick Harper, Donald Strickland, Jason David, Marlin Jackson, Kelvin Hayden.
• Safety (5): Bob Sanders, Joseph Jefferson, Gerome Sapp, Matt Giordano, Dexter Reid.
• Kicker (2): Mike Vanderjagt, Dave Rayner.
• Punter (1): Hunter Smith.
• Long-snapper (1): Justin Snow.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...509050347/1100
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